Stelvio village

On the way towards the Stelvio Pass, the first thing you see are several small houses, built up the slope from the hamlet of Stelvio Ponte, which today cluster around St. Ulrich's Church. This is Stelvio village (Stilfs Dorf), established by miners as early as the 15th century to mine for iron ore on Mt. Ortles. Below, the Rio Solda stream flows past. These winding little villages are often found in the Val Venosta: Here, the steep slope makes a visit even more appealing. Like terraces, the individual alleyways with their buildings lead further and further up the slope.

It is said that in Stelvio, "even the hens wear crampons". The fact is that it was laid out in a star shape around its springs, as eight fountains were built. In the past, drinking water was fetched, laundry washed, and livestock watered there - today, they are mainly used to water the gardens. The Stelvio Parish Church can also be found at one of these springs. Above, the mountain giants of the Monte della Guardia and the Monte Cavallaccio tower on the border with Switzerland.

The red deer, which live in such large numbers in the Stelvio National Park but are rarely seen, you can observe in two enclosures within the municipality. One is located a bit further away at the pilgrimage site of the Sacred Three Fountains of Trafoi, the other near the hamlet of Fragges. A recommended hike begins at the Fragges enclosure, leading in two hours via the Prato Hut to the Forcola Mountain Hut at 2,153 metres above sea level. This hut in the Ortles Alps offers an impressive glacier panorama - for the return journey, you can also take the Trafoi Chairlift.

In winter, this becomes a winter hike through a deeply snow-covered landscape. Another tour follows ancient trading paths and sections of the historic Alpine crossing route: It is the Archaic Trail from Prato allo Stelvio to Stelvio, a tour above the valley floor, passing old hamlets and informative panels. The view of the Ortles Alps accompanies you.