ITALY - SOUTH TYROL

The 'South Tyrol' makes one think of fruit trees in Vinschgau or towns like Meran and last but not least the 'Otzi' which was found in the Otz Valley mountains. In this region you also cross the Schnalz Valley which winds about 30 km (of which 25 are surfaced) to the Similaun hut at over 3000m altitude. If you are looking for marmots you'll be successful very quickly in the Pfossen Valley.

Between Vinschgau and the Schnalz Valley there is also another attraction in that in 1983 Reihold Messner bought the ruin of Juval on the Juval hill and restored it so that it is now a very impressive castle.
 
Tip: In every hut in the Schnalz Valley you can get a stamp. If you show the necessary number of stamps you get the 'Schnalz Valley hiking diploma' from the tourist association. Then you've got something of your own!
 
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