Val di Funes

In the Presence of the Odle

There are valleys you simply drive through, and then there are valleys where you truly arrive. Villnöss Valley is a place to stay. Nestled between gentle meadows and the striking needles of the Odle peaks, it is considered one of the most authentic and pristine valleys in the Dolomites.

From the sunny vineyards of Teis to the alpine pastures at the foot of the rock faces, the landscape has preserved its inherent peace. here, in the Puez-Odle Nature Park, you will find room to breathe, genuine encounters, and a natural world that welcomes you with open arms.

St. Peter – The sunny heart

Perched on a sunny terrace at 1,150 meters lies St. Peter, the main village of the valley. Here, village life pulses at a peaceful pace: locals and guests alike gather around the church and the community hall. It is a place of music and celebration. This is where Reinhold Messner spent his childhood as the son of the village schoolmaster, his gaze always fixed upon the summits.

For you, St. Peter is the ideal starting point to discover the "Sunnseiten" (sunny side): hiking trails like the Farmers Trail (Bergbauernweg) or the Jochrunde lead you through a gentle cultural landscape, always accompanied by the panorama of the Dolomites.

St. Magdalena – Gateway to the peaks

At the head of the valley, where the meadows steepen and the rock faces draw closer, lies St. Magdalena (1,339 m). The locals affectionately call it "in Berge" (in the mountains). The image of the village church set against the mighty Odle peaks is world-famous—but in reality, it is even more breathtaking than any photograph can capture.

Here, the gateway to the Puez-Odle Nature Park swings open. The Nature Park Visitors Center invites you to uncover the geological secrets of the region before you set out to explore them on foot. Tradition is a living part of life here: whether during the local Kirchtag (parish fair) or in daily routines, St. Magdalena is a village that cherishes its roots and invites you to experience the beauty of the mountains, one step at a time.

Teis – The balcony over the valley

Right at the entrance to the valley, Teis (963 m) is perched like a sunny viewing balcony. From here, the view opens up across the Eisacktal Valley, and thanks to the mild climate, vineyards and sweet chestnuts flourish. It is a place of gentle transitions.

But Teis also holds a secret deep within the earth: the "Teiser Kugeln". These rare minerals are geological treasures found nowhere else. In the Mineral Museum, you can immerse yourself in their sparkling world and marvel at the riches the rock has kept hidden away.

Quiet Hamlets on the Hillside

St. Valentin, St. Jakob, Flitz, and Coll—these names represent scattered farmsteads and small hamlets that nestle against the sunny slopes. Here, time seems to pass just a little more slowly.

Small churches and chapels are perched upon the hills, telling stories of deep faith and centuries-old tradition. These hamlets are places of absolute tranquillity, tucked away from the beaten path. They are ideal for pausing, letting your gaze wander, and feeling the simple beauty of life.

Odles – The Needles of the Dolomites

They give our region its name: "Odles," the Ladin word for needles. The Odle Group (Geislergruppe) forms the spectacular border between Villnöss and Gröden. Like a crown of stone, peaks such as the Sass Rigais and the Furchetta (both 3,025 m) soar into the sky.

For alpinists, they are a challenge; for hikers, they are a majestic backdrop. Even the first climbers in the 19th century felt the magnetic pull of these walls. It was here, too, that Reinhold Messner gained his earliest climbing experiences. On the Adolf Munkel Trail, you can get up close to the north faces and feel the raw energy of this extraordinary place.

A Journey to the roots of flavor

Good, clean, and fair. As South Tyrol's first Slow Food Travel Destination, we are committed to preserving local cycles. We invite you to meet the people who produce our food with passion and integrity.

At the heart of our culinary identity are two unique characters:

The Villnöss Brillenschaf: South Tyrol's oldest sheep breed, easily recognized by the dark "spectacles" around its eyes. A Slow Food Presidio, it provides both the finest wool and tender, high-quality meat.
The Tyrolean Grey Cattle (Graues Geisler Rind): A robust, ancestral Alpine breed that lives here in accordance with its natural needs, offering exceptional quality in both milk and meat.

You can experience these honest flavors at our partner establishments—from the Restaurant Pitzock to the Kaserill Alp.

Protected primal landscape

Over 10,000 hectares of untouched nature await you at the head of the valley. The Puez-Odle Nature Park is a sanctuary for flora, fauna, and humanity alike.

At the Nature Park Visitors Center in St. Magdalena, you can learn to "read" the mountains: a walk-on aerial photograph and interactive exhibitions bring the geology of the Dolomites to life. Outside, trails such as the barrier-free Zans Nature Experience Trail or the famous Adolf Munkel Trail invite you to engage with this World Heritage site with all your senses—with respect and wonder.

Treasures of culture & geology

Villnöss is a valley of many facets. In the Teis Mineral Museum, the sparkling "Teiser Kugeln" tell a story millions of years in the making. A special highlight for families: you can even go on a treasure hunt yourself and discover your own geological wonders.

A place of profound silence and beauty is the baroque church of St. Johann in Ranui. Standing solitary against the dramatic backdrop of the Odle peaks, it is a true jewel of alpine sacred art. History comes alive at the Hill of the Holy Sepulchre

(Heilig-Grab-Hügel) in Teis, where silent trenches serve as a poignant reminder of the First World War.

Reinhold Messner – roots in the rock

The Odle peaks were his first playground. Reinhold Messner spent his childhood in St. Peter and, at the tender age of five, climbed the Sass Rigais for the first time with his father.

It was here, on the rock faces of his homeland, that he laid the foundation for his future achievements as a pioneer on the highest mountains in the world. As an honorary citizen, he remains deeply connected to the valley. When you hike through Villnöss today, you are walking the very paths that shaped the most famous mountaineer of our time.

Discover more

Here, where the essence of alpine beauty comes alive. Where idyllic paths and authentic mindfulness make the true value of slowness tangible. Create your Dolomites moments.

WINTER HIKING:
SILENT PATHS: THROUGH SNOW-COVERED FORESTS TO THE ODLE PEAKS..

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Your accommodation in the Odle Dolomites

Discover holiday retreats with character. Whether you choose to make your memories at family hotels, farm holidays in harmony with nature or cosy holiday apartments - you will find your place of tranquillity in Val di Funes or Luson. Simply beautiful & naturally slow.

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