Val Pusteria valley - Upper Val Pusteria - Val Badia valley

The “Green Valley” in the east of South Tyrol, from the Rio Pusteria Fortress via the mighty Plan de Corones to East Tyrol

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Video : Cycling experience in the Val Pusteria
The imposing Rio Pusteria Fortress (Mühlbacher Klause) marks the beginning of the Val Pusteria valley: You can visit it in the summer months.
Foto: MF, © Peer
Near Vandoies, the Vallarga stretches into the Fundres Mountains - this is also where you will find the Fundres Valley Trail and High Route.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The section of the South Tyrolean Cycle Path network that takes you through the “Green Valley” is called the Val Pusteria Cycle Path or Pusterbike.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Butterfly Trail runs along the sunny slopes between San Sigismondo and Terento in the Lower Val Pusteria: The flowering meadows and quiet forests provide an ideal habitat for butterflies.
Foto: © AdobeStock
During summer, people swim in the Issengo Pond, a natural bathing lake on the Val Pusteria Sun Road - right next to it you can find KronAction, South Tyrol’s largest high-ropes course.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Brunico (Bruneck) is the delightful centre of the valley, a small town with a castle that houses one of Reinhold Messner’s Mountain Museums.
Foto: AD, © Peer
Who isn’t familiar with it? The famous Lake Braies and its historic boathouse - a traffic management plan has been introduced to protect the area.
Foto: AT, © Peer
An equally beautiful destination is Lake Anterselva, with its lakeside path, located in another of Val Pusteria’s side valleys, the Valle di Anterselva.
Foto: AD, © Peer
Several hiking trails show you the rugged landscape above Lake Anterselva, including trail no. 7 to the managed Steinzger Mountain Hut.
Foto: AD, © Peer
The Grand Hotel in Dobbiaco is a historic landmark in the Val Pusteria: It houses the Gustav Mahler Cultural Centre and hosts the Gustav Mahler Music Weeks, conferences, and the Festival Dolomites.
Foto: © Peer
The history of San Candido, home of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, is closely tied to the Benedictine monastery established here in 769 AD.
Foto: © Peer
That smells delicious! Cheese lovers will feel right at home at the Three Peaks Show Dairy, where tastings can be ordered from the new bistro.
Foto: AD, © Peer
The Tre Peaks of Lavaredo: In the coming years, the Tre Cime-Locatelli Mountain Hut is set to be equipped with mobile phone coverage, power, wastewater disposal, and a fibre-optic connection.
Foto: © AdobeStock
The Val Pusteria extends to the winter sports resort of San Vigilio di Marebbe - the latter part of the Val Badia valley is known as Alta Badia.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
In winter, the legendary Plan de Corones is one of the main hubs in the Val Pusteria: The mountain is accessible from Brunico, San Vigilio and Valdaora.
Foto: BS, © Peer
The popular Christmas Market in Brunico opens its gates at the end of November - it is one of the Original South Tyrolean Christmas Markets.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
There are no large cable cars or lifts in the Val Casies, where sustainable tourism is a priority: In winter, a unique tranquillity settles over the valley.
Foto: Giacomo Roccabruna, © Peer
It is a rather unusual sight: The Lago di Braies covered in snow in the winter months - in summer, this is the departure point for rowing boats.
Foto: MF, © Peer
The colourful FLIRT carriages of the Val Pusteria Railway offer new options for travel, stopping at stations such as Perca-Plan de Corones, where you can directly access the Plan de Corones lifts.
Foto: TM, © Peer
Five ski mountains form the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, situated between Dobbiaco, San Candido and the Val Comelico: This winter sports paradise includes also two toboggan runs and 200 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails.
Foto: MF, © Peer
video : With train and bike through the Val Pusteria
video : Kneipp Therapy in the Val Pusteria

Val Pusteria: offers 7 nights from 350 € per person

Gentle meadows, forests and sun-drenched high plateaus shape the lower part of the Val Pusteria, while the Upper Val Pusteria is known for the rugged peaks of the Sesto Dolomites - most notably the Thee Peaks of Lavaredo. Lakes such as Lake Anterselva and Lake Braies are renowned far beyond the region's borders and are popular destinations in the Val Pusteria holiday region.

Several nature parks, such as Fanes-Senes-Braies, Tre Cime and Vedrette di Ries-Aurina, protect this unique landscape. There is also plenty to do in winter: skiing on the Plan de Corones or in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, building a snowman on the Prato Piazza in the Braies Valley, or tobogganing on Mt. Croda Rossa di Sesto by the Sesto Sundial. Unique museums, including one dedicated to tourism and another to the Dolomites, provide a change of pace indoors.

In spring 2026, the Val Pusteria railway line will be temporarily closed for modernisation and maintenance works. The section between Brunico and San Candido will be closed from March 30 to April 28 inclusive, whereas… read more

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