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The path across the cols: The smugglers’ Path
Valle di Casies, Puster Valley
Description
The history:The mountains of Defreggen Tal Valley form a big border between Val Casies Valley (I) andVillgratental Valley. It has always been crossed by the residents of the two valleys to trade. During the years from 1810-1814 and after the 2nd world war different goods have be...

The history:
The mountains of Defreggen Tal Valley form a big border between Val Casies Valley (I) and
Villgratental Valley. It has always been crossed by the residents of the two valleys to trade. During the years from 1810-1814 and after the 2nd world war different goods have been smuggled across the border. Because of this the three “paths across the cols” developed. Some informative signs were arranged along the paths to tell about the history and life in earlier times.

Details

The smugglers’ PathAfter the 1st world war, according to the contract of Saint Germain, Alto Adige became part of Italy. That is how a border emerged between Val Casies Valley and Villgraten Valley. Across that border smugglers brought goods like sugar, coffee, tobacco, petrol and cigarette lighters from Austria to Italy.

Directions: Starting point at the head of the valley in S. Maddalena/ Val Casies Valley (1465m)taking the path with no. 48 to reach the Tscharnietalm hut (1976m) and further to“Kalksteinjöchl” (2349m). Descent on the smuggler’s Path (13a) through the Valley Rosstal past the Oberlipper Alm hut and finally to Kalkstein. It is also possible to walk it the opposite way!Duration: 4-5 hoursDifficulty: medium

 

Approach

Coming from Innsbruck/Brennero (A): Drive on the Highway of Brennero (A22) until the exit Bressanone/Val Pusteria, then go on along the SS49-E66 for about 58kms until you arrive in Monguelfo. To get to Tesido and the Val Casies Valley, we recommend to take the exit West in Monguelfo. Coming from Lienz (A): You can reach us also padding by Lienz in Westtyrol (A). You have to cross the Austrian-Italian border between Ahrnbach and Winnebach (B100-E66) and drive on the SS46-E66 until Monguelfo. To get to Tesido and the Val Casies, we recommend to take the exit West in Monguelfo.