2nd Stage: Welsberg - Bruneck
We walk through Ried (upwards along the stream), avoiding the heavy traffic, and from there along a meadow and woodland path until we reach the Olang reservoir. The cycle path would be quicker but it is asphalted and also very busy.
The communities of Oberolang, Mitterolang and Niederolang are strung out behind each other and we cross them without any problem, but not without fi rst paying a visit to see the beautiful altarpiece in the Church of St. Aegidius in Mitterolang, which was probably painted by Michael Pacher. A pilgrimage church is to be expected on a pilgrimage route. However when they are practically a day’s walk apart along an ancient and important traffi c route, as in our case, then the answer is obvious and it is perfectly legitimate for us to walk in the tracks of the pilgrims.
Counting the Church of St. James in Nasen, which we head for after Niederolang, we fi nd in Strassen in East Tyrol, the third church dedicated to the pilgrims’ patron. If you include the one in Dietenheim, just before Bruneck, it would be four, if that one is not too out of the way for those on foot. On the southern exterior wall of the Gothic Church of St. James (15th century) in Nasen an especially beautiful work by Simon von Taisten is visible from far away, it is of St. Christopher standing in the sea surrounded by fabulous creatures. Inside we fi nd the pilgrims’ apostle depicted in the altar screen, as well as on a keystone in the nave.
There is a different route to Nasen for pilgrims whose rucksacks are not too heavy, and who are not afraid of the extra 150 m climb involved (even though we’re travelling out of the valley!), or for those who simply want to enjoy to the full the treasures of the Puster Valley. This route takes us to Taisten, home of the third great, but lesser known, artist of the Puster Valley. In the Church of St. George we discover Simon von Taisten’s wonderful frescoes (and those of Leonhard von Brixen). The frescoes in the cemetery of the Gothic Chapel of St. James (the second one after Strassen in East Tyrol) were created by Simon von Taisten.
Hiking trail 21 takes us further up the mountain across the Unterrainer mountain up to almost 1400 m above sea level and then down the mountain towards Niederrasen at the entrance to the Antholz Valley. Going out of the valley from there, we reach Neunhäusern on the Pustertaler Road and rejoin the Way of St. James about 500 m further on, along which we come to Nasen. Then we traverse back along the southern slope of the valley and reach the wonderful hiking trail 3 A – we only have to use the asphalt cycle path for a short distance - to Lamprechtsburg near Bruneck, from where a nature trail through the wild and romantic Rienz gorge brings us almost into the centre of the old town area of Bruneck. This birthplace of the great Michael Pacher was founded in the 13th century by the powerful Bishop Bruno of Brixen, in order to control the heavy traffi c which was even then passing through the Puster Valley. The charming old town area, which stands at the foot of the fortress-topped hill, the two together showing the town’s imposing fortifi cations – and the four town gates which are still standing reinforcing this impression – is really worth a visit. However we will not leave without paying our respects to Michael Pacher’s birthplace, and to the Gasthaus Lamm. An entire room in the hotel is hung with paintings and sketches by the two great painters of East Tyrol, Franz von Defregger and Albin Egger-Lienz – absolutely breathtaking!
Time:
Welsberg > Niederolang: 2 hrs.
Niederolang > Bruneck: 2 ¾ hrs.
Distance:
19.3 km
Hight differenceöhenunterschied:
Ascent: 338 m
Descent: 585 m
Information and accommodation:
TOURISM BOARD KRONPLATZ
Michael Pacher Strasse 11/A - I-39031 Bruneck
Tel. +39 0474 555 447
www.kronplatz.com - info@kronplatz.com
Tourist Office Welsberg
I-39035 Welsberg
Tel. +39 0474 944 118
www.welsberg.com - info@welsberg.com
Tourist Office Taisten
I-39035 Taisten
Tel. +39 0474 950 000
www.taisten.com - info@taisten.com
Tourist Office Rasen im Antholzer Tal
Niederrasen 60 - I-39030 Rasen
Tel. +39 0474 496 269
www.rasen.it - info@rasen.it
Tourist Office Olang
Florianiplatz 4 - I-39030 Olang
Tel. +39 0474 496 277
www.olang.com - info@olang.com
Tourist Office Bruneck
Rathausplatz 7 - I-39031 Bruneck
Tel. +39 0474 555 722
www.bruneck.com - info@bruneck.com