Vals: Mountain Nature and Winter Experiences

If you are looking for accommodation in Vals for a nature-focused winter holiday, you will find more here than just one activity. The Valsertal valley is nestled in the mountains of the Tux Alps. The documented possibilities range from snowshoe hikes and a natural luge run to ski tours on the Vennspitze. The alpine surroundings are complemented by trails, climbing opportunities, cultural heritage and regional transport options.

Alpine Landscape and Protected Nature

A defining feature of the valley is the Valsertal Natura 2000 site. It bears the code AT3303000 and covers 3,519.4 hectares. The designated natural area has a very high-alpine character; large areas consist of rocky habitats as well as alpine and subalpine grassland. At the end of the valley, the grey alder forest has also been protected since 1942.

The local facts described here do not include specific information about ski lifts, pistes or a base station.

Winter Activities Beyond One-Sided Planning

There is a natural luge run on the Padaun high plateau. Padaun offers several snowshoe hikes. The Vennspitze is considered a popular area for ski touring. Tobogganing and snowshoeing lead into the winter landscape, while a ski tour focuses on ascending the mountain. No specific snow conditions or current opening status can be inferred from this.

There are also specific destinations beyond winter sports. A sport climbing area with more than 100 routes is located at the end of the Valsertal valley. The approach to the Peter Kofler via ferrata can be reached by public transport from St. Jodok railway station. If you plan your trip around different interests, you can consider such options alongside the winter activities without focusing your stay exclusively on one sport.

Trails, Elevation Gain and Possible Starting Points

For a longer mountain tour, the Peter Habeler Circuit is relevant: it is approximately 56.5 kilometres long in total, includes around 4,990 metres of elevation gain and passes six mountain huts. Vals is one of the possible starting points. Another hut hike begins in the rear Valsertal valley at the Touristenrast and follows long-distance trail 02 to a hut in approximately three hours, with 1,000 metres of elevation gain.

There is also an approximately three-hour ascent from the centre of St. Jodok along the Valser Bach stream. The times and elevation gains refer in each case to the tour described, not to the distance from accommodation to a destination.

Culture and History in the Valsertal Valley

The valley can also be explored through its historical traces. The once-important, now disused marble quarry and the stone sawmill at Bloaderalm supplied marble for the floor slabs of the parish church of St. Jodok, St. James Cathedral and the Hofburg in Innsbruck. Remains of the molybdenum mine are visible below the Alpeiner Scharte at an altitude of 2,800 metres.

Along a 7-kilometre stretch of the valley, there are 15 private chapels in the Valsertal valley. They are privately owned, maintained and regarded as landmarks of the valley. The School of the Alpine Pasture also offers a five-day stay in the mountaineering village of Vals, where participants learn practical handicraft activities as well as how to help on the alpine pasture and with haymaking on mountain meadows.

Transport in the Wipptal Region

In the Wipptal region, the guest card serves as a ticket for all regional buses as well as for the S-Bahn between Innsbruck and Brenner.

For comparing other destinations, you can also include Scharnitz, Patsch, Mühltal, Seefeld In Tirol, Natters, Navis, Pettnau and Mils Bei Hall.

For the higher-level travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.