Activities Amid Overwhelming Natural Landscapes

Outdoor Highlights in Tauferer Ahrntal

Do you smell this wonderful scent? In the Tauferer Ahrntal - the small, alpine side valley of the Puster Valley - there is a scent that smells like sunshine.
In every season - spring, summer, and autumn, 80 imposing three-thousand-meter peaks fill the colorful natural landscapes with magic and invite you to take part in a wide range of activities:
Climbing, hiking, (mountain) biking, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, horseback riding, golfing, etc. And if the day had more than 24 hours, you'd probably try all of those.
To lose no time while you plan your holiday, we have created a small list of interesting activities:

Hiking...

Reaching New Paths and Peaks

... on the sun-kissed southern side of the Zillertal Alps. The Tauferer Ahrental offers innumerable itineraries accompanied by a fantastic view of impressive three thousand-meter mountains. A paradise for mountain lovers - for beginners and professionals, young and old mountain enthusiasts. There are many excursions where you will walk on paths admits wonderful landscapes, meadows, and forests. The exciting high trails Hartenweg, Lausitzerweg, and Kellerbauerweg will bring you to peaks where the view is simply unforgettable. Other adventurous summit tours for real mountaineers will lead you to the following peaks: Moosstock (3,059 m), Schwarzenstein (3,369 m), and Hochgall (3,436 m). There is the perfect tour for everyone!
Would you like to discover the area with a local expert? There is the possibility to book a tour with a mountain guide.

Discovering the Beautiful Flora and Fauna

Between the high mountains and glaciers of the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park, you can make wonderful pictures while admiring the panorama on a walk or hike. Surrounded by the Antholz Valley, the Tauferer Ahrntal, the Puster Valley, and Austria, the nature park extends over 31,300 hectares and presents impressive attractions such as the Dreiherrenspitze (3,499 m), the Schneebigen Nock (3,358 m), Lake Antholz, or the Reinbach Waterfalls.

Climbing in Tauferer Ahrntal

If you want to really let off steam, then an exciting climbing tour is just the right thing for you. Seven great climbing areas, such as Tobl-Rein and Heachnbichl-Rein in Taufers - both with real granite rocks are located only a few minutes’ walk or drive from Villa Calluna. For those who like bouldering, we recommend going to the indoor climbing hall in Sand in Taufers.

Biking

Enjoying Nature with Feet on the Pedals

Whether during a challenging MTB tour or an easy tour for beginners, who prefer flat tours. There is even the possibility to take an e-bike tour for those who like cycling while being electronically supported. There is the perfect tour for every cycling enthusiast!
A good tip for excursionists and families? The 17.5 km trail starts at the cycle path out of the valley in Sand in Taufers/Campo Tures and arrives at Brunico/Bruneck leading past the starting point of the Reinbach Waterfalls, the Gaiser bathing lake, and lush meadows - with the possibility to cool down from time to time. A more difficult trail leads into the valley along the Ahr River. Bikes can be hired and brought back to different stations along the way from Ahrntal to Puster Valley. Additionally, there is a bicycle rental service in Sand in Taufers.
Would you prefer to go on a bike tour in Austria? In that case, you can choose the cycle path of Lienz. Take the bus or the train for Innichen/San Candido, rent a bike, and then you can cycle down the valley to Lienz. You can return your bike in Lienz and take the train back to Innichen/ San Candido.
An easier bike route is the one from Sand in Taufers to Bruneck and from Bruneck either to Brixen/Bressanone or in the Upper Puster Valley to Tobalch/Dobbiaco or to Innichen/San Candido.

MTB and Road Bike Trails in the Mountains

High-altitude routes with a wow effect and sensational mountain panoramas that also extend beyond the national borders - no mountain biker can resist trails like those! From exciting single trails to forest and gravel paths and breathtaking pass tours - experienced road cyclists can conquer the Dolomite passes in the saddle ...
The Speikboden is a great place to pedal too. After a long bike tour, the effort is rewarded with a fabulous view of beautiful mountain landscapes.

Biking Through the Ziller Valley

The surrounding area of Villa Calluna is perfect for all sports enthusiasts. What do you think about a tour to the Kleine Jöchl or to the alpine Lake Neves amid the Zillertal Alps to the alpine hut Chemnitzer Hütte?

Downhill at Kronplatz

A very popular place for many downhill fans is the Kronplatz/Plan de Corones. At Kronplatz there is an 8 km long trail at an altitude of 1,300 meters, steep curves, and intense jumps in the middle of the forest: a true paradise where the adrenaline kicks in.

Adventures and Sun Salutations

Between Wild Gorges and Waters

It’s time for white water sports, dear adventure fans! A few kilometers from Villa Calluna, impetuous mountain streams, dizzying gorges, and thundering waterfalls invite you to go rafting and canyoning. A great experience with different levels of difficulty for young and adult adventure fans.
Wouldn't you like to abseil down a 48-meter-deep canyon?
To then pass over clear pools of water and rushing cascades, past smooth rock walls secured to the rope and slide down? If you like to get wet, you can also get into a rubber boat and raft through wild waters and rapids. Is this exciting enough?

Suspended in The Air and Feeling Worry-Free

IIn Puster Valley and Tauferer Ahrntal flying is easier than you think. Tandem flying - with kites or paragliders - is very popular here! The high mountains offer great take-off sites, the landscape looks simply magnificent from the sky, the sun shines almost all year round and right near Sand in Taufers various flight schools offer courses as well as individual flights. So, you can decide whether you want to be a pilot yourself or fly in the company of a professional.
Are you still wondering or are you already flying?

Yoga in the Garden

Unroll your yoga mat in the Calluna Garden and take some time for yourself. In the background you can hear gentle sounds of nature like the murmur of the Ahr river or atmospheric birdsong, perfect for some meditation. We can also organize a yoga class for you, whether you are just starting out or are already a professional. Are you ready for the Sun Salutation?

Highlights

Lake Braies

Those who like romantic places, cannot miss this one. Amidst the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, you can admire Lake Braies in wild and romantic splendor, in fact it is one of the most beautiful lakes of the Dolomites as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The picturesque mountains of the area, such as the majestic 2,800 high Seekofel are reflected in the emerald, green water.
In order to admire this wonderful lake, you can take a circular walk around it (about 1.5h). Or you can rent a rowing boat for a unique boat trip on the lake.

Three Peaks

Do you know the Three Peaks? One of the most photographed South Tyrolean attractions and the most popular hiking destinations of the region. The Cima Piccola “little peak” (2,857 m), Cima Grande “big peak” (2,999 m) and Cima Occidentale “western peak” (2,973 m) form a unique trio. During a hiking holiday in the Upper Puster Valley, a circular route of the Three Peaks is a must!

Starting point: Alpine hut Auronzohütte (Forcella Longeres, BL) – about one hour and twenty minutes’ drive from Villa Calluna.
Directions: From the Alpine hut Auronzohütte (2,320m) to Paternsattel (2,454m) you will arrive at the hut Drei-Zinnen-Hütte (2,405) and via the alpine pasture Lagalm (2,235m) back to the Aurozohütte.
 Duration: about 3 hours
Length: 7.6 km

The wonderful Reinbach Waterfalls

Following the magnificent sound of water

This unforgettable tour, which is perfect for warm days, takes us to the Reinbach waterfalls. There are three waterfalls that offer an indescribable spectacle, especially in summer when the snow melts and the water flow rate in the falls increases. Immerse yourself in a world of nature between meadows and woods. From Villa Calluna, you first walk for about 25 minutes along the Ahr river to the Reinbach stream (path no. 2) to the “Wasserfall” bar. From there, you follow path no. 1 through the Reinbach gorge, where after a few minutes you will reach the first 10 m high waterfall. From the first waterfall, the slightly steep path of St. Francis begins, and if you walk on the left path, you will pass a cave and wooden figures until you reach the stairs that will lead you to the second waterfall. After another steep walk, you will reach the third waterfall, which is 40 meters high. The energy you will feel there is incredible. Shortly before, the road crosses the Rheinbach Valley, goes uphill, and continues to the right on the St. Francis Path. After passing St. Francis Chapel, you reach the road to Rein in Taufers/Riva di Tures, following the path downhill. At the junction, trail 6B will bring you to Ahornnach/Acereto, where you can stop for a break and relax.  To finish the hike, you can follow trail no. 10, which will take you back to Sand in Taufers/Campo Tures.

The enchanting Taufers Castle

Visit the imposing castle in Sand in Taufers/Campo Tures

The romantic fortress that holds many interesting treasures is only a 15-minute walk away from Villa Calluna. The castle is also of great importance from an architectural point of view: in fact, the belfry, the residential tower with the double arched windows, and the chapel date back to the High Middle Ages. After 1500 a lavatorium, drawbridges, and wall walks were added. In the early 20th century, the fortress was renovated for the first time and today it belongs to the Association of Castles of South Tyrol (Südtiroler Burgeninstitut).
If you want to see the castle not only from Villa Calluna but give a closer look at it, then come and visit it! Explore the 64 rooms of the castle, the frescoes painted by Michael Pacher in the chapel, the cabinets from various artistic periods, the armor, and the unique library and learn more about the interesting history of the castle. Many exhibitions, events, and offers are waiting for you!

Carmen’s Personal Summer Tips

The best tips are those that are based on personal experience. They are authentic, sincere, and incredibly precious.

Carmen is a very sunny and open-minded person and as a real explorer she likes to try many new things. In particular, she likes to go to events, where she can taste delicious foods and always have a good time. 
So, having already jumped into the "deep end" herself, Carmen is happy to recommend to you what she knows from personal experience: