South Tyrol and summer holidays: discover the fascination of the mountains on adventurous hikes
Immerse yourself into the summer life of a mountain village and experience very interesting things! Our hotel is the ideal starting point for your summer excursions in Gsies.
Gsies is embedded between the main ridge of the Alps to the north and the Dolomites to the south amidst Puster Valley - a yet undiscovered jewel in the heart of the Alps. The valley is characterised by an unspoiled nature landscape, waterways and a cultured landscaped preserved by the farmers'.
Immerse yourself into the summer life of a mountain village and experience very interesting things! Enjoy the Dolomites in your family summer holidays!
Alpine summer in Gsies means:
- extended walks, hikes or cycling tours in the warming sun of Gsies
- refreshing temperatures and breathing healthy mountain air
- tasting the many fresh farmers' products
- participating at village and music festivals in the villages
- discovering quiet spots for relaxing
Turmhotel Gschwendt – Starting point for your summer trips
"The meaning of travel is to arrive at a destination, the meaning of hiking is to be on the road.“
(Theodor Heuss, †1963)
Hiking along and discovering the numerous alpine pastures in Gsies.
You will find the alpine huts in Gsies scattered at the valley slopes where the cattle spend their summers. The alpine dairymaids and dairymen spend the summers in the huts, look after the cattle and spoil hikers with typical dishes from South Tyrolean cuisine. The ascent to the alpine pastures is on wide paths or forest roads and therefore not too demanding, hence everybody can reach these beautiful places.
If you leave the alpine huts and continue hiking up you reach more demanding paths in the heart of the Vedrette di Ries mountain group. The numerous sign-posted tours amidst the grey and blue shimmering granite rocks are very popular amongst hikers from near and far.
After only a few minutes' drive outside the valley you will find yourself amidst the Dolomites. A sudden alternation of gentle alpine pastures and steep limestone riffs and Dolomites on top. Every year these mountains, enthroned over the heads of hikers, attract many people in summer and winter.
At the reception you will find plenty of maps and information material for planning your excursions. Of course we will also be pleased to provide personal advice and will tell you about the highlights in the surroundings. There are many thing to do in South Tyrol during your summer holidays.
If you want to take holidays from your car you can start your hikes directly at the hotel.
Gsies hiking paradise awaits you!
Cycling in Puster Valley and Surrounding, along the Rienza and Drava Rivers
Enjoy cycling in Puster Valley surrounded by breath-taking mountains and a comfortable climate, which is ideal for cycling tours.
A remodelled, mainly asphalted cycling network of over 60 km and good train connections to return to your point of departure at any time provide ideal prerequisites for enjoying wonderful days in fresh air.
Numerous well organised bicycle rental outlets in the valley make sure you can discover the surroundings on two wheels.
Combination ticket train and rental bike: Discover South Tyrol with the bikemobil Card and let your car have a rest on our car park!
In addition to numerous cycling paths you will also find many mountain-bike routes which set the pulses of mountain-bikers racing. The many participants at the various cycling races in Puster Valley are they are in a true cycling paradise each time they race.
We have a secure room to store all your sports equipment; there are repair tools at your disposal and water to clean your bicycles. Upon request we are also pleased to prepare lunch packages for the road and provide advice for your tours and excursions.
... You are ready to enjoy your cycling and mountain-biking adventure at Plan de Corones!
Our tip: A cycling tour from San Candido to Lienz (A)
Length: 45 km
Difference in altitude: 45 m ↑ and 490 m ↓
Effective cycling time: 2h 15min
The asphalted cycling path leads along Drava River all the way to Lienz in East Tyrol in Austria. Along the route and in Lienz you can discover many interesting things: Bruck Castle, the old town in Lienz, the outdoor pool in Lienz and much more.
You can return to San Candido by bike or simply take the train (bicycles can be brought on most trains).
Hiking in the Plan de Corones holiday region
Our hotel in Gsies provides the ideal starting point for those who want to hike in the Plan de Corones holiday region. Breathtaking panoramic views will amaze you, as they do the numerous nature-lovers that come to visit this area every year. From the start of spring to the end of autumn alpinists can choose from many amazing destinations. Even think of the waterfalls that turn into ice walls in winter or the numerous natural rock climbing gardens. Climbing, fixed-aid climbs, and high-alpine paths lead directly to your preferred destinations with wonderful panoramic viewpoints.
From Gsies to South Tyrol: interesting sights
We have some recommendations of interesting sights in Gsies and everywhere in South Tyrol for guests who choose Turmhotel Gschwendt for their next summer holidays.
Interesting sights in Gsies:
Bauernhofmuseum Voadohuibn
Get an insight into the lifestyle of farmers at high altitudes. You can admire farming objects and tools deriving from the entire region.
Monguelfo Castle
Located on a hill at the entry to Gsies, this castle was built during the 12th century on behalf of the Counts of Monguelfo. The castle was destroyed during a fire, but was soon restored in order to preserve its original value as a cultural centre.
Interesting sights in Puster Valley:
Historic ruins in the small towns and villages, chapels, churches and shrines, as well as hamlets and castles are all testament to the antique traditions of Puster Valley, dating back to when counts, landowners and monarchs were deciding the fate of the valley.
Today some of these buildings house museums and exhibitions, mainly on the history of life in Puster Valley, which enrich the valley and allow visitors to learn about past mountain people, the mountains themselves, the local history and artists.
In order to facilitate your visit to the museums in the South Tyrol area, we recommend buying a museumobil Card, which is an integrated ticket allowing travel on public transport and entry into the 78 museums in South Tyrol.
An enchanting musical experience can be had by visiting any of the numerous concert halls in the valley where the choice ranges from classical music orchestras to brass bands to pop music bands to world-famous rock bands. The real highlights of the excellent musical offerings are the festivals such as the Gustav Mahler music weeks, the Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival and the South Tyrol Jazz Festival.
Museum of Ethnography in Teodone
One of the most beautiful outdoor museums in Europe with a surface of 4 hectares and the beautiful manor Mair am Hof. The museum was founded in 1976 in order to provide an insight into popular art. On the museum area you can admire ancient residential and farm houses.
Collegiate Church in San Candido
The building was constructed on the remains of a Benedictine monastery dating back to 769. Of extraordinary art-historic value, there's a wooden sculpture inside the crypt dating back to 200 and representing Saint Corbinian (or Saint Candidus acc. to other sources). The Collegiate Museum is located in the former granary right beside the Collegiate Church.
Brunico
The town of Brunico with Rienza River is part of the Plan de Corones holiday region in the Puster Valley. The Civic Museum, the castle, and numerous churches are only a few things that can be admired in this enchanting town in South Tyrol. The last museum opened in Puster Valley is the Ripa at Brunico Castle. Reinhold Messner, a climber of extreme peaks, explains how mountain populations around the world live.
More sights in South Tyrol for your summer holidays:
Bressanone
Located in the Isarco Valley at the confluence of the Rienza and Isarco Rivers, the town of Bressanone offers many cultural attractions like the Bishops Palace, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, the Bishops' Gardens, which are decorated with a variety of beautiful flowers during the summer months, the marble pillar at Dome Square, which was put up at the 1000 year anniversary of the town, the Dome with its precious baroque decorations, and much more.
Sabiona Monastery in Chiusa
One of the most ancient pilgrimage destinations in Tyrol. The monastery is located on the hill overlooking the town of Chiusa in the Isarco Valley. Since 1687, the monastery has been the home of the Benedictine nuns. According to ancient findings Christian belief in South Tyrol spread from this convent.
Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
The castle hosts the Turiseum, a museum with 20 rooms showing the history of tourism in South Tyrol. Especially Empress Sissi loved her stays in Trauttmansdorff Castle, which was constructed during medieval times. Trauttmansdorff Castle is surrounded by the botanic gardens with 80 garden landscapes with all types of plants.