Puster Valley

The Puster Valley (Val Pusteria / Pustertal) is an east-west alpine valley in northern Italy within the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. It is a broad mountain valley that links South Tyrol with areas toward Austria and contains several distinct towns and resort centres.

The valley offers alpine landscapes, hiking and cycling trails in summer, and extensive cross-country and downhill skiing infrastructure in winter. Visitors use the valley both as a base for day trips into surrounding mountain ranges and for through-travel along established rail and road routes.

Historically the valley formed part of the Tyrol region and experienced the post-World War I territorial changes that placed South Tyrol and parts of the valley under Italian administration after 1919. Local culture reflects both Austrian/Tyrolean and Italian influences.

The Puster Valley runs across the northern edge of Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region and extends toward the Austrian border to the east. It connects a series of alpine municipalities and mountain passes and is accessible by regional rail and road networks.

• Bilingual region: Both German and Italian are commonly spoken across the valley and place names often have bilingual forms.
• Transit corridor: The valley is a major east-west transit corridor through the Alps with rail and road links that serve winter sports and summer hiking seasons.

What to See #

• Brunico (Bruneck): Brunico (Bruneck) is the largest town in the valley and functions as an administrative and commercial centre with historic town streets and nearby ski lifts.
• Dobbiaco (Toblach): Dobbiaco (Toblach) lies in the upper valley and is a transport hub for cross-country skiing and hiking in the Hochpustertal area.
• San Candido (Innichen): San Candido (Innichen) is a town near the eastern end of the valley known for its medieval centre and access to alpine trails leading into the Sexten/Sesto area.