The silence among the many meters tall trees has a calming and relaxing effect on the soul. The tantalising aromatic scent of the forest floor represents vitality and life, as does the murmur of the fresh spring water of a small brook. The light of the sun shines carefree through the tops of the trees, creating a stunning interplay of colours, letting you dream and allowing your thoughts to drift.

But forest is much more than this. With an area of 302.50 square kilometres, Val Sarentino is the largest municipality in South Tyrol. Almost half of it - 139.10 square kilometres, or 46 percent of the entire area - is covered by coniferous forests. And these forests produce what we humans need so urgently to breathe: oxygen.
Approximately 30 tons of oxygen per hectare per year. This means that our Val Sarentino forests generate 417,300 tons of oxygen over twelve months - which would enable us to supply Tokyo, with its 38 million inhabitants, with oxygen for 2.2 days. In addition, each hectare of trees filters 50 tons of soot and dust from the atmosphere.

It is not surprising that Val Sarentino is called the green lungs of the already green South Tyrol. Nor that these forests are valued by locals and visitors alike for their vital function and as a place for recreation.