Puster Valley: Nature, Trails and Mountain Culture

If you are looking for a hotel in the Puster Valley, you can start by planning your trip around the landscape, outdoor activities and culture. Three Peaks Nature Park borders the Puster Valley to the north, and Lake Braies lies in a side valley of the Puster Valley. Trails, the nature park visitor centre and museums offer further, distinct highlights. The specific locations and conditions can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Natural surroundings and trails

Three Peaks Nature Park is part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas. It extends across the municipalities of Dobbiaco, Sesto and San Candido; the Puster Valley forms its northern boundary. Lake Braies lies at the end of the Braies Valley, a side valley of the Puster Valley. It is also located in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of the Dolomites. These connections place the lake and the nature park within clearly defined valley and protected-area settings.

The circular trail around Lake Braies is about 3.5 kilometres long; allow approximately an hour and a half to complete it. Rowing boats can be rented at the historic pile-dwelling site during the months it is open. The circular trail and seasonal boat rental offer different ways to enjoy the lake. Check seasonal trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

Lake Braies can be reached on bus route 442 from Dobbiaco or Villabassa. During the busy summer months, access to the valley and bus use may be regulated; online reservations may then be required. Check the conditions before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly.

Observe and understand the landscape

The High Puster Valley Trail combines Alpine views and opportunities to observe deer and chamois with traces of the First World War and evidence of the history of mountaineering. The trail therefore focuses on a mix of landscape, wildlife observation and history. By contrast, the length and approximate duration of the circular trail at Lake Braies provide practical points of reference for planning your time.

The Three Peaks Nature Park Visitor Centre presents the geological and geomorphological features of the Dolomites in the Upper Puster Valley. Exhibition topics are conveyed through texts, images, video installations and animations. Geology and geomorphology offer two ways of looking at the Dolomites: the structure and composition of the landscape, and its forms. The visitor centre thus complements direct observation of nature with the perspective of an exhibition.

Mountain themes and regional history

MMM Corones on Mount Kronplatz is located at an altitude of 2,275 metres and is dedicated to traditional mountaineering, its history, equipment and development. Views of the mountains are part of the exhibition experience. The museum cannot be reached by car; you can get to the summit plateau by cable car or on foot. As cable car operations may change, check before your visit.

MMM Ripa covers a different subject: it offers insights into the everyday lives, rituals, religions and economic systems of 25 mountain peoples. Comparing the two museums makes the difference in their focus clear: MMM Corones concentrates on the history of mountaineering, while MMM Ripa focuses on ways of life and social themes.

The Mansio Sebatum Museum tells the story, across three floors, of the settlement at the Roman road station of Mansio Sebatum in the Puster Valley area. It focuses in particular on its development towards the end of the first century AD. Archaeological finds, as well as multimedia and interactive installations, bring this history to life. The Roman road station thus offers a different perspective on regional history from the museums' mountain themes.

A circular trail with animal stations

Olperl's Mountain World on Mount Helm features a 1.5-kilometre circular trail. It starts at the children's farm with its animals and leads to ten stations about native wildlife. The attraction also includes the highest-altitude barefoot trail in the Dolomites. Lift access and operations are seasonal; check the details before planning your visit. The information about the circular trail, starting point and stations helps you distinguish this focus on wildlife observation and outdoor activity from the museums' themes of history and culture.

The destinations mentioned differ both in their themes and in specific conditions, such as seasonal offerings, possible access restrictions and approximate walking times.

Discover more destinations: Floronzo, San Candido, Terento, Abtei, San Martino in Badia, Brunico, Valdaora, Lutago, Molini di Tures, Campo Tures, San Lorenzo di Sebato, Marebbe, Sesto, Perca, Predoi, Vandoies, Valle Aurina, Casere-Knappenegg, Lappago, Villabassa, Rasun-Anterselva, Monguelfo-Tesido, Dobbiaco, Chienes, Issengo, Selva dei Molini, La Villa, Valle di Casies, La Valle, Falzes, Colfosco and Gais.

For the broader travel overview: Bolzano.