Haflinger horses, the St. Catherine Church, and Merano 2000 characterise this sunny plateau high above Merano
Known as "Merano's sun terrace", encompassing the villages of Avelengo and Verano as well as the Merano 2000 skiing and hiking area, this plateau extends above the spa town. Wide alpine meadows, shady forests, and breathtaking views of the Texel Group define this ridge of the Monzoccolo. As befits this landscape, Haflinger horses graze in the pastures.
This horse breed takes its name from the village of Avelengo. Once used as pack animals on the historic trails between the Adige and Talvera rivers, Haflingers are now prized as patient and resilient leisure horses. You can see them at their finest during the annual Haflinger Gallop Races in Merano.
Avelengo's landmark is the 13th-century St. Catherine Church. Like many other churches, it is said to have been built on the foundations of a prehistoric place of worship. It is one of the many churches in South Tyrol that impress with their unique architecture - much like the Ranui Chapel in the Funes Valley, the "Cathedral in the Countryside" in San Paolo Appiano, or the imposing church tower of Castelrotto. The church is located in the district of the same name, which, together with Avelengo village, Avelengo di Sopra, and Falzeben, forms the municipality.
Starting from Avelengo, you have access to numerous hikes and excursions, from the Haflinger Horse Adventure Trail right in the village to the Leadner Mountain Hut.
Merano 2000 is also an excellent hiking area in summer and transforms into a family-friendly ski resort in winter, complete with the Alpin Bob and the Outdoor Kids Camp. The cable car departs from the Falzeben district. For a close-up experience with Haflinger horses, you can take carriage rides in summer and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snowy landscape in winter.
