Five-day hike - South Tyrolean Pearl Circular Hike
This circular hiking trail connects the four picturesque villages of Deutschnofen, Welschnofen, Steinegg, and Tiers and runs beneath the impressive Dolomite massifs Rosengarten and Latemar. Those looking for a multi-day route but not wanting to venture into high alpine terrain will find this route exactly right. The entire distance is around 80 kilometers and can be managed in 4–5 daily stages. Each stage impresses with its own scenic features. The path can be walked in both directions and offers numerous variations as well as starting points for additional summit experiences. Particularly practical: At various points on the circular hike, there is the option to use public transportation and to make the tour flexible.
The starting point of the five-day hike is Kardaun. From there, the path leads directly to the next village, Steinegg. Past beautiful viewpoints, the 1st stage of the Pearl Circular Hike leads to Tiers am Rosengarten, the first stage destination of the multi-day hike.
In the 2nd stage, the Pearl Route leads from Tiers over the Niger Pass at the foot of the Rosengarten further through meadows and forests to the Karer Pass. Accommodation can be found there.
Starting from the Karer Pass, the 3rd stage passes the world-famous Karer Seebeneath the Latemar along to Obereggen. Various overnight accommodations are available in the village.
The 4th stage begins with the ascent to the Eggental Meadows, continues over the Reiterjoch and the Lavazè Pass to the fourth stage destination, the village of Deutschnofen.
The last and 5th stage descends from Deutschnofen through the Eggental back to the starting point Kardaun.
General notes:
The circular hike takes five days, so four overnight stays are required. It is recommended to book accommodations in advance. Since walking the Pearl Route requires some stamina, experience and appropriate equipment are prerequisites. A new edition of a hiking map is advisable: Tappeiner Eggental area hiking map available at local tourism offices, scale 1:25,000, publisher Tappeiner, price: 5.00 €. The indicated walking times serve as guidelines for small groups of up to 4 people and only indicate the time for the route without stops.
The starting point of the route is easily and conveniently accessible by public transportation.
By public bus lines:
- 180, 181, 182, 170, or 184 from Bolzano,
- 180 from Karersee, Karerpass, Welschnofen
- 180, 181, or 184 from Birchabruck
- 184 from Eggen, Obereggen
- 181 from Weissenstein, Petersberg, Deutschnofen, Stenk
- 182 from Steinegg, Gummer
- 180 from Fassatal
Stop: Kardaun Brennerstraße; online timetable search at Südtirol Mobil
Starting point: Kardaun parking lot
The starting point of the route is easily and conveniently accessible by public transportation.
By public bus lines:
- 180, 181, 182, 170, or 184 from Bolzano,
- 180 from Karersee, Karerpass, Welschnofen
- 180, 181, or 184 from Birchabruck
- 184 from Eggen, Obereggen
- 181 from Weissenstein, Petersberg, Deutschnofen, Stenk
- 182 from Steinegg, Gummer
- 180 from Fassatal
Stop: Kardaun Brennerstraße; online timetable search at Südtirol Mobil
Starting point: Kardaun parking lot
By car:
There are no parking facilities in Kardaun. Alternatively, free parking is available in the villages of Karneid or Steinegg. The starting point of the route in Kardaun can be reached from there by public buses, or the hiker can start the route in the respective villages – thus shortening the first stage accordingly.
Destination: Karneid or Steinegg
Parking: free parking in Karneid or Steinegg
Starting point 1: Karneid parking lot
Starting point 2: Steinegg parking lot
Free parking in Karneid or Steinegg:
Starting point 1: Karneid parking lot
Starting point 2: Steinegg parking lot
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