You say South Tyrol and you already practically say (almost) everything. The Italian mountain par excellence (even if it does not speak Italian), beautiful to seem fake and comfortable even for the elderly and children, has always been one of the most popular holiday and relaxation destinations in our country, and in particular this year. Usable in any season and, as we said before, for all ages.

Yet, in addition to the most famous and popular destinations of this land – Val Badia, Val Gardena, Valle Isarco, Val Pusteria – there are corners remote and hidden equally spectacular, capable of restoring that wild spirit that, at times, the rest of the region does not give. One of these is definitely Vallelunga, the last outpost of Val Venosta, on the border with Austria and Switzerland, which can be reached by passing through Curon and its famous lake of Resia (the one with the bell tower that emerges from the water, so to speak). It is one of the most pristine valleys in the entire Alpine arc, immersed in a rural and peasant landscape, dotted only with small settlements, solitary churches and farms. Center for winter sports, it is an ideal place (also) for those who love walking surrounded only by the silence and the brilliant colors of these enchanting mountains. IS pure nature: beautiful, immense and lonely.

The village of Melago (1912 m) is the last town in Vallelunga (then there are only meadows, rocks and mountains): just to get there you will fill your eyes with wonders, but the best will come at the end, when, after passing the car park, it will stand out to you the glacier of the Palla Bianca Group. Basically, you will find yourself in front of one Windows XP background. Only more beautiful. And most importantly, true. From here – almost entirely flat, nestled between sunny pastures and, indeed, glaciers, with benches with views distributed here and there – you can walk the forest road n. 5 which descends towards the small wooden bridge over Rio Melago and, after passing a wooden gate, which proceeds to Malga Melago (1970 m), where you can properly refresh yourself before returning (the word says nothing to you dumplings?). It is 4 km in total, easy, with some steep climbs.

The more experienced, on the other hand, after Malga Melago will be able to continue along the glaciers didactic path set up in 2007 and which leads to Pio IX Refuge , literally at the end of Vallelunga, and which offers an even more exceptional view of the mountains and glaciers. The route is located at a high altitude and therefore requires some experience and a sure step.

For admire Vallelunga from above, then, there is an excursion that starts from Curon Venosta at the Resia lake, from which you follow the trail no. 5 which, through a very open larch forest, allows you to enjoy scenic views of the valley and the surrounding peaks. It passes through the Rossbödenalm (2364 m), the Pedross lake, the Valles pass (Valzerschartl, 2672 m), the southeastern ridge of Wölfelekopf, i Gschwller ponds, and then you begin to descend until you meet the Alta Via (trail no. 11), in thehigh Melago Valley. Once in Melago (with an initially somewhat steep descent, then gradually softer), you can take a bus to return to Curon Venosta. And obviously the path can also be followed in reverse.

Widely named (and how could it be otherwise?), Lake Resia, nearby here, is the best known and busiest crossroads of Val Venosta and Trentino-Alto Adige in general, but it does not deserve a stop for this. The 15 km tour can be done on foot or by bicycle, and even running: every year the Tour of Lake Resia – Reschenseelauf, particularly impressive. There cliché photo in front of the bell tower is a must, all the more after the Italian series of Netflix Curon which has recently (re) brought it to the fore. Despite the very iconic romantic image, however, tourists should remember that the history of the bell tower of this (formerly) Romanesque church it is anything but idyllic, because it is the daughter of a real one usurpation: in the aftermath of the Second World War, 150 families were forced to leave their homes and their belongings (in the face of poor compensation), to make room for the construction of the artificial lake. In the summer of 1950 the water rose and 677 hectares of land were completely submerged, however, giving posterity a landscape that has become magnet for visitors …