Völs am Schlern: Ponds, Hiking Trails and History

Völs am Schlern can be explored through its landscapes, water, hiking trails and history. The range extends from vineyards at 315 metres to alpine meadows at an altitude of 2,564 metres. As a result, the focus is on a variety of natural settings.

Lake landscapes and seasonal experiences

Lake Völser Weiher lies in the heart of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. The lake has a public bathing jetty and a green sunbathing lawn around the water. In summer, Lake Völser Weiher is used for swimming, while in winter it is used for ice skating. The same landscape therefore represents two clearly different seasons and interests.

Hiking around the Schlern

The hike to Tuffalm starts directly at Lake Völser Weiher. At the foot of the Schlern, the 7 Ponds Trail connects seven ponds between Völser Aicha and St. Konstantin. Sections of the trail run through the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fiè allo Sciliar offers many hiking opportunities and is a starting point for hikes of varying difficulty. The two trails have different focuses: Tuffalm is the destination of the hike from the lake, while the 7 Ponds Trail connects seven bodies of water between Völser Aicha and St. Konstantin. Those starting at the lake can therefore choose between a single hiking destination and a route connecting several ponds.

History in the landscape and buildings

Fiè was first mentioned in an official document in 888 under the name “Fellis”. Peterbühl is a historically significant hill west of the centre of Völs am Schlern; the Peterbühl themed trail documents archaeological finds from various periods, from the Late Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages. Prösels Castle is a medieval building and was first mentioned in a document in 1279, at that time under the name “Castrum Presile”.

Churches, music and a special exhibition

The parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Völs am Schlern is a late Gothic building. Master Narziß created its winged altar in 1488. The church in St. Konstantin features Gothic architecture, a distinctive tower with an onion dome and pointed-arch portals; from there, it offers a view of the Schlern. Alongside its Gothic architecture, the tower and pointed-arch portals give the building a distinctive exterior profile. The Romanesque Chapel of St. Michael is located beside the parish church of Völs as a cemetery chapel and now houses an archaeological collection as well as the Völs Parish Museum. In even-numbered years, the “Schlern Music” chamber music festival takes place in and around Völs am Schlern.

The Caroma Coffeeseum also adds its own distinctive touch: there, visitors can experience the journey of the coffee bean from the equator to the cup. At the Caroma Coffeeseum, the coffee bean is the focus. Bus route 176 connects Völs am Schlern with Prösels.

For more travel ideas, you can also discover St. Johann, Kurzras, Weißlahnbad, Pens, Vernago, Slingia, Salten-Schlern and San Felice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bolzano.