Ulten between high trails, valley history and nature

Ulten appeals to travelers who want to explore mountain landscapes, regional history and different seasons in one valley. The Ultner Höhenweg high trail is the main attraction: marked as route no. 12, this circular hike in the Ulten Valley is almost 50 km long and can be completed in two to three days. The trail leads through the Stelvio National Park to the Haselgruber Hut and the Haselgruber Lakes. For this almost 50-kilometer circular hike, stages and breaks should be spread over two to three days in the Ulten Valley.

Nature and forests in the Ulten Valley

The ancient larches of Ulten were placed under protection and stabilized in 1979. At the Lahnersäge visitor center in St. Gertraud, the centuries-old sawmill takes center stage. Until the 1980s, farmers from the Ulten Valley brought their wood there to be sawn. The visitor center explores the importance and functions of the forest for people and nature.

Churches and farming traditions

The Gothic Church of San Maurizio stands on a hill at an altitude of 1,632 m and is probably considered the oldest church in the valley. Traditional farmsteads in Ulten included a log-built firehouse constructed on stone walls and a hay barn built from round timber. Both were roofed with shingles; this construction method has survived to the present day. The Gothic Church of San Nicolò was first mentioned in documents in 1338 and has a neo-Gothic winged altarpiece with remarkable sculptures.

Insights into the valley’s past

At the Ulten Valley Museum in St. Nikolaus, you can gain insights into the former rural life of the Ulten Valley. A farmhouse parlor, a smoke kitchen, a sleeping chamber and a dairy room illustrate how people once lived and worked. The various rooms show different aspects of everyday life at that time. Guided tours of the Ulten Valley Museum are available daily on request.

Summer and winter at Schwemmalm

Schwemmalm changes its focus with the seasons. In summer, it is a popular meeting place for hikers, paragliders and mountain bikers. In winter, Schwemmalm is a snow-reliable ski area for experienced skiers and families. This creates a clear seasonal contrast between summer activities and winter sports.

Regional specialties and trip planning

Ulten can also be discovered through its cuisine. The Ultner Genuss event series invites visitors to sample regional specialties amid Ulten’s natural surroundings. At the Zuanochten farmers’ market, farmers from Ulten and Deutschnonsberg present their quality products. When choosing a hotel in Ulten, you can tailor your plans to your own interests: a multi-day hike, churches and museums, the seasonal Schwemmalm or regional specialties.

You can find further destinations for your trip planning at Tscherms, St. Pankraz, Marling, Partschins, Unsere Liebe Frau Im Walde-St. Felix, Burgstall, St. Leonhard In Passeier and Dorf Tirol.

For the overarching travel overview: Burggrafenamt.