We departed on a road trip to explore the Dolomites in summer. We started driving from Switzerland, passing by Austria before crossing over to Northern Italy. It was quite some way to drive but we got to enjoy the breathtaking views along the mountain passes and country roads, so no complaint!
Arriving at South Tyrol, we made a spontaneous stopover at the Passiria Valley. We found Camping Bergkristall and decided to pitch overnight. The campsite is located at ~1500m altitude (to our liking i.e. pitching at higher altitudes). It is a cozy, charming site in the heart of nature, surrounded by spruce forests. Definitely an exclusive spot!
More about Camping Bergkristall… It was extremely well-kept and offered us full camper services. Sanitary facilities (toilets, bathrooms and washing rooms) were all modern and very clean. The WIFI was free of charge and I have to mention the connection was really great! Bread rolls and croissants could also be ordered for breakfast.
Just 3 km away from Camping Bergkristall, you will find the mountain village of Pfelders (located in upper Val Passiria, at 1,627 m altitude). We decided to take a stroll to discover the village. A hiking path is conveniently located just outside of the campsite and connects directly there. We enjoyed the exclusive serenity of the valley and the fresh mountain air, a pleasure for our afternoon walk along the stream. The weather was lovely too – the sun was shining and it was a comfortable temperature of 18-20°C, a nice summer day.
It took roughly 45 minutes to reach the village by foot. While touring, we could not help admiring the eye-catching / traditionally built wooden houses and barns. We also took time to check out the shops for local produces and souvenirs. If you are visiting Pfelders, I would recommend to try out Steinerhof Hofschankcafe. We stopped by for a coffee break and they served yummy apple strudels!
For passionate hikers, you should really explore the Gruppo di Tessa nature park. The village of Pfelders lies within the proximity of the nature park which is reputed for its hiking trails and picturesque landscape. We regretfully had to give it a miss this time!
For dinner, we decided on Restaurant Kresspichlguet which is merely 300m away from Camping Bergkristall. They serve traditional Tyrolean dishes! So, if you are looking to have a taste of the region’s specialities, this is highly recommended!
It was a short but very comfortable stay for us at the Passiria Valley. We could rest well before continuing our drive to the Dolomites. Let us be back to explore the Gruppo di Tessa nature park the next time!
Addresses:
– Camping Bergkristall: 39013 Pfelders, Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy
– Steinerhof Hofschankcafe: Frazione Plan, 2, 39013 Plan BZ, Italy
– Restaurant Kresspichlguet: 39013 Moos in Passeier, Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy
