Tyrol, Austria · Europe
Vals works well as a base: 5 minutes from Gries am Brenner, 5km from Brenner Pass.
Vals is a town located in Tyrol, Austria. With a population of 532, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Vals sits in Austria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Vienna time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Vals to your route.
The Brenner Base Tunnel (German: Brennerbasistunnel; Italian: Galleria di base del Brennero) is a 55-kilometre-long (34 mi) railway tunnel under construction through the base of the Eastern Alps beneath the Brenner Pass. Once completed, the Brenner Base Tunnel will rank as either the second or third longest railwayRead more
tunnel in the world, depending on the definition employed. It will be surpassed in length only by the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland and, depending on the relative completion dates of these projects, the Mont d'Ambin Base Tunnel between France and Italy. When combined with the Inntal Tunnel, which forms part of the existing Innsbruck bypass, the Brenner Base Tunnel will reach a length of 64 kilometres (40 mi), making it the longest underground railway connection in the world.
It will run from near Innsbruck, in Austria, to Franzensfeste/Fortezza, in Italy, replacing part of the current Brenner railway. The line is part of Line 1, the Berlin to Palermo route, of Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) and funded by Austria and Italy with large contributions by the European Union. The tunnel is scheduled to be completed in 2032.
The Brenner Pass, in the Alps at the border between Austria and Italy, is one of the most important traffic connections between northern and southern Europe, and the motorway going over it is infamous for its frequent traffic jams. Pollution from transit traffic is a major concern because of the combination of temperature inversion with the narrow shape of the valleys leading to the pass.
The goal is to relieve this situation by greatly improving the railway connection between Germany and Italy with the new tunnel, which will allow trains to cross the Alps much faster. Currently, speeds in the Brenner region barely exceed 70 km/h (43 mph) due to the steepness of the existing tracks, which cross the pass at an elevation of 1,371 metres (4,498 ft) above sea level.
The travel time from Innsbruck to Bolzano will be reduced from current 2 hours to just 50 minutes.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Vals.
Vals offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Vals is located in Tyrol, Austria, Europe. The coordinates are 47.0451 latitude, 11.5328 longitude.
Vals has a population of approximately 532 people, making it a town in Austria.
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Essential numbers in Austria
Motorway vignette required. ÖAMTC roadside assistance: 120.
Full driving guide for Austria8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
The lowest and most historic crossing of the main Alpine chain at 1,370 m, used since Roman times; today the old Brenner road offers a relaxed alternative to the autobahn on the Austria-Italy border.
5 km · about 10 min drive
bridge
The 190 m high, 815 m long motorway bridge carrying the Brenner Autobahn over the Sill gorge south of Innsbruck, for decades Europe's highest bridge and still an icon of Alpine engineering.
20 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
A futuristic Zaha Hadid-designed ski jump tower above Innsbruck with a panoramic café offering views over the city and surrounding Alps.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Ten minutes from Innsbruck yet skipped by nearly everyone, Hall preserves North Tyrol's largest intact medieval old town and the mint at Hasegg Castle that struck the world's first thaler coins.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Innsbruck's most famous landmark, a late-Gothic oriel window with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I.
27 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Alpine capital of Tyrol surrounded by dramatic peaks, with the Golden Roof, imperial palace, and Olympic ski jumps.
27 km · about 30 min drive
museum
A surreal crystal art park and museum near Innsbruck, fronted by a glittering water-spouting giant.
27 km · about 30 min drive
mountain pass
A popular South Tyrolean pass at 2094m connecting Sterzing to Passeiertal, beloved by motorcyclists for its perfectly maintained hairpins through Alpine meadows.
29 km · about 35 min drive
April to October
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