Across the new Marterloch suspension bridge: A hike from Avigna to Ponticino
Image gallery: Hike across the Marterloch
Today we want to take a closer look at the longest and highest suspension bridge in South Tyrol. Opened in May 2025, it was built on a water pipeline. This allows agricultural land in San Genesio Atesino (Jenesien) to be irrigated with water from the Val Sarentino (Sarntal). The Marterloch adventure trail leads Avigna (Afing) to Ponticino (Bundschen), in the Val Sarentino valley.
We begin our hike in Avigna and take the bus to this part of San Genesio Atesino. Travelling by public transport is recommended because parking is very limited and our destination is Bundschen – so we will not return to our starting point. The tourist association also organises a shuttle service on request from the Moar inn in Avigna almost to the bridge. Today we are going on foot; path no. 1 to the Marterloch begins in the village centre above the church and leads us steadily slightly uphill along a farm track. After a good hour’s walk, we reach the highlight of the hike: the suspension bridge over the Marterloch. Anyone wishing to walk across the 272 m long and 130 m high bridge should have a good head for heights, but we felt completely as if we were on solid ground when crossing it.
The path then continues briefly uphill and then through the forest, accompanied by a total of 20 information boards about the history and special features of this area. After an hour, we reach Bundschen, from where we take the bus back down the valley.
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- Overall time:
- 02:20 h
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- Total route length:
- 8,3 km
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- Altitude:
- from 870 m to 1.038 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +330 m | -283 m
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- Signposts:
- Nr. 1
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- Resting points:
- Gasthof Moar (Avigna), Gasthof Bundschen (Ponticino)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike across the Marterloch
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- More information:
- The best way to get to the trailhead and back is by public transport. You can reach the starting point with bus lines 156 and 157 from Bolzano to Avigna. To return to Bolzano, take the 150 bus from Ponticino.
