Vallelunga Glacier World

In Vallelunga, a side valley of the Val Venosta in the west of South Tyrol, glaciers seem to be within reach. The gorgeous alpine world includes important gigantic glaciers like Mt. Vedretta di Vallelunga, also known as Langtauferer Ferner. Located on the north side of the 3,738 metres high Palla Bianca, the glacier is the highest one of the Oetztal Alps on South Tyrolean territory. Unfortunately, also this glacier already has forfeited a big part of its surface. In 1997 still 4.24 sqkm were measured, almost 10 years later the glacier had a surface of only 3.93 sqkm. Since 2018, a glacier portal has appeared at the end of its glacier tongue, which has been in constant change.

Until into the 21st century, ice from the neighbouring Austrian Gepatsch Glacier flowed to Mt. Vedretta di Vallelunga, but nowadays this connection doesn't exist anymore. On the way from the Melago Hut to the Pio XI Mountain Hut at 2,544 metres a.s.l., an interesting theme path was arranged some years ago: The Vallelunga Glacier Education Path (Gletscherlehrpfad Langtaufers) tells about the creation of glaciers and the development of landforms by glaciers and meltwater.

Also the decrease of the glaciers is a topical subject. One information board at the beginning of the Vallelunga Glacier Education Path shows you the size of the glacier 150 years ago. The entire theme path is 12 kilometres long and takes about 4.5 hours. It is accessible only during the summer months, whereas the above mentioned places can be reached also in winter: the Melago Mountain Hut during a pleasant winter hike, Mt. Palla Bianca, however, in a ski tour.