The five most beautiful sites in Val Pusteria or Pustertal

The Val Pusteria! Where? What? How?

The Val Pusteria, or Pustertal in German, is a beautiful green valley on the northern side of the Dolomites, along the border between Italy and Austria.

When you look south, you see rocky, sharp, architecturally beautiful mountains on the horizon: the Dolomites.

Towards the northern border, on the other hand, the landscape is gentler, with meadow-covered peaks in summer, and white peaks in winter.

The Val Pusteria, Pustertal is also a connecting route between the Tyrol and the eastern Osttirol. Tyrolean culture, tinged with the more southerly aspects of the Sudtirolis very much in evidence in its architecture, culture and trade.

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Climatologically, this east-west orientation facilitates the arrival of cold continental air, so much so that the Dobbiaco-Toblach weather station has been recording record-breaking winter temperatures for decades. Temperatures of -15 degrees or -20 degrees are not uncommon in the area, although they are becoming much less frequent.

The highest point in this 70km-long valley is the Dobbiaco pass, at an altitude of around 1,200m, which is the watershed between the Rienza, which flows into the Adige and the Adriatic Sea, and the Drau, which flows into the Danube and then the Black Sea. A true geographical border, some ten kilometers before the political border between Italy and Austria.

It's an easy valley to get to, thanks to the train that crosses it along the line that runs from Fortezza in Italy, along the Brenner line, and Lienz in Austria, heading east.

The historical and cultural capital of Val Pusteria is Brunico - Bruneck. Its castle bears witness to the importance of this small medieval mountain town. But it's not the only castle. The imposing Campo Tures - Taufers castle stands at the entrance to the Ahrental - Valle Aurina side valley, while the Ehrenburg castle stands out for its well-preserved architecture.

The Val Pusteria - Pustertal and its side valleys abound in splendid natural sites.

Here are the five most beautiful of them.

Lake Braies

The Braies - Pragsersee lake, located at an altitude of almost 1500m, impresses visitors with its turquoise hue. Framed by the cliffs of the Croda del Becco, which rises to over 2800m, this small lake is a jewel framed by thick forests. In summer, you can row in a boat to appreciate the impressive natural setting. In winter, the lake is usually frozen over.

Legend has it that the lake was created by the inhabitants of this high valley opening up underground springs to drown the wealth of precious materials that abounded in the caves, and which aroused the envy of the shepherds and stockbreeders of the Val Pusteria.

Other legends from Ladin culture tell of a hidden kingdom, that of the Fanes, which lies beneath the surface of the lake. The dolomites that surround the lake are known as the Dolomites de Fanes, and constitute a nature park.

Val Fiscalina

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful valleys in the Alps. Popular with hikers who want to get to the heart of the Dolomites, and with cross-country skiers who criss-cross the forests in winter, the Val Fiscalina is a vast wooded flat with imposing dolomitic peaks on the horizon.

Access is via the village of Sesto in Pusteria - Sexten, a small ski resort whose slopes frame the site. In summer, the green of the meadows contrasts with the dark green of the forests and the orange of the Dolomites. In winter, after a snowfall, everything is white, plastered with snow, right up to the highest peaks.

The hikes along the valley floor are easy and suitable for everyone.

Lake Dobbiaco

The Dobbiaco site is spectacular. The Val Pusteria - Pustertal widens and you can step back to admire the Dolomites that border it to the south. Dobbiaco is at a crossroads. The Val di Landro leads to Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Veneto in an indentation in the Dolomites, along a rugged road dotted with war cemeteries from the First World War, when Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers fought to defend the border.

At the very start of this route, at the foot of the first peaks of the Dolomites, including the Haunold at almost 3000m, lies Lake Dobbiaco. Recognizable among dozens of lakes by the silhouette of the mountains that surround it, its surface freezes for several months in winter, so it can be crossed on foot or skis, and curling can be enjoyed close to its shores. In summer, the coolness of the area invites you to take a boat trip or a tour of the river to admire its colors.

A few swans enjoy the site, and can be seen in all visitors' photos.

Map of Corones - Kronplatz

Dominating Brunico with its rounded curves, this hillock culminating at over 2200 meters above sea level was bound to become a renowned ski resort. And it has.

The Plan de Corones summit can be reached by several lifts from Val Pusteria or Val Marebbe, making it easy to ascend.

Indeed, when visiting Val Pusteria, it's essential to climb to the top of the Kronplatz. From its highest point, the view extends 360 degrees over the Sudtirol. Very close by, the peaks of Val Badia enhance the panorama to the south, while the Zillertal Alps, on the border with Tyrol, accompany the view to the north.

Descending the wooded, flower-filled slopes in summer, or the snow-covered slopes in winter, allows you to land gently in one of the many bars and restaurants in the villages that spread out at the foot of this mountain, while continuing to enjoy the scenery, sometimes alpine, sometimes dolomitic, depending on which slope you choose.

At the top of Plan de Corones- KronPlatz, two sights await you. The branch of the Messner Mountain Museum dedicated to traditional mountaineering. There are five others in Sudtirol!

The huge 16-tonne Peace Bell, cast in Salzburg to designs by an architect from nearby Val Gardena, will also be on display.

Lake Misurina and the Drei Zinnen

Lake Misurina is no longer really in the Val Pusteria, but visitors from this valley and from Cortina d'Ampezzo can be found on its shores.

Located in Venetobut on the road between Dobbiaco and Cortina d'Ampezzo , the site of Lake Misurina is remarkable. At either end of the lake are two old hotels, typical of these remote locations: large buildings that could easily be described as the Grand Hotel du Lac. Each end of the lake offers a remarkable view of the surrounding mountains: on one side the impassable rocky massif of Sorapis, and on the other the famous Drei Zinnen, in Italian Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Three dolomitic peaks, close together like the tips of a trident. Hikes close to the base of these peaks are unforgettable. This is one of the heartlands of the Dolomites, a mountainous area where each massif has its own history, and its own legends.

The Val Pusteria - Pustertal, known as the Green Valley in summer, or the Siberia of Italy in winter, offers an extremely pleasant stay in the villages that lie at the foot of the Dolomites: Rio Pusteria-Mühlbach, Kienz, Brunico-Bruneck, Valdaora-Olang, Villabassa-Niederdorf, Dobbiaco-Toblach, San Candido-Innichen and all the hamlets not mentioned. But the valley is also a gateway to other beautiful regions: the Anterselva Valley, Valle Aurina, Val di Tures, Val di Sesto, Val Marebbe and Val Badia, to name but a few.

The culture of Sudtirol which guarantees a change of scenery in terms of language, architecture and gastronomy.

A stay in Val Pusteria is sure to be unforgettable. You'll fall in love with this corner of northern Italy.