Rustic farmhouses, green mountain pastures and crystal-clear mountain lakes are the special features of Ultental valley. This side valley is near Meran in South Tyrol and runs from Lana in a south-west direction for around 40 kilometres as far as the Falschauer am Weißbrunsee Alpine spring. This unspoilt mountainous valley is surrounded by the Ortlergruppe mountains. Its mountain slopes are covered with spruce, fir and larch woodland. There are five villages in Ultental valley: St. Pankraz, St. Walburg, St. Nikolaus, St. Gertraud and Kuppelwies.

Movement and relaxation

If you fancy exploring the mountains and unspoilt nature of Ultental valley, Schwemmalm hiking area boasts lots of marked hiking paths in summer and 25 kilometres of ski pistes with guaranteed snow for skiing and snowboarding in winter. Hungry souls can stop off in one of the many mountain pasture huts for refreshments. You can head high up to the Stilfserjoch National Park at the end of Ultental valley, where challenging high mountain tours start from the picturesque Weißbrunnsee lake to 3,000-metre-high mountain peaks.

Anyone looking for some rest and relaxation would do well to take a Farm Holiday in Ultental valley. As one of the valleys in South Tyrol with the most areas of water, Ultental valley is home to around 44 lakes and traditional medicinal springs. The impressive Hartungen waterfall in St. Nikolaus is worth a visit, too. This is just a few minutes’ walk away from the nearly 1,000-year-old and over 30-metres-high ancient larch trees. Between St. Pankraz and St. Walburg are the four so-called ‘Ultner Badlen’ baths: Mitterbad, Bad Lad, Lotterbad and Überwasser. The tradition of farm baths goes back hundreds of years in the Alpine area, and these bathing cures at mineral-rich water sources are supposed to soothe aches, pains and rheumatism. The bathing spots soon developed into an important meeting point for the rural population. Empress Sissi also had faith in the healing powers of these farm baths and frequented the Ultener Badeln.

Nature and tradition

Lots of Ultental valley locals still live off agriculture, keep animals and grow vegetables and herbs. A guest staying in a holiday flat or room in Ultental valley will get a taste of nature, tradition and local customs up close. St. Nikolaus valley museum shows visitors what traditional farm life was like in the past. The centuries-old 'Lahnersäge' sawmill, on the other hand, where farmers took their timber until a few years ago, is now a visitors’ centre and part of the Stilfserjoch National Park. Bergauf wool manufacturers in Kuppelwies offer insights into life on the farm today, where farmers display their handiwork in the form of delicate felt and wool products.

Every year in July, the valley holds the Ulten Farmstead Run, or 'Ultner Höfelauf' race. This starts in the village of Kuppelwies, and features a number of different routes. The classic route with a length of 17 kilometres leads past old farmhouses to St. Gertraud, the ancient larch trees and ends up in Kuppelwies again. The much shorter 'Volkslauf' race involves a circuit of around eight kilometres to the Zoggler Stausee reservoir and runs from Kuppelwies to St. Walburg and back again. Both stretches have one thing in common: a fantastic mountain backdrop amidst one of the most original valleys in South Tyrol. The Ultner Höfelauf race earns its reputation as a race for foodies, as after the race there are a variety of stands offering delicious food from Ultental valley. This culinary programme, along with a wide variety of children’s activities, makes the race a popular event for gourmets and sports fans.