The mountain village on the way to the Passo di Costalunga and the Nigra Pass is a starting point for hikes in the Catinaccio Massif
On the way from the Valle Isarco towards the Alpe di Siusi, passing the hamlets of Aica di Sopra and Aica di Fiè, you will reach the main village of Tires al Catinaccio. The hamlet is situated in the upper Valle di Tires, against the impressive backdrop of the Sciliar and the Catinaccio. The area has been inhabited for a long time: The first traces date back to the Bronze Age, and during the Middle Iron Age, the Thalerbühel hill, with its meditation path, was a place for burnt offerings.
Tires is also accessible via the Costalunga Pass and the the Nigra Pass. These two mountain passes are popular routes for motorcyclists, mountain bikers, and road cyclists, and they continue into the Val d'Ega and the neighbouring province of Trentino. Directly on the main road in Tires village stands the Parish Church of St George, which is easy to spot with its red onion dome. Inside, you can discover three remarkable ceiling paintings by the artist Karl Henrici, dating from 1772.
Thanks to its hiking and cycling trails, Tires is a popular starting point for tours. They lead you, for example, to the Messnerjoch Hut hut below the Catinaccio or to the Costa (Haniger) Hut and the Plafötsch Hut near the Vajolet Towers. This area within the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park is part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network. Woodpeckers, owls, chamois and deer live here.
In winter, the paths become routes for snowshoe hiking. For skiing, you can head from Tires village (Tiers Dorf) to the Passo di Costalunga with the Carezza Dolomites Ski Area in King Laurin's Realm or to the Alpe di Siusi Ski Resort. The latter is directly connected to the slopes of the Val Gardena, meaning two winter destinations are accessible with a single ski pass.
