The secluded Vallelunga with its larch slopes extends to the mountain pastures beneath the mighty Palla Bianca
From Curon Venosta on Lake Resia, the road branches off, leading into Vallelunga (Langtaufers). It is part of the municipality of Curon Venosta, but also a distinct valley with several small farming hamlets along the road. Steep larch slopes and often snow-capped peaks characterise this area on the border with Austria. The road continues to its end, the small village of Melago and the hikers' car park - beyond this point, progress is only possible on foot.
In the distance, Mt. Palla Bianca with its glacier watches over the mountain pastures of the Vallelunga. Fine tours in summer and cross-country ski tracks in winter start from here. A hike along the Vallelunga Glacier Education Path leads up to the edge of the permanent ice. The paths - with the exception of the glacier education path - are also accessible when snow covers the area. Due to the high altitude of Vallelunga, snow can lie here from early autumn until early summer.
The Melago Hut, the Ochsenberg or Malga dei Buoi Hut, and Maseben are some of the charming spots amidst this high-alpine landscape. Maseben, by the way, is not only a mountain hut serving South Tyrolean dishes but was formerly a separate skiing area and is today the only astronomical observatory in western South Tyrol. The Vallelunga valley is dedicated to sustainable tourism.
Horse-drawn sleighs travel through the snow, and cross-country ski trails wind through the winter landscape up to the Melago Mountain Hut. They are connected to the Venosta Nordic cross-country ski network and host the La Venosta ITT race. A curiosity: The rock formation at the foot of the approximately 2,600-metre-high Cima Termine is called the "Krampusloch" (Devil's Hole). Its human-like shape acquires an interesting colouration from algae and lichen growth.
