Where the church of Monte Santa Caterina now perches high on a rock, Senales Castle once stood, giving the valley its name
Image gallery: Monte Santa Caterina
High above the entrance to Val Senales, the parish church of Monte Santa Caterina (Katharinaberg) is perched on a steep rock. It is fittingly dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Senales Castle formerly stood on this site. The church tower, built on the foundations of the former castle keep, still serves as a reminder of its existence today. From Monte Santa Caterina, you can enjoy wide views over the Val Senales and the Adige Valley, extending to Juval Castle near Castelbello.
The castle is known as Reinhold Messner's summer residence and houses one of his mountain museums. Behind Monte Santa Caterina, the valley widens out again somewhat. After a few kilometres, a steep mountain road branches off, leading into the Val di Fosse. This valley is highly valued by hikers and mountain bikers and is easily accessible from Monte Santa Caterina.
Historic farmhouses and mountain huts, inviting you to stop for refreshments, characterise the unspoilt valley in the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park. The Val di Fosse Adventure Trail winds its way through the alpine landscape here. In summer, Monte Santa Caterina is a popular spot for those seeking recreation and a direct starting point for numerous hikes. These can lead you, for example, to the Sottomonte Farms on the Monte Sole, along the Via Monachorum to the Carthusian Monastery "Allerengelsberg", or to the Moar Hut, often referred to as South Tyrol's oldest hut.
In winter, you can reach the lift facilities of the Alpin Arena Senales, the glacier ski area at the head of the valley, in about 20 minutes by car or in around 30 minutes by public transport.
