The rustic huts on the Salto, known as “Schupfen” in dialect, host a festival with cult status every September
Image gallery: San Genesio Schupfen Festival
There is a lively atmosphere every year on the third Sunday in September on the sunny low mountain ridge between Bolzano and Merano. It is a wonderful time on the Salto: The larch meadows soon turn yellow and orange, and summer makes way for the first days of autumn.
The Schupfenfest takes place then, and you can celebrate with culinary delights and live music amongst the small "Schupfen" on the larch meadows. You can hike to the individual mountain huts in several stages between San Genesio Atesino and Meltina. The huts serve various dishes: there is venison goulash and chanterelles, dumplings and Strauben (funnel cakes) with cranberry jam, desserts and Speck platters on Europe's highest larch plateau.
It is best to start at the Haflinger Horse Museum, from the Tomanegger inn near Valas or from the Schermoos car park shortly after Valas. Shuttle services will take you comfortably to these starting points. The Schupfenfest is best visited wearing Lederhosen or a Dirndl!
