The Dolorama Trail

See. Feel. Marvel. These three words greet visitors to Alpe di Rodengo/Rodenecker Alm and Alpe di Luson/Lüsner Alm. With a view of the symbolic representation of creation, hikers are invited to marvel at the magic of the landscape that surrounds them. For centuries, this has been shaped by humans, which has given it its present form. The route can have a very different and yet bonding effect when it comes to seeing, feeling, and marvelling. The Creation Trail leads from Zumis car park to the mountain chapel at Croce Pianer/Pianer Kreuz. Here, along the gently ascending path, you’ll experience seven modern and contemplative art stations that highlight the biblical story of creation.
From the car park, follow the wide hiking trail no. 2 and later turn left onto trail no. 4, also called the Confin path. This leads through forests and Alpine meadows and eventually joins trail no. 2, which leads past Croce Pianer/Pianer Kreuz towards Giogo d'Asta/Astjoch.

Powerful, majestic, and charming – this description applies perfectly to Rodenegg Castle, which towers high above the Rienza/Rienz gorge between Schabs and Mühlbach. It was built in the 12^th century and served as a fortified castle. In the 16^th century, the family of Oswald von Wolkenstein acquired the castle and had it enlarged and rebuilt. The castle is inhabited and is surrounded by a magnificent castle garden. See the grandeur of Rodenegg Castle for yourself! The castle can be visited with an audio guide from the beginning of May to mid-October without registering (except for groups of 15 people or more).

More information at: https://www.rodenegg.it/english/

The Croce Pianer/Pianer Kreuz chapel is located at 1,900 metres above sea level and is a place of contemplation and tranquillity. Many years ago, an old chapel stood here but it was unfortunately demolished twice. In 2002, a new little church was built on the same site, which the then Cardinal Josef Ratzinger and later Pope Benedict XVI blessed from a helicopter in 2008. For many hikers and travellers, the chapel is a place of prayer and thanksgiving. After a loved one passes away, it is a local tradition to bring a remembrance card to the mountain chapel and remember the deceased.

After an exciting hike, there is nothing better than jumping into a crystal-clear mountain lake – and that is exactly what a detour to the idyllic natural swimming pool in Lüsen is for! Here, you can expect close-to-nature relaxation and water fun with a slide. In the adjoining recreational area with playground, beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, and football field, you can enjoy the soothing sunshine while your little ones let off steam.

Alpe di Luson/Lüsner Alm is home to countless legends about mysterious figures that have been passed down for generations. Some of these are told here in a family-friendly manner on display boards. The hike leads over the plateau of Alpe di Luson/Lüsner Alm, past Kreuzwiesenalm with the chance to stop off for refreshments, and on to Schweiger Böden. The option to take the hiking bus to the Herol viewpoint and back from Schweiger Böden to the village centre makes this hike the ideal excursion for families with children.

The former craftsmen’s zone of Lüsen lies on the Kaserbach stream below the village centre. The historical oldforge, Stricker mill, and Venetian sawmill have been carefully preserved. During guided tours, these are partly brought back into operation, letting you discover how waterpower was used centuries ago to carry out various types of work here.

Especially in winter, Lüsen is an oasis of peace and relaxation. The gentle, easily accessible peaks make Valle di Luson/Lüsner Tal along with Alpe di Luson/Lüsner Alm and the Alpine meadows at the foot of Sasso Putia/Peitlerkofel ideal for unforgettable excursions in a fairy-tale winter landscape. Numerous tours for all fitness levels in absolute tranquillity are available for you to choose from here.

From May to October, Lüsen is the ideal starting point for your e-bike tours. Seldom-travelled mountain roads and countless forest trails give you a wide variety of routes. Selected circular tours and family routes offer diversity and enjoyment, as well as challenges for all fitness levels. The view of the nearby Dolomite peaks as well as the colourful flora and fauna of the Alpine meadows give you a unique experience. Along the routes, numerous managed huts invite you to stop off for refreshments.

Picturesque Val di Morins is located in Longiarù/Campill, a district of S. Martino in Badia/St. Martin in Thurn. Next to it, the Seresstream flows through the valley. Its waters have been used for centuries to power the water mills. Eight restored mills are located here against an impressive Dolomite backdrop and tell fascinating stories about the life and work of mountain farmers. The first mills along the hiking trail can be visited.

Museum Ladin is located in Ćiastel de Tor (Badia Castle) in S. Martino in Badia/St. Martin in Thurn. It gives interesting insights into the history, culture, and language of the Ladin speaking population. The permanent exhibition was recently renovated and now provides exciting information about the geography and history of the Ladin region. A second branch of the museum is located in San Cassiano/St. Kassian and is dedicated to Ursus Ladinicus, the prehistoric cave bear whose skeleton was found in the Conturines cave.

At the Dolomites UNESCO Infopoint in Zans, you’ll go through the millions of years of formation of the Dolomites in accelerated time. You’ll learn how tectonic plates, volcanoes, oceans, glaciers, ice, water, and wind shaped and changed the “pale mountains”. The exhibition also shows what lies behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This information centre is open Tuesdays to Sundays from the beginning of May to the beginning of November.

The visitor centre of the Puez-Geisler/Puez-Odle Nature Park is located in St. Magdalena, Val di Funes/Villnöss and introduces you to the biodiverse nature of the area. Observe the Nature Park from a bird’s eye view and feel the differences in the types of rocks that can be found in there.

This spectacular high ropes course is located in St. Magdalena, not far from the Ranui car park. Scurry like squirrels over twelve courses, consisting of suspension bridges, balance beams, and ropeways, and enjoy the view of the impressive Odle/Geisler peaks.

The Nature Experience trail in Zans is located at the foot of the Odle/Geisler peaks and brings you up close to dense forests, flowering Alpine meadows, and a game reserve. It is a wheelchair-accessible circular trail that provides information about the natural and cultural landscape around Zans.

On the Dolorama Trail, two climbing areas at Passo delle Erbe/Würzjoch and at the Adolf Munkel Trail await you. Here you can climb almost exclusively on limestone in impressive surroundings. The Passo delle Erbe/Würzjoch climbing area is located right at the foot of Sasso Putia/Peitlerkofel. You can reach it after a 20-minute hike from Passo delle Erbe/Würzjoch. Here, you can expect 50 routes with difficulty levels from 4 to 8b. Zanser Alm climbing area on the Adolf Munkel Trail can be reached in about 40 minutes on foot from Zans and is located at the foot of the Odle/Geisler peaks, below the gravel field of the Furchetta north face. It offers 50 routes with difficulty levels from 3 to 8a.

This circular hiking tour begins at the sports field in Lajen and leads along trail no. 35 in the direction of Ried to Vogelweiderhof, the possible birthplace of this famed minstrel. The trail then continues past the Church of St.Katharina and along the signposted “Eselsteig” trail to Albions.

The Post Trail leads from Lajen to St. Ulrich in Val Gardena/Grödnertal and is an ideal hike for any season. On the way, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Sella group, Sassolungo/Langkofel, Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel and Secèda/Seceda. The trail leads over gentle meadows, through dense forests, and through picturesque villages. By the way, the name of the Post Trail (or “Poststeig” in German) comes from the fact that the mail used to be transported from Klausen to Val Gardena/Gröden via this route!

This circular trail is ideal for a family outing and is easy to reach from the village or sports field in Lajen. In about an hour, you’ll walk along a wide trail – and travel through time. Along the route, you can expect stations that tell you interesting facts about the Stone and Bronze Age, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and the present.

This picturesque, protected mountain chapel is located on Alpe Resciesa/Raschötzer Alm. A chapel was already built on this site in the 18^th century but it was destroyed by a lightning strike. Shortly afterwards, it was rebuilt and has since been restored several times. The large crucifix inside the chapel dates back to the 18^th century. You can reach Heilig Kreuz chapel in about a three-hour hike from Tschöfas near Lajen, only a few minutes’ walk separate it from the summit of Resciesa di Fuori/Außerraschötz.

This is the possible birthplace of the minstrel, Walther von der Vogelweide. Whether he was really born here is unknown, but you can learn interesting facts about his life and work from the information boards. As you look around the landscape, it’s also easy to imagine that significant works of love were written here.