Day 2

From the valley in Kurzras (Maso Corto) is the possibility of taking the cable car to Glacier Hotel Grawand, which claims the title of Europe’s highest hotel, situated at an impressive 3,212 meters above sea level.

As you climb, the vegetation begins to change—larches and pines give way to alpine pastures and eventually to a peculiar landscape: the Lazaun plateau, at around 2,430 meters.

This high plateau is something special. It’s not just another alpine meadow, but a high moor, a rare wetland ecosystem clinging to life above 2,400 meters. It feels a little like stepping into another world—flat, wide-open, and almost tundra-like.

At the edge of this moor, perched with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, sits the Lazaunhütte. Today it’s a cozy mountain hut where you can sit down to a plate of Knödel or apple strudel, but the site has long served shepherds and hikers as a resting point on the alpine pastures. The hut is also tied to the ski history of Schnalstal: in winter, the Lazaun plateau becomes a small ski area with gentle slopes, and the hut is right at the heart of it.

The descent—whether you take the trail back through pine forests or ride the cable car—offers sweeping views back into the Schnalstal, a valley that has always been a corridor between cultures. From prehistoric traders to medieval smugglers, from shepherds to today’s hikers, countless feet have crossed this ground. By the time you return to Kurzras, you’ve walked through both nature and history, with a few fun quirks—like riding a state-of-the-art gondola down from a plateau that still whispers with marmot calls.

Making the way down from Kurzras, the journey continued at a gentler pace with a second hike, this time tracing the tranquil shores of Lago di Vernago.

After leaving the high alpine world of Kurzras behind, the trail opens onto a completely different landscape: the serene, almost mirror-like waters of Lago di Vernago. This artificial lake, tucked between the slopes above the Vinschgau valley, has a quiet magic. Its deep green-blue waters reflect the surrounding mountains so perfectly that it’s easy to feel as if you’ve stepped into a painting.

Lago di Vernago isn’t just about natural beauty. Its existence is tied to human ingenuity: the lake was created in the mid-20th century as part of a hydroelectric project, flooding an old valley. Some say that remnants of the former village can still be glimpsed when the water level is low, giving the lake a slightly mysterious aura.

For hikers traversing the circular trail around the lake, the spillway tower stands as a testament to the region's transformation. As you approach the dam, the tower's circular form contrasts with the surrounding natural landscape, making it a notable landmark along the route.

As you complete the loop and return to the dam, take a moment to reflect on the blend of natural beauty and human ingenuity that defines Lago di Vernago. The hike offers a peaceful respite, allowing you to connect with the landscape and appreciate the region's rich history.

Perched in the heart of the Schnalstal valley, Madonna di Senales (the main village of the valley) is more than just a picturesque settlement; it’s a place where centuries of alpine life converge with spiritual and cultural heritage.

The village is renowned for its ancient parish church, dedicated to the Madonna, which has been a spiritual center for local communities for centuries.

Karthaus —the old Carthusian monastery— served as a Carthusian retreat for centuries. The monks who lived here embraced a life of solitude, prayer, and manual labor, cultivating the surrounding land and tending orchards, gardens, and small chapels.

As you approach Karthaus, or the old Certosa di Val Senales, one of the first things that strikes you is the profound silence (Silentium). This is not the absence of sound, but a presence of quiet—an almost tangible calm that seems to settle over the entire monastery grounds.

Katharinaberg is a small, picturesque settlement that feels like a living postcard from centuries past.

From the village, you can gaze down the valley toward Madonna di Senales, while above, jagged peaks and glaciers frame the horizon. This elevated position not only offers breathtaking views but has historically provided strategic and practical advantages for its residents.