Unesco World Natural Heritage Natural Park Puez-Geisler:

The whole splendor of the Dolomites

The grandiose view from St. Peter to the east is part of the Natural Park Puez-Geisler. It was founded 1978. Today it belongs to the Unesco World Natural Heritage and covers almost 11,000 ha. This area is covered by the Dolomite giants of the Peitlerkofel group, the Geisler and the Puez group. Its northern boundary marks the Würzjoch, the south the Grödner Joch. In the east, the Gadertal borders on the nature park, while our valley from Villnöss flows from the west to the imposing area. This fascinating alpine region is located directly at the doorstep of our hotel. As our guest you have all freedom to start for breathtaking mountaineering, climbing parties, mountain bike hikes or walks to huts.

The “Building site of the Dolomites”

Geologists like to call the Puez-Geisler Natural Park the “Dolomitenbauhütte“, literally the building site of the Dolomites. Who are familiar with the subject, find here all the types of rocks and strata found in the Dolomites. Experts call it the Gröden, Sankt-Cassian or the Bellerophon formation or speak of the Etschtaler Vulkanit group. Rocks and vast rocky cliffs also take a large part of the park. In addition, there are always graceful alpine meadows and high lawns above the tree border. The bright dolomite in all its facets dominates the scenery. And if you have been to other places in the Dolomites, you will surely be familiar with one or the other sight in the Puez-Geisler Nature Park. However, only in terms of layering. The striking ridges and rock formations are actually unique in their splendor!

Alpine Pearls for gentle tourism

If you are interested in geology, you can deepen your knowledge in the Teis Minerals Museum. There are also the famous geodes, which are famous as “Teiserkugeln”. In order to preserve these natural beauty, our region is part of the Alpine Pearls network. Its top principle is a gentle tourism with little traffic and maximum natural enjoyment. So in Villnöss you can find many offers where you can leave your vehicle at the hotel and still be highly mobile with public transport and shuttle services. The original alpine image of our villages is also part of the Alpine Pearls campaign.

The Nature Park House Puez Geisler

In St. Magdalena the whole nature park presents itself in a nut shell, as it is beautifully called. In the Nature Park House you will find an interesting information center, which provides you with interesting background knowledge about the geology, the animal and plant world as well as about the alpinism. You can touch the “mountains” in an elaborate exhibition and understand the origins of the Dolomites. In the “cabinet of wonder nature” you will find a great show of everything that grows, creeps, climbs, jumps and flies in the mountains – from the animal trail to the eagle pen. In the space “Conquer mountains“, the alpinists have their say. Among other things, a documentary with Reinhold Messner is to be seen, who spent his childhood not far from here. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park House is open from the end of December to the end of March and from the beginning of May to the end of October, but is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Just during the months of July and August it was also open on Sundays. Entry is free.