Val di funes/Villnöss

The Funes Valley, one of the few resorts that got the recognition "Alpine Pearls" and Reinhold Messner's birthplace, extends eastwards and westwards from the Odle Group to the Isarco Valley. It is 24 km long and has a maximum height difference of 2490 m. The geological structure is characterized by the overlapping of younger rock formations and older quartz phylite. The valley is dominated by the Odle Group, with its remarkable cliffs and peaks, called "the white mountains" due to their calcareous content. The landscape alternates mid mountain terraces, where good grapes still grow, to rocky massifs. Placid villages, meadows, enchanting churches (do not miss the church of St. Johann in Ranui) and secular traditions characterize the area.

The municipality of Funes includes six villages and several hamlets: Tiso, San Valentino, San Giacomo, Colle and Santa Maddalena. St. Peter is the main village. Funes lies in the Natural Park Puez-Odle, unique of its kind, as geologists can find there all the typical stones of the Dolomites, layers of sediments and forms of crumbling. The Mineral Museum of Tiso contains the famous "Teiser Kugeln" besides many mountain crystals and further minerals coming from the alpine area.

This valley is a hikers' paradise: several paths lead to cosy mountain refuges, where you can taste fine wine soups, oven baked krapfen and much more. In winter, the fantastic cross-country trails and the ski carousel close by S. Maddalena complete the tourist offer.