A circular walk through the alpine pasture landscape between the Valle di Mules and the Fundres Mountains
Mules (Mauls) is located at the entrance to the Valle di Mules, which extends up to the Giogo di Valles ridge in the Fundres Mountains. Here, you are between the Isarco Gorge near Fortezza and the wide basin of Vipiteno. The village itself belongs to the municipality of Campo di Trens. The Valle di Mules is a popular hiking area: A circular trail leads from the hamlet of Rizzolo over the Giogo di Valles to the Jochtal alpine pasture region above Valles. A special sight on this four-hour tour is the pass itself, where numerous "Stone Men", that's to say cairns, stand. Nobody knows exactly where these ancient stone piles come from, but many legends surround them.
The end point of the hike is the Jochtal alpine region, which connects with the nearby Monte Cuzzo near Maranza in winter to form a skiing area. A much shorter and easier alternative is the Romedisteig, the Saint Romedio Path, a short woodland walk on the southern slope of Mules.
Mules also repeatedly attracts archaeological interest. For example, a Roman relief depicting the cult of Mithras was found in the "Himmelreich" (Kingdom of Heaven), a deep gorge north-east of the village. Later, a funerary altar dedicated to a certain Aurelia Rufina, dating from the 2nd or 3rd century AD, was also unearthed. These findings are testament to the Roman past.
The Romans passed through the Valle Isarco valley on their way over the Passo del Brennero and built a roadside station in the area called Vipitenum - the present-day town of Vipiteno. By the way, your culinary needs are well catered for in Mules. A local gourmet restaurant, recognised by the Michelin and Gault & Millau guides, will treat you to exquisite culinary delights.
