Chienes, Italy
An alpine nature hotel at the forest edge on the Pustertaler Sonnenstrasse, with three-floor Bergwellness, Dolomite panoramas, and South Tyrolean cooking at 900 metres.
Naturhotel Die Waldruhe sits where meadow meets forest at 900 metres, on the Pustertaler Sonnenstrasse between Kiens and Terenten. The Dolomites rise to the south. The main Alpine ridge lines the northern horizon. The hamlet of Hofern is quiet. No through-traffic, no resort bustle. Just stone pine, mountain air, and wide-open sky.
The hotel calls its approach Bergwellness, a whole-body concept that extends beyond the spa walls into the surrounding landscape. Arrive, step out, let go. Follow your natural rhythm. That phrase runs through every detail here, from the forest-view Finnish sauna to the alpine-Mediterranean kitchen. Die Waldruhe suits anyone who needs silence, movement, and unhurried days between peaks.
Hiking trails leave directly from the forest edge. The Kronplatz summit is reachable by cable car, with the Guestpass Kiens covering one ride per person per day from mid-September through early July. Mountain bikes and e-bikes roll along the Pustertal valley routes. Trains across South Tyrol run free with the guest pass, and bikes travel on board at reduced cost.
Winter shifts the terrain. Kronplatz connects to the Dolomiti Superski network. Winter hiking trails wind through snow-covered forests above Terenten. A weekly activity programme, run with the Ferienregion Kiens, fills the calendar year-round with guided options.
Explore additional experiences in the surrounding area.
Route length: 3.7km loopEstimated time: 49minLoop routeBiotop Rasner Möser - Torbiera di Rasun is a protected nature reserve established in 1975. It is classified as a biotope and designated as a protected area with protection class 4.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 4.6 km directHauptwand is a climbing site known as a crag, offering opportunities for rock climbing. It is registered as a climbing site on openclimbing.org and features prominently in Wikimedia Commons imagery. The location is designated specifically for the sport of climbing.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 4.6 km directTarzan is a climbing route with a French grading of 6b. This route is positioned at the bottom section of the climbing area.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 4.7 km directKing kong is a climbing route graded 5a in the French system. It features a bottom climbing route as indicated by its tags.
Route length: 4.3km loopEstimated time: 58minLoop routeBiotop Stegener Ahrau is a protected nature reserve area established in 1994 and classified as a biotope with protection class 4. It serves as a natural space that promotes conservation and wellbeing through its preserved natural environment. Visitors can enjoy peaceful nature watching in this designated protected area.
Route length: 25.9km loopEstimated time: 6hLoop routeSpeikboden is a landused winter sports location. It has a dedicated website and is noted in Wikidata, highlighting its use as a winter sports area.
Route length: 2km loopEstimated time: 26minLoop routeBiotop Raier Moos, known as Biotopo Palù Raier, is a protected nature reserve established since 1986. It features a biotope classification and protection class 4.
Route length: 1.5km loopEstimated time: 20minLoop routeBiotop Vahrner Seemoor, also known as Biotopo Palude del Lago di Varna, is a protected nature reserve established in 1988. The site is classified as a Biotop with protection class 4 and is a recognized protected area.
Route length: 1.5km linearEstimated time: 7minDifficulty: EasyLinear routeThis location corresponds to a 3.5 meter wide, asphalted cycling track with one lane, classified as tracktype grade 1 for high-quality trail conditions. It is designed for bicycles and is motor vehicle restricted to private traffic only.
Route length: 1.3km linearEstimated time: 6minDifficulty: EasyLinear routeThe Pustertalradweg - Pista Ciclabile della Val Pusteria is a 3-meter wide asphalt cycleway designated for bicycles and pedestrians. It has good smoothness but is unlit and not segregated.
The kitchen follows one motto: Alpin trifft mediterran. South Tyrolean tradition meets Mediterranean lightness in a three-quarter board arrangement served daily. Regional sourcing is central. A dedicated regionality programme shapes the menu around local producers and seasonal ingredients.
Gluten-free and lactose-free options are standard, not afterthoughts. The cooking reflects the hotel's position between two mountain worlds, the Dolomites and the main Alpine ridge, pulling flavours from both slopes. Expect cured meats, mountain cheese, fresh herbs, and dishes that lean lighter than typical alpine fare.
The wellness area spans three floors. An indoor panoramic pool connects through a water sluice to the adult-only infinity pool outside, heated year-round to 33 degrees with Dolomite views straight ahead. The rooftop terrace of the Wald-Spa floats at treetop level.
Four sauna types anchor the heat ritual. The Alm-Zirbelholzsauna fills with the scent of alpine stone pine. The Alm-Bio Sauna runs at gentler temperatures. A large steam sauna area includes salt peeling. The Wellness Suite rooms add a private Finnish sauna with a direct forest view. The NaturSPA uses regional products from VITALIS Dr. Joseph, BERGILA, and TREHS for beauty, detox, and regeneration treatments.
Die Waldruhe describes its approach as umweltbewusst und nachhaltig, environmentally conscious and sustainable. The new Cube rooms are built from solid natural oak and untreated wood, keeping construction materials close to their origin.
The Guestpass Kiens encourages car-free travel by covering public transport across all of South Tyrol. Trains, buses, and reduced-cost bike transport replace rental cars for most day trips. The NaturSPA sources treatments from regional producers BERGILA and TREHS rather than importing internationally.
Solid natural wood, warm earthy tones, and forest-facing balconies at 900 m on the edge of the Dolomites. Room types run from a spacious family suite with a separate children's room and living area to a natural-oak wellness suite with a private Finnish sauna overlooking the trees.
Suite Family deluxe
New 50 m² wellness suite in solid natural wood with a separate children's room and living area, held in warm natural colours.
Wellness Suite (Natureiche)
New luxurious wellness suite in natural oak with wooden floors and a private Finnish sauna with forest view.
Arrive, step out, let go. Book your stay at Die Waldruhe on the Pustertaler Sonnenstrasse.
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