When South Tyrol turns warm and golden in October and the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, one of the loveliest times of the year begins. Chestnut season invites you to experience autumn with all your senses – hiking through golden vineyards, savoring Törggelen in rustic farm taverns, and relaxing with chestnut-oil spa rituals. Between the Ritten plateau, the Eisack Valley and the Seiser Alm, autumn shows its gentlest side.

When the Keschtnweg is bathed in gold

The famous Keschtnweg – the Chestnut Trail – is the heart of the season. Stretching for around 90 kilometers, it links Neustift Abbey near Brixen with Terlan in the Adige Valley, passing through chestnut groves, vineyards and sunlit hills. The Eisack Valley in particular – between Feldthurns, Klausen and the Ritten – puts on the full spectrum of autumn color.

Along the route, farms and Buschenschänke (seasonal farm taverns) invite you to stop. The air is filled with the aroma of apple strudel, dumplings and freshly roasted chestnuts. Also popular is the “Suser” or “Nuier,” the new wine that’s part of South Tyrol’s chestnut season. From mid-October to early November, larches and sweet chestnuts (Castanea sativa) glow especially intensely – a spectacle that delights hikers year after year.

Törggelen – the taste of South Tyrolean autumn

Törggelen is more than a culinary experience – it’s a living tradition. After an autumn hike, locals and guests gather in a Buschenschank, where only produce from the farm is served. Expect homemade barley soup, dumplings, cured pork, fried pastry (Krapfen) and, of course, chestnuts – pan-roasted by hand.

To drink, there’s young wine, affectionately called “Suser” or “Nuier” in South Tyrol. Lively company, music and warm conversation are part of it, as are the scents of fallen leaves and must. Törggelen runs from early October to late November, when the new wine is ready and chestnuts are in season.

Wellness with chestnut oil – relaxation with the scent of autumn

South Tyrol’s spa world also embraces chestnut season. Many hotels offer treatments with chestnut oil or grapeseed extracts. Sweet-chestnut oil is rich in antioxidants and leaves the skin soft and supple – ideal after a day in the mountain air.

Whether a soothing massage, gentle peel or a warm bath with chestnut and grape extracts: these treatments bring the body into balance with the season. Particularly popular are the so-called Castanea spa packages, which combine the power of chestnuts with South Tyrolean aromas. Autumn becomes a restorative source of new energy.

Golden landscapes between Ritten, Feldthurns and the Seiser Alm

If you’re looking for autumn color, you’ll find it here. Between mid-October and early November, South Tyrol shines in every shade of gold, red and amber. Especially striking are the chestnut groves around Feldthurns, the vineyards near Bolzano, and the viewpoints on the Ritten plateau. The Seiser Alm also offers a unique panorama at this time – clear air, warm light and serene open spaces ideal for walks and photos.

Many of these places are easy to reach by bus and train, making sustainable travel especially simple during chestnut season.

FAQ about chestnut season in South Tyrol

When is chestnut season in South Tyrol?
From early October to late November – the best time to enjoy Törggelen, chestnut hikes and wellness offers.

What is the Keschtnweg?
A hiking trail of around 90 kilometers from Neustift Abbey near Brixen to Terlan. It leads through chestnut woods, vineyards and quaint villages.

What does Törggelen mean?
A traditional South Tyrolean autumn custom: after hiking, people stop at farm taverns (Buschenschänke) to enjoy regional dishes, new wine and chestnuts.

What spa offers use chestnut oil?
Many wellness hotels offer massages, peels or baths with chestnut and grapeseed oil – most often as seasonal autumn specials.