Adventure hiking with kids in Lana
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A visit to Lana’s local mountain, the Vigiljoch, is as much a part of the town as its famous apples. Especially with children, it’s the perfect hiking destination: easy trails combined with breathtaking panoramas. At the top, you can look forward to a relaxed loop tour with play and fun at the Family Alm Gampl, a stop at the idyllic little church of St. Vigilius, and a cozy break by the Schwarzer Lake at the Seespitz inn.
The adventure on the Vigiljoch begins with the modern cable car, which glides you up to 1,486 meters in just six minutes. From there, you continue your journey on the historic chairlift, floating gently above the picturesque landscape. A serene calm sets in — almost meditative — so that by the time you step off at the top, you’re already deeply relaxed.
Once at the summit, there are several ways to shape your family hiking experience in Lana.
Everything in one place: Family Alm, mountain chapel and Schwarzer Lake with a stop for lunch
Our path first led us to the Family Alm Gampl – a true children’s paradise. Here the little ones can feed animals, from goats and donkeys to chickens and rabbits, romp around on the large playground or bounce on the trampoline. If you’re traveling with smaller kids, you can reach the Alm from the chairlift in just a few minutes on foot. Alternatively, it’s about an hour’s walk uphill from the Vigiljoch mountain station. While the kids play, parents can soak up the beautiful view of Merano and maybe enjoy a little snack already.
From the Family Alm, the trail continues to the chapel of St. Vigilius, nestled in the quiet mountain landscape. The short detour is worth it for the peaceful atmosphere alone. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the wild Haflinger horses that roam freely up here.
Our last stop was the Schwarzer Lake – a tranquil forest lake shimmering mysteriously in the sunlight. Right on the shore you’ll find Gasthaus Seespitz, a cozy family-run inn with a spacious terrace and a new winter garden. A lovely detail: the vegetables often come straight from their own garden. Depending on the season, you might get crisp salad fresh from the patch or try the homemade lasagna with just-harvested vegetables. While the children play by the lakeshore, you can lean back and enjoy the panoramic mountain views.
From here it’s only a short walk back to the cable car’s mountain station.
