Vacation in Val Pusteria / Pustertal

One of the most beautiful alpine valleys and also one of the most traditional tourism regions in Europe is the Val Pusteria / Pustertal. It extends from Brixen in South Tyrol to the state border to Lienz in Austrian East Tyrol. In the north, it is bordered by the mighty three-thousanders of the Zillertal Alps, and in the south by the majestic rock towers of the Dolomites. This unique natural backdrop, the ancient cultural landscape, and the typical Tyrolean hospitality make the Pustertal an unmistakable holiday paradise.

In the lower Pustertal are, among others, Mühlbach with the Gitschberg-Jochtal ski area, Terenten (which is called the "sunny terrace of the Pustertal" because of its many hours of sunshine), Kiens, or St. Lorenzen at the entrance to the Gadertal with the Alta Badia ski area - all very individual holiday destinations for both those seeking relaxation and active holidaymakers. The main town and center of the Val Pusteria / Pustertal is Bruneck. The city was founded around 1250 by the Brixen Prince-Bishop Bruno von Kirchberg, who built a castle here that still dominates the cityscape today. In this beautiful medieval castle complex, a new Messner Mountain Museum is currently being built - the fifth in total - which is scheduled to open in spring 2010. The old town of Bruneck with its picturesque houses and arcades is worth seeing, an ideal venue for numerous cultural events, such as the jazz festival or the old town festival. Bruneck's local mountain is the famous Kronplatz, where one of the most modern and attractive ski areas in the Alps has grown since the 1960s.

A very special natural gem is the Pragser Wildsee in the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park south of the villages of Olang, Welsberg, and Niederdorf. The tourism museum of Niederdorf shows a highly interesting exhibition about the development of tourism in the Val Pusteria / Pustertal. Toblach in the Hochpustertal has been a popular summer resort since the end of the 19th century, since the construction of the railway from Vienna. Gustav Mahler also stayed in Toblach during the summer months from 1908 to 1910, and the "Gustav Mahler Weeks" annually commemorate the great composer. Near Toblach is the watershed between the Adriatic and the Black Sea: here the Rienz, which flows westward to the Eisack, and the Drau, which flows eastward to the Danube, originate.

Innichen and Sexten are the gateway to the Sexten Dolomites and the world-famous Three Peaks, which have always irresistibly attracted mountaineers and climbers from all over the world. The "Dolomythos" museum in Innichen provides fascinating insights into the formation of the "Pale Mountains". In Innichen, we also find one of the most beautiful Romanesque sacred buildings in the Eastern Alps, the collegiate church, famous especially for the wonderful dome fresco, the crypt, and the 13th-century crucifixion group. Another attraction is the Außerkirchl, a replica of the Golgotha chapel from the 17th century.

The opportunities for active holiday activities in the Val Pusteria / Pustertal are great like hardly anywhere else. In addition to the rich and diverse cultural offerings, there is a wealth of sports opportunities. In winter, the three major ski areas Gadertal/Alta Badia, Kronplatz, and Hochpustertal offer fantastic and seemingly endless slopes, modern lifts, and après-ski for everyone. And the slightly smaller and quieter ski areas like Gitschberg-Jochtal or Speikboden in the Tauferer Tal are also wonderful alternatives.

Cross-country skiing is extremely popular in the Pustertal and possible everywhere under first-class conditions. Especially in the Hochpustertal - with Toblach as the venue for international competitions - and in the nearby Antholzertal, where biathlon is also offered, the cross-country skiing offer is huge. For those who love something more unusual, trendy, or extreme, there is also snowshoeing or ice climbing, for example. In summer, the Val Pusteria / Pustertal with the surrounding mountains is a huge hiking paradise. Whether you prefer leisurely valley and alpine hikes, indulge in the Nordic Walking trend, or prefer to go on tours or climb in the high alpine area: Everything is possible! The nature parks Rieserfernergruppe, Fanes-Sennes-Prags, and Sextener Dolomites are large natural areas with countless hiking trails and routes. But also golf, tennis, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, and paragliding are part of the "standard offer" in the Val Pusteria / Pustertal.