The
Schnalstal Valley is a wild and unspoiled valley that extends from the village of Naturno/Naturns with its fruit orchards and vineyards beneath
Juval Castle to the picturesque and imposing glaciers at the valley head. The Schnalstal Valley has few local inhabitants but is home to numerous rare Alpine animals, making it the perfect location for a peaceful holiday in
nature, below the high glaciers and peaks of the
Texelgruppe mountain range. On the way to Mount Similaun is the discovery place of the famous 5000-year old ice mummy,
Oetzi. The Schnalstal Valley is also a popular destination for
winter sports. Ski enthusiasts will find glacier slopes that remain open until may.
The
Schnalstal Valley stretches from apple orchards at the valley’s entrance to the
mighty glaciers at the head of the valley. Between them, steep mountains project into the sky. Dense larch forests extend up to 2,600m a.s.l.;
centuries-old farmhouses bear witness to the formerly meager everyday
rural life in this secluded valley. Only upon
construction of the Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car in 1972 did modern tourism arrive in the area.
To its 1,300 inhabitants, Schnalstal Valley includes the sunny village of
Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg, the
Pfossental Valley and the village of
Certosa/Karthaus in a former convent, the peaceful village of
Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau, the hamlet of
Vernago/Vernagt and the ski village of
Maso Corto/Kurzras. Schnalstal Valley is the least populated valley in South Tyrol. It offers peace and originality in a high alpine mountain landscape.