Valle Aurina: on holidays in the “Valley of breath”

It is not a passing valley. To finish in Ahrntal you have to go there on purpose, pushing yourself up to Predoiin that northeastern corner of South Tyrol closed by the Austrian peaks. And the dead-end road is rewarded by an intact landscape made up of peaks over 3000 meters high, which flank the valley of the Aurino river with their steep slopes. The dominant color is the green of the woods as far as the eye can see and the rolling meadows. The sound of the water continually accompanies the journey, among waterfalls, eddies and rapids. And in addition to the eye, relaxed by so much placid beauty, the lungs, full of pure air, also benefit.

The valley of good breath

We are in what can rightly be called la “Valley of the breath”. And not only for the slightly contaminated environment, but also for a unique speleotherapy center in Italy like the Climatic Center of Predoi: former copper mine excavated for 1100 meters in the mountain. Here the microclimate it is particularly good for the upper respiratory tract due to the humidity of the air close to the degree of saturation and the constant temperature all year round at 9 degrees. A feature that purifies the environment, reducing the presence of allergens and pollens.

Those suffering from allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases and Long Covid syndrome, particularly benefit from the sessions in the downtown gallery, where they enter aboard the old miners’ trains and stop for about two hours breathing the decongestant air. And from this year you can also benefit from the free telephone consultation of dr. Di Spazio, expert in speleotherapy (by appointment in person on Wednesdays in May and June at the tourist office in Lutago by calling 347 9440182).

There is also an agreement with the Climatic Center Wellness Refuge & Resort Hotel Alpin Royala four-star hotel equipped with rooms allergy free in wood and hypoallergenic fabrics. The hotel, a member of the Respiration Health Hotel, offers “Breathe deeply” holiday packages with an overnight stay in a suite tested for zero allergens and a discount for speleotherapy. Added to this is the breath massage: a chest and chest treatment with balsamic gel with alpine herbs, essences of chamomile, mint and eucalyptus, and decongestant acupressure between eyes and forehead.

Some believe that the name of the valley derives from the pre-Roman term Awerina. The meaning? Running water. After all, the Valle Aurina counts approx 120 sources of drinking water35 lakes and 10 waterfalls, where the water is even purer due to the nebulization that creates a real natural aerosol.

Dedicated to water are several excursions such as the waterfall trekking which starts from Lutago, where you walk through the woods to the Rio Nero waterfall path of the three Riva waterfalls (above Campo Tures), inside the fairytale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Parkto be flown over by flying through the trees with the Fly-line. This experience is a descent into the woods with a view of the waterfalls, harnessed along steel wires stretched between the trees. Inside the park there is also a unique aquatic place of its kind. It is called a biotope Wieser Werfer and it is a snake of water that cuts the peat bog above Casere, in a setting of great naturalistic impact.

Going up to altitude, al Klausberg the little ones find high-altitude entertainment among bathing ponds and water games with waterfalls and Kneipp paths. Going down to the valley, it is worth taking the bike on the cycle lane which runs along the Aurino river for 20 km starting from the Caminata bridge up to Lutago. And such a lively river could only be the protagonist of river sports such as rafting, canyoning and kayaking for all levels, starting from the center Rafting Club Activ under the mass of Castel Taufers in Campo Tures.

And from 29 May to 26 June many regenerating activities arrive in nature thanks to Mindful Mountain Days. A few examples? There is the revitalizing bath in the cold waters of the Klaussee lake, at 2,162 m, accompanied by the expert who explains the benefits for the climb of such a practice. Or the Conscious walking to the Klausberg, which shifts the attention to everything our senses perceive: from pebbles to the sound of the wind, to the scents of nature. And again the Forest Bathing and the Meditation on the shores of the lake, guided by the yoga teacher. Furthermore, at the disposal of visitors staying in the affiliated facilities, there is the FREE Funivie Pass with free access to the Klausberg and Speikboden ski areas. The Südtirol Jazzfestival with the performances of international artists.