Mölten: Salten, Hiking Trails and Culture

Mölten brings together the Salten plateau, hiking trails, scenic viewpoints and traces of local history. Located between Mölten and Jenesien, Salten is considered Europe's highest larch plateau. When choosing a destination, it is worth considering which of these themes interest you most: trails through the landscape, mountain views or buildings with a long history.

Hiking and views on Salten

Mölten has well-marked hiking trails, scenic high-altitude paths and gentle summit hikes. A section of the European long-distance hiking trail E5 crosses the Tschögglberg through Mölten, connecting Hafling, Vöran, Mölten and Jenesien at an altitude of around 2,000 metres. The hiking options therefore include both local trails and a section of a long-distance route.

On Salten, you can go hiking and biking through a landscape of moderate slopes. Those who want to explore the area by bike can ride through larch groves. One specific hiking route leads from the centre of Mölten along trails 13 and 15B to the Church of St. Ulrich in Gschleier. From there, hikers can enjoy a lovely view of the surrounding mountains.

At Möltner Joch, the Wetterkreuz offers a 360-degree mountain panorama. The Stoanernen Mandln also offer views of the Dolomites. The site is also associated with a historical account: a court document from 1540 records that witch dances and devil celebrations were held there. The views and history provide two distinct reasons to visit this destination.

Churches and regional history

The parish church in Mölten and six branch churches have existed since the 13th century. The individual buildings feature a variety of architectural and artistic details. The Romanesque Church of St. Jakob stands on Langfenn, at the highest point of the Salten plateau, at an altitude of 1,525 metres, on prehistoric ground.

The tower of the Church of St. Blasius is Romanesque; around 1500, the church was expanded and given a Gothic style. A Baroque fresco from 1621 is titled “The Feast of the Rich Glutton.” The patron saint's feast in Verschneid includes the distribution of the Blessing of St. Blaise on February 3. The Romanesque Church of St. Anna serves as a cemetery church and may be as old as the parish church. Its wooden altar features a stone Pietà dating from 1440.

In Schlaneid, the Chapel of St. Valentin was built in 1769 in a simple Baroque style at the request of the local population. The ruins of the old Church of St. Valentin lie in the Valteswald forest below Schlaneid. Near Versein, the Church of St. Georgen stands on a historically significant plateau. Numerous Bronze Age finds attest to prehistoric settlement there. A visit to the different churches thus offers a chance to connect with a variety of periods and historical contexts.

Fossils and Haflingers

The Fossilia Fossil Museum displays fossils found in the area around Mölten and illustrates geological processes that took place over millions of years. As an outdoor museum, Fossilia is designed for independent exploration, with explanatory texts and an audio station. The focus is therefore not only on the finds, but also on the long periods over which geological processes unfolded.

Mölten and the Tschögglberg are considered the birthplace of the golden-blond, gentle Haflinger horses. The landscape around Mölten, with its alpine pastures, larch meadows and views of the Dolomites, is ideal for extended rides on Haflingers. This combination of landscape and horses adds a distinct regional perspective to the hiking and culture themes.

Sparkling wine cellar and planning your trip

Since 1979, ARUNDA has been producing South Tyrolean sparkling wine in the centre of Mölten. Guided tours of the sparkling wine cellar, including a tasting, take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; advance booking is required. Check the tour and booking details before your visit.

The Mölten cable car operates year-round and takes passengers from Mölten down to the Etschtal valley in four minutes. For day-trip planning, it is advisable to check the timetable before travelling. Together with the various hiking trails, viewpoints, historic buildings and a visit to ARUNDA, Mölten offers several distinct themes to shape your stay around.

Discover more destinations: Lengstein, Jenesien, St. Christina in Gröden, Völs am Schlern, Ritten, Klobenstein, Deutschnofen, Karersee

See the overview of the wider travel region: Salten-Schlern.