Golden autumn in South Tyrol / Südtirol

Advertorial: This summer was different. Full of uncertainties, slowed down for some. Stressful and restless for others. Perhaps it was also a time for pausing and contemplating. Many attributes can be applied to our current reality, and depending on the location and individual situation, the current pandemic and the associated crisis have had very different effects.

Many things that used to be easy have become more difficult: moving around freely, meeting friends, hanging out together, travelling. As a result, many of the most famous travel destinations seem to suddenly have moved out of reach, air travel has become impossible or unaffordable. Many of us climbers are looking for quiet areas, nature, and open spaces where you can avoid the usual crowds of popular destinations.

Secret tip for the autumn
While South Tyrol and especially the Dolomite area is highly regarded by many visitors, especially in summer and winter, autumn is a great time to have the most popular spots for yourself. The Dolomites are world-famous among alpine climbers, but South Tyrol also offers much more: the sport climbing possibilities are also surprisingly varied here.

Although South Tyrol is not yet as well known among sport climbers as, for example, the neighboring Tyrol or the nearby Arco, you will find numerous top areas here, which are anything but crowded. In addition, not only the Dolomite region in the southern and eastern part of the country offers wonderful, compact rock. Due to the unique geological conditions, a wide variety of rock formations and rock types can be found here. South Tyrol is characterized by various mountain ranges, has steep peaks, gentle valleys and meadows with beautiful landscapes. All over the country you can find great rock faces for sport climbing, on limestone, granite and gneiss as well as on porphyry and even marble.

Something for every taste
Thanks to the tireless work of the creative local developers, well-equipped areas have been established and are constantly growing, offering a wide range of difficulty levels. Some top crags for ambitious climbers, who climb in grade 6b to 8a, are for example Stohlwond in the north, Eiszeit (Passo Gardena), Traumpfeiler (Passo Sella), Rienztal and Landro Höhlen in the Dolomites area, Martell and Latsch in the west, Unterinn Matz and Morderplottn in the south.

During the autumn vacations, families also get their money's worth, as there are many crags that are easily accessible via short approaches and offer a safe, quiet environment and a particularly comfortable wall base. These include, for example, the Franzensfeste/Fortezza and Nock climbing crags in the northern and central part of the region, Tisner Auen, Juval, Marchegghof, Burgstollknott, Stuls to the south and west, Steinerne Stadt on Passo Sella, and Zörhof and Brüggele/Braies in the east.

You can view the topos for the above mentioned areas in the Vertical-Life app for free. Just download the app, register and enter the code CLIMBSUEDTIROL.

Because South Tyrol has a lot more to offer besides rock and nature, a visit is worthwhile especially in autumn: The colorful landscape invites you to go hiking or mountain biking, cities, museums and sights are pleasantly quiet right now, and the traditional Törggelen and other culinary highlights should not be missed. Autumn can be a time to enjoy the warming rays of the sun and the golden light, to spend time with friends and family and to fully relax while climbing. Find out more about South Tyrol here. Photo: Pauli Trenkwalder