The hiking trail runs through the far reaches of the Ahrntal valley, amidst beautiful meadows, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the main Alpine range. The walk follows the babbling stream of the Ahr and leads to the famous Church of the Holy Spirit, with its rich history and legends.

Accessibility

From the A22 Brenner motorway, take the Brixen-Nord exit, then follow the Pustertal main road to Bruneck, where you turn off towards the Ahrntal valley and continue on to Kasern. Shortly after the village, the road ends and you can park in the large paid car park at the visitor centre.

Description

Starting from the large unpaved car park at the visitor centre of the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park in Kasern in the Ahrntal valley (1,595 m), we go round the traffic barrier and follow the tarmac road, which climbs gently up to Prastmann (1,619 m).

From here, a small, steep gravel path leads down to the bridge over the Ahr on the right (15% gradient), which then climbs via a short paved section to the Church of the Holy Spirit, one of South Tyrol’s most impressive sights. Inside the church, among other things, is the pierced cross (three holes in the rib area), around which an ancient legend is woven. According to the legend, a marksman once set off for a shooting competition in Pinzgau. To test his marksmanship once more, he shot at the cross three times in a sacrilegious manner. In Pinzgau, the marksman won a bull as a prize, which he brought home full of joy. But as the two passed the cross, the bull went wild and killed the marksman.

Back in the village of Prastmann, we follow the wide forest track, which winds gently up and down alongside the stream as it leads further into the valley. Surrounded by alpine scenery, between flowering willows and picturesque mountain huts, we pass small streams and ponds that invite us to stop for a short rest. To reach the Adleralm (1,671 m), we have to tackle a short, steep climb at the end (max. gradient 18%). For the little ones, there is a lovely playground and a small petting zoo by the hut. The return to Kasern follows the same route.