Alto Adige 
Extending south from the Réesia (Reschen) pass is the upper Adige (Etsch) valley, which from here to Merano is known as the Val Venosta (Vintschgau), with the most massive peaks (about 3,000m/10,000ft) of the Eastern Alps, from which the Val Passiria (Passeiertal) branches off and runs north to the Passo di Monte Giovo (Jaufenpass, 2,094m/6,910ft). Beyond this is Vipiteno (Sterzing) in the Isarco (Eisack) valley, which farther south is joined by the Pusteria (Puster) valley.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The economy of the Alto Adige still depends mainly on the vigor and energy of its farming population. Corn-growing is steadily declining in favor of fodder crops (maize) and seed potatoes. In this region forestry is an important activity, while the extensive Alpine meadows provide pasture for cattle (particularly dairy cows); Haflinger horses are prized both as working and as riding animals.
The Bolzano area has the greatest concentration of commerce and industry (Bolzano Trade Fair; metal-working, particularly iron, aluminum and magnesium; engineering, vehicle manufacture; chemicals; textiles, leather goods, woodworking, canning). Merano has chemical plants (artificial fertilizers, etc.). There are numerous smaller industrial and craft establishments in the Isarco valley (Bressanone), Val Pusteria (Brunico) and the Val Venosta.
One of the main pillars of the economy is now tourism, promoted by the incomparable beauty of the scenery, the excellent snow conditions in the high valleys in winter and the favorable climate. The region is well equipped for the tourist trade, with numerous funiculars, ski-lifts and other recreational facilities, a dense system of way-marked footpaths and routes for climbers, as well as ample accommodation for visitors, ranging from modestly priced rooms in private houses to first-class hotels offering every amenity.
The Bolzano area has the greatest concentration of commerce and industry (Bolzano Trade Fair; metal-working, particularly iron, aluminum and magnesium; engineering, vehicle manufacture; chemicals; textiles, leather goods, woodworking, canning). Merano has chemical plants (artificial fertilizers, etc.). There are numerous smaller industrial and craft establishments in the Isarco valley (Bressanone), Val Pusteria (Brunico) and the Val Venosta.
One of the main pillars of the economy is now tourism, promoted by the incomparable beauty of the scenery, the excellent snow conditions in the high valleys in winter and the favorable climate. The region is well equipped for the tourist trade, with numerous funiculars, ski-lifts and other recreational facilities, a dense system of way-marked footpaths and routes for climbers, as well as ample accommodation for visitors, ranging from modestly priced rooms in private houses to first-class hotels offering every amenity.
Related Attractions
Adamello-Presanella Group
To the south of the Passo Di Tonale (1,893m/6,214ft), bounded on the west by the Oglio valley (Val Camónica) and on the east by the Sarco valley, is the Adamello-Presanella group (Cima Presanella, 3,556m/11,735ft; Monte Adamello, 3,554m/11,728ft), consisting mainly of tornalites, through which runs the wild Val de Génova with its waterfalls.
Adige Valley
To the east of the Brenta group, the Etschgebirge, the northern part of which is called Nonsberger Alps, with the Monte Roén (Mendelgebirge, 2,116m/6,983ft) being part of this, falls down in sheer limestone walls to the morainic uplands on the upper Adige in the north and the wide Adige valley, covered with later fluvial deposits.
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Lagorai Chain (Renón)
This porphyry zone, extending south as far as the Trento region and reaching its highest point in the Lagorai chain (Cima de Cece, 2,772m/9,148ft) near Predazzo, is cut by deep valleys, notably the Val d'Ega (Eggental) at Bolzano and the Tires valley (Tierser Tal). The infertile porphyry has been covered, particularly on the Renón (Ritten) by old moraines, which have been eroded by heavy rain, leaving the famous "earth pillars" capped by their protective boulders.
Sarentine Alps (Bolzano porphyries)
South of the Pusteria valley and to a lesser extent in the northeastern Sarentine Alps (Sarntaler Alpen) is a zone of quartz phyllites, mainly dark colored. In Rasciesa (Raschötz, 2,283m/7,534ft) and the southern Sarentine Alps this is overlaid by the Bolzano porphyries, hard reddish volcanic rocks of the Permian period.
