Many know South Tyrol in summer or under the snow, but it is in autumn that this land reveals its most intimate, genuine side. Locals call it the “fifth season”: when the tourists leave, the mountains blaze red and gold, and the old farming traditions take centre stage again. It is the season of Törggelen, of new wine and chestnuts, but also of long walks in the silence, of freshly picked apples and of great food-and-wine events. A perfect moment for anyone seeking authenticity, good food and unforgettable landscapes. Here is an overview of what to do, with links to our guides for more detail.
Törggelen: the fifth season
Törggelen is the emblematic tradition of the South Tyrolean autumn. The name comes from the “Torggl”, the press once used to crush the grapes, and refers to the custom of gathering in the farmsteads and old country taverns (the Buschenschank) to celebrate the end of the grape harvest. You walk up on foot, through the vineyards and chestnut groves, and sit down to enjoy new wine (the “Nuia” or “Sturm”), roasted chestnuts (“Keschtn”), dumplings, speck, sauerkraut, smoked meat and seasonal sweets. The most authentic area is the Isarco Valley, around Bressanone/Brixen, where the famous Keschtnweg (“chestnut trail”) winds through, but the tradition is alive in the Bassa Atesina and around Merano too. The season runs roughly from late September to late November.
Foliage and hiking in the Dolomites
Autumn gives the Dolomites a spectacular palette of colour. The larch woods — the only conifer that sheds its needles — turn yellow and orange, creating a magical contrast with the grey of the peaks and the crystal-clear blue sky. This is foliage season, ideal for hiking: the air is crisp, the days still mild and the trails almost deserted. Among the most beautiful spots are the Funes Valley, with the Odle/Geisler peaks as a backdrop, the Alpe di Siusi, the San Vigilio area and the Val Pusteria. Many mountain huts stay open until mid-October, and cable cars make the panoramic viewpoints easy to reach. It is also the time when stags bellow in the woods during the rut — a natural spectacle that many parks offer on guided walks at dawn or dusk.
Apples, wine and autumn flavours
Autumn is the harvest season. South Tyrol is the largest orchard in Europe, and between September and October the Venosta Valley, the Adige Valley and the Bassa Atesina fill with the scent of freshly picked apples: you can visit the farms, join the harvest festivals and taste juices, strudel and local specialities. It is also wine time: along the Wine Road, between Bolzano and the Bassa Atesina, the cellars open their doors for tastings among the reddening vines. The highlight is the Merano WineFestival, one of Europe’s most prestigious wine events, which in 2026 takes place at the Kurhaus in Merano from 6 to 10 November. A unique chance to discover the great wines of South Tyrol and Italy in an Art Nouveau setting of rare elegance.
Towns, castles and Christmas markets
Autumn is also the ideal time to explore the towns and villages, without the summer heat and the crowds. Bolzano/Bozen, with the Ötzi museum and its arcades, Merano, with its gardens and the walks along the Passirio, and Bressanone/Brixen, a medieval jewel of the Isarco Valley, are at their best under the golden October light. All around, the castles scattered among the vineyards — from Castel Tirolo to Castel Roncolo — tell of centuries of history. And anyone visiting in late November already finds the atmosphere of the first Christmas markets, with the scents of mulled wine and cinnamon: to plan ahead, see the guide on where to stay for the Christmas markets in South Tyrol.
Wellness and when to go
After a day among the woods or at Törggelen, autumn invites you to relax. The region’s spas and thermal baths, from Merano to the Terme Merano in the heart of the city, are the perfect refuge as the days grow shorter: warm water, panoramic saunas and hay or apple treatments to recharge — see our selection of hotels with spa and thermal baths. As for timing, September is still summery, with huts open and mild weather; October is the golden month of foliage and Törggelen, with colours at their peak; November is more intimate and rainier, but brings the WineFestival and the start of the Christmas-market season. To choose your ideal base, see the guide on where to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
This guide is part of our grand tour of the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most often about what to do in South Tyrol in autumn.
What is Törggelen?
Törggelen is the South Tyrolean autumn tradition of gathering in the farmsteads and old country taverns (the Buschenschank) to celebrate the end of the grape harvest. You reach them on foot, walking through vineyards and chestnut groves, and enjoy new wine, roasted chestnuts, dumplings, speck, sauerkraut and seasonal sweets. The most authentic area is the Isarco Valley around Bressanone, along the “chestnut trail” (Keschtnweg). The season runs from late September to late November.
When is the best time for foliage in South Tyrol?
Foliage generally peaks between late September and the second half of October, when the larch woods of the Dolomites turn gold and orange. The exact dates vary with altitude and the season’s weather: at high altitude the colours arrive earlier, in the valley floors later. Among the most beautiful spots are the Funes Valley, the Alpe di Siusi and the Val Pusteria. October is also an excellent month for hiking, with crisp air and uncrowded trails.
When is the Merano WineFestival 2026?
The Merano WineFestival 2026, now in its 35th edition, takes place at the Kurhaus in Merano from 6 to 10 November 2026. It is one of Europe’s most prestigious wine events, featuring the finest South Tyrolean and Italian wines and a section devoted to quality food. Merano is beautiful in autumn: it is worth booking accommodation well in advance, as the town is in high demand during the festival.
What do you eat during Törggelen?
The Törggelen menu is hearty and rustic: it starts with cold cuts and speck, moves on to barley soup, dumplings, smoked meat (Surfleisch) and sauerkraut, and ends with roasted chestnuts (Keschtn) and sweets such as chestnut or walnut Krapfen. Everything is washed down with new wine, the “Nuia”, freshly tapped. It is a substantial meal, designed to refuel you after the walk up to the farmstead.
Is South Tyrol worth visiting in autumn?
Absolutely. Autumn is perhaps the most authentic season: mild weather, few tourists, often lower prices and spectacular colours. You can combine hiking through the foliage, food-and-wine experiences such as Törggelen and the apple harvest, town visits without the crowds and relaxation in the spas. One tip: check whether huts and lifts are open, as they start to close for the end-of-season break in late October.
