Inter-regional projects around Reschensee lake
We go the extra mile
Interreg projects can achieve a lot: design new attractions, create attractive living and working spaces, foster economic stability and development, guide tourism onto a sustainable path, attract skilled workers to the holiday region, and much more.
Discover here the fruits of European Territorial Cooperation in our Upper Vinschgau holiday region.
Ongoing & completed projects Programme Period Interreg VI-A Italy–Austria 2021–2027:
Family Recreation with the “Venediger Mandln” in Terra Raetica
Medium-Sized Project – Acronym: TerraFam
Lead Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Partner: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Costs: €199,660.59
The content of this cross-border Interreg medium-sized project includes the redesign of the family circular hiking trail in the Talai Forest in St. Valentin, featuring 14 interactive experience stations, as well as the new interpretation of the “Badsteig” trail in Pfunds with 8 themed stations focusing on the legend of the “Venediger Mandln” for families and children.
A puzzle trail and a joint printed brochure will accompany the project, providing information on cross-border mobility.
Satisfied Employees Terra Raetica
Small Project – Vl6_o6
Applicant: Holiday Region Upper Vinschgau
Project Partners: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland, Tourism Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val MĂĽstair AG (TESSVM)
Project Volume: €49,887.26
Tourism in our peripheral region suffers from a partly poor image. This project aims to attract and retain qualified employees, create an attractive living and working environment, and promote economic stability and development.
Completed Projects – Programme Period Interreg V-A Italy–Austria 2014–2020:
Conflict-Free Cycling Tourism Terra Raetica
Small Project – Vl_o9
Applicant: Holiday Region Upper Vinschgau
Project Partner: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Volume: €15,000.00
The Holiday Region Upper Vinschgau — including towns such as Mals, Schluderns, Glurns, and Taufers — offers numerous mountain biking and e-biking tours, including routes along the cross-border Via Claudia Augusta. Despite the growing popularity of cycling tourism, the region primarily remains a hiking destination, leading to conflicts between bikers and hikers on narrow paths such as the Waalwege (irrigation channel trails).
While the “Mountainbiken 2.0” project in Tyrol has already developed initial solutions, a unified approach is still lacking in South Tyrol. To achieve sustainable solutions and improve marketing, close cooperation is being pursued with partners such as the Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland/Nauders and the neighboring regions.
Sustainable Tourism around the Reschen Pass
Medium-Sized Project – Acronym: Tourismus – ITAT 4166
Lead Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Partner: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Costs: €200,000.00
This project aims to improve and expand the interconnected hiking trail network between the two municipalities. In addition, information boards will be installed to help guests navigate more easily and to enhance the quality of visitor management.
Ensuring safe movement in outdoor areas will be promoted among both guests and locals through awareness campaigns, safety tips, and safety stations.
Through this project, the tourism products of the participating regions will receive a quality upgrade, thereby strengthening the holiday regions’ position in the market.
Cross-Country Skiing in Terra Raetica
Small Project – Vl-19
Applicant: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Partner: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Volume: €30,000.00
For several years, a ticket network called “Venosta Nordic” has existed between the six cross-country skiing areas in Vinschgau (Italy) and Nauders (Austria). With a single ticket, visitors gain access to around 90 kilometers of trails, offering both classic and skating styles, ensuring something for every cross-country skiing enthusiast. Currently, day, week, and season passes are available.
The main objective of this project is to strengthen the Venosta Nordic network within the Terra Raetica region through a unified visual identity. The installation of signposts at trailheads and along the tracks will provide visitors with better orientation. Additional information on overview boards will draw attention to the other cross-country areas in the network.
In collaboration with ski schools and shops/rental services, a high-quality, cross-border product centered on cross-country skiing will be developed. These measures will further reinforce the cross-border ticket network and its visibility across the Terra Raetica region.
Starry Sky Terra Raetica
Small Project – Vl-26
Applicant: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Partner: Nature Park Kaunergrat
Project Volume: €50,000.00
The primary goal of this project is to enhance existing infrastructure and improve the quality of guided tours. Information panels on astronomical topics will be installed along the path from the parking area to the Maseben mountain hut, making the route more engaging as part of the stargazing hikes.
Wooden loungers around the observatory will allow visitors to comfortably observe the starry sky while lying down. The purchase of binoculars and the upgrade of telescope equipment will enable better facilitation of group tours.
A standardized set of equipment for the star guides will help convey a professional appearance. Through cross-border networking and participation in training programs, the star guides will be brought up to date with the latest knowledge and introduced to new elements of stargazing tours.
Terra Raetica Under the Stars
Medium-Sized Project – Acronym: Sterne – ITAT 4095
Lead Partner: Venet Cable Car Company (Venet Bergbahnen AG)
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Costs: €198,679.62
The observation of the starry sky — as well as the study of the sun — has fascinated humankind since ancient times. Within the Terra Raetica program area, there is currently no facility for professional observation of the night or daytime sky.
Both project locations are ideally suited for astronomical observation, as they are situated at high altitudes with very low air and light pollution. In addition, both offer an unobstructed view toward the south, accommodation and dining options, and are easily accessible.
The goal of this project is to construct an observatory at each site — one in the Landeck area (on Mount Venet) and one in the Vinschgau area (on Maseben) — providing opportunities to observe the starry sky.
The expected outcomes include the creation of permanent structures that will remain for many years and can be used by both visitors and locals to raise awareness and interest in astronomy.
Three-Country Trail Running Terra Raetica
Small Project – ITAT 4162
Applicant: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Volume: €49,914.00 (70% funded)
Trail running is a growing trend, and the number of active participants in this sport continues to rise. This project involves the development and conceptualization of 18 to 20 trail running routes in the tri-border region covering the areas of Reschenpass, Nauders, Engadin, Kaunergrat, and Oberes Gericht.
In total, approximately 180 kilometers of running trails will be prepared for users. The project includes the definition and design of trail starting points, the creation of printed materials, and the digital mapping of route layouts within the three-country area, completing the project package.
Three-Country Trail Running II Terra Raetica
Small Project – ITAT 4220
Applicant: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Volume: €49,920.00 (70% funded)
The potential for trail running in the tri-border region is immense, and the target group for this sport is growing rapidly. This project represents an expansion of the initiative currently nearing completion.
In addition to the existing 180 km of trail running routes, a further 513 km of trails will be added — including a 175 km ultra-trail. The project focuses on the development and graphical design of these new offerings, further strengthening the region’s position as a premier destination for trail running enthusiasts.
Cross-Border Via Ferrata Bergkastel
Small Project – ITAT 4158
Applicant: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Volume: €49,980.00 (70% funded)
As part of this project, a via ferrata (climbing route) will be constructed leading to the 2,912-meter-high Bergkastel Peak, following the border ridge. The route begins near the top station of the Zirm cable car, then ascends along the northwestern ridge to the so-called “Mitterkopf” and continues on to the summit of Bergkastelspitze.
The via ferrata follows the ridge that marks the state border between Austria and Italy, symbolically and physically linking the two regions. Several emergency descent routes will be established on the Vinschgau (Italian) side for safety.
This project creates a new cross-border recreational and tourism infrastructure for the two tourism associations of the Reschen Pass area (Nauders and Reschenpass), enriching the region’s outdoor adventure offerings.
Border Bivouac on the Bergkastel Peak
Small Project – ITAT 4203
Applicant: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Volume: €50,000.00 (70% funded)
A shelter hut (bivouac cabin) has been constructed at the junction of the two via ferratas — the Gold Trail and the Family Via Ferrata Bergkastel — on the route to the 2,912-meter-high Bergkastel Peak, located right on the state border.
This represents another enhancement of summer tourism in the border region. The bivouac serves multiple purposes: it provides protection in case of sudden weather changes, functions as a storage site for mountain rescue equipment, and offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience the majestic mountain scenery and the starry sky by spending a night in the bivouac.
3-Country Enduro Trails 2.0
Medium-Sized Project – Acronym: LAMl001 – ITAT 4028
Lead Partner: Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland
Project Partner: Holiday Region Reschenpass
Project Costs: €200,000.00
The tri-border region around the Reschen Pass is not only a true biking destination but also an attractive area for both winter and summer tourism. The two municipalities of Graun and Nauders share many similarities and have been working closely together for years.
The project “Trail Construction” is based on the awareness that tourism diversification is essential and that new, sustainable development opportunities can be created through the responsible use of natural resources.
In 2020, the Schöneben Flow Trail was constructed through a cross-border Interreg project, marking a key milestone in regional cooperation.
The objectives of this project are to strengthen the region’s market position as an attractive biking destination and to increase local added value during the summer season by expanding and improving the trail network and related infrastructure.
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