The Oclini Pass offers a wide range of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails with stunning views of the Schwarzhorn and Weißhorn, while the nearby Passo Lavazè (1800 m) is also home to a number of trails leading through forests, across snowy plains and into the Fiemme Valley.
Tyrol Castle is the most historically significant castle in South Tyrol. Its origins stretch back into the late 11th century.
Since 2003 Tyrol Castle has housed the South Tyrolean Museum of History. Its main focus is the history of the province from its beginnings to modern times.
The oldest structural elements can be found in church excavations in the outer bailey (three building phases, three-apse chamber from the 9th century). The south palace contains the two Romanesque portals. The two-storey castle chapel is dedicated to St. Pancras and is famous for its gothic frescoes. What is believed to be the wedding chamber of Countess Margarethe of Tyrol, known as Maultasch (literally “bag mouth”), is situated in the Mushaus. The keep, which was only completed after 1902, now houses an exhibition of the history of the 20th century depicted over twenty separate levels. The historic estate buildings house special exhibitions.
Mountaincarts are similar to gocarts, without engine or pedals, and they just have brakes.
It is a real adventure to rush down the 9 km long run to the bottom station of the gondola lift. Everyone who loves tobogganing in wintertime will come back in summer for the fun to ride down the Plose mountain. If you want to experience something really special and exciting that is to become the highlight of your holidays in South Tyrol, then you have to come to the Plose and try out the fantastic mountaincarts.
You can rent out the mountaincarts at the top station of the gondola lift. Together with your mountaincart you also get a helmet. Please wear good shoes (no sandals allowed).
Saint Joseph Freinademetz, the saint of Alta Badia, is the first South Tyrolean Saint.
Today, the hamlet of Oies is a much-visited place of pilgrimage, especially the birthplace of the missionary Josef Freinademetz, who belonged to the Society of the Divine Word. The Steyl missionary was born in 1852 and died of typhoid fever in China on 28 January 1908.
He was beatified by Pope Paul VI in Rome on 19 October 1975 and canonised on 5 October 2003.
The cellar of the Oies farm was converted into a chapel and decorated with works by the artists Kollreider from Lienz and Lois Irsara from Badia.
The castle chapel of Hocheppan with its roman frescos is one of the most important roman art monuments in South Tyrol. The centuries old frescos had been painted over and were only entirely laid open in 1926. Besides religious themes, the hunting scene on the exterior wall can be seen as one of the rarest profane depictions in Tyrol dating from this time period. The wall paintings originate from the first decade of the 13th century and show famous illustrations like the foolish virgins, the dumpling eater - the first proof for Tyrolean dumplings - and the picture of 'Maria Heimsuchung' which is well known far beyond the border of South Tyrol.
The Val Venosta Alpine Ridgeway (Vinschger Höhenweg) in the Lower Vinschgau valley, from Stava/Staben to the source of the Etsch river at the Reschen Pass where three countries meet, is a true experience for passionate hikers. The stretch totals 108 km and follows existing and new footpaths, paths alongside "Waale" (historic irrigation canals) and connecting roads between farms.
The Alpine Ridgeway unites various stages that can be hiked as part of a multi-day tour or as a one-day excursion. The individual stages are easily accessible via access points in the villages in the valley. In order to help hikers keep their bearings, the entire Alpine Ridgeway is marked with a uniform red logo.
It is a truly remarkable experience to hike through the species-rich vegetation and impressive world of nature that could not be more filled with contrast. The trails on the Sonnenberg mountain feature diverse vegetation such as steppe grass and herbs. They also offer exciting views of the highest mountains in South Tyrol and the fertile valley below.
The best time for the hike is from April to October, although one should be aware that it can be very hot in summer.
Tip: special rates for the Val Venosta Alpine Ridgeway are available (B&B including luggage transport, hiking map of the ridgeway, return transport to the starting point).
A beautiful circular hike between the villages of St. Peter and St. Magdalena with ancient wayside shrines and a magnificent view of the Geisler Mountains. Also ideal for jogging!
At the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage GEOPARC Bletterbach you can find adventure parks, learning center, nature monuments and an impressive Canyon with its geological treasures and diverse landscapes. Discover the history of earth in one of the most beautiful areas in the south of South Tyrol.
The hiking trail to the Malga Vitelli/Kälberalm is a beautiful hiking trail of about 6.3 km length. The path runs evenly, with almost no difference in altitude and has a breathtaking panorama. The Malga Vitelli is also the starting point for the hikes to the Dossobello di Dietro and the Rifugio Serristori.
2 lakes panoramic tour through the forest with short departure and descents. On wet days trail running shoes are advantageous because the roots and stones may represent small obstacles.
The cross country skiing centre- zënter de paslunch Alta Badia is situated in Sciaré/Armentarola, 3 km from San Cassiano. The trails stretch for about 26 km across meadows and forests at the foot of the Conturines, Lavarella and Settsass mountain range. At the starting point of the trail you will find a service centre with ski school, ski rental, toilets, changing rooms, bar and restaurant with hot food throughout.
The cross-country ski trail is suitable for both classic and skating and, in addition to the yellow marked practice trail, offers eight routes of varying difficulty: Sas Dlacia, Sciaré, Pinais, Pre de Costa, Störes and Conturines. The last two are intended as racing or training tracks.
In case of insufficient snow conditions, about 4 km of trail are artificially snowed.
Classic or skating – glide along the Sun Trail Kasern/Casere through the winter landscape
Experience the winter magic on the Sun Trail Kasern/Casere, where you can glide along snow-sure trails from December to beginning/mid-April, surrounded by a majestic winter landscape. This cross-country ski trail, nestled in the sunny mountain village of Kasern/Casere, offers an unforgettable backdrop for your winter sports adventures.
With a length of 3 to 10 km and three different variants – easy, medium, and difficult – the Sun Trail Kasern/Casere is suitable for all ages and skill levels. The trails can be combined flexibly, allowing you to enjoy a personalized experience in this unique natural setting.
Perfect for cross-country skiing enthusiasts – discover the beauty of the winter landscape on the Sun Trail Kasern/Casere!
In Alta Badia you encounter the oldest culture in South Tyrol and during your excursions it is easy to meet traces of typical cultural assets such as the "viles", the ancient rural settlements with their classic Ladin architecture.
This leisurely circuit leads through meadows and forests slightly above the valley floor, along some of the typical Ladin farmsteads.
The height difference of this walk is small, so the route is recommended even for less experienced and trained hikers.
The new 750 m long toboggan run Absam starts from the Epircher Laner hut and goes to the valley station of the Absam-Maierl lift.
Acent with the new combilift.
The romanesque church called St. Kathrein has a gothic apse and dates from the thirteenth century. It has well-preserved frescoes from the fourteenth century and a winged altar in the late-Gothic Tyrolean style (which can only be see through an opening in the portal).
The story
Like many other churches in the region, the St. Kathrein church in Hafling was built on a site that was originally a pagan place of worship. Presumably there was already a small church standing here in the twelfth century, which was destroyed by fire in 1202. The only parts of the church that survived from the period before the church fire are the regularly stratified walls of the flat-roofed nave.
Fifty years later, a Romanesque church had already come into being, which was newly consecrated in 1251. In the late Gothic period, the church was rebuilt again. Two hundred years later, in 1452, it was once again rebuilt and rededicated.
The late-Gothic winged altar is a valuable decorative element of the church. The central part of the altar cabinet contains three wooden figures: the patron saint, St. Catherine, flanked by John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene.
The Legend
According to legend, the local people wanted to build a Christian church on this site. They charged two giants to procure stones. The giants, however, had promised to build at church in Lafenn at the exact same time. Having only one hammer between them, the two giants had to share. Eventually, a conflict arose between the pair over the hammer, so the Lafenn giant picked up an enormous boulder and threw it at the St. Catherine giant. The boulder missed its target, but can still be seen in the meadow near Sulfner, just below the church.
Dates church tours 2022:
30.05. | 13.06. | 27.06. | 04.07. | 11.07. | 18.07. | 25.07. | 08.08. | 16.08.* | 22.08. | 29.08. | 05.09. | 19.09. | 03.10. | 24.10. | 31.10.2022
Dear snowshoe hikers:
Because of their favourable location, negligible risk of avalanches and the large number of users the following hiking tips are suitable at all times. Please be careful after heavy fresh snowfall or in extreme weather. Always: Check the avalanche status report and the weather forecast. Unless the walks are circular walks, all descriptions are only for the outbound stretch.
Do not leave the paths. For the benefit of the wildlife that already struggles in winter, please avoid making loud noises.
If you are unsure of anything, please ask your host or Tourist Information.
Pretty route with steep sections through the woods to the sunny rock ledge of Monte Corno. No rest stops.
Juval Castle, the summer residence of the world-famous mountaineer, Reinhold Messner and the Messner Mountain Museum.
Medieval Juval Castle is situated on a prehistoric place of worship at the entrance to the pristine Val Senales. The castle was built around 1278 by Hugo von Montalban. In 1540, Juval Castle changed ownership and reached its heyday in those years. In 1913, the Dutch Colonial William Rowland turned up at the dilapidated castle and had it professionally restored. Since 1983 Juval Castle has been the residence of extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner and has turned Juval Castle into the main site of the MMM Messner Mountain Museum. The castle contains an extensive Tibetan collection as well as the Mountain Gallery and the ethnic mask collection with exhibits from five continents. Juval Castle also boasts some Renaissance-era frescoes that can be visited. Alpine fauna can sometimes be spotted wandering about in the castle grounds and there is also a farm with its own vineyards and a winery. The attached winery Unterortl, the organic farm Oberortl, and the Schlosswirt revitalize these small-scale cultural landscape in Lower Venosta Valley.
Playing golf on the southern side of the Alps of South Tyrol: Surrounded by medieval castles, in the midst of flowerfilled meadows and fir forests the Sterzing golf course with its large Driving range and 7 challenging holes offers splendid conditions for beginners and advanced golf players.
This easy to moderate circular trail starts in die Sportsarea Grube and goes through the Pfitschtal Alpine valley at the foot of the Zillertal Alps in two loops, and is a real insiders' tip due to its idyllic location and guaranteed snow. The trail is perfect for both classic and skating-style cross-country skiing and is prepared daily.
Put on your snowshoes and set off for a magical adventure across the Armentara meadows covered in a soft and white blanket of snow. As soon as you take your first steps on the fresh snow, a unique panorama of the imposing Sas dla Crusc massif will sorround you. Once you reach the La Crusc hut, you can finally enjoy one of the typical Ladin dishes. We also recommend a visit to the highest little church in Europe, which is located just a few steps from the hut.
Give variety to your holidays and go for a spin on the ice rink. In winter you can rent skates for the ice rink.
Sarner Scharte, Sarentino/Sarnthein’s local mountain, is a ridge which extends from the frazione of Ponticino/Bundschen to the frazione of San Martino/Reinswald.
The Piccolo Cir is a relatively short via ferrata, but not to be underestimated, and is suitable as
a half-day tour.
