San Genesio Atesino
San Genesio Atesino (Jenesien in tedesco) is a municipality in South Tyrol nestled on a sunny plateau overlooking Bolzano, easily...
Ενημερώθηκε στις 20 Ιουλίου 2026
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The plateau above Bolzano
San Genesio Atesino is located on a wide, sunny plateau overlooking the city of Bolzano, just a few kilometers away as the crow flies but separated by a significant altitude difference. The most characteristic connection is the San Genesio cable car, which departs from a district of Bolzano and in a few minutes takes visitors from the valley floor to the village, comfortably and panoramically overcoming over a thousand meters in altitude. This connection has made the plateau easily accessible even for those without a car, fostering over time the development of San Genesio as a holiday resort for Bolzano residents seeking fresh summer air. The village center, with its square and traditional houses, retains a secluded atmosphere, far from city traffic, while remaining within easy reach of the services of the provincial capital of South Tyrol.
The Salto plateau and the larches
The most famous feature of the San Genesio area is the Salto plateau (Salten), a vast plain that extends north of the village and is considered the largest high-altitude larch plateau in Europe. Here, larches grow sparsely, individually or in small groups, interspersed with wide green meadows and pastures that once supported the local farming economy. This open and bright landscape, unlike the dense coniferous forests typical of other Alpine regions, creates an environment particularly suited for long, relaxing walks, with views opening up in every direction. In autumn, when the larch needles turn golden yellow, the Salto plateau offers a chromatic spectacle that attracts hikers and photographers from all over the region, while in summer the flowery meadows and the sparse shade of the trees offer refreshment on the hottest days.
Views of the Dolomites
Thanks to its elevated and open position, the San Genesio plateau offers some of the most expansive and recognizable views in South Tyrol. To the east, the light-colored walls of the Sciliar, the unmistakable profile of the Catinaccio, and the rounded shapes of the Latemar stand out – three of the most photographed Dolomite massifs in the region, clearly visible on clear days from the viewpoints of the Salto plateau. On the opposite side, looking west, the gaze meets the more rugged peaks of the Tessa Group, on the border with Val Passiria, which close the horizon with a wilder character. This double panoramic exposure, rare for a plateau of relatively modest size, makes San Genesio a privileged observation point for those who want to admire both the Dolomites and the Rhaetian Alps in a single excursion, without needing to reach high altitudes or undertake demanding routes.
Haflinger horses and farming traditions
San Genesio Atesino is historically one of the locations most closely linked to the Haflinger horse breed, the small horse with a chestnut coat and light mane originating from these plateaus above Bolzano. The breeding of this breed, now known and appreciated worldwide, has its roots in the mountain peasant economy, where the horse was precious for transporting people and goods along the steep paths between the masi. Even today, events, parades, and horseback rides celebrate this bond, keeping alive a tradition intertwined with the rural life of the plateau. The masi scattered among the meadows and sparse woods, some still active in the production of milk, cheese, and typical products, tell of a way of living the mountains made of self-sufficiency and seasonal work, and in several cases open their doors to visitors for a direct experience of the peasant life of the past.
Excursions, horseback riding and surroundings
The network of trails that crosses the San Genesio plateau and the nearby Salto is ideal for excursions of all levels, from easy ring walks through the meadows to longer hikes towards panoramic points and more isolated masi. Numerous routes are also accessible by horse, in a territory that has always been suited to riding thanks to the Haflinger tradition, with riding stables and opportunities for guided horseback excursions through the sparse woods. The proximity of Bolzano, reachable in a few minutes by cable car or by road, allows for alternating days in the open air on the plateau with city visits, making San Genesio a convenient base for those who wish to combine the tranquility of the mountains with the cultural life and services of the South Tyrolean capital, in every season of the year.
Not to be missed
- Ride the San Genesio cable car up from Bolzano to the plateau
- Walk among the scattered larches of the Salto plateau (Salten)
- Admire the Sciliar, Catinaccio and Latemar peaks from the plateau's viewpoints
- Discover the Haflinger horse tradition with a horseback ride
- Visit traditional mountain farms (masi) and local produce
Αξιοθέατα
What to see in San Genesio Atesino
Routes · Trovido Route
