Salonetto

Salonetto, the charming mountain village on the Monzoccolo with cable car access and panoramic views

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Below Salonetto, above Meltina - the villages are separated by two kilometres and can be reached via a mountain road or by cable car.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Behind the village rise the Tessa Group and Mt. Ivigna (on the right), the southernmost elevation in the western ridge of the Sarentino Alps, before it slopes down to the broad ridge of the Monzoccolo.
Foto: AT, © Peer
When snow falls, winter hikers with and without snowshoes and families romp around building snowmen on the Monzoccolo (Tschögglberg).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Salonetto lies on a sunny slope west of Meltina at about 1,150 metres a.s.l. - it can be seen here behind the neighbouring Frassineto (Verschneid).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Like all sunny locations, this area was settled already in early times: In the 13th century, Salonetto was first mentioned as “Slaneik”.
Foto: DG, © Peer
A direct line into the Adige Valley is the cable car that connects Salonetto near Meltina with Vilpiano, a district of Terlano, in four minutes.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The “new” St. Valentine Church with its wooden tower is dedicated to St. Valentine of Terni, a simple Baroque building from the 18th century.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The altarpiece with Bishop Valentine was created by Franz Unterberger, the Stations of the Cross panels made in 1770 AD by Josef Sparer.
Foto: AT, © Peer
There is also an “old” St. Valentine Church, a predecessor building in the Valtes Forest (Valteswald), only the wall remnants are left - archaeological walks are offered on certain days.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Another chapel nearby is a popular destination for a walk and a true place of power: St. Ulrich in Gschleier, recently renovated.
Foto: AT, © Peer
St. Ulrich stands on a prehistoric settlement site and offers a fantastic view on the Renon high plateau, the Adige Valley and the Dolomites.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The farms of Salonetto in autumn, a pleasant and increasingly popular season for hikes, a place where to relax and enjoy typical dishes.
Foto: AT, © Peer

The mountain station of the Meltina Cable Car is located just below Salonetto (Schlaneid): In just four minutes, it takes you from Vilpiano to the high plateau of the Monzoccolo, or vice versa - including panoramic views on the Adige Valley, the Oltradige area, and the villages around Meltina. Salonetto itself is nestled amongst meadows and forests at over 1,000 metres above sea level.

In the village centre stands the Church of St. Valentine, a simple Baroque building dating back to 1769 AD. It replaced the previous Church of St. Valentine in the Valtes Wood outside Salonetto, the remains of which were unearthed around 1900 and can be visited today. Another small church is St. Ulrich in Gschleier between Salonetto and Meltina - a popular spot with stunning views.

Take a seat on a wooden bench and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Hikers, families, mountain bikers, and Nordic walkers appreciate the easy access to this secluded village. The hiking trails start right on your doorstep and lead to the surrounding alpine pastures. A trip to the Leadner Mountain Hut and the Meltina Hut, called Möltner Kaser, in the Sarentino Alps is well worth it.

The Möltner Kaser also offers a snack station. Alternatively, you can reach it by mountain bike from the Meltina Cable Car. The Gschnofer Farm and the Tschaufenhaus are also mountain huts serving food and drinks, often open in winter too. During the colder months, the surrounding area invites you to enjoy snowshoeing and winter hikes.

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