Europe’s only marble gorge carves its way through the landscape near the hamlet of Stanghe
Image gallery: Racines di Fuori
A car park, a small wooden hut for tickets, and then the path leads deeper and deeper into the forest: We are in Stanghe, the centre of Racines di Fuori, at the entrance to the wild and romantic Stanghe Gorge. The Rio di Racines stream carves its way ever deeper into the marble, which is covered in moss here, while bridges and walkways lead ever higher. After about an hour, you reach a clearing in the forest where the return path begins - the impressions from this hike are lasting.
Reifenegg Castle is perched above the gorge in Racines di Fuori (Ausserratschings, literally: Outer Racines). Its 12th-century keep, built with ashlar blocks, is one of the most impressive of its kind in Tyrol. A legend surrounds it, telling of a treasure guarded by a phantom hound. The remains of the ruins are still visible today. The site is privately owned and was secured a few years ago.
The Stanghe Gorge is the most famous site in Racines di Fuori, which lies where the Valle di Racines meets the Val Ridanna. Stanghe is also home to the municipality's primary school and town hall, making it the administrative centre. The municipality extends across three valleys: the Valle di Racines, Val Ridanna, and Valgiovo. A pleasant hiking trail also starts here.
The Racines Valley Path takes two hours to lead from Stanghe to Colle. In winter, cross-country skiing is a great option: Stanghe is located near the Val Ridanna circular trail, the Val Racines cross-country ski track, and the 15-kilometre long high-alpine track around the Monte Piatto. Alternatively, the snow-covered landscape around Stanghe can be explored on foot.
