Lake Valdurna at the end of the Valle di Valdurna valley is the starting point for wonderful hikes in the Sarentino Alps
Coming from Bolzano, the Pennes Valley branches off to the left at Campolasta in the Val Sarentino, while the Valdurna Valley branches off to the right. It is the longest and most important side valley of the Val Sarentino, with places such as the Reinswald Skiing Area and Lake Valdurna. While the Pennes Valley takes you over the Pennes Pass to the town of Vipiteno in the Upper Valle Isarco, the Valle di Valdurna valley (Durnholzer Tal) ends at its lake, called Durnholzer See, a particularly idyllic destination. From here, the only way to continue is on foot.
This valley was probably first settled in the late Middle Ages. In 1237 the village is already mentioned as Durrenholz. Still today, its centre consists of only a few houses and farmsteads. Two of them are very special: The school is one of the smallest one-room schools in South Tyrol, and the village church of St. Nicholas is tiny, but features wonderful frescoes from the 15th century, which were recently uncovered. The mountain village is flanked by the Valdurna Stream, then the lake extends in the shape of a triangle. This part is already a traffic-free zone, you can park before the lake. The bus also stops here. The Alpine peaks are reflected in the waters of Lake Valdurna, a popular starting point for hikes in the Sarentino Alps, from easy to challenging.
A family hike leads to the Seeb Mountain Hut and back again, ideal in summer. If spring is warm and beautiful, you can do this tour even earlier and walk past alpine meadows covered with a sea of crocuses. Twice as long, about five hours, is the hike to the Forcella Vallaga Hut and its mountain lake. The Horseshoe Tour, a multi-day hike across the Sarentino Alps, also leads past it.
