Vals: High Mountains, Mountain Tours and Traces of History

Vals combines high-alpine landscapes with special traces of history and a wide range of mountain and winter experiences. The Valsertal valley is nestled in the mountains of the Tux Alps.

High-Alpine Landscape in the Valsertal Valley

The Valsertal Natura 2000 site is designated under code AT3303000 and covers 3,519.4 hectares. It 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 been protected since 1942. This landscape shapes the character of Vals and makes the village interesting for anyone who wants to get to know not only individual excursion destinations but also different alpine habitats during their trip.

For a nature-focused itinerary, it is also worth looking at the area's distinctive terrain and elevations. Below the Alpeiner Scharte, the remains of the molybdenum mine can be seen at an altitude of 2,800 metres. In this way, the high-alpine surroundings are connected with evidence of the area's former use.

Mountain Tours, Climbing Areas and Trails

The Peter Habeler Circuit is approximately 56.5 kilometres long, includes around 4,990 metres of elevation gain and passes six mountain huts. Vals is one possible starting point. For a different tour plan, the hut-to-hut hike begins in the rear Valsertal valley at the Touristenrast and follows long-distance hiking trail 02 to a hut in around three hours, with 1,000 metres of elevation gain. Both details help you choose accommodation based on your preferred starting point and planned daily itinerary, without confusing different routes with one another.

Shorter points of orientation can also be incorporated into your travel plans. From the centre of St. Jodok, an ascent of around three hours follows the Valser Bach stream. At the head of the Valsertal valley, there is also a sport climbing area with more than 100 routes. The access point to the Peter Kofler via ferrata can be reached from St. Jodok railway station by public transport.

Winter Experiences on Padaun and at the Vennspitze

The high plateau of Padaun has a natural toboggan run and several snowshoe trails. The Vennspitze is considered a popular area for ski touring. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Vals can therefore decide during the travel planning stage whether the focus should be primarily on high-alpine tours, snowshoe hikes, tobogganing or a mixture of different activities.

Chapels, Marble and Work in the Mountains

The Valsertal valley also has a distinctive cultural and historical side. Along a 7-kilometre stretch of the valley, there are 15 house chapels. They are privately owned, maintained and regarded as landmarks of the valley. A 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's Cathedral and the Hofburg in Innsbruck.

In the mountaineering village of Vals, the Schule der Alm offers a five-day stay. Participants are taught practical crafts as well as how to help on the alpine pasture and with haymaking in the mountains. This offering provides a distinct focus alongside classic mountain tours and makes work in the alpine cultural landscape a subject of the trip.

Mobility and Choosing Accommodation

The Wipptal region guest card is relevant for planning your arrival and excursions: it serves as a ticket for all regional buses and for the S-Bahn between Innsbruck and Brenner. If you want to combine different activities, it is worth first organising your planned starting points and desired mobility when searching for accommodation in Vals. This keeps your choice of holiday apartment oriented towards your travel plans rather than general promises.

Other Places to Compare

If you want to compare Vals with other destinations, here are the neighbouring options: Gschnitz, Lans, Ellbögen, Oberperfuss, Seefeld In Tirol, Grinzens, Völs and Tulfes.

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