Chienes

The diversity of butterflies and the history of the Counts Künigl can be discovered in Chienes in the Lower Val Pusteria.

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Chienes is also increasingly popular with winter holidaymakers who appreciate the proximity to the Plan de Corones and the town of Brunico.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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Snow covers the roofs of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church and the rectory of Casteldarne: The shrine image is a work by I. A. Mölck.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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The area around Chienes awaits you with beautiful snowshoe hikes and ski tours - here the path to the 2,405 m high Mount Al Giogo.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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The famous Plan de Corones Skiing Area is easy to reach from Chienes: it is about 12 km to the valley station of the lift facilities in Riscone.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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In addition to more than 100 km of slopes, a snow park and rustic huts, it also offers a connection to the Dolomiti Superski ski carousel.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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Above the village of Corti you will find the Moarhof Mountain Hut, a popular hiking destination in summer and a stop with sledge rental in winter.
Foto: ED, © Peer
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Cross-country skiers and winter hikers feel at home on the wide areas of the Rodengo and Luson Alp towards the Valle Isarco valley.
Foto: MF, © Peer
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Surrounded by meadows and fields in the south and dense forests in the north, the municipality of Chienes is located in the Lower Val Pusteria.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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The main village, called Chienes village, with its shops and pharmacy, also has tennis courts and the Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Foto: BS, © Peer
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On the sunny side of the Val Pusteria valley lies San Sigismondo, which belongs to Chienes, starting point of the popular Butterfly Trail.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The majestic winged altar inside the church of San Sigismondo is one of the oldest and most important winged altars in all of South Tyrol.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Casteldarne Castle rises proudly in Casteldarne near the main village of Chienes: This is where the Roman Trail to the Casteldarne Milestone starts.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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For seven centuries, the Arbenburg, as Casteldarne Castle used to be called, was owned by the Counts Künigl - in 2010 it was sold.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Another part of the municipality is the hamlet of Corti with the enchanting little St. Martin in Corti Church on a small hill in the countryside.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The smallest district, on the other hand, is called Monghezzo, like the eponymous mountain - here during the hike to the Croce di Elle, a viewpoint.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The meadows above Chienes… the hiking trails stretch all the way to San Lorenzo di Sebato and the plateau of the Val Pusteria Sun Road.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Terento on the Sun Road, a stop at a farm tavern called Buschenschank, or a hike along the Butterfly Trail - the hiking options are numerous.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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It is a pleasure to cycle through the green valley and discover its places: The “Pusterbike” cycle path passes by the municipal area of Chienes.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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In this context, the bikemobil Card, which includes the use of public transport in South Tyrol and a rental bike for one day, is also popular.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The Rienza is the river that flows past San Sigismondo and Chienes through the Val Pusteria valley: It rises at the foot of the Three Peaks.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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In autumn, the cows are brought back from the alpine pastures to their stables at home: This is celebrated in a big way at the cattle drive.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Close to Chienes:
offer 7 nights from 749 € per person

Rio di Pusteria and Vandoies first welcome you in the Lower Val Pusteria, and then the route follows the Val Pusteria Road to Chienes, the small municipality near the legendary Plan de Corones. It is divided into five villages, each with its own charm and history to tell, from Casteldarne with the mighty castle and the farms on Mt. Monghezzo to Chienes, the main village of the municipality, the sunny village of Corti and San Sigismondo. The Val Pusteria Cycle Path, the well-known "Pusterbike", passes by the single localities on the way to Brunico.

In "Zimmatn", as San Sigismondo is called in local dialect, the Butterfly Trail invites to take a hike. The whole municipality in fact stretches out amidst wide and flat meadows and fields, which then extend up to the slopes of the Luson Mountains. Therefore, the valley paths such as the above-mentioned Butterfly Trail are easy to walk and show you the beauty of the Lower Val Pusteria with lots of interesting information about the local flora and fauna. The Mountain Farms Trail, on the other hand, tells of the farms on Mount Monghezzo. Further up is the Marmot Trail, which ends at the Rio Verde Lake at an altitude of more than 2,000 m and then opens up a view on the valley.

Those interested in winter sports will benefit from the proximity to Mt. Plan de Corones: There you will find the famous skiing area of the same name with its slopes all the way to San Vigilio and Riscone near Brunico. On the other side, towards the Valle Isarco valley, the vastness of the Rodengo Alp invites you to cross-country skiing on the long high-altitude trail. The arrival is well organised with public transport: Free rides on the ski bus and the ski train shuttle, on the public bus and the colourful trains of the Val Pusteria Railway are included in the Chienes Holiday Pass.

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