Relaxed walks to the “Greiterstöckl”, a traditional wayside shrine, or to Ried start in Vila di Sotto
Image gallery: Vila di Sotto
The counterpart to Vila di Sopra (Upper Vila) above Perca is Vila di Sotto (Lower Vila), which lies below the Val Pusteria road. It is a small village, shaped by agriculture, that extends down into the gorge of the Rienza River. This section of the river is protected as the Rienza Floodplains and is a valuable biotope and habitat for flora and fauna between Perca and Dobbiaco.
Right next to it is the hamlet of Rio Liccio with its roughly 30 inhabitants and an old carpentry workshop. The Pusterbike Cycle Path passes by the village, which is part of South Tyrol's extensive network of cycle paths. You can explore all of South Tyrol by bike if you follow the Val Pusteria Cycle Path to Brunico and on to Fortezza. From there, you can reach the Brennero Pass, or head to Bolzano, Merano and into the Val Venosta. In addition, a cycle route branches off from Bolzano to the south to Lake Caldaro, and another from Brunico into the Valli di Tures and Aurina valleys.
With enough time, you can discover the region's diverse landscape on two wheels. Only one kilometre, about a ten-minute walk, separates Vila di Sotto (Unterwielenbach) with its Trinity Chapel - there is no church here - from the main village of Perca. There you will find cafés, shops, a library, the town hall and the colourful trains of the Val Pusteria Railway.
The cable car to the Plan de Corones Skiing Area departs from right next to the train station: With well over 100 kilometres of pistes, it is the largest ski resort in South Tyrol and is known for its "Black Five Challenge". Thanks to the connection to Dolomiti Superski, you can also tackle the legendary Sellaronda, the Four Passes Tour on skis around the majestic Sella Group.
