South Tyrol

a) Footpaths serve as transport routes for pedestrians. They are purely valley trails and mainly run through residential areas.
b) Footpath networks include appropriately connected footpaths, pedestrian zones, residential streets and similar facilities. Roads and pavements may serve as footpaths.
c) In particular, footpaths provide access to and connect residential areas, infrastructure, public transport stops and facilities.

a) Hiking trails mainly run along wide trails and are generally located outside the permanent settlement areas.
b) Hiking trail networks include appropriately connected hiking trails, mountain paths, forest tracks and roads with little traffic. Historical routes and themed connecting trails may serve as hiking trails.
c) In particular, hiking trails provide access to areas that are suitable for recreation, cultural or natural features in permanent settlements, public transport stops and tourist facilities. The hiking trail network generally spans the typical elevation range for alpine regions.

a) Mountain trails are accessible routes that allow people to move around in mountain areas and mainly run along mountain paths of varying widths and gradients outside the permanent settlement area.
b) Mountain trail networks comprise appropriately connected mountain trails, mountain paths and tracks leading into the mountains. Small bridges and constructed steps may be installed on mountain trails.
c) Mountain trails primarily provide access to alpine meadows, mountain lakes and summits. Depending on the mountain region, the trail network generally extends from sea level up to the snow line.

a) Alpine trails are hikeable routes that make travelling through mountain regions possible and lead through alpine, often pathless terrain, over glaciers or through rock with climbing sections.
b) Alpine trail networks include appropriately connected alpine trails, mountain paths, mountain slopes and summits, as well as sections of secured trails and crossings. Trails over glaciers, rock deposits and rock ledges may serve as alpine trails.
c) Alpine trails mainly provide access to and connect mountain areas, mountain huts or shelters, bivouacs and areas of alpine, nature and environmental interest.

Source / Further information

Alpenverein Südtirol (Hrsg.) (2007): Richtlinien für die Markierung der Wege in Südtirol. - Bozen. online: https://alpenverein.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Markierungsrichtlinien-dt-Web.pdf .

Responsibility for the official approval of the marking guidelines lies with the South Tyrolean Provincial Government, which adopted them on 19 March 2019. The technical development of the content was carried out by a joint working group of the trail managers, led by the Alpenverein Südtirol (AVS) and supported by the Club Alpino Italiano – Alto Adige, the South Tyrolean tourism associations, the nature park administrations and the Stelvio National Park. The guidelines compile fundamental definitions, standards for marking and signage, as well as practical application recommendations, and serve as a binding reference for all trail managers and responsible organisations within South Tyrol’s hiking trail network.