Gsieser Knödelmarathon

A dumpling marathon in Val Casies

The Gsieser Knödelmarathon — the Val Casies dumpling marathon — is one of the most original winter gastronomic and sporting events in South Tyrol. It takes place in the municipality of Valle di Casies/Gsies, in the upper Puster Valley in the province of Bolzano, within the Trentino-Alto Adige region, with its base in the village of San Martino/St. Martin. The event combines two of the valley's great passions: cross-country skiing and traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, specifically Knödel (dumplings) in all their delicious forms.

How it works

Along the loop of the Val Casies cross-country ski track, which winds for dozens of kilometers through the snowy valley floor, participating mountain huts and restaurants set up tasting stations. Participants traverse the route on cross-country skis, stopping from hut to hut to refuel with a different dumpling at each stop. It is not a timed competition: the goal is the pleasure of taste and the experience itself, and the route offers numerous access points for a flexible and relaxed day.

The star of the show: Knödel

The range of Knödel offered along the route spans from classic, hearty versions to more creative interpretations:

• Speck dumplings (Speckknödel)
• Cheese dumplings (Käsenocken)
• Spinach dumplings (Spinatknödel)
• Herb and nettle dumplings (Brennnesselknödel)
• Sweet plum, apricot, and strawberry dumplings (Marillen-, Pflaumen- and Erdbeerknödel)

On foot, with the shuttle

Those who don't feel up to tackling the track on skis can still participate: a shuttle service connects the tasting stations, so everyone can enjoy the dumpling tour without missing out on the snowy valley scenery. It is an event designed for families, friends, and mountain lovers, held in the middle of winter when Val Casies shows its most authentic face.

A Puster Valley tradition

Organized by the Tourismusgenossenschaft Gsieser Tal-Welsberg-Taisten, the Knödelmarathon has become a classic of the winter calendar for the Kronplatz area and the Puster Valley. It represents a genuine way to discover Val Casies, a quiet side valley rarely touched by mass tourism, and its mountain cuisine, in a convivial atmosphere that blends outdoor sports with traditional South Tyrolean flavors.