Val Senales – Trentino-Alto Adige. Glaciers, high-altitude mountain huts and thousand-year-old roots. The Val Senales is a side valley that branches off near Merano, extending to the border with Austria. Narrow, rugged and atmospheric, it is known for its perennial glacier, quiet villages and well-preserved farming traditions. A place that combines extreme landscapes and authentic alpine life. 🧊 In front of the glacier: The Val Senales Glacier (Hochjochferner) can be reached by cable car from Maso Corto. At high altitude, a world of eternal snow, glacial trails and summer skiing opens up. It is also the place where Ötzi, the famous Similaun mummy, was found. 👉 Tip: Visit the Iceman Ötzi Peak viewpoint at over 3,200 m, with a view of Austria and Italy. 🥾 Alpine pastures, larches and ancient paths: Numerous routes start from the valley: from easy hikes in the larch forests to high-altitude treks to the Oberraindlhütte, Similaunhütte or the Grawand Cross. The landscapes are strong, but never inhospitable. 👉 Tip: Take the ArcheoParc Trail, a themed trail that tells the story of life in Ötzi's time. 🏘️ Small villages with a strong identity: Villages such as Madonna di Senales, Certosa, Vernago and Maso Corto retain an authentic soul. The former Carthusian monastery and the stone houses evoke the mountain life of the past. Lake Vernago offers turquoise reflections all year round. 👉 Tip: Stop at Certosa to discover the mystical atmosphere of the monastery and its silent architecture. 🥣 Simple and tasty cuisine: In Val Senales you can enjoy rustic dishes such as butter dumplings, rye bread, cured bacon, goulash, soups and Kaiserschmarrn. Restaurants and huts rely on South Tyrolean tradition, often using local ingredients. 👉 Tip: Order a barley soup or a plate of Schlutzkrapfen in a parlour with a view of the glacier. 🛏️ Hospitality with a view of silence and mountains: The valley offers high-altitude hotels, mountain farmhouses, traditional B&Bs and panoramic refuges. Maso Corto is the starting point for the glacier; Vernago and Madonna di Senales are perfect for relaxation and walks. 👉 Tip: Book a night in a refuge to experience the sunrise at high altitude and discover the most intimate face of the valley. Val Senales is a place of true silence, slopes sculpted by time and traditions that endure: perfect for those looking for strong nature and a slow pace.