Neves Lake, 1857m
The round-trip trail around the Neves artificial lake gurantees an unique experience for the whole family (doable even with a baby carriage)
For mountain lovers the Neves Lake is starting point for one of the most beautiful mountain trails in South Tyrol: the Neveser Höhenweg.
Castle Reifenstein (Castel Tasso), one of the oldest, best preserved and artistic-historically most important castles in South Tyrol, is located in the municipality of Freienfeld / Campo di Trens near Sterzing / Vipiteno. In the castle you can admire the original kitchen, the old bathroom, medieval sleeping bunks in the old tower, gothic panelled rooms, the famous green hall (restored 2013) with the beautiful woodcarved chapel-door and other interesting rooms. Reifenstein Castle has been the private property of the Tyrolean count family von Thurn und Taxis since 1813 and has been lovingly preserved in its original medieval condition ever since.
Exact times: see below
On the path up to the entrance and inside the castle, we recommend solid shoes and caution since the authentic knight's castle is not barrier-free.
Cost: 9.00 euros per person; children (6-16 years) 7.00 euros; children under 6 years free of charge
Panoramic platform at Rosskopf / Monte Cavallo: Outlook with insight to the Tyrolean mountain world. The panorama platform with 360° round view is just beneath the Rosskopf summit. Enjoy a sensational view to the surrounding mountains from the Tribulaun massif in the North, the Zillertal alps in the East, the Dolomites and the Sarntaler alps in the South and the Stubaier alps in the west.
Schrammacher, Olperer, Geißler and much more summits to see – just a wonderful, nearly touchable mountain view. In high season the Panorama cable car takes you just a few meters beneath the platform, so quite everyone can enjoy the long-distance vision. The display boards are showing the mountain names in your range of vision.
The Naturno Adventure Pool offers an indoor pool (31°) with 51mt. long slide, wave channel, under-water jets, massage beds and Whirlpool (36 degrees), children's pool and play area, an open-air pool with 75 mt. long slide, under-water jets, water fountains, small children's pool, extensive sun-bathing lawns and play ground, spacious sauna area with Finnish sauna, steam bath, bio sauna, water beds, smaller pools, Kneipp pools, fresh-air and sun-bathing area, a selection of massages available at any time on request and a whirl- and solebath (sole bath contains 2% salt – it’s about the salt level of the Atlantic ocean).
The outdoor pool opens on 31.05.2025, the sunbathing lawn and the indoor pool are already open from 17.05.2025.
LADIES' SAUNA SUMMER: Thursday 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Along the slope from the Lagazuoi to the Capanna Alpina You drive past a very particular natural phenomenon.
In winter, when everything freezes, wonderful ice-waterfalls arise on this mountain. They are particular, because in summer water flows rarely at this point.
The waterfalls are very interesting for climbers.
An impressive drama of nature is offered by the three Rio di Riva waterfalls which can be reached starting out from the hamlet of Bad Winkel. The Rio di Riva waterfalls are located in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park and offer an impressive view of nature above all else in the summer. Fed by melted snow, the Rio di Riva plunges in three cascades over the rock cliffs into the depths, making it possible for visitors to experience the power of water with all of their senses.
The St. Francis'Path with the 10 meditational spots lines the path of the Reinbach waterfalls up to the Franziskus and Klara chapel.
Walking time from the starting point "car park Cantuccio/Winkel; Wasserfallbar":
- until the 1st waterfall approx. 20 minutes - 40 m altitude difference -
up to the 1st waterfall suitable for baby stroller
- o until the 2nd waterfall approx. 40 minutes - 140 m altitude difference
- o until the 3st waterfall approx. 55 minutes - 170 m altitude difference -
from here you can return with the Fly-Line possible www.fly-line-wasserfall.eu
- o until the Franziskus and Klara chapel approx. 75 minutes - 300 m altitude difference
Way back:
For the way back you can use the same trail or from Gasthof Tobelhof (near 3rd waterfall) on the hiking trail 2A in the direction of Sand in Taufers back to the starting
A hidden natural spectacle reveals itself to hikers at the head of the Ridnauntal valley: the waterfalls of the Burkhard Gorge, which can be reached by following a panoramic trail. Starting from the mining museum in Maiern/Masseria, a marked hiking track leads through shady coniferous forests alongside the Fernerbach, a babbling glacial stream. The romantic, approximately one metre wide hiking trail winds through meadows and forests, past lush mossy expanses.
Völser Weiher Lake: The Völser Weiher lake at the foot of the Schlern mountain is Italy’s most beautiful swimming lake. Whether enjoying a summer evening bathing in South Tyrol, taking a rowing boat out onto the lake or go ice skating in winter; the Völser Weiher lake offers relaxation and recreation.
The climbing crag by the Adolf Munkel trail is situated beneath the north face of the Furchetta Mountain and it offers climbing routes for almost every difficulty level. The area around the climbing crag is child-friendly and the view of the Odle/Geisler Mountains is breathtaking. • Starting point: Zannes/Zans; hiking time: 40 min to the climbing crag; difficulty of the routes: 3 to 8a; rock: dolostone
In the farmer's shop you will find good, healthy and homemade products from Villnöss Valley. Various products are on sale in the village centre of St. Peter (Viel Nois Guest House). Open all day from Tuesday to Sunday; the shop is closed on Monday.
A tricky, demanding, superbly constructed route with absolutely breathtaking views. The via ferrata was named after the mountaineer from Ahornach. The route begins close to the Kleingruberhof in Ahornach, covers 600 metres in length and 300 vertical metres, and requires nerves of steel and a lot of strength – above all in the arms. After a relatively moderate start, the rock face becomes extremely steep. According to Hans Kammerlander, there is nothing like it in the entire Dolomite region; the difficulty reaches level E, but is mostly D and C. The path ends after around three hours of climbing near the Kofler zwischen den Wänden and is only suitable for experienced climbers. A good head for heights is one hundred percent essential.
Route description:
A short ladder up to an overhang (E), then a B/C and C-grade traverse to the Burma bridge (A/B). After the bridge continue (B) to a small niche and then steeply (D) to a flake and right into the narrow intersection (D/E). The intersection widens (D) and leads to the 15-m ladder (inside B/C; outside C). After the ladder, a left turn (D and briefly E) over the roof and climbing to the right (D and C) in easier terrain (B/B). Then the route moves on to an edge and the long, ascending traverse begins (always B, B/C and also briefly C) up to the next overhang. Just before this the face becomes steeper (C/D) and you will reach the tree trunk on which you cross to the roof edge. Next briefly D and then easier to the rope bridge. Cross this bridge and then traverse horizontally (B). The rope becomes steeper (C and C/D) and leads up under the next bridge, which is reached by looping round to the left (B). After the second bridge a slab pillar (up to C) leads up to the exit at a wooden fence.
Source: www.bergsteigen.com ; Author: Andreas Jentzsch
Total time required approx. 4 hours.
The spacious area beneath the Scheibkopf mountain offers a superb 180° panorama view of the Texelgruppe nature reserve. A telescope focuses the viewer’s attention on the Granatkogel (3,304 m) and the Hohe First (3,403 m) which stand out prominently from the eternal glacial ice.
Discover all about…
…the geology of the far end of the Passeiertal valley.
…the rocks.
…the Passeirer mountain goat.
The Nature Park Visitor Center of Villnöss brings visitors closer to nature and is the perfect place to dwell on. A walkable aerial photo gives visitors a bird‘s eye perspective of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park. The exhibition area “Touch the mountains” focuses on the key topic - the geology of the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park has been designated the “Dolomites site office” because it is home to all of the rock types, deposits and weathering that are typically found in the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park in the Dolomites is estendet on a area of the 3 valleys: Gadertal valley, Gröden valley and Villnöss valley. The “Nature’s treasure trove” on the second floor contains plenty to discover: animal fur, bird’s eggs, feathers, footprints, droppings, teeth, antlers, medicinal herbs … all of which - and much more - is on display and can be touched! The “Conquering Mountains” room is primarily dedicated to alpinism. The world’s probably most famous alpinist, Reinhold Messner, comes from Villnöss. He talks about his experiences in the mountains in a short film. The “Puez-Geisler Nature Park film” is also shown daily in the mountain cinema. Leave your stress at home, discover the world of the mountains, and feel like a hunter in the woods.
At several stops along the Timmelsjochstraße street there are five architectural sculptures dedicated to the nature, history, culture, society and economics of the region.
It is possible to experience these from early June to late October.
On a hill above Mareit near Sterzing rises Wolfsthurn Castle, described by the Tyrolean historian Johann N. Tinkhauser in the 19th century as “the most beautiful castle in all Tyrol”.
The baroque castle has since its building been in the possession of the Sternbach family, and since 1996 has accommodated the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing.
The Museum displays the originally furnished ceremonial rooms as well as a rich cultural and historical collection on the history of hunting and fishing.
The interesting “Forest and Water” walking trail leads to the castle.
The small village of Gummer | San valentino in Campo is home to the only planetarium in South Tyrol. This special place in Europe's first Star Village is a must for anyone fascinated by the starry sky and the secrets of the universe.
Here you can immerse yourself in the magic of the universe - without a telescope!
Sit in comfortable armchairs and gaze into the dome of the Star Room to experience realistic simulations of the starry sky and virtually fly through distant galaxies.
Most shows and performances are accompanied by guides and experts who bring you closer to the universe in a unique way. Whether day or night, summer or winter - a visit to the planetarium is always an experience you will remember for a long time.
The planetarium's Star Room has 53 seats and 2 spaces for wheelchairs. The entire structure is barrier-free.
The planetarium is only open during the presentations. These will be held in German or Italian.
Please book your tickets in advance - either directly via the website, by e-mail(info@planetarium.bz.it) or by telephone on +39 0471 610 020.
Click here for the current weekly programme
The Watles ski school is considered one of the best ski schools in the region and possesses the certification of "gold" as an acknowledgement as among the best children’s ski schools in South Tyrol, thanks to the varied and pedagogically experienced program on offer. 15 skilled educators and experienced ski teachers are on hand to instruct both youngsters and adult beginners.
Here children and beginners of all ages can learn the techniques of skiing, carving and snowboarding. In addition, advanced skiers will find good opportunities to improve their skiing skills or approach new techniques.
The South Tyrolean Folklore Museum is the oldest of the provincial museums in South Tyrol and offers a view of social life in the past. The noble residence “Mair am Hof”, built in the 17th century, gives you the opportunity of following a striking itinerary through the refined world of local aristocracy. The stately rooms of the landed gentry and the collections of the museum are located inside the residence. Translocated original farm houses, craft workshops and cottage gardens are situated on the three hectares of the green area. A walk through the open air site takes you into the everyday world of various peasant groups of the past: from the self-sufficient farmers to rural craftsmen, cottagers and labourers.
The small but fine School Museum at Tagusens shows visitors and interested people the life of the pupils between the years 1933 and 1993 and is a unique collection of furnishings and teaching documents that have been preserved on site.
The school life in Tagusens did not mean an encounter with the "foreign" world for the "ABC-Shooters". The children in the lonely place knew each other, only the teacher changed year after year. Furnishings and teaching objects were less worn than elsewhere and thus remained intact. Nostalgic feelings and memories are certainly not absent here and seduce to a bygone era.
On the first floor of the school museum can be visited, the old shoe factory from the `50s, of the master shoemaker "Peterlunger Gustl" from Siusi allo Sciliar.
The cathedral of Brixen/Bressanone is one of the most important sacred buildings along the Alpine area. Its origins go back to the year 980 AD. Due to a major fire in the 12th century, it was redesigned in romanesque style with a three-aisled nave and two façade towers. In the 18th century the baroque reconstruction took place, to which the cathedral owes its present appearance. Inside, the baroque idea of triumph was brought to perfection with wonderful ceiling paintings (f.ex. in Paul Troger's Adoration of the Lamb). The cathedral has a valuable interior with 33 different types of marble. The high altar, which was completed by Tehodor Benedetti, is one of the most important baroque altars in Tyrol. In addition, this church was equipped with a magnificent organ.
The cloister of the cathedral of Brixen/Bressanone is one of the most important art monuments in South Tyrol. Its origins date back to pre-Romanesque times. The complex was rebuild in the romanesque (12th century) and gothic (14th century) phases. In this last major reconstruction phase of the 14th century the sacred building was vaulted with a gothic groined vault. The well-preserved gothic frescoes, which depict themes of the religious and medieval life, are particularly breathtaking. Some of the most extraordinary frescoes of the cloister are the presentation of an elephant (3rd arcade) and the adoration of the Kings (13th arcade).
The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus tells the fascinating story of the cave bear that lived over 50,000 years ago in the Dolomites and was discovered in the Conturines cave, considered the highest-altitude site in the world where the remains of the cave bear and cave lion have been found. Visitors can also explore the geological history of the Dolomites, beautifully narrated through stunning fossils.
The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, an annex of the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor in San Martino in Badia, is spread over three floors.
On the top floor, the formation of the Dolomites is illustrated with unique fossils of great scientific interest, typical of the area surrounding San Cassiano.
Next is the section dedicated to the formation of the cave, its discovery, and the excavations that unearthed thousands of bones. All the essential aspects of the cave bear's life and its environment are explained through the Ursus ladinicus remains, dating back more than 50,000 years.
On the ground floor, visitors can explore a reconstruction of the bear's cave, where they can admire "the mother bear in eternal hibernation with her cub."
Accessible for people with disabilities: The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus is fully wheelchair accessible.
