The highest village in the Val d’Ultimo is called Santa Gertrude and is enthroned at the head of the valley with its Lake Fontana Bianca
Image gallery: Santa Gertrude
The mountain village of Santa Gertrude (St. Gertraud) consists of old farms and a small church stretching up the slope to the right and left of the road, up to 1,800 m a.s.l. At the entrance of the village, the old Lahner Sawmill is an interesting destination for excursions, as it houses one of the Stelvio National Park Houses. Unimposing from the outside, inside you'll be taken into the theme of forests and wood, and children can measure themselves against the flight spans of golden eagles, which, like ibex and red deer, are among the inhabitants of the national park.
At the visitor centre, you can also take a walk to the ancient larch trees, the three giant trees that were once estimated to be thousands of years old. The latest research speaks of about 850 years: At that time, in the 12th century, when the trees were small shoots, knighthood reached its first heyday and people increasingly went on pilgrimage. The trees are still greening anew every year. The Ultimo Farm Trail also ends here in Santa Gertrude and then leads back out of the valley, as does the idyllic cross-country ski track of the valley in winter.
A mountain road takes you from the village a few more kilometres uphill to Lake Fontana Bianca, where both the road and the entire Val d'Ultimo end. The mountain lake is already in the Stelvio National Park, which then extends over the surrounding peaks into the Val Venosta valley. The managed Pini Mountain Hut, or Fiechter Alm, can be reached in a short hike: Goat's and cow's milk cheese is still produced here, and guided tours of the cheese dairy are available on request.
