Senales
Senales (Schnals in German) is a municipality in South Tyrol that covers the entire Val Senales (Schnalstal), a side valley of the...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Senales now
The story
The story of Senales
Val Senales Toward the Glaciers
Val Senales (Schnalstal) is a side valley of the Val Venosta (Vinschgau), in western South Tyrol, and it corresponds almost entirely to the territory of the municipality of Senales (Schnals). From the valley floor, where the first farms and small settlements lie, the valley climbs gradually northward until it reaches the glaciers on the Austrian border, in a landscape that shifts progressively from rural to high mountain. Enclosed by ridges rising above three thousand metres, this shape kept the valley relatively isolated for centuries, helping preserve local traditions, rural architecture and an intact natural heritage. Today Val Senales is reached via a road climbing up from Val Venosta, and it has become a destination combining slow tourism, skiing and ancient history, largely thanks to the discovery that changed its international reputation forever.
Ötzi, the Similaun Mummy, and the archeoParc
In September 1991, two hikers found, on the Tisenjoch (giogo di Tisa), a rocky pass near the Similaun on the border between Italy and Austria, the remains of a man perfectly preserved by the ice. Scientific analysis established that he had lived around 5300 years ago; he is known today as Ötzi, the Similaun Mummy or the Iceman. The discovery, made right on the ridge marking the boundary of Senales' territory, provided extraordinary information about life, clothing and tools of the Copper Age. To tell this story and its context, the archeoParc Val Senales was created, an indoor and outdoor museum recreating the environment and habits of Ötzi's era, making the valley an essential stop for anyone interested in archaeology and alpine prehistory.
The Val Senales Glacier and High-Altitude Skiing
At the head of the valley lies the Val Senales Glacier (Schnalstaler Gletscher), one of the best-known glacial areas of the eastern Alps. Thanks to its high altitude, the area allows skiing even during the summer months, drawing skiers and training teams from across Europe. Cable cars connect the valley floor to the high-altitude slopes, offering views over the border peaks and nearby glaciers. Beyond skiing, the glacial area is a reference point for high-mountain excursions and for anyone wanting to observe an alpine glacial environment up close, one that is increasingly precious to know and protect. The combination of high-altitude skiing, glacial landscapes and proximity to the site where Ötzi was found makes this part of the valley unique within South Tyrol.
Mountain Farms and Certosa
Descending toward the valley floor, Val Senales preserves a rural landscape made up of mountain farms, such as those around the hamlet of Certosa (Karthaus), the valley's main settlement. The name Certosa itself derives from a former Carthusian monastery that once stood here, founded in the Middle Ages and still reflected today in the village's layout and some historic buildings. Around Certosa and the other hamlets, traditional farms are scattered, many still active in mountain farming and livestock breeding, telling of a way of life tied to the rhythm of the seasons. Walking through these rural clusters, visitors can discover wood-and-stone architecture typical of South Tyrol, mountain churches and small local museums, in a balance between everyday life and historical memory that keeps the valley authentic far from the glacier too.
Alpinism, Hiking and High-Altitude Nature
Val Senales is also a favoured starting point for high-altitude alpinism and hiking, thanks to its proximity to peaks and glaciers on the Austrian border. Numerous trails link the valley floor to mountain huts, allowing multi-day excursions among pastures, alpine lakes and glacial environments. The area around the Tisenjoch, where Ötzi was found, is now the destination of historical walks that retrace, at least in part, the places connected to his story. The valley's high-altitude nature, still little developed outside its settlements, offers ideal conditions for birdwatching, nature photography and simple panoramic walks. This variety of activities, combined with the area's historical and glaciological richness, makes Val Senales a complete destination for anyone seeking genuine mountains in South Tyrol.
Not to be missed
- archeoParc Val Senales, the museum dedicated to Ötzi
- The Tisenjoch (giogo di Tisa), the discovery site near the Similaun
- The Val Senales Glacier (Schnalstaler Gletscher) and its high-altitude ski slopes
- Certosa (Karthaus), with its former Carthusian monastery and historic farms
- High-mountain trails leading to alpine huts near the border
To see
What to see in Senales
Routes · Trovido Route
