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St. Valentin's ChurchPhoto: Klara Oberlechner, Bruneck Kronplatz Tourismus
The Four Churches Trail leads through the diverse natural and cultural landscape of the Pustertal plateau of the central mountain range.
The Four Churches Trail around Pfalzen combines culture, history and nature in a particularly charming way. This varied themed walk leads through the distinctive cultural landscape of the Puster Valley and focuses on four remarkable religious buildings that reflect different eras and architectural styles.
Among the cultural highlights is St Valentine’s Church, which, with its late-Gothic architecture, ranks among the region’s special gems. In Pfalzen, the parish church of St Cyriacus and the Holy Family is particularly impressive, its interior decoration closely linked to the history of the church’s patron saint. St Nicholas’ Church in Issing surprises visitors with its fascinating interplay of a Gothic exterior and Baroque elements inside. The walk concludes on a atmospheric note at the church in Hasenried, dedicated to St John the Baptist. The village was once a much-visited place of pilgrimage, as the spring water there was believed to possess special healing powers.
As well as its artistic and cultural-historical highlights, the walk offers a wealth of scenic views. Meadows, woods and rural hamlets provide plenty of variety and constantly invite you to stop and take in the views. The Four Churches Trail is therefore ideal for anyone wishing to combine a longer walk with regional history, sacred art and the experience of nature. It impressively illustrates just how closely the landscape, faith and rural culture are intertwined in the Puster Valley.
Author’s recommendation
It is possible and worthwhile to walk individual sections of the Four Churches Trail. St. Valentine's Church and St. John the Baptist Church are closed. St. Valentine's can be visited on request.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
As the hiking trails can be icy in winter, it is advisable to use microspikes.
Roadbook
The starting point of the Four Churches Trail is Greinwalden/Grimaldo. From here you reach St. Valentine's Church, the first stage of the themed trail, which is one of the architectural jewels of the valley's late Gothic style. The trail continues along markings 7 and 17A to the centre of Pfalzen/Falzes, where the parish church of St. Cyriak and the Holy Family is located. St. Cyriak was once a deacon in Rome and suffered martyrdom under Emperor Diocletian. The high altarpiece, a work by Karl von Henrici, portrays this martyrdom. Next, follow path no. 7 to the church of St. Nicholas in Issing/Issengo. At first sight, it seems to have all the characteristics of Gothic architecture, but if you take a look inside, you will see that it has Baroque features. Then trail no. 5 leads to the Issing/Issengo pond, from where you walk to Mühlen (marker 1) and on to Hasenried. The last stage of the themed trail was once a much-visited pilgrimage site, as its spring water was said to have special healing powers. The church of Hasenried is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and was built in the simple late Gothic style. From Hasenried, follow the Pfaffensteig trail (marker 7B) to Pfalzen and return to Greinwalden on trail 17A. Alternatively, you can take the bus 421 from Issing or Mühlen back to the starting point of the hike.
Natural monument "Säulenfichte"
Doll Museum
Parish Church Saint Cyriak
Parish Church Saint Cyriak
Church Saint Nikolaus
Church Saint Valentin
Public transport
Bus 421 Bruneck-Vintl to Pfalzen, bus stop "Greinwalden"
Bus 422 Bruneck-Pfalzen, bus stop "Greinwalden"
Train 400 Franzensfeste-Bruneck, bus stop Vintl + bus 421 Vintl-Bruneck to Pfalzen, bus stop "Greinwalden"
train 400 Franzensfeste-Bruneck, stop Bruneck central station + bus 421 Bruneck-Vintl to Pfalzen or bus 422 Bruneck-Pfalzen, bus stop "Greinwalden"
train 400 Lienz-Innichen-Bruneck, stop Bruneck central station + bus 421 Bruneck-Vintl to Pfalzen or bus 422 Bruneck-Pfalzen, bus stop "Greinwalden"
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
From Bruneck, head west towards Stegen and then follow the signs for Pfalzen. Drive uphill along Pfalzner Straße road SP40 for about 4 km. Then turn right towards Greinwalden and follow Greinwaldner Straße. After about 800 m, you’ll reach the centre of Greinwalden and thus the starting point of the Four Churches Trail.
Parking
Some free parking lots near the restaurant pizzeria Winkler.
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions