St. Valentin a.d. Haide: Lake, Trails and Local History

St. Valentin a.d. Haide offers several different starting points for planning your trip: Lake San Valentino, trails by the water, a route up to Haideralm and local history. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you would rather spend your time on a flat circuit, a snowshoe hike or winter sports.

Lake and Circular Trail

Lake San Valentino is a small Alpine lake at an elevation of 1,450 meters, located in the municipality of Curon Venosta (BZ). It lies in San Valentino alla Muta, with the Ortler providing an impressive backdrop. At about 2.5 kilometers long and more than 600 meters wide, the lake shapes the landscape around the village.

The Giro lago di San Valentino is a flat running or walking circuit around the lake. It passes protected biotopes and runs partly along wooden boardwalks. Information boards tell you about bird and fish species found in the area around the lake. The circuit thus combines exercise with information about the wildlife by the water. If you are planning to travel to the trail, you can take the Vinschger Bahn to Mals station and then bus route 273 to the San Valentino alla Muta (Seilbahn) stop. Check the timetable before setting out, as bus routes and connections may change.

Hiking Trails with Different Routes

Another option is the 360° Alta Venosta route: San Valentino a. M. – Resia. It starts in the village of San Valentino alla Muta and climbs up to Haideralm. Along the way, it offers views of Lake Reschensee and the surrounding mountain landscape. Unlike the flat circuit around the lake, the defining feature here is the climb to Haideralm. You can therefore choose based on the route you prefer: around the lake or uphill from the village to a different destination.

The snowshoe hike to Bruggeralm starts on the north shore of Lake San Valentino. On the west shore, it follows the trail to a junction, then takes trail no. 8 to Faulensee. The route then heads north into Zerzertal Valley, passing the San Martino Chapel. Keep in mind when planning: Brugger Alm is not open in winter.

Winter by the Lake and at the Ski Area

The Belpiano–Malga San Valentino ski area includes a snowpark with butter boxes and a funslope. The ski slopes are directly accessible from the village of San Valentino, and the ski area reaches an elevation of 2,200 meters. These details offer two specific points of reference for a winter stay: direct access to the slopes from the village and the elevation of the ski area.

There is also a winter activity on the lake, but under a clear condition: when the ice is thick enough, the frozen surface is used for ice sailing. This activity involves special boats equipped with runners. It is practiced mainly by experienced sailors. Ice sailing is therefore not the same as an ordinary trip across the lake; ice thickness and the participants’ experience are part of what defines the activity.

Local History and Other Activities

In the village center, the Hospiz S. Voltn stands next to the parish church; it was founded in 1140. The first chapel of St. Valentin, a predecessor of today’s parish church, was consecrated on October 16, 1140. The old bell tower of the parish church has also been preserved and was only slightly raised. The hospice, chapel and bell tower thus offer different historical points of interest for a walk through the village.

San Valentino alla Muta is directly connected to the Via Claudia Augusta cycle path. Sport fishing at Lake Haidersee is possible from the end of April to the end of October; the season may be subject to local regulations. If you are planning to fish, check the rules in force during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Schnals, Graun Im Vinschgau, Latsch, Taufers Im Münstertal, Prad Am Stilfserjoch, Morter, Martell, Glurns.

For the broader travel overview: Vinschgau.