Völs am Schlern: Lake, Trails and Culture

The landscape ranges from vineyards at 315 metres to alpine meadows at an altitude of 2,564 metres. The scenery changes markedly between these elevations. If you are planning a stay, you could first consider whether you want to focus on water, hiking or historic sites. These different themes offer practical pointers for choosing your destination.

Völser Weiher and hiking trails

Völser Weiher lies in the heart of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. Around the lake, there is a public bathing jetty and a green sunbathing lawn. In summer, the lake is used for swimming; in winter, for ice skating. The seasons thus bring different activities to the same body of water. If you are planning your visit around one of these activities, it is advisable to check the current conditions. The hike to Tuffalm starts right at Völser Weiher and offers another way to include the lake in your excursion plans.

At the foot of the Schlern, the 7 Weiher Weg connects seven ponds between Völser Aicha and St. Konstantin. Sections of the route pass through the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike the hike to Tuffalm, which starts at Völser Weiher, the 7 Weiher Weg focuses on linking several bodies of water between two villages. Fiè allo Sciliar also offers many hiking opportunities and is a starting point for hikes of varying difficulty.

Local history and architecture

The historical record reaches far back: Fiè was first mentioned in an official document in 888 under the name “Fellis.” Peterbühl, a historically significant hill, lies west of the centre of Völs am Schlern. The Peterbühl themed trail documents archaeological finds from different periods. The timeline stretches from the Late Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages, making the long span covered by the finds the trail’s central theme.

Prösels Castle also has historical roots: the medieval building was first mentioned in a document in 1279, then under the name “Castrum Presile.” Völs am Schlern is also home to the late Gothic parish church of the Assumption of Mary. Its winged altarpiece was created by Master Narziß in 1488. The building’s design and the altarpiece offer different points of interest if you are interested in ecclesiastical architecture and art history.

The Michaelskapelle, also known as the cemetery chapel, is a Romanesque chapel next to the parish church in Völs. Today, it houses an archaeological collection as well as the Völs parish museum. The church in St. Konstantin brings together Gothic architecture, a distinctive onion-domed tower and pointed-arch portals. From there, you can enjoy a view of the Schlern. The ecclesiastical buildings thus combine a range of architectural features with a glimpse into local history.

Coffee and music

Another place to explore is the Caroma Coffeeseum, where you can follow the coffee bean’s journey from the equator to the cup. Music is also a recurring part of the cultural programme. The “Schlern Music” chamber music festival takes place in and around Völs am Schlern in even-numbered years. If you would like to combine your trip with a festival visit, check the event dates in advance.

Whether you want to focus on Völser Weiher and the hiking trails, archaeological history or architecture, these places and themes offer different ways to discover Völs am Schlern.

Discover more destinations: Trafoi, Burggrafenamt, Bozen, Vinschgau, Riscone, Antholz Mittertal, Weitental, Kurzras

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