Shopping in the provincial capital or visiting a museum – these are the things that Bozen is known for and they are a must when on holiday in South Tyrol. But hiking? You don't automatically think of going on a walk from Bozen, yet the town offers so many options amidst sloping vineyards, promenades with pretty gardens and mountain foothills.

Whether you go for a leisurely walk through vegetation typical of the Mediterranean, through the wine village of Terlan, up to Salten high plateau or a tour through forest glades and grazing pastures, the two cable cars up to Ritten and Kohlern mean that the surrounding mountains are easily reached.

HIKING TIP 1: strolling along the promenades

The promenades around Bozen have to be experienced for the great views they afford across the town, the Dolomites and the Etschtal valley alone. The Guntschnapromenade, the Oswaldpromenade and the Virglpromenade go zigzagging up the hills and slopes on the outskirts of town. The Wassermauerpromenade walk follows the course of the Talfer river, merges with the Talferwiesen meadows and carries on southwards, flowing past the green grass alongside the right bank of the Eisack river, until the Eisack runs into the Etsch beneath Sigmundskron Castle.

HIKING TIP 2: to the pyramids

Yes, South Tyrol has pyramids, on the Ritten high plateau. The earth pyramids, with their clay fingers stretching skywards, are waiting to be discovered. The Ritten cable car takes hikers comfortably to Oberbozen, where the narrow gauge railway takes passengers on to Klobenstein. The pyramids may be reached on foot from there. The Ritten high plateau offers a variety of hiking options for the whole family, too.

HIKING TIP 3: like an eyrie

The ruins of Greifenstein, better known as 'Sauschloss', are worth a trip. The path starts from the bus stop in Moritzing through vineyards, then rises up steeply through woodland to the castle, clinging to the reddish porphyry rock like an eyrie.

HIKING TIP 4: all in one

Walking through woodland, via cobbles paths and through shrubbery: this walk leads from the Bozen district of Haslach via a variety of paths to the panoramic Haselburg fortification. It then goes to the old scattered settlements at Seit, to the hamlet of Bauernkohlern and then to the popular destination of Schneiderwisen.

HIKING TIP 5: up and away

Some paths around Bozen give way to an Alpine feeling, for example, the Leifers High Altitude Path, which goes along the old farmstead path through deciduous woodland up to the two 'Steinerhofen' farmsteads. The wide high altitude path first leads along the impressive steep slopes of the Brantental valley and then the steep, narrow path crossing the rocky walls will cause hikers to feel a small thrill. Adventurous!