Racines
Racines (Ratschings in German) is a municipality in the Alta Val d'Isarco/Wipptal, in the northernmost part of South Tyrol, nestle...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Racines now
The story
The story of Racines
The municipality of the valleys near Vipiteno
Racines stretches over a broad, jagged territory in the Alta Val d'Isarco/Wipptal, a few kilometres north-west of Vipiteno/Sterzing, the reference town for services, shopping and road and rail connections to the Brenner Pass and Bolzano. The municipality has no single centre but is made up of several hamlets scattered across Val Racines, Val Giovo and a stretch of Val di Vizze, each with its own small church, mountain farms and trails. This multi-valley layout makes Racines an ideal base for exploring the high mountains in every direction, without ever straying too far from Vipiteno for supplies or evening entertainment. Proximity to the Austrian border, via the Brenner Pass and the Passo Giovo, has historically made this area a crossroads of trade and transit, traces of which remain in the architecture of the farms and in local traditions.
Skiing at Racines-Giovo (Ratschings-Jaufen)
In winter, Racines is best known for the Racines-Giovo ski area, called Ratschings-Jaufen in German, which develops on the slopes above Val Racines and towards the Passo Giovo. The runs, mostly north-facing, guarantee reliable snow cover for much of the season and suit both expert skiers and families with children, thanks to wide, well-groomed pistes and a modern lift system. The area is part of the wider ski network of the Alta Val d'Isarco, ideally linked to other resorts nearby, and also offers cross-country trails and ski-touring routes for those who prefer a quieter approach to the winter mountains. Mountain huts and refuges along the slopes offer stops for lunch with traditional South Tyrolean dishes, in a setting that alternates views over the Sarentine Alps and the border ridge with Austria.
The Stanghe Waterfalls in the marble gorge
Among the most photographed attractions in the entire Alta Val d'Isarco are the Stanghe Waterfalls, located in the hamlet of the same name at the entrance to Val Racines. Over millennia, the waters of the Racines stream have carved a narrow, spectacular gorge, the Gilfenklamm, cutting through the local white marble with smooth walls and a series of foaming waterfalls. A path fitted with wooden and metal walkways allows visitors to climb the gorge just steps from the water, offering close-up views of the marble veining and the erosive force of the stream, in an environment that stays cool even on the hottest summer days. Stanghe marble, historically quarried in the area, has a long artisanal tradition and has helped decorate buildings across the region. The visit to the gorge is accessible to families and walkers of every level and is one of the most intense nature experiences to be had in Racines in every season.
Mountain farms, alpine pastures and the Passo Giovo
Climbing along the slopes of Racines, dozens of isolated mountain farms come into view, some reachable only on foot or via dirt roads, where farming families have carried on cattle breeding and the production of cheese and speck for generations, following traditional methods. At altitude, the alpine huts (malghe) offer refreshment to hikers with simple, genuine dishes, often made from their own dairy products, set among high-mountain meadows and fir woods. From Racines also departs the road that climbs to the Passo Giovo (Jaufenpass), at over 2,000 metres of altitude, one of the historic Alpine passes connecting the Wipptal to the Val Passiria and the Merano area. The pass, drivable or cyclable in the summer months, offers open views over the surrounding mountain ranges and is a landmark for cycling enthusiasts and motorcyclists tackling one of South Tyrol's most striking climbs.
Hiking and alpine nature
Beyond skiing and the better-known attractions, Racines is above all a territory to explore on foot. The hiking network links the mountain farms of the different valleys with trails of every difficulty, from easy routes suitable for families along the valley floor to more demanding climbs towards the border peaks and high-altitude refuges. Val Racines and Val Giovo preserve a landscape of coniferous woods, pastures and streams that changes colour with the seasons, offering alpine blooms in summer and golden larch tones in autumn. Numerous panoramic points allow visitors to take in the whole Alta Val d'Isarco and, on the clearest days, the peaks along the Austrian border. The combination of unspoiled nature, still-living farming traditions and proximity to Vipiteno makes Racines an ideal destination for those seeking authentic mountain tourism, far from the crowds yet easy to reach.
Not to be missed
- Stanghe Waterfalls (Gilfenklamm): the gorge carved into white marble with walkways suspended over the water
- Racines-Giovo (Ratschings-Jaufen) ski area: slopes for every level above Val Racines
- Passo Giovo (Jaufenpass): scenic road to Val Passiria, one of the historic Alpine passes
- Mountain farms and alpine pastures of Val Racines and Val Giovo: mountain farming and traditional dairy products
- Hiking trails through Val Racines, Val Giovo and Val di Vizze: views over the Alta Val d'Isarco
To see
What to see in Racines
Routes · Trovido Route
