RSAT30 Romea Strata VARIANT: Arnoldstein - Tarvisio/Mt. Lussari

In this variant, it is recommended to end the previous 7th stage of the Marian Pilgrim Route (Maria Gail near Villach to Feistritz/Gail) already in Arnoldstein. We then start the next morning in Arnoldstein at the parish church, dedicated to St. Lambert, and follow the Marian Pilgrim Route for about 2 km. Attention: The variant branches off from the marked Marian Pilgrim Route immediately after the bridge over the Gailitz (with its own foot and cycle path) to the left, leading between some houses and uphill through the forest. The Cammino Celeste also runs here. After passing under the motorway (A2), we reach a section that shows the old ruts of the Roman Road. We follow this path into and through the village of Maglern with Strassfeld Castle. After the settlement, the path gently descends through meadows and fields and we see the standalone parish church of Maglern. The famous Carinthian painter and city judge of the late Middle Ages, Thomas of Villach - who was born around 1435 very close to the church - spent 15 years creating two magnificent Gothic frescoes that adorn the choir area of the small church.

Arnoldstein - Parish Church Maglern: approx. 5 km

From the church, we head towards Unterthörl, cross the old federal road, and immediately reach the former border crossing between Austria and Italy. To the right behind the former customs buildings, we now continue on the paved Alpe-Adria Cycle Path ("Ciclovia Alpe-Adria"). It leads us slightly uphill into the forest and later follows the old, gently rising railway track to Coccau. After passing through the narrow streets of the village, we leave the cycle path and turn right towards the parish church of Coccau di Sopra (Obergoggau), which we reach after about 300 m.

Parish Church Maglern - Parish Church Coccau: approx. 6.5 km

Above the church, to the right of the parsonage (with a fountain), we continue our path between the few houses and then turn right, slightly uphill, on the village road. Attention: After a wayside cross and about 100 m, we have to turn sharply right and then sharply left again onto the forest and hiking trail. Here is also the R5 section of the Alpe-Adria Trail. We follow the beautiful forest path on the ridge and already above the eastern part of Tarvisio down to the main square with the town parish church.

Parish Church Coccau - Town Parish Church Tarvisio: approx. 4.5 km

It is delightful to stroll further westwards through the charming town, and there are several possibilities for this. The best is to follow the old main street left from the church to the roundabout, then take the less busy road at the first exit and then walk for about 600 m along the state road past the barracks out of town. At the next intersection, turn left and continue on gravel and partly meadow paths. We keep right and stay for about 2 km at the foot of the hill along the forest edge. We cross some ski slopes or ascent aids. Finally, after the inn "Alte Hütte," we reach a paved transverse road again, which we follow uphill to the left past a parking lot. Several information boards, signs, and wayside shrines already indicate that we are at the starting point of the so-called "Büßerweg". Several pilgrim and long-distance hiking trails now lead up this steep forest path and trail directly to the famous pilgrimage site Monte Lussari. It is lined with many wayside crosses and simple shrines.

Town Parish Church Tarvisio - Pilgrimage Church Monte Lussari: approx. 8.5 km