Holiday in Val Martello

In the eponymous valley, which is a 24 km long side valley of the Vinschgau, lies the small municipality of Val Martello. The Valley extends from 950 meters above sea level up to the glaciers of Cevedale (3769 meters above sea level). In the main town of Val Martello and in the districts of Ennetal, Ennewasser, Gand, Hintermartell, Meiern, Sonnenberg and Waldberg, there are about 880 inhabitants who, in addition to the famous strawberry cultivation, also take care of the well-being of their guests. Originally, it was mainly alpinists and mountaineers who had discovered the place for themselves. Martello is ultimately the ideal starting point for challenging tours in the Ortler group. Rarely are there so many peaks, which rise well over 3000 meters, in one place: Cevedale, Rotspitze, Zufrittspitze, Hasenöhrl and several more.

For those who do not want to go quite so high, they opt for gentle alpine hikes through the Stelvio Pass National Park area or for one of the leisurely hiking trails in the valley. One thing is guaranteed not to be lost from sight - the imposing mountain panorama.

Tip: as Martello is already located in the Stelvio Pass National Park, there is also a national park house there with the resonant name "culturamartell". It is often compared to a "modern local history museum". Visitors can learn everything here about rural culture, the everyday work of farmers, and what it means to live in harmony with nature. In addition, there are always interesting special exhibitions and events such as the marmot family hike.

Val Martello in South Tyrol is best known for a sweet fruit: the strawberry. It is the highest valley in Europe where strawberries have been successfully grown for several years. The cultivation slopes are partly already at 1800 meters above sea level - thanks to many hours of sunshine and careful cultivation, the red berries thrive excellently here. Not only the location of the strawberries is extraordinary, but also their harvest time. While the season is long over elsewhere, it is just getting started here in the valley. On the higher slopes, the beautiful fruits ripen at the end of August/beginning of September and then they taste simply wonderful: juicy, sweet, and fresh.

Because enjoying together is simply more fun, the traditional South Tyrolean Strawberry Festival takes place every summer, attracting numerous tourists and locals. The focus is clearly on the strawberry. There is an "open field day", a giant strawberry cake, music and dance, as well as a presentation of various specialties from the region. The highlight of the festival is the awarding of the most delicious strawberry dishes and, last but not least, the election of the pretty strawberry queen.

The "Culinary Lake Tour 2012" provides a bit of fresh air on the "menu". Here, everything revolves around culinary delights and outdoor activities. During a leisurely hike around Lake Zufritt, you can taste many specialties: from Martell honey to smoked trout to "hearty" farmer's pastries and high-proof schnapps. While enjoyment is paramount in Martell in the summer, in the cold season, all signs point to sports. The Martell Biathlon Center is well known far beyond the national borders and offers 12 km of cross-country ski trails and modern shooting ranges in a snow-sure location.