Summer holidays in Val Casies and at Plan de Corones
Val Casies lies quietly and somewhat hidden in the Puster Valley, between the main Alpine ridge to the north and the Dolomites to the south. Guests arriving at Turmhotel Gschwendt in summer find clear mountain air, green meadows, well-kept rural landscapes and plenty of space to breathe.
Our hotel in Colle di Fuori is a pleasant starting point for hikes, bike tours, mountain excursions and visits in the Plan de Corones holiday region. Many paths lead directly into nature: to alpine pastures, viewpoints, streams and quiet places where the day can slow down.
Why is Val Casies ideal for a summer holiday?
Summer in Val Casies means movement, peace and a genuine mountain feeling. The landscape is shaped by meadows, forests, alpine pastures and small villages. Pleasantly fresh temperatures, pure mountain air and proximity to well-known destinations in the Puster Valley and the Dolomites complete the experience.
What makes it especially appealing is the combination of activity and rest: hiking, cycling or going on an excursion in the morning, finding a quiet place in the afternoon and ending the day relaxed at the hotel in the evening.
Summer in the mountains of Val Casies includes:
- walks, hikes and bike tours
- clear mountain air and pleasant temperatures
- alpine pastures and regional products
- village festivals and music in the surrounding area
- quiet places to relax
Hiking in Val Casies
Val Casies is a valley for guests who enjoy exploring on foot. Wide paths, forest roads and routes to the alpine pastures lead to the mountain huts of Val Casies, located on the slopes of the valley. There, alpine farmers spend the summer, care for the cattle and welcome hikers with typical dishes from South Tyrolean cuisine.
Many routes are pleasant to walk and suitable for enjoyable holiday days without great effort. Guests who want to climb higher will find more demanding trails and tours above the alpine pastures towards the Rieserferner Group.
Alpine pastures, easy paths and tours from the hotel
You can also start hikes directly from Turmhotel Gschwendt and consciously leave your car behind. This is especially pleasant for guests who want to experience nature and quiet without long journeys.
For planning your tours, maps and information material are available at reception. We are happy to give personal tips on alpine pastures, paths and special places in the surrounding area.
More demanding tours in the Rieserferner Group
Above the alpine pastures, the paths become more challenging and lead towards the Rieserferner Group. Rocks, high-altitude trails and wide views shape the hiking experience here.
Marked tours among grey-blue shimmering granite rock make the area especially interesting for experienced hikers looking for longer and more active mountain routes.
Cycling and mountain biking in the Puster Valley
The Puster Valley offers good conditions for bike tours, mountain bike outings and active days in the fresh air. The cycle path network is well developed, and many routes can be combined with the train.
The Puster Valley Cycle Path leads from San Candido to Fortezza and connects nature, villages, culture and enjoyment. Bike rentals in the valley offer suitable bikes for different tours. Offers such as the South Tyrol Bike Mobilcard also make it easy to combine cycling with public transport.
Around the Plan de Corones holiday region, mountain bikers find varied routes with climbs, descents and beautiful panoramic views.
At Turmhotel Gschwendt, we offer cyclists a secure room for storing sports equipment, repair tools on loan and a water connection for cleaning bikes. Packed lunches can also be prepared on request.
Bike tour tip: San Candido–Lienz
A popular bike tour leads from San Candido along the Drava River to Lienz in East Tyrol.
- Length: 45 km
- Elevation difference: 45 m uphill and 490 m downhill
- Riding time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Route: asphalt cycle path along the Drava
- Return: by bike or comfortably by train
The tour is suitable for guests who want to enjoy a scenic and easy-to-plan cycling day.
Mountaineering and climbing in the Plan de Corones holiday region
Turmhotel Gschwendt is also a good starting point for mountain lovers. From spring until late autumn, the Plan de Corones holiday region offers many possibilities for alpine tours, climbing gardens, via ferratas and hiking trails of different difficulty levels.
Active guests will find varied destinations around Val Casies, the Puster Valley and the Dolomites, with impressive panoramic views. The waterfalls of the region are also part of the special landscape and show how varied the mountain world is here.
Places to visit in Val Casies, the Puster Valley and South Tyrol
There is also much to discover away from hiking trails and cycle paths. From Val Casies, you can reach cultural destinations, museums, towns and well-known attractions in South Tyrol.
In Val Casies, the Voadohuibn Farm Museum and Welsperg Castle at the entrance to the valley are worth visiting. In the Puster Valley, interesting destinations include the South Tyrolean Folklore Museum in Teodone, the Collegiate Church of San Candido and Brunico with Brunico Castle/RIPA.
For day trips in South Tyrol, Bressanone, Sabiona Monastery above Chiusa and the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle near Merano are also good options.
This keeps your summer holiday varied: nature in the morning, culture in the afternoon and quiet in the evening at Turmhotel Gschwendt.
Plan your summer holiday at Turmhotel Gschwendt
Hiking, cycling, mountaineering or excursions in the Puster Valley: Turmhotel Gschwendt is a quiet starting point for a summer holiday in Val Casies and the Plan de Corones holiday region.
After active hours in nature, you return to a place where personal hospitality, South Tyrolean atmosphere and the silence of the valley complete the day.