Rio di Pusteria
Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbach) is a municipality in the Val Pusteria (Pustertal), in the province of Bolzano, located exactly where So...
Updated 20 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Rio di Pusteria now
The story
The story of Rio di Pusteria
The Town at the Gateway to the Val Pusteria
Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbach) lies at the point where the Val Pusteria, the long valley that crosses eastern South Tyrol from Bressanone (Brixen) toward the Austrian border, narrows between steep rocky walls. This position has made the village, since the Middle Ages, an obligatory passage point for anyone traveling up or down the valley, between the Val d'Isarco (Eisack Valley) to the south and the upper Val Pusteria to the east. The municipal territory includes the main village, set along the valley floor, and the hamlets that climb toward the side valleys. Even today Rio di Pusteria keeps this hub role: here the Val Pusteria state road, the railway line, and the access roads to the Valles and Fundres valleys all meet, making the village a practical base for exploring the whole area, between mountains, history and nature.
The Chiusa di Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbacher Klause)
The village's landmark monument is the Chiusa di Rio di Pusteria, in German Mühlbacher Klause, an ancient fortified barrier built to control passage at the narrowest point of the valley. For centuries this structure marked the border between the County of Tyrol and the territory of the prince-bishopric of Bressanone (Brixen), acting as a customs post, guard post and toll collection point for goods and travelers. Its walls, towers and remaining fortifications tell of an era when control of alpine communication routes was a matter of major political and economic importance. The Klause is today one of the most cited historical landmarks of the Val Pusteria, and helps explain why Rio di Pusteria held, over the centuries, a strategic importance far greater than its current size as a small mountain municipality would suggest.
The Gitschberg-Jochtal Ski and Hiking Area
From Rio di Pusteria visitors reach the Gitschberg-Jochtal area, one of South Tyrol's most appreciated ski areas, with slopes spread across two connected mountains and views stretching from the Dolomites to the peaks of Austria. In winter the area offers runs for every level, suitable for families as well as experienced skiers, along with modern lifts that reduce waiting times. In summer the same lifts become a quick way up to a network of high-altitude trails, walkable on foot or by mountain bike, with mountain huts and scenic viewpoints along the way. This double vocation, winter and summer, makes Rio di Pusteria a chosen base not only for a snow holiday but also for a hiking stay in the warmer months, when the valley fills with walkers and mountain bikers.
The Side Valleys of Valles and Fundres
From the territory of Rio di Pusteria two side valleys open up, quieter and less frequented than the main valley floor: the Valle di Valles (Vals) and the Val di Fundres (Pfunders). These are rural valleys dotted with scattered farmsteads, small hamlets and mountain churches, where the alpine landscape remains little altered by mass tourism. The Valle di Valles, enclosed by an amphitheater of peaks, is also known for its smaller ski facilities and for hiking trails climbing toward border passes. The Val di Fundres, even more secluded, keeps an atmosphere of quiet and tradition, with farmsteads still carrying on mountain farming activity. For those seeking a calmer alternative to the larger tourist centers of the Val Pusteria, these two valleys offer an authentic experience just a few kilometers from the main village.
The Historic Center and Local Life
The historic core of Rio di Pusteria stretches along the main street, once traveled by merchants and wayfarers heading to the Klause, today lined with traditional houses, shops and religious buildings that testify to the village's importance as a transit stop. The churches in the center, with their pointed bell towers typical of Tyrolean alpine architecture, still mark the rhythm of daily life and local festivals today. Around the village core, everyday life follows the pace of the mountains, between farming, animal husbandry and the services tied to tourism that brings the village to life especially during the ski and hiking seasons. Walking through the center of Rio di Pusteria reveals the authentic character of a Val Pusteria village that has managed to preserve its historical identity while also becoming a gateway to some of the most appreciated mountain experiences in South Tyrol.
Not to be missed
- The Chiusa di Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbacher Klause), the ancient fortified barrier on the border between Tyrol and the prince-bishopric of Bressanone
- The slopes and trails of the Gitschberg-Jochtal area, for winter skiing and summer hiking
- The Valle di Valles (Vals), with its farmsteads and trails toward border passes
- The Val di Fundres (Pfunders), a secluded valley with an authentic rural atmosphere
- The historic center of Rio di Pusteria, with its main street and Tyrolean alpine-style churches
To see
What to see in Rio di Pusteria
Routes · Trovido Route
