Walking tip in the Upper Vinschgau
The Lake Haider Loop
Lake Haider (Haidersee) lies at 1,450 m right next to the village of St. Valentin. The loop around it is a quiet walk with wide views of the Ortler group: just over 5 kilometres, hardly any height difference, with wooden jetties, reeds and benches by the water. From Ferienhotel Kastellatz it is about 14 kilometres, about 20 minutes by car.
The loop follows the signs for path no. 1 and takes about an hour and a half of walking time. It makes a good afternoon walk and goes well with the Lake Reschen loop.
At a glance
- Distance
- 5.2 km
- Ascent
- 30 m
- Descent
- 30 m
- Walking time
- about 1.5 hours walking time
- Difficulty
- easy
- Highest point
- 1,464 m
- Start
- Car park in St. Valentin, close to the lakeshore (1,449 m)
- Trail numbers
- 1 (lake loop)
- Refreshments
- Restaurant Zeress on the loop, bars and cafés in St. Valentin
- Dog
- the sources mention no ban on dogs; birds nest in the reeds, so please keep your dog on a lead
- Children
- suitable for families and pushchairs; bicycles must be pushed on the wooden jetties
- Season
- walkable all year; in winter the paths around the lake are cleared
easy
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Elevation profile
Route sketch
Map
Route description
From the car park near the village centre of St. Valentin, walk down to the lakeshore. Here you will find the sign Seerundweg (lake loop); the loop always follows path no. 1. You first walk south along the west shore, over wooden jetties and through short stretches of woodland, with the reed belt on the lake side.
For a while the path runs alongside the cycle path, which climbs a little in places. You pass Restaurant Zeress and then reach a junction where the Seerundweg sign points away from the cycle route and down to the shore. Here a jetty crosses the water to the reeds.
At the south end turn east and walk back north along the east shore. The Fischerhäuser lie at the north end, and then you are back at the car park. You hardly need a description: if the water stays on the same side, you are going the right way.
What you will see
Lake Haider is a natural lake, unlike Lake Reschen. About 89 hectares in area and up to 15 metres deep, it is fed by the Adige, which arrives from Lake Reschen, and by the Zerzer Bach. On the north and south shores there are two biotopes, protected since 1994, with reed belts; coots are among the birds that nest here.
According to Südtirolerland, the name Fischerhäuser (fishermen's houses) goes back to the Carthusian monks from the Schnalstal who farmed fish here. Anglers fish on the lake from the end of April to the end of October. Petrol-driven motors are banned on the lake; electric motors are allowed.
In the distance stand the glaciated peaks of the Ortler group. In winter the lake freezes and is used for ice sailing and snowkiting; the paths around the lake are then cleared.
Practical tips and safety
The path is easy and well suited to families. Lake Haider is not a designated bathing lake, there is no lifeguard, and the water stays cold even in summer. Cyclists push their bikes on the wooden jetties; runners and Nordic walkers use the path too.
From the hotel, drive from Prämajur via Burgeis onto the Vinschgauer Strasse to St. Valentin, about 14 kilometres. There is parking near the village centre and the Maria-Hilf chapel. With the Reschensee Guest Pass, rail and bus in South Tyrol are included during your stay; timetables are on suedtirolmobil.info.
If you want to walk further: the walking and cycling path links Lake Haider and Lake Reschen. The loop around Lake Reschen has its own walking tip.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the walk around Lake Haider?
- Just over 5 kilometres; sources give 4.9 to 5.2. Walking time is about an hour and a half, and the height difference is small.
- Can I take a pushchair?
- Yes, the path is regarded as suitable for families and pushchairs. Bicycles must be pushed on the wooden jetties.
- Can my dog come along?
- The sources mention no ban on dogs. Birds nest in the reeds, so keep your dog on a lead.
- Can I swim in Lake Haider?
- Lake Haider is not a designated bathing lake; there is no lifeguard, and the water stays cold even in summer.
- How do I get from the hotel to the start?
- By car it is about 14 kilometres and about 20 minutes via Burgeis and the Vinschgauer Strasse to St. Valentin.
Related excursions
More hiking tips
Your stay
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Further pages
Südtirolerland: Wanderung um den HaiderseeSüdtirol: HaiderseeSüdtirol Mobil: timetables