Winterwanderungen in der Dolomitenregion Kronplatz

The butterfly trail in St. Sigmund

The scattered farms on the sunny slopes between St. Sigmund and Terenten look after the landscape with great care. Flowering meadows, fragrant forests and natural vegetation provide an ideal habitat for butterflies. The beautiful Gothic church of St. Sigmund is worth seeing right at the starting point. The parish church is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in South Tyrol. First mentioned in 1363, the present building was erected between 1449 and 1489. The high altar (1440) is one of the oldest and most important winged altars in South Tyrol.
Later on the hike, you will come across contemporary witnesses of natural history, such as the boulders or the giants of Ehrenburg, who, according to legend, brought down the Guggenschlößl with large stone balls. Today, a ruin is a reminder of the wild times. Passing the Schiffereggerhof farm, you return to the starting point.

From Niederrasen to Oberrasen (culture house) > along the river > after approx. 1 km turn right on a country lane > further on northwards to the biotope (the moor area - an integral natural reserve with nature trail).

This hike can also be started from Antholz Niedertal or Antholz Mittertal!

From Niederrasen (Haus Hölzl) > on the left side walk on the edge of the woods > foresty road > Alte Goste.

A stroll through times long gone

More than 2000 years ago, the Pusteria/Pustertal valley was put under the administrative control of the Roman Empire. Today, a stroll through Casteldarne/Ehrenburg reveals many a witness of the times when the valley formed part of the Noricum Province, formerly a vast Celtic kingdom. A 2 m column sculpted from quartz phyllite is one of the best-preserved Roman milestones. Erected under the rule of Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus, it marks the distance to the Roman city of Aguntum near Lienz in East Tyrol. The magnificent Ehrenburg Castle, which dates back to 1250, is another sight not to be missed. Casteldarne/Ehrenburg with its traditional wooden fences and pretty dry stone walls, is the ideal place to stop, sit back, and take in the marvelous views of the soft-rolling meadows and craggy peaks of the Fundres/Pfunders massif.
There are a number of inns to take a well-deserved break at: Gasthof Gatterer, Gasthof Obermair, Bar Cafè Pub Karo, and Hotel zur Post.

This leisurely walk next to the river Rienz leads from St. Lorenzen/San Lorenzo to Bruneck/Brunico.

Antholz Mittertal > Ausserweger sawmill > mark n. 6 > after 300 m turn right > path "Franzosensteig" n. 11 > Wanzlerhof > Klammer > Eggerhöfe > sports area > back to the starting point.