South Tyrol

In winter, more than 1,200 km of slopes transform the Dolomite slopes into white paradises, where beginners and experts alike can ski amid UNESCO World Heritage views. The most renowned alpine skiing areas are those of Alta Badia and Val Gardena, which, with the resorts of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva, offer skiers the perfect mix of technical descents and incredible views, as in the case of the famous Sellaronda Ski Tour.

Nordic skiers can take on whitewashed loops in Val Pusteria or on theAlpe di Siusi plateau, such as the Hartl cross-country trail, which winds gently between centuries-old alpine pastures and the unmistakable profile of the Sassolungo.

Snowshoeing among dreamy snow-covered landscapes is varied and possible in all parts of South Tyrol: from Val Badia to Castelrotto, from the Corno del Renon to the views of Merano.

South Tyrol is a ski mountaineering paradise: snow-covered valleys, legendary peaks and routes for all levels for spectacular snow adventures well into spring, even over several days.

Those looking for more adrenaline-pumping experiences can choose one of the province's 50 via ferrata routes, or a climbing route, whether on the Dolomite walls or the many other South Tyrolean peaks. You'll be spoiled for choice!

Bicycling also finds ideal territory in this region, with routes ranging from familiar cycle paths, such as the Adige and Vinschgau Cycle Paths. The Val Pusteria cycle path, on the other hand, which follows the course of the Rienza River, is a path between villages and the countryside, emblematic of the perfect integration of modern infrastructure and respect for the environment.

For mountain bikers, there are many beautiful mountain trails and technical descents of bike parks, such as the one in Carezza.

Road bike enthusiasts are familiar with many passes, including the Stelvio Pass and the Mendola Pass. But those who prefer a more leisurely pace will also find beautiful racing bike routes, for example through the Adige Valley along the Strada del Vino.

If you are in a more contemplative mood, we recommend a walk along the Gries district, with its urban vineyards and the Benedictine monastery Muri-Gries, or you can take the Renon cable car, which transports you from the urban center to the plateaus above in just a few minutes: you can admire views ranging from the Dolomites to the Bolzano basin, with its characteristic earth pyramids showing the power of nature, and take the historic Renon train.

Nestled in a natural basin where the mountains seem to bend to protect it, Merano retains almost intact the charm and refined elegance of a spa destination that seduced European aristocracy in centuries past. Indeed, its identity is inextricably linked to water: not only the healing one of its thermal baths, rebuilt today with bold contemporary glass and steel architecture, but also the one that flows placidly along the Passirio River, lined with scenic walks that are now considered historic, such as the Tappeiner Promenade, which creates a natural balcony over the city, or the Sentiero delle Rogge (Waalwege), ancient irrigation canals transformed into hiking trails that pass through terraced apple orchards and vineyards, a symbol of how agriculture has been able to shape itself harmoniously on the impervious land.

Beyond the main centers, South Tyrol is dotted with medieval fortifications, monasteries and villages that seem crystallized in time, silent witnesses to an unexpected, layered and complex history.

Starting with castles, there are so many that it is almost impossible to name them all: in fact, South Tyrol is one of area with the highest density of castles in Europe. Among the most beautiful are:

• Roncolo Castle, which we have already mentioned, is a fortress that houses an exceptional pictorial document of medieval courtly life: a series of frescoes depicting tournaments, hunts and chivalric love affairs, unique in Europe;
• Chur Castle, located in the Vinschgau Valley, overlooks the village of Sluderno and is known for its rich private armory, finely decorated rooms and, every August, its spectacular Medieval Games for the whole family;
• Castle Tyrol, in the village of the same name, is now a museum, with the Knights' Hall, a tower with documents on SouthTyrolean history and, nearby, an avifauna center with spectacular displays of birds of prey;
• Presule Castle, perched on a hill near the Schlern;
• Taufers Castle (or Taufers Castle) in Campo Tures, home to splendid historic rooms such as the Knights' Hall, the library with ancient stove, and the eerie torture and spirit rooms;
• Fortress or Trostburg Castle, in the Eisack Valley, is the historic residence of the Wolkenstein family and now houses the South Tyrol Museum of Castles;
• The three castles of Appiano, Castel Corba, Castel d'Appiano and the ruins of Boymont, which can be reached by taking a single hike.

Three other noteworthy castles are Firmian Castle, just outside of Bolzano, Brunico Castle and Juval Castle, in Castelbello, which, in turn, are home to the Messner Mountain Museums (MMM), designed and built by the famous South Tyrolean mountaineer Reinhold Messner: MMM Firmian, MMM Ripa and MMM Juval.

The other two Messner Mountain Museums are theMMM Ortles, located in Solda, at 1900 meters above sea level, and theMMM Corones, designed by Zaha Hadid, which, as the name suggests, is located on the summit of Plan de Corones.

In the Pustertal valley, in addition to the imposing 13th-century castle of Bruneck, is the Collegiate Church of San Candido, one of the masterpieces of Alpine Romanesque architecture, with a Latin-cross plan.

In the Upper Eisack Valley, on the other hand, is the Novacella abbey complex, founded in 1142, which continues the tradition of wine production (excellent!). Here you can visit the splendid Baroque basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, a stunningly beautiful Baroque library with 65,000 volumes, which also has the world's smallest manuscript, and a historic garden where medicinal herbs are cultivated according to centuries-old monastic traditions.

The city of Brixen is also part of the Eisack Valley. Here you can visit the Baroque cathedral with a beautiful Romanesque cloister, the picturesque White Tower, and the Bishop's Palace, the former residence of the prince-bishop.

The Venosta Valley area also holds jewels, such as:

• the medieval town of Glorenza, surrounded by perfectly preserved walls;
• the imposing Monte Maria Abbey near Malles, the highest monastery in Europe, from which the view sweeps over the valley floor and the Ortler glaciers;
• the small St. Prokulus Church in Naturno, with 9th-century Carolingian frescoes that are among the oldest examples of medieval painting in the Alps;
• the Romanesque bell tower, dating from 1357, which juts out of Lake Resia, and is what remains of the ancient village of Curon, which was submerged by the waters of the reservoir in the 1950s.