Four Churches Trail

Bruneck and surroundings
Add to favourites
Category
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
1:53
in hours
Distance
6.6
in km
Suggested period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

The Four Churches Trail leads through the diverse natural and cultural landscape of the Pustertal plateau of the central mountain range. The churches of St. Valentin in Greinwalden/Grimaldo, St. Cyriak in Pfalzen/Falzes, St. Nikolaus in Issing/Issengo and St. Johannes in Haselried represent special signposts. These places of energy also offer spiritual impulses for the way ahead.

Route data
Intermediate
Distance
6,6 km
Duration
1 h 53 min
Ascent
184 m
Decent
107 m
Physical condition
Scenary
Highest point
1.018 m
Lowest point
914 m
Directions

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 (no. 421) from Issing or Mühlen back to the starting point of the hike.
It is also possible and worthwhile to walk individual sections of the Four Churches Trail.

Attention: St. Valentine's Church and St. John the Baptist Church are closed and can be visited only with a guide (on request). The little chapel next to the church in Hasenried is always open.

How to get there

Public transport from Mobility Center Bruneck/Brunico:
With the bus 421 or 422 to Greinwalden/Grimaldo.

You might be interested in
Discover related tours
Gais-Uttenheim | © @BruneckKronplatzTurismus, Bruneck Kronplatz Tourismus
Intermediate
Add to favourites
Bruneck and surroundings
The Valley Floor Trail from Gais via Uttenheim to Mühlen (Element paths)
Distance 5,8 km
Duration 1 h 41 min
Ascent 190 m
Decent 184 m
Bruneck and surroundings
LandArt trail
Distance 2,3 km
Duration 1 h 00 min
Ascent 49 m
Decent 49 m
Bruneck and surroundings
Legend Trail
Distance 3,7 km
Duration 1 h 01 min
Ascent 86 m
Decent 86 m
Hasenried | © Klara Oberlechner, Bruneck Kronplatz Tourismus
Intermediate
Add to favourites
Bruneck and surroundings
Four Churches Trail - variant St Martin church in Hofern
Distance 10,1 km
Duration 3 h 02 min
Ascent 409 m
Decent 192 m
Harald Wisthaler | © Harald Wisthaler, Bruneck Kronplatz Tourismus
Intermediate
Add to favourites
Bruneck and surroundings
The story of stones
Distance 16,3 km
Duration 3 h 00 min
Ascent 422 m
Decent 422 m
St. Nikolaus Church Issing | © Klara Oberlechner, Bruneck Kronplatz Tourismus
Intermediate
Add to favourites
Bruneck and surroundings
Four Churches Trail - variant Sichelburg castle
Distance 7,3 km
Duration 2 h 05 min
Ascent 207 m
Decent 146 m