The hiking destination—more than 150 “stone men,” some taller than a man, many of which were recently stacked from sandstone slabs —is located on the legendary, flat-topped hill known as Schöneck, said to have once been a witches’ dancing ground and possibly a prehistoric place of worship.
Past the Sarner Skihütte (1,614 m), we follow the forest road and sign 2 toward Auener Alm. In the forest, the trail forks shortly afterward; continue straight ahead there. About 15 minutes later, we cross the Almbach on a wooden bridge. To the right, the trail branches off toward the Meraner Hütte, but we continue climbing a increasingly steep ascent to the Auener Alm (1,798 m), where South Tyrolean specialties are served. We continue further into the valley (in July, the alpine roses are in bloom!). Soon, the outlines of the Stoanernen Mandln come into view high up on the left. At the Auenjoch (1,926 m)—with sweeping panoramic views—we meet the European Long-Distance Hiking Trail E5. Follow it to the left (toward the southeast), along the pasture fence, until the long-distance trail makes a right turn at the gate. We, however, continue straight ahead, climb over a fence, and tackle the ascent to the Schöneck (2,003 m) with the Stoanernen Mandln. Continue on to the Wetterkreuz. The
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