There are several Montesole in South Tyrol, or rather in the Val Venosta: One of these little spots is located in the Val Martello
Image gallery: Montesole
Silandro, Parcines, Martello - you hear the name Montesole (Sonnenberg) quite often in the west of South Tyrol. In Martello, an entire sunny slope, with its buildings dotted across steep meadows, bears this name. The old farmsteads here are called Gleck and Gruben, Staudahof and Marzohn.
It seems that on the side of the valley where the main village of Meiern is located, all paths that don't lead directly into the village centre wind their way up to Montesole. You can also explore the locality and its eponymous montain slope on a lovely circular hike. The trail takes you along the sunny slope, partly via mountain roads and partly across steep meadows, to the Premstl inn, and then onwards to the junction with the Martello High Route. From there, the path continues relatively level to the Rio Eberhöfer stream and its mill.
On the final stretch, you follow a narrow road to St. Martin's Chapel and the Steinwand Farm, where you can refuel at over 1,400 metres above sea level. Trails 7 and 19 will take you back to the village. This option, at three hours, isn't too long. You can double its duration with the Martello Montesole Loop. This starts at the culturamartell National Park House and first leads to the aforementioned Steinwand Farm, where the shorter tour ends.
The longer version targets the Passo della Croce, situated at over 2,000 metres, and then brings you back to the National Park House via the Covelano Mountain Hut. Whether you choose the long or short route, the sun accompanies you here even in winter, when winter hikers are out and about among the farmsteads of Montesole.
