Bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Tirol

The Rio Pusteria Fortress can be found at the entrance to the Val Pusteria, between the villages of Rio Pusteria and Vandoies. The fortress is directly located along the main road, also the Pusterbike Cycle Route runs past this impressive place of interest. Exactly in this place, the borderline between the countships of Goerz and Tyrol ran in 1271. For this reason Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia, had a dam built, that is to say the castle-like Rio Pusteria Fortress.

Actually the original building was located 600 m in the west of the present-day location and consisted of a long-drawn-out barrage as well as two turrets. The ancient fortress was built according to the model of Mediaeval dam. The construction material consisted of natural and homogeneously-sized river stones, which were hardly modified. The last documents regarding this building are dated 1340.

The newly-built construction, that is by the way preserved still today, bears the hallmarks of Sigismund, Archduke of Austria. The fortress is decorated by round turrets, while a dam stretches up the forested slope. In fact, the Rio Pusteria Fortress not only used to be a toll station, but was also residential building and dam. The building can be visited in a guided tour in summer months.

The natural bathing pond in Lüsen is a small, idyllic mountain lake right in the midst of South Tyrol. Returning from a great hiking trip with super panoramic views or a nature park excursion, a visit to the bathing pond will bring you much sought after refreshment. Children can whiz down the slide while parents dive deep into the fresh spring water from the Lüsen Alm, when nearby farmers work on the fields and cows grass on the meadows.

The Tschaufer Weiher was once an artificially created fish pond. Today, this natural oasis is a protected biotope that invites visitors to linger and relax.

The Rosim plateau is a high mountain platform of alpine meadow in the little side valley of Solda. Sit down and wonder about the natural, alpine flowers and enjoy the wide panorama.

Along the slope from the Lagazuoi to the Capanna Alpina, you ski past a very particular natural phenomenon.
In winter, when everything freezes, wonderful ice-waterfalls form on this mountain. They are particular, because in summer water flows rarely at this point.
The waterfalls are very interesting for climbers.

At the end of the parking lot, pass the game reserve. Trail. n° 9 continues through the forest, along the ditch until it turns left crossing a small bridge over the waters of the glacier. The winding path continues up to three cascades, made up of water from the glacier, then descending to the flat section of the woodlands and back again to the starting point.

The Chapel was built in the Selva's graveyard to commemorate all mountaineers who die in the Dolomites in Val Gardena. Their names are engraved in a large coper book.

The small highland area La Crusc/Santa Croce, located at the foot of the magnificent Santa Croce mountain, has always had a special place in the heart of the people of Val Badia.

A story that started many hundreds of years ago
Many centuries ago, when Alta Badia was still largely uninhabited, La Crusc (Holy Cross) seems to have been a pagan place of worship. It was probably the unfavourable living conditions of the area that led the first Christians to construct a sanctuary here.

Around 1010 the monks built a chapel at La Crusc where a small church was erected in the 15th century. At the end of the 17th century the church was deconsecrated by the then Austrian Emperor and was subsequently left to decay. Pilgrims and valley dwellers rescued the little church by partially rebuilding it, and some years later in the middle of the 18th century it was enlarged and embellished with a bell tower.

For a long time, the origins of La Crusc as a place of pilgrimage were dated back to 1511, on the basis of documents from the period. Two parchements emerged, however, and pointed to an even earlier existence. The first mentioned a church consecration; the second contained the story of “Morellus de Caninis” who made a pilgrimage to Rome in 1500 in order to seek favours for the La Crusc church.

Numerous relics are preserved in the altar of the church, such as those of St Leonard (to whom the parish church of San Leonardo/Badia is dedicated), St Hippolitus, St Virgilius (Bishop of Salzburg), St Mary Magdalena, St Agnes and St Barbara.

Nowadays there are several processions to the church during the summer season, and there is an important service on the first Sunday in June.

The legends surrounding the church

The building of the church
Many, many centuries ago, the inhabitants of Badia had planned to build a chapel on the “Col d’Anvi”. During the construction work however the workers kept injuring themselves on the wooden shavings. White birds collected the blood-spattered shavings and took them to the foot of the La Crusc/Santa Croce mountain. After a while the workers began to notice this and they followed the birds in order to find out where they were flying to with the shavings. Once they had arrived at the wonderful spot at the foot of the mighty Sas dla Crusc/Santa Croce, they were so impressed that they decided to build the church there.

The legend surrounding Ottwin, Count of Lurn
People in Badia like to relate how there used to be a hermit who lived at the foot of the Sas dla Crusc/Santa Croce. This hermit was no less a person than Ottwin, Count of Lurn and Pustrissa, or possibly his son Volkold, the founder of the Sonnenburg Monastery at the entrance of the Val Badia Valley. The legend tells how Ottwin had fallen into heresy during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Upon his return to his homeland in South Tyrol, he was unable to overcome the feelings of guilt over his lapse. He therefore decided to live as a hermit in a log hut under the crags of the Kreuzkofel and devote his life to prayer and penance.

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.

Prices:
- up to 1 hour: € 5.00
- 1 hour and 1 minute up to 4 hours: € 8.00
- 4 hours and 1 minute up to 24 hours: € 12.00
- 40,00 € per week

The Wandelhalle, Merano’s iconic covered promenade, was built between 1864 and 1866 – even before the heyday of the Belle Époque. Today, it ranks among the city’s most culturally and historically significant landmarks. As one of the earliest examples of representative spa architecture in the Habsburg Monarchy, it also marks an important architectural transition: bridging the refined classicism of late Biedermeier with the emerging Jugendstil, distinguished by ornamental motifs and vivid wall paintings.

This light-filled colonnade follows the curve of the Winter Promenade along the Passer river – offering a shady retreat on warm summer days and a sun-drenched path for winter strolls. Initially met with public resistance, the project was championed by Merano’s visionary mayor, Valentin Haller, who saw in it the potential to redefine the town as a modern spa destination. He persisted – and prevailed. By 1891, the Wandelhalle had evolved into an open-air gallery, adorned with busts, commemorative plaques, and sweeping landscape paintings by local artists such as Lenhart, Complojer, and Demetz – celebrating South Tyrol’s natural beauty in painterly form.

Architecturally, the structure is a gem of 19th-century ironwork: its delicate cast-iron framework was produced by the acclaimed Viennese foundry Griedel, echoing the design language of Otto Wagner’s urban rail stations and the early Paris Métro. The arcade stretches nearly 100 metres, inviting passers-by to linger, promenade, or enjoy a concert beneath its sheltering arches.

Today, the Wandelhalle is a beloved public space in Merano: mornings begin with espresso at the adjacent café overlooking the Passer, while Saturdays bring a bustling flea market that attracts artists, collectors, and curious strollers. The venue also plays host to regular open-air concerts and cultural events, continuing the tradition of spa music that once defined Merano’s elegant leisure culture.

For younger visitors, the Wandelhalle offers a uniquely atmospheric encounter with history, nature, and art – a place where riverside flair and artistic expression come together in the open air. It also marks the start of several scenic routes: from here, the Kurpromenade leads past Art Nouveau villas, the Kurhaus, and on to the Tappeiner Promenade or the Steinerner Steg.

The Wandelhalle is also rich in anecdote: in the 19th century, it was a favourite gathering place for so-called “whey cure guests”, who would stroll here in the early morning light – fasting, breathing the fresh air, and accompanied by gentle music known as Molkenkonzerte.

At its centre stands the Hall of Honour, still bearing busts of historical figures – among them Duke Karl Theodor, brother of Empress Elisabeth and a practising ophthalmologist in Merano. The Wandelhalle thus offers not only aesthetic pleasure, but also quiet traces of the town’s storied past – captured in cast iron, paint, and sunlight. 

The beautiful waterfall called Passeirer Wasserfall is 48 m high and is located at the beginning of the romantic Kalmtal/Valclava. You can reach the waterfall by walking from the village St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo, St. Martin/S. Martino or Riffian/Rifiano.

From the tourist office St. Martin/S. Martino follow the main street in direction St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo. After the tennis court across the bridge and take the hiking trail along the river for about 2 km in direction Meran/Merano. Next to the sawmill across the bridge and then take on the left side the hiking trail up to the main street. Cross the street and take the Trifterweg to the waterfall.

The Stelvio Pass Road twists and turns in tight serpentines and more than 48 hairpin bends before reaching Stelvio Pass at a lofty height of 2,757 meters.
It connects Spondigna/Spondinig in Venosta Valley with Bormio in Lombardy and is the highest mountain pass in Italy. Its planning and construction – which was begun in 1820 under Kaiser Franz Joseph and completed in 1926 with only six years’ construction – is regarded as a pioneering achievement in the area of mountain road building.

An Adventure Playground for Children on Watles, the Hikers' Paradise  

Amidst the expansive Watles hiking area, there is the 1500 m² Spielesee – an artificial lake for children, designed as an exciting adventure playground for little ones and families. Kids can play on the wooden rafts, hanging bridges, waterfalls and streams where they can try their hand at "gold panning" or exploring for minerals and other gems. Children love the long slide and the new Funballz, a water–walking-ball which kids can hop and run with along the surface of the water. 

Wooden chaise-langue’s are also available and adults can unwind and enjoy the view from the platform, with its magnificent mountain panorama. Admissions are free of charge.

From the village centre (town hall) via Church alley ‘Kirchgasse’ to the parish church of Saint Blaise. Walk under the church, then keep left to Turnauna irrigation channel path no. 8. After a few hundred metres along the irrigation channel path, the path to the cup stone branches off downhill (approx. 20 minutes from the town hall).

The prehistoric cup stone dates back to the Middle Neolithic period (approx. 4,500 - 3,000 BC) and is therefore one of the oldest monuments of mankind. The indentations in the stone are known as ‘ cups’. Researchers do not agree on the meaning of the cup stones. There are various assumptions:

1. The cup stone stored energy and served as a place of power. It was mainly used as a fertility symbol for ritual purposes. The cups were notched as thanks.

2. The cup stone was an astronomical calendar. At a certain distance, a wooden slat cast a shadow on the cups, indicating the right time for sowing and harvesting.

3. People or animals were killed on a lying cup stone and the blood that flowed out was soaked up in the cups and sacrificed to the gods.

The cup stone was found on 11 November 1988 during excavation work for irrigation pipes by Paul Hermann Vidal. In April 1989, Dr Lorenzo Dal Ri, then Director of the State Monuments Office, was able to prove the authenticity of the cup stone. In September 1990, Dr Sennhauser, an archaeologist from the monastery of St. Johann in Müstair, determined the age of the cup stone to be 4,500 BC (Neolithic period).

A steep path starts near the "Carabinieri" training centre in Vallunga and heads up to the castle ruins. Built at the beginning of the 13th century, it collapsed in 1525 and has never been rebuilt. It has been owned by the Wolkenstein family since the 14th century. Oswald von Wolkenstein, a famous minstrel and poet born in South Tyrol between 1376 and 1387, died in Merano 1445, probably spent his summers in the castle.

In 1940-41 by the fascist regime was built this bunker for reasons of defence. It is an impressive underground structure made on several storeys with a tight net of tunnels, that joins shooting ranges and inner rooms. In the front area there is an exhibition of photographs (Gampen Gallery), whereas the central part hosts an exclusive collection of minerals. 

From July to October there is on the biggest lake in South Tyrol, the lago Resia, "Ship Ahoy" with the "MS Hubertus"
While the ship that passeth away, idyllically situated on the turquoise blue lago Resia, passengers have views of the impressive mountain panorama.
Captain Winkler informed about the natural beauty around the 6 km long reservoir and are legends and stories about the sunken villages for the best.

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 the foot of the rocky walls of the "Grup dl Sela" or Sella Group, the most imposing massif of the Dolomites, you can admire the evocative “cascades de Pisciadú”. The waterfalls, which can be reached from Colfosco with an easy walk through a large clearing, are particularly impressive in spring when, thanks to the thaw, they are rich in water.

 

The carved-wood monument in memory of the famous mountaineer is found under the "Parei de Ciampac" rock wall, in Vallunga, where Comici fell to his death in 1940. He made over 200 first ascents in the Dolomites, he was the director of the ski school in Selva and town mayor between 1938 and 1940.

A circuit trail near the Obere Stilfser Alm Alpine refuge leads to the Goldseen Lakes above Stilfs/Stelvio (not to be confused with the Goldsee Lake on the Stelvio Pass). In the high mountain grasslands around these small Alpine lakes, one enjoys an unobstructed view of the Ortler area.

Alta Badia is a true treasure trove of wonders, containing masterpieces sculpted by Nature itself—from the most majestic, shaped over millennia, to the more delicate and ephemeral ones, yet persistent due to their cyclical nature. Among these stands out the snow cave, located at the foot of Cima Dieci, inviting you to discover a natural phenomenon of icy and pristine beauty, revealing the frozen heart of a cave adorned with impressive wavy walls, patiently sculpted season after season.

The cave continues to grow in size in the summer: the narrow hollow carved out by the stream is filled with cold air which is denser and therefore heavier than the summer air outside. This in turn sets off an inverted chimney effect: the heavy cold air sinks down to the bottom of the cave, giving rise to a strong draught from the top to the bottom of the snow cave. Warm summer air is now drawn into the cave from the upper openings, causing the cave to melt from within.

In the meantime, the warm is cooled by the ice and thus flows out through the lower opening as heavy air. This effect can continue for months, melting an ever larger cavity in the ice.

Access to the cave is officially prohibited. You may approach the entrance to take photos, but be cautious of the risk of falling rocks.

The Vallunga is part of the Dolomites - UNESCO World Natural Heritage and is located in the heart of the natural park Puez Geisler, which now covers an area of ​​about 10,722 ha. The natural park extends in the north to the Passo Erbe and in the south to the Passo Gardena; In the east it reaches the Val Badia (Kampill, Untermoj), in the west the Val di Funes and Val Gardena.

The valley is bedded in between rocky walls that fascinate tourists in summer as in winter. It offers countless opportunities for sports enthusiasts and real nature lovers, as it is part of the Europe-wide protected area network Natura 2000, which primarily aims to protect the habitats and wild fauna and flora.

WINTER: The valley, which extends over several kilometers, is great in winter for snowshoeing and hiking and is a dream come true for cross-country skiers. It enchants both children and adults with fantastic panoramas immersed in unique mountain peaks. SUMMER: Fresh springs and pure mountain air bewitch us on all our hikes in this unique holiday paradise. Both cyclists and climbers will get their money's worth. With its numerous hiking trails, the Vallunga is the ideal starting point for hikers of all ages.

The area around the Lagazuoi mountain offers a combination of hiking, skiing, culture and world history, in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, the Dolomites. The mountains of the  Lagazuoi - 5 Torri area bear traces of one of the most tragic events of the twentieth century, the First World War.

Do not miss: in winter, at the end of an impressive 8.5 km descent, the most ecological taxi in the Alps awaits you. A heard of horses pulls the skiers from Sas Dlacia to the Armentarola ski lift to get back to the Skicarosello ski area which connects all the villages of Alta Badia.

Lago di Pausa Lake is a deeply blue alpine lake. According to a legend instead of Lago di Pausa Lake there was a stony area with many huts built on top of it. Dwarfs were the owners of the huts, and they worked in the mine of the Dwarf King named Mute. They searched for crystals in the mine and got good money for their hard work. However, after some time the dwarfs became more and more dissatisfied. One day, the dwarfs found a giant gemstone, which they wanted to keep and sell themselves. Mute found out about the dwarfs' intention and brought about a giant storm. Water flew down the mountains and the dwarfs could not be saved. Lago di Pausa Lake, and Mutenock Peak are still there today.

Mount Conturines, located in the Fanes-Senes-Braies natural park in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, is the highest mountain in the Fanes group of which it is also one of the most representative.

The hike to Mt. Conturines, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies nature park, starts in San Cassiano / Capanna Alpina. The ascent to the cave is challenging, the hike is therefore recommended for well trained mountaineers only.

On trail no.11 climb up o the Col de Locia towards Fanes until you reach the Gran Plan (great plain in Ladin language). Continue to the left on a slope of mountain pines and climb on steep screes to the foot of Mt. Conturines at 2800 m, where you will find the entrance of a bear cave.

The discovery of the Conturines cave in 1987 was a big sensation: within the cave there were found the fossilised remains of a cave bear. Studies of the bones have subsequently revealed that the fossilized skull, teeth, and bones found in the cave do not originate, as initially suspected, from a cave bear of recent times, but rather do belong to a cave bear of the Middle Ice Age. The Conturines bear was named Ursus ladinicus, in honor of the Ladin valley where it was found.

The access to the cave is allowed only on the occasion of guided hikes organized by the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative. The fossil remains are exposed in the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus in San Cassiano.

The educational mills path leads along Ternerbach River. During a 1.5 hour hike you walk past 7 renovated corn mills, some of which are up to 500 years old. This is where farmers used to grain corn into fine flour, and sometimes still do During the summer months one mill is open to the public every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the Mill Festival you can get an insight into the millers' profession. Starting point: car park in the village center

From Moos/Moso walk up the first road bridge. At 50 meters, turn left on the walkway up to the wooden observation bridges over the Stieber waterfall. From here hikers will have a breathtaking view of the gigantic Stieber waterfall, where the Pfeldererbach stream first plunges 19 meters then 18 meters deep in the Passer river.

Small alpine chapel on the alpine pasture of Rodengo and Luson and a nice place for a short rest.

The Rosengarten/Catinaccio massif in the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage Site – is known for the many legends and mystery that surround its peaks. Indeed, even today the Catinaccio mountain seems to bloom at sunset, as if by magic: it is said in the legend that many years ago, there was a garden full of roses (rose garden = Rosengarten) of the dwarf King Laurin. One day, while fighting knights, King Laurin used his magic cap which made him invisible. However, the knights could tell from the movement of the roses where the dwarf king was hiding. Very angry about this, King Laurin put a curse on the rose garden that had betrayed him. He decided that neither by day nor by night anyone should ever see his rose garden again. However, he forgot the twilight and so today you can still admire the magical alpenglow (Enrosadira) at sunrise and sunset which colours the mountain in and red.

At the Catinaccio there are countless hiking trails of different levels to be explored: the Masarè path to the Christomannos Monument, the Rosengarten circular route and much more. The Catinaccio massif also invites adventurous climbers to explore the via ferrata and the climbing routes.