Maranza: Sun Terrace, Gitschberg and Trails

Maranza between the Sun Terrace and Gitschberg

Maranza is known as the “Sun Terrace” because of its south-facing location. Gitschberg rises above Maranza and shapes the mountain landscape for summer and winter leisure activities.

Panoramic views and summer trails on Gitschberg

The panoramic platform on Gitschberg is located at an altitude of 2,510 metres and offers clear-sky views of more than 500 mountain peaks in every direction. In summer, the panoramic platform is a hiking destination reached by several trails. From Maranza, the panoramic platform can be reached by taking the Nessel cable car and then following Trail No. 12 on foot in summer; the walk takes slightly more than one hour. In summer, the walking time of more than one hour should be considered as a separate section in addition to the ride on the Nessel cable car. Trail No. 12 is therefore part of the excursion and is not merely a short connection. The point reached by the Nessel cable car and the panoramic platform are separated by 397 metres of elevation gain. In summer, this difference in altitude is covered on foot via Trail No. 12. The combination of mountain railway and walking trail therefore requires different time planning for the excursion than a ride uphill alone.

Water, forest floor and medicinal herbs in the Altfasstal valley

The Almenkneipp Trail in the Altfasstal valley passes four Kneipp stations. At the stations, visitors can walk through water, feel the forest floor and discover medicinal herbs.

Summer activities in the meadows and mountains of Maranza

In summer, the meadows and mountains of Maranza are ideal for walking, hiking, mountain biking and paragliding. Paragliding means flying with a paraglider; mountain biking means cycling on an off-road bicycle. The four activities therefore differ in their means of movement: on foot, by bicycle and through the air.

Gitschberg-Nessel cable car and return journey

The valley station of the Gitschberg-Nessel cable car is located near the centre of Maranza and takes visitors to an altitude of 2,113 metres. From Maranza, you can take the bus back to Rio di Pusteria.

Fresco on the church tower

On the south side of a church tower, next to the main entrance of a church, there is a large late-15th-century fresco of Saint Christopher.

Church and memorial site

The Church of Saint James in Maranza stands on a site that was already used as a place of worship in pre-Christian times.

The “Linde” or “Jungfrauenrast” memorial commemorates the place where, according to legend, the Three Virgins are said to have rested on their way to Maranza. The two names “Linde” and “Jungfrauenrast” refer to the same memorial site.

Cattle drive in October

The cattle drive is celebrated in Maranza in October. During this cattle drive, farmers bring their livestock back from the alpine pastures to the stable. The cattle drive in October is also a distinct autumn event for Maranza.

Find more travel destinations under Mühlbach, Natz-Schabs, Lajen, Brixen, Villnöß, Feldthurns, Rodeneck and Lüsen.

For the higher-level travel overview: Eisack Valley.