Above Vallarga towers the Cima di Terento, the local mountain of Vandoies in the Fundres Mountains
Image gallery: Vallarga
From Vandoies, the road leads up the valley into the Val di Fundres. After a few minutes' drive, you reach Vallarga (Weitental), a sprawling village made up of numerous scattered hamlets such as Ausserdrittel, Dorf, Huntsdorf, and Hinterdrittel on the valley floor. In addition, there are old farms and settlements on the slopes with names like Schaldern, Kegelberg, or Honigberg.
One name, however, is particularly prominent here: Hegedex. This is what the locals call the Cima di Terento, the local mountain of Vandoies and one of the most famous peaks in the Fundres Mountains. Vallarga is a lively village: A shooting range and two tennis courts complement the diverse hiking opportunities in Fundres. The valley is the starting point for mountain tours to destinations such as the Gampiel Hut above the tree line or the family-friendly Bodenalm.
Lake Ponte di Ghiaccio, a glacial lake at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, has a more alpine and rugged character. Although this tour requires some stamina and mountain experience, it is manageable for experienced hikers. An interesting detail can be found in the village centre: The fountain, carved from stone and located near the Church of St. Thomas, features bear paws.
These have nothing to do with the local wildlife, but instead represent the facing white bear paws from the municipal coat of arms of Vandoies. Centuries ago, they were already part of the family crest of the Vintler family. This family originated from Vandoies, called Vintl in German, was first documented in Bolzano in 1140, and acquired great wealth.
