Resia Pass in summer

In summer the mountain, silent during the cold and snowy winter, is reborn from the winter torpor, with nature that is a riot of colors and scents, without forgetting the animal life that peeps out after hibernation, starting with the friendly marmots.

One of the most enchanting mountain resorts in South Tyrol is undoubtedly the Pass of Resia in the heart of the verdant Val Venosta, which starts right from the Pass to arrive at the gates of Merano, dominated by the peaks of the Ortles Group.

The Resia Pass, located at an altitude of 1504 meters, is a scenic Alpine pass that separates the Eastern Alps from the Western ones, effectively putting Alto Adige itself in communication with the Tyrol. The Resia Pass is located precisely in the exact point where the nations Italy, Switzerland and Austria meet, the so-called Triple Frontier.

What to do and see at the Resia Pass in summer

The Resia Pass therefore rises at the end of the Alta Val Venosta and those who choose to spend a summer holiday there will certainly not be bored. The fresh and healthy mountain air tempts tourists to spend days in the open air between excursions, bike rides and activities on the Resia Lake, one of the symbols of the homonymous Pass and of the Alta Val Venosta.

In fact, the fourteenth-century bell tower that emerges from the crystalline lake waters, memory of the Romanesque church of S.Caterina d'Alessadria, blown up, as well as the entire town of Curon, when it was decided to build the dam in 1950, is iconic: it is said that, on the coldest winter evenings, the bells can still be heard ringing. In summer, however, many fun activities are carried out around the bell tower, from kayak to the sail until kitesurf: there is even the possibility of plowing the lake waters aboard the MS Hubertus, with Captain Winkler who will entertain sailors with stories about the villages of Arlundo, Resia and especially Curon.

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Alternatively, you can try your hand at archery, take walks in the woods around the Resia Pass up horses Haflingers or run around the Lake of San Valentino alla Muta or that of Resia, surrounded by a path of 15,3 km.

Lovers of bicycle and  mountain bike instead they have 350 km of cycle paths around the Resia Pass, among which the Adige Cycle Path which, along its 80 km, retraces for a stretch the ancient Roman road of the Via Claudia Augusta and allows you to reach Merano starting from Lake Resia. Along this route you will pass through picturesque villages such as Burgusio, Lasa, the medieval Glorenza and Naturno.

A holiday in the Resia Pass in summer allows you to discover the beauties of Curon Venosta, starting from its beautiful Romanesque churches such as the Church of San Nicolò of Resia, full of splendid frescoes dating back to the fifteenth century, and the Gothic one dedicated to St. Anna situated in a panoramic position on the lake.

Then there is the Abbey of Monte Maria which, from its 1340 meters high, is the highest Benedictine monastery in all of Europe: it was built in the twelfth century at the behest of the Von Tarasp, distinguishing itself as an important cultural and agricultural center. In this beautiful abbey, in whose crypt there are splendid Romanesque frescoes complete with angelic figures, the first bread was in fact produced Vinschger Paarlbrot (made with trigonella, fennel and cumin) and there is a historical library full of ancient books.

The "Upper Venosta Valley Museum", an unmissable stop for those who want to learn more about the history of the dam and the peasant life of the place: documents, everyday objects and historical photos allow visitors to take a real step back in time.

In the mountains, the skies are clear and the starry vault is particularly spectacular: to admire it during the cool summer evenings in the mountains, all you have to do is reach the Astronomical Observatory located near the Maseben Refuge at 2267 meters above sea level. A shuttle departs from the refuge to reach what is considered the only observatory in all of South Tyrol.

The Resia Pass is the perfect place to do excursions in nature, starting with the long one the Alta Via Val Venosta which starts from the source of the Adige river to arrive in Stava, in the heart of the Lower Venosta Valley: you walk in the luxuriant vegetation of Monte Sole, always with a view of the Ortles Group and the glaciers.

In this regard, to arrive at sources of the Adige, just start from the Resia car park, a hamlet of Curon Venosta, and then take path 2, entering the woods to the source. Continuing further you reach the Pian of the Dead where remains of the defensive system built during the Second World War still persist: these are supply roads, trenches and bunkers wanted by Mussolini in 1939 to stem Hitler's advance, before allying himself with the German. Not far away are the Dragon's teeth, sharp constructions in concrete and iron, made with the aim of stopping the tanks.
The excursion to the Cippus of the Three Borders instead, it allows you to reach the meeting point of Austria, Switzerland and Italy: even in this case you start from the Resia car park and follow path 3, crossing a cycle path and a beautiful path in the woods up to the picturesque farm of Tendershof; continue through the woods as far as Cippo dei Tre Confini, in the shadow of Piz Lad.

From Curon Venosta, precisely from the Kite station, you can reach the Curon hut, on a pleasant excursion also suitable for families: take path 10, among the meadows of Arlui, dotted here and there with alpine flowers.

Equally easy is the path that leads from Melago to Malga di Melago and which winds through Vallelunga: the refuge is spectacular, being at the foot of Mount Palla Bianca, 3739 meters high. and located right on the border with Austria.
From Melago, along the path n.3, you can also reach the Schafberghütte mountain: you first pass the Schafberghütte hut with the same name and then, passing path n.1, you reach the Pio XI Refuge from which the view sweeps over the Palla Bianca, the Bärenbartkogel and the Langtauferer Spitze. If you take path 2 from the Pio Xi Refuge, you will arrive directly on the banks of the Rio Carlino.

Do not miss the excursion to the Resia mountain hut, reachable along the cycle path that surrounds the lake of the same name until you reach first the Muhlanderhof farmhouse and then the Tendershof one through forests and meadows. Finally, path 3B allows you to arrive at the Malga di Resia, with a view of the lake.

Holidays in Passo Resia

Spending the summer holidays at the Resia Pass means discovering the unspoiled natural landscapes of the Alta Val Venosta, places rich in history, ancient churches and mountain huts, where you can taste the typical products of the place.

It takes more than a week to make the most of the Resia Pass, especially if you want to reach places a little further away such as the Nauders Fortress and the adjacent fortified passage of Finstermünz, built on the River Inn.

La accommodation of the area is excellent and varied, suitable for all needs, from those of families to the needs of young people or couples.

For example, you can stay in hotels or B & Bs where only breakfast is offered with the possibility of choosing other places scattered around the Resia Pass for lunch or dinner. Alternatively, there are family-run guesthouses, but without giving up the comforts of small spas, swimming pools and saunas. The huts managed by the agritourisms are instead the suitable solution for those who want to stay in a characteristic alpine atmosphere, also tasting local products at Km 0.

Those wishing to experience a green holiday can then take advantage of the campsites in the Resia Pass and in the Alta Val Venostra, without fear of the weather, thanks to the protection of the Ortles Group, it remains rather dry and not very rainy.