Fane Fest (Fane Alm Fest)

A festival in the most beautiful mountain pasture village in South Tyrol

Fane Fest, also known as Fane Alm Fest, is a traditional festival that brings together hikers, families, and alpine culture enthusiasts every summer at Malga Fane (Fane Alm). This picturesque village of mountain huts sits at an altitude of 1,739 meters in the Valsertal valley, above the village of Valles, part of the municipality of Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbach) in the province of Bolzano. Surrounded by the peaks of the Gitschberg Jochtal area, Malga Fane is considered one of the most beautiful and photogenic alpine villages in all of Trentino-South Tyrol, featuring thirty wooden buildings with shingle roofs, a small chapel, and historic huts.

A tradition spanning over twenty years

For more than two decades, Fane Fest has been one of the most anticipated moments of the summer season in the mountains. The festival was born from a desire to share the authentic atmosphere of alpine life with visitors, featuring mountain flavors, music, and customs passed down through generations. While the date varies annually between late July and early September, the spirit remains unchanged: a day of conviviality in the heart of the South Tyrolean Alps.

The day's program

The festival kicks off in the morning, around 10:30 AM, with a charming open-air mass celebrated among the huts. After the service, the village comes alive with the aroma of Tyrolean specialties prepared in the mountain huts:

• Canederli (Knödel) in various styles;
• Kasnocken, small dumplings with mountain cheese;
• Schlutzkrapfen, the local spinach-filled ravioli;
• Schmarren and Melchamuis, traditional mountain desserts;
• numerous varieties of homemade strudel.

The day is accompanied by accordion players and folk groups from the Valsertal and surrounding areas, featuring performances by Schuhplattler (traditional Tyrolean dancers) and Goaßlschnöller (whip crackers), offering the public a glimpse into South Tyrolean rural customs.

A dive into authentic alpine culture

Fane Fest is much more than just a fair: it is an opportunity to discover a heritage of living folk traditions in a natural setting of rare beauty. The combination of religious ritual, alpine gastronomy, and folklore makes the festival a defining event for the community of Valles and the entire Puster Valley, attracting numerous Italian and international visitors every year.

How to reach Malga Fane

Malga Fane can be reached on foot along the Milchweg (Milk Trail) starting from Valles, a hike of about an hour and a half. On the day of the festival, a paid shuttle service operates from the parking lot at the end of the Valles valley for those who prefer not to walk up. The event is organized by the Gitschberg Jochtal Tourist Office.