Ridnauntal

The Ridnauntal (or simply Ridnaun ) is a 18 km long tributary of the Wipptal into which it flows near Sterzing. Drained it is the Ridnauner Bach, the settlements in the valley form the fraction Ridnaun, Mareit and Telfes the community Racines in South Tyrol (Italy).

In the south the Ridnauntal is limited by the mountain range of Jaufen, in the north of the Stubai Alps. The western end of the valley marked the snow mountain, which was known for its 900 - year mining history and as one of the highest mines in Europe: the center of ore mining, St. Martin am Schneeberg beyond the Schneebergscharte already in neighboring Passeiertal, was the operating time the highest permanent settlement of the Alps and is today starting from the snow mountain hut, a shelter in the former administration building of the Imperial Mine management at Schneeberg, good hike. In the district Maiern ( 1417 m), at the upper end of the Ridnauntals, at the time the ore Sterzing was prepared and made ​​ready for further transport direction. The mining industry in 1978 was discontinued for lack of profitability, the mine finally closed in 1985. Since 1995, recalls a mining museum with museum tunnels and day trips to the original snow mountain tunnel to the ore mining on Schneeberg.

Tourism has replaced mining as a livelihood. The valley is very attractive, overthrow of the mountain slopes picturesque waterfalls. In summer and winter, the modern hotel complexes in the valley are well utilized, guests will find interesting trails and good skiing.

The most well-known personality from the Ridnauntal was Mary Fassnauer, which was known throughout Europe the late 19th century as the giantess of Tyrol. She was around 2,20 m tall and was until her death in 1917 as the greatest woman in the world.