The best walks and hikes around Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn - Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina

The Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn offers a diverse network of over 90 hiking routes. These include approximately 18 easy trails, 37 moderate paths, and 35 challenging routes, catering to various fitness levels and preferences.

Hikers in Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn will experience dramatic contrasts, from majestic summits and gleaming glaciers to lush green fields and deep valleys. The park is characterized by numerous mountain brooks, alpine lakes, and significant waterfalls, alongside unique geological formations like the Earth Pyramids of Platten.

Yes, the park is renowned for its beautiful waterfalls. A significant attraction is the Riva Waterfalls (Cascate di Riva/Reinbachfälle), a series of three cascades, with the largest over 50 meters high. They are particularly impressive after snowmelt.

The largest lake within the park is Lake Anterselva (Antholzer See), which offers a natural path for hikers to explore its surroundings and learn about local flora and fauna. Other notable water bodies include Lake Gola and the Maler and Kofler lakes.

Yes, the park offers easy, family-friendly paths. An example is the Francis Contemplation Trail near the Riva Waterfalls, which is suitable for shorter walks with less elevation gain. The Lake Antholz Nature Trail is another easy option, taking about an hour to complete while offering insights into local flora and fauna.

Yes, there are several circular routes available. A popular moderate option is the Durra Alm – Lobiser Schupfen loop from Rein in Taufers - Riva di Tures, which explores alpine pastures and provides views of the surrounding mountains.

For experienced trekkers, the park offers difficult alpine tours requiring good fitness and surefootedness. An example is the Barmer Hut from Lake Antholz via Riepenscharte, a 10.6-mile (17.1 km) trail through high alpine terrain, often taking nearly 8 hours. Another challenging option is the Riva di Tures High Route.

The hiking experience in Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 6,400 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the varied terrain, from glaciers and high peaks to alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the well-maintained network of trails suitable for all abilities.

Yes, the park offers opportunities for longer treks that may involve overnight stays. For instance, the hike to Rieserferner Hut (Rifugio Vedrette di Ries) is a three-hour ascent where an overnight stay is often recommended, especially if planning to continue to summits like Fernerköpfl or Frauenköpfl.

During the summer months, the provincial office for nature parks, in collaboration with local tourist offices, organizes guided tours. These tours are led by guides who help visitors appreciate the landscape's beauty and the connection between humans and nature, offering a deeper understanding of the park.

The park showcases interesting geological formations, including Zentralgneis, the Tauern window, and Rieserfernertonalit. A particularly unique natural landmark is the Earth Pyramids of Platten (Piramidi di Plata/Erdpyramiden von Platten), which are spire-like natural sand towers capped with stones.