Rina – Village History and Hiking Destinations

Rina (Welschellen) lies at an altitude of 1,394 m on the orographically left bank of the Gader and at the foot of Munt da Rina. Rina is a farming and artisan village. Its location between river and mountain, its traditional settlements, and the trails to the Munt da Rina hut and Lake Rina are important landmarks. The village description therefore brings together cultural history and specific hiking destinations.

Hikes and winter destinations

Lake Rina is considered idyllic. The hike from the sports field in Rina to the lake follows a marked trail to the Munt da Rina hut. From Rina, the hut can be reached on foot in approximately one to one and a half hours; conditions and route choice may affect the actual duration. Use the walking time as an approximate planning guide and allow some flexibility for your specific route. Taken together, the information helps you plan the destination and time required separately: the marked trail description refers to the hike to the lake, while the walking time refers to the hut from Rina.

Another winter activity is the Runt-da-Rina toboggan run. A trail leads towards the Manestrei mountain pastures from the car park by the sports field. Check winter conditions and whether the toboggan run is operating before setting out.

Village layout and history

Rina includes several traditional rural settlements known as Viles: Pescosta, Pecei, Tintal, Al Pinter, Ciornadù, and Tonadeia. Viles is the collective term for these rural settlements; the names listed give a concrete sense of their layout. You can explore the Viles as a distinct feature of the cultural landscape, alongside the historical dates associated with the church and the bank.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pietro e Paolo Apostoli in Rina is mentioned as early as 1347. Another chapter in the village’s history began in 1889, when the parish priest at the time, Ujöp (Josef) Dasser, founded South Tyrol’s first Raiffeisen bank in Rina. The church and the founding of the bank represent different aspects of the village’s history. The dates refer to different events: 1347 to the mention of the church, and 1889 to the founding of the bank. The Sagra di Rina is a traditional church feast day in Welschellen and adds a local festive tradition to these historical references.

Mountain hut and regional cuisine

The Munt da Rina hut serves homemade dishes made with local products, as well as Tyrolean specialties. “Homemade” describes how the dishes are prepared, “local products” their origin, and “Tyrolean specialties” the culinary style. As the menu may change with the seasons, check what is available before your visit. The hut operates seasonally in summer; check its current opening status before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Margreid on the Wine Road, Eisack Valley, Casateia, Burggrafenamt, Vals, Ridanna, Santo Stefano, Stainhaus

For the broader travel overview: Bolzano.