The Hotels Ratschings Blog
There's a moment each year when the mountains around Ratschings are bathed in an especially special light: when the larches shift their needles from green to brilliant gold. For many hikers, this color show is one of the best reasons to visit the valley in late summer or early autumn.
Hiking through vividly colored chestnut forests, then rounding off the day with a hearty Törggelen meal — this combination is one of South Tyrol's finest autumn experiences. Guests staying in Ratschings who want to venture a bit further afield will find the perfect destination for a varied day trip on the Keschtnweg, the chestnut trail in the nearby Eisack Valley.
Stroll like the stars along a red carpet — in Sterzing, that becomes reality for a day. On select Saturdays each autumn, the Fugger town literally rolls out the red carpet for its visitors, turning a shopping stroll into a genuine experience.
When autumn settles over the Ratschings-Jaufen hiking area, the alpine huts transform for an entire weekend into cozy stops for good food: the Wild Game Weekend is all about hearty, flavorful game dishes, served amid a stunning mountain backdrop.
As the leaves slowly begin to turn, one of South Tyrol's most important harvest seasons of the year begins: the apple harvest. South Tyrol is one of Europe's largest contiguous apple-growing regions — and that closeness to agriculture is felt on the plate in autumn too.
A festival dedicated entirely to South Tyrol's favorite dish: at the Sterzing Dumpling Festival (Sterzinger Knödelfest), the historic old town transforms for one day into a single, sprawling feast. Just about 12 kilometers from Ratschings, this event is a must for anyone wanting to experience genuine South Tyrolean cuisine during their stay.
It's one of the most beautiful and authentic traditions of the Alps: the Alm-Abtrieb, or cattle descent. Every September, once the summer pastures have seen their best days, mountain farmers lead their cattle back down from the high alpine meadows into the valley — festively decorated and accompanied by a centuries-old tradition.
Some massages relax the muscles. The Ayurasan full-body oil massage goes a step further: it follows the principles of Ayurveda and aims to bring the body's energies back into balance. It's not for nothing that it's also called the "massage of loving hands."
While summer holidays wind down in many regions, a truly special time begins in Ratschings. Among seasoned hikers, September is considered a genuine insider tip — and for good reason.
Shoes off, straight into nature: Kneipp therapy is one of the simplest and, at the same time, most effective wellness rituals there is. In Ratschings, this centuries-old method can be experienced in two ways — on the Kneipp path at the Wellness Sporthotel, and along the barefoot trail out in nature.
You don't have to give up exercise on vacation — quite the opposite. At our hotels, a varied, free fitness program awaits you, spread across the week between the Wellness Sporthotel and the Berghotel. Whether you're after a gentle start to the day or a more intense workout, there's something for every fitness level.
A day full of elevation gain, fresh air, and movement is wonderful — but your legs notice it by evening. That's exactly where the second half of a successful active holiday comes in: proper recovery. At the hotels in Ratschings, wellness is a fixed part of the daily rhythm, not just a bonus, but a sensible complement to hiking, biking, and climbing.
The look down, the click of the carabiner, the first time hanging free on the steel cable — for many people, a via ferrata is the gateway to a whole new hobby. But before you start, it's worth preparing properly. Here are the key points for anyone attempting their first via ferrata in Ratschings.
Anyone staying in Ratschings who's looking for a truly spectacular mountain hike should plan a trip to the neighboring Ridnaun Valley. The Seven Lakes Tour winds through a high-alpine lake landscape in the southern Stubai Alps — demanding, long, and rewarded with views worth every bit of effort.
As soon as the first chanterelles appear in the forests around Ratschings each summer, this dish makes its way onto our menus: creamy risotto finished with freshly sautéed chanterelles, a touch of cream, and a hint of parsley. A classic of South Tyrolean cuisine that also works wonderfully cooked at home.
For seven summer evenings, Sterzing's historic pedestrian zone — just about 12 kilometers from Ratschings — transforms into an atmospheric strip of food, music, and festivity. The Sterzing Lantern Parties, always held on Wednesdays, have become a fixed highlight of the South Tyrolean summer, delighting locals and guests alike.
Anyone holidaying in Ratschings doesn't have to travel far for authentic South Tyrolean flavor: just about 12 kilometers away, Sterzing's main square turns into a lively farmers' market every Friday, where locals and guests have been meeting for their weekly shop for well over a decade.
Hiking with kids has its own winning formula: short distances, exciting stops along the way, and a slice of cake at the end. Ratschings offers ideal conditions for exactly that — located right at the Ratschings-Jaufen hiking area, with short approaches and well-signposted trails. Here are five types of hikes that go down especially well with families.
Your suitcase is unpacked, and the mountain air already smells like a holiday — so now what? Anyone arriving in Ratschings for the first time often faces a wonderful dilemma: hiking, biking, climbing, wellness, or a stroll through town first? Here's our suggestion for the first 72 hours, the kind that leave you wanting more.
By day, the Gilfenklamm gorge is already a natural spectacle in its own right — by night, it becomes something else entirely. Since 2021, the Gilfenklamm Magic Light event has transformed the gorge every summer into a quiet, almost mystical world where water, rock, and starry sky merge into a single scene.
If you're wondering what there is to experience in a week in Ratschings, here's the answer: more than most guests expect. This small valley, located right at the Ratschings-Jaufen ski and hiking area, combines active holidays, wellness, and South Tyrolean indulgence — each season in its own way.
After a day of hiking, mountain biking, or climbing, there's nothing better than a good meal. Dining is taken seriously at the hotels in Ratschings: the kitchens combine traditional South Tyrolean specialties with Italian influences and international highlights, rounded out by a carefully curated wine list.
The mountains are calling — but who's going to plan the route? In Ratschings, experienced guides take care of exactly that. Monday through Friday, our hotels organize guided hikes, so your holiday becomes active without you having to spend hours poring over maps yourself.
Ratschings is a small, quiet valley — and that's exactly its appeal. Instead of one hotel after another, you'll find untouched nature, warm-hearted people, and a valley that, despite its seclusion, offers everything holidaymakers could wish for. Just 12 kilometers from the Sterzing/Vipiteno highway exit, Ratschings is central enough for spontaneous day trips, yet far enough from the bustle to truly switch off.
Since 1979, the Rainer-Schölzhorn family has welcomed guests to Ratschings, right at the Ratschings-Jaufen ski and hiking area. It all began with the Berghotel Ratschings — over the years, more properties joined, each with its own character but the same underlying philosophy: family hospitality, South Tyrolean delicacies, and the motto „there's no such thing as can't.“ Today, every family member runs „their“ property — from eldest son Daniel, who manages the Tenne Lodges and Chalets, to youngest daughter Vera, who looks after the Berghotel together with mother Anni.
Anyone looking for real adrenaline in South Tyrol will find it in Ratschings. Between rugged rock faces and breathtaking views, experienced climbers, beginners, and young climbing enthusiasts alike get their money's worth here.
South Tyrol's perfectly developed cycling network, crisp mountain air, and a new view around every bend — that's a mountain bike holiday in Ratschings. Whether you're after a relaxed ride or a demanding mountain stage, this small valley near Sterzing/Vipiteno has the right route for every riding style.
Anyone traveling to South Tyrol in summer is usually looking for one thing: the feeling of wide-open space. That's exactly what you'll find hiking in Ratschings, a small, quiet valley just 12 kilometers from the Sterzing/Vipiteno highway exit. Located right at the base station of the Ratschings-Jaufen hiking area, the valley is the perfect starting point for routes through lush alpine meadows, shaded forests, and up to summit crosses with panoramic views of the South Tyrolean Alps.