The diversity of butterflies and the history of the Counts Künigl can be discovered in Chienes in the Lower Val Pusteria
Image gallery: Chienes
Rio di Pusteria and Vandoies first welcome you in the Lower Val Pusteria, and then the route follows the Val Pusteria Road to Chienes, the small municipality near the legendary Plan de Corones. It is divided into five villages, each with its own charm and history to tell, from Casteldarne with the mighty castle and the farms on Mt. Monghezzo to Chienes, the main village of the municipality, the sunny village of Corti and San Sigismondo. The "Pusterbike" cycle track through the Val Pusteria passes by the single localities on the way to Brunico.
In "Zimmatn", as San Sigismondo is called in local dialect, the Butterfly Trail invites to take a hike. The whole municipality in fact stretches out amidst wide and flat meadows and fields, which then extend up to the slopes of the Luson Mountains. Therefore, the valley paths such as the above-mentioned Butterfly Trail are easy to walk and show you the beauty of the Lower Val Pusteria with lots of interesting information about the local flora and fauna. The Mountain Farms Trail, on the other hand, tells of the farms on Mount Monghezzo. Further up is the Marmot Trail, which ends at the Rio Verde Lake at an altitude of more than 2,000 m and then opens up a view on the valley.
Those interested in winter sports will benefit from the proximity to Mt. Plan de Corones: There you will find the famous skiing area of the same name with its slopes all the way to San Vigilio and Riscone near Brunico. On the other side, towards the Valle Isarco valley, the vastness of the Rodengo Alp invites you to cross-country skiing on the long high-altitude trail. The arrival is well organised with public transport: Free rides on the ski bus and the ski train shuttle, on the public bus and the colourful trains of the Val Pusteria Railway are included in the Chienes Holiday Pass.
