Dolomites Region Villnösstal

Minimal traffic, no large hotels, just a group of people who are united and committed to their mission of caring for the natural landscape of the Villnösstal valley. Using the Slow Food label they made their vision public. Established in 1986 by Italian Carlo Petrini as a way of preserving local products, cuisine and recipes, Slow Food is now known worldwide as a sustainable movement.

Today, the Villnösstal valley in the Dolomites has become the first Slow Food Travel Destination in South Tyrol. Surrounded by meadows and Alpine pastures at the foot of the mighty Geislerspitzen peaks, people here still live maintain close ties with nature, and farming is still part of everyday culture. Huts, restaurants and hotels favour local products, and promote local producers. For instance, the Villnösstal valley is home to two Presidi Slow Food projects designed to preserve local and artisanal foods while supporting their producers. These include the Villnöss sheep and  grey cattle. In addition, the strategy of sustainable tourism, which was adopted many years ago, continues to pave the way for a sustainable future. 

This particular string of slender towers made of fissured Dolomite rock lies between the head of the Villnösstal valley and the Val Gardena region. The Villnösser Geisler range is often referred to as differing from the Aferer Geisler range, which are located on the opposite, northern side of the valley. The peaks of the the Villnösser Geisler range are called "Odles" (needles) in Ladin. The highest of all is the  Sass Rigais at 3,025 m. In the home valley of Reinhold Messner, these striking rock formation can be conquered via numerous climbing routes and via ferrata . At the foot of this idyllic postcard motif, hiking trails  lead to Alpine pastures and Alpine inns, allowing hikers to admire the  Geislerspitzen peaks from all angles  on a circular trail. 

Would you like a slice of spicy mountain cheese? What about a tender cut ofgrey cattle beef? Honey with the South Tyrolean seal of quality? Or a cosy blanket made of Villnöss natural wool? In the Dolomites Region Villnösstal and in the rest of South Tyrol, you will find a wide selection of local high-quality foods and hand-crafted everyday and art objects. Lots of producers sell straight from the farm where you can sample the treats and get to know the producers. In this way, you will experience moments of delicious flavour as well as gaining exciting insider knowledge about the cultivation and processing. With a bit of luck, you can even look over the shoulders of craftsmen at work as they create jewellery, wooden sculptures and baskets while strolling through the village. Hand craftsmanship has a long-standing tradition in South Tyrol. High quality and durability are the primary factors, which are achieved through the use of proprietary manufacturing techniques and high-quality raw materials. This allows us to create products that are only available here.

Are you keen to do your part for the environment and keep your carbon footprint as low as possible even on holiday? We recommend travelling to our region by public transport. The bus and train will transport you here directly, with no detours.

Whether you use the cable cars to ascend from the valley to the mountain or take the train or bus to explore the area, your local transport is guaranteed.

If you are travelling to South Tyrol without a car, you can rest assured that you will be transported in comfort direct to your destination by bus, train or cable car. All timetables are carefully coordinated so that there is always a connection from the train stations in the province to the surrounding towns and villages. Simply hop on board and enjoy the journey through the vineyards, villages and idyllic countryside.

You can take the train to Klausen/Chiusa and Brixen/Bressanone. From there, buses or transfer services will take you to your accommodation in the Dolomites Region Villnösstal.