Val Pusteria
Val Pusteria: lakes, towns and side valleys
The Val Pusteria (Pustertal) is a valley in South Tyrol whose emerald and blue lakes mirror the Dolomites. Lake Braies (Lago di Braies), known as the “pearl of the Dolomite lakes”, is its most famous image.
The lakes: Braies and Dobbiaco
Lake Braies lies at almost 1,500 metres, at the foot of the Croda del Becco (2,810 m). Lake Dobbiaco (Toblacher See) sits on the edge of the Tre Cime Nature Park and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, and the walk around it takes about an hour.
Brunico, the valley’s “capital”
Brunico (Bruneck) is regarded as the capital of the Val Pusteria. Born in the 13th century as a fortified town, its old centre has its living room in Via Centrale (Stadtgasse). The medieval castle houses the Messner Mountain Museum Ripa, dedicated to mountain peoples.
San Candido and Dobbiaco
San Candido (Innichen) is a typical Tyrolean town, its historic core gathered around the Collegiate Church of Saints Candidus and Corbinian. Nearby, Dobbiaco (Toblach), another tourist centre of the valley, has an old town dominated by its cathedral.
3-day itinerary in Val Pusteria
Day 1 — Lake Braies and the San Candido–Lienz cycle path
Start at Lake Braies, then follow the Drava cycle path from San Candido to Lienz in Austria, an almost obligatory stop in the valley. The walk around the lake is an easy excursion, suitable for families, with a possible stop at Malga Foresta.
Day 2 — Riva Waterfalls, Tures Castle and Brunico
The second day combines the Riva Waterfalls (three drops, with a hike along the stream), Tures Castle, and an afternoon in Brunico, about 20 minutes by car from the castle, for its old town.
Day 3 — Lake Dobbiaco and departure
The last morning is for Lake Dobbiaco, a small alpine lake in the upper valley, with a walk of about an hour, before heading on towards Cortina d’Ampezzo.