Via the Kreuzjoch to the Stoanernen Mandln—a high-altitude trail leading to a legendary witches' dancing ground

Countless cairns are piled up on the Schöneck plateau (also known as Hohe Reisch). As far back as the Middle Ages, legends swirled around this mysterious place, which offers a magnificent view of the Sarntal Alps and the Dolomites. You can reach it on a leisurely panoramic hike across the grassy ridge that overlooks the wooded hills of the Tschögglberg and slopes down into the Sarntal Valley to the east. Two welcoming alpine huts shorten the descent. From the Meran 2000 01 mountain station, follow the road that leads northeast into the Meran 2000 area. After 5 minutes, at the right-hand bend in the road to Falzeben, a trail branches off and leads to another road. After 300 m, leave it again to the right onto a trail (Mark. 17), which takes you to the access road to the Meraner Hütte (Mark. 14). In a wide loop, you cross the Sinichbach stream to reach the Kirchsteigeralm 02 and the Meraner Hütte 03. You are now on the E 5 long-distance hiking trail and should follow the gravel farm road straight ahead toward the south until, after 10 minutes, a hiking trail branches off to the right (Mark. 4). It runs uphill along the grassy slope of the Spieler and then descends to the wide saddle of the Kreuzjöchl 04, marked by a large crucifix. The trail continues southward across the broad meadow ridge (after about 20 minutes, there is a shortcut to the Vöraner Alm on the right). Crossing the Maiser Rast hill, you’ll reach the scenic Kreuzjoch 05 and hike down to the Auener Joch 06. There, keep going straight ahead, turn left shortly afterward (Mark. 23), and at the next fork, turn right up the treeless ridge of the Schöneck with the Stoanernen Mandln 07. Return to the Auener Joch 06, turn left, and then continue straight ahead (Mark. 2). After climbing a small hill, you reach the beautifully situated Vöraner Alm 08. Shortly after the alp, a trail branches off to the left from the road, leading down through the meadows into the forest and to the clearing with the huts of the Wurzer-Alm 09. Keep to the left and continue on Trail No. 2, which takes a shortcut across the road to Hafling and crosses the forest road several times. It continues either directly across from or slightly offset from the road each time. Opposite a large clearing with a house, the trail turns left and descends as a wide forest path through a pine forest; after another intersection near a wayside shrine, it joins the road. To the right, you reach a hairpin curve where you turn onto a farm driveway, then, after passing the house, turn left onto a trail. Back on a small road, walk to the right past a few farms and turn right onto a wide footpath that leads down a grassy slope. To the left, you’ll reach the parking lot at Hafling 10.