Senales Valley – Active holidays in the alpine mountains

The high alpine Senales Valley in the Tessa (Texel) Group Nature Park is one of the most scenically interesting valleys in South Tyrol. It offers 300 kilometres of sign-posted hiking trails of all levels of difficulty, all the way up to Palla Bianca (Weißkugel), the highest peak at 3,738 metres in elevation. This high mountain valley, in which Ötzi, the celebrated glacial mummy, was found 20 years ago is the only glacial ski area in Merano and Environs. There are more than 35 kilometres of runs for skiers, snowboarders, backcountry skiers, and fans of telemark skiing alike.

In the valleys’ five picturesque villages called Katharinaberg, Karthaus, Madonna di Senales, Vernagt at Lake and Maso Corto, you can choose among activity holidays, cultural trips through Prehistory or simply take time to relax.

Due to the valley’s inaccessibility, a notorious smugglers' path once ran through here - you can still hike along this path today. The spectacular sheep drive, which takes place on the main Alpine ridge in mid-June, is also well known: just a few shepherds drive up to 4,000 sheep over a mountain more than 3,000 metres high. And for those who seek a challenge, in honour of the Ice-man there is the Ötzi Alpine Mountain Marathon.