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On the Rodengo-Luson Alp, one of the largest plateaus in Alto Adige, we followed the Path of Creation, a 6.4 kilometer itinerary that combines an easy hike with a series of artistic installations inspired by the seven days of Creation described in Genesis.
The starting point is the Zumis car park, which can also be reached by the Almbus which connects the Rio di Pusteria train station to the plateau. From here the route develops along wide and undemanding paths, also suitable for families, between meadows, pastures and woodland stretches.
The seven works scattered along the route represent the different phases of Creation: from the birth of light to the appearance of vegetation, animals and man. The installations do not dominate the landscape but fit into the surrounding environment, inviting us to slow down and observe more carefully what surrounds the path.
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More than the religious aspect, what is striking is the natural context in which the walk takes place. The Alpe di Rodengo-Luson is a territory shaped over the centuries by agricultural and pastoral activity. The large open spaces, the pastures and the presence of mountain huts tell of a balance between human presence and environment that still characterizes this part of Alto Adige today.
The last stage leads to the Pianer Kreuz chapel. Here an artistic bench offers a resting point before returning. The chapel is also known because it was consecrated in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI during a helicopter overflight of the area.
The entire route requires about an hour and a half of walking and can be tackled without particular difficulties. It is a suitable proposal for those looking for an accessible walk and want to get to know the Alpe di Rodengo-Luson through an itinerary that combines landscape, contemporary art and valorisation of the territory.
What to do nearby
The Path of Creation is one of the experiences that can be enjoyed in the holiday area of Rio di Pusteria, an area that includes places such as Rodengo, Maranza, Valles and Fundres. From here you can easily reach the Alpe di Rodengo-Luson, one of the largest plateaus in Alto Adige, crossed by panoramic paths, mountain huts and refuges immersed in high altitude pastures. The area is particularly popular with hikers and families thanks to routes suitable for different levels of experience.
A few kilometers away is the center of Rio di Pusteria, a historic connection point between the Pusteria Valley and the Isarco Valley, while Rodengo is worth a visit for its medieval castle, which houses one of the most important cycles of profane frescoes of the Alpine Middle Ages. For those who want to dedicate a day to culture, Bressanone is about a quarter of an hour’s drive away and offers a historic center full of artistic testimonies, porticoes, squares and monuments.
The Rio di Pusteria area also lends itself to slow tourism that combines excursions, cycle tourism, mountain gastronomy and the discovery of Alpine traditions, with numerous opportunities to extend your stay beyond the visit to the Path of Creation.
