Act as a crown for the Venosta Valley These are the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale group, the Stelvio National Park and the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park. A kingdom for hikers and nature lovers who, in this area of north-western Alto Adige, reach the peaks of alpine beauty with spectacular themed excursions and cycle/pedestrian routes that offer a journey through time through Roman history, Romanesque architecture and ancient streets. All seasoned with the flavours of autumn, with the scents of apples, pears, wine and cabbage, to be enjoyed during the many seasonal festivals. Not to mention the joy of the first descents on the slopes for the most passionate skiers, thanks to the early opening at the end of September.
Cycling along the Adige on the Via Claudia Augusta
In Val Venosta there are dozens of well-marked trails and paths where you can practice mountain biking, downhill, freeride, enduro and all mountain. Those who love two wheels will find the spectacular hairpin bends of the Stelvio Pass, a Prato to Stelvio. But also the tracks around the Mount Solein Silandro, Laces and Castelbello and surrounding areas Lake Resia.
In addition to thrills for serious athletes, Val Venosta also offers family adventures thanks to the flat cycle paths that run along the Adige. This is the case of Via Claudia Augustawhich from Resia leads to Merano for about 80 kilometers, passing medieval towns, castles and abbeys. The route winds along the ancient Roman road built by Emperor Augustus, the heart of the Alpine crossing system that led from the Po Valley to the Danube.
Towards the summits: the most popular routes for mountaineers
Once you get off the bike and put on your shoes, you head up into the high mountains to experience the thrills of theHigh Via Val Venosta. Over a good 108 km, from the Reschen Pass to the village of Stava, cross the Rhaetian border with a view of the Ortler group. Each stage is a discovery: from the Reschen Pass, where the sources of the Adige are located, to the suspension bridge over the Fallerbach stream, between Patsch and the Zuckbichl farm.
In the Stelvio National ParkIn autumn, mountaineers find glaciers, refuges and peaks to climb, immersed in the brilliant colours of the foliage. And from the end of September, an additional emotion: the roar of the amorous deer that resonates in these still wild expanses of nature. Also Sulden to the Ortles and its plateau are the starting point for mountaineering excursions.
In addition to more demanding excursions, Val Venosta offers themed trails suitable for everyone, such as the Gumperle in Prato allo Stelvio, or the Rio Plima gorges in Val Martello, or the walk around the artificial lake of Vernago. For ski enthusiasts, the ski areas Alpine Arena Senales (from the end of September) e Sulden to the Ortles (from the end of October) offer a taste of winter with the opening of the first slopes around the glaciers. Characteristic that makes this valley one of the areas with the ski season longer.
Cultural walks: stroll among UNESCO heritage sites
Walking in the Val Venosta also means encountering history, culture and centuries-old traditions. Rogge, irrigation channels used by farmers over the centuries to irrigate fields, especially during periods of low rainfall.
To discover ancient techniques, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, there are about twenty canal paths that wind on both sides, that of Monte Sole and that of Monte Tramontana. Another intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO is the transhumancewhich can be discovered in autumn on the sheep trails of Val Senales, among the oldest and most picturesque in the region. During the festivals that celebrate the return of the cows and sheep from the mountain pastures, the animals adorn themselves with garlands of flowers and ribbons, a spectacle to be admired throughout the valley to the rhythm of fanfares and local delicacies.
Art lovers can then admire the medieval treasures along the Romanesque Route of the Alps: The Venosta Valley has in fact some of the best preserved churches in continental Europe, such as that ofMonte Maria Abbeywhich rises just above Burgusio, a hamlet of Malles, considered the highest Benedictine convent in Europe. The medieval town of Glorence with its churches and fortifications, the church of San Vito built on the hill of Tarces and the chapel of S. Stefano a Morter, considered the Sistine Chapel in South Tyrolare other treasures to be discovered along the Via, between historical capitals and frescoes of sirens, devils and other mythological figures.
Another cultural excursion is to the villages of Covelano And Lasawhere one of the purest and most resistant marbles on the continent has been extracted for centuries. Lasa MarbleIn fact, it was already known to the Romans and used in the milestones of the Via Claudia Augusta. Abandoned and then rediscovered in the 19th century, the extraction tradition continues today in the Acqua Bianca quarry.
The delicious and authentic autumn of Val Venosta
Finally, October and early November, throughout Alto Adige, are the months of ““Torggelen”the ancient custom of grape pressing, celebrated today in villages and towns with themed festivals, tastings and traditional markets. But celebrating the “Törggelen” in Val Venosta means above all getting together with friends or family and tasting typical dishes such as the ravioli called “Schlutzkrapfen”the inevitables chestnuts roasted on the fire or desserts “Bauernkrapfen”. And of course local wine, grape must and fruit juices.
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The Specialty Weeks also take place from September 7 to 29 Slow Food dedicated to sheep transhumance in the Val Senales and inUr-Paarl of the Venosta Valleyan ancient variety of rye bread invented in the 13th century in the Benedictine abbey of Monte Maria, near Burgusio. But in October, Lasa celebrates Sauerkraut Weeks with cabbage specialties, traditional music and even decorations with plant sculptures placed on the entrances and shop windows. The best way to conclude a holiday full of colors, experiences and autumn flavors in style.
For more information: venosta.net/il-tuo-autumn
