Astfeld – Trails, Rivers and Sarntal History

Discover Astfeld through its trails and cultural landmarks. The valley circular trail starts in Astfeld and continues in the direction of Durnholz to the Timpfler circular trail. Other hikes described here start in Campolasta. When planning, it is therefore worth checking the relevant starting point and stated walking time.

Trails and excursions from Astfeld and Campolasta

The valley circular trail from Astfeld takes you to the little Erasmus Church. At the nearby junction, a visit to the quill-embroidery workshop is recommended. If you want to include this detour in your plans, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

From Campolasta, an approximately 45-minute walk first follows the footpath and then passes through the small Winklerwaldl wood to Saulegg Brünnl. The Campolasta–Winkler Waldl–Saulegg Brünnl route is also suitable for outings with a stroller.

A hike from Campolasta also leads to St. Valentin Chapel. Historically, the chapel was a pilgrimage destination. The nearby Mesnerhof is a place to stop for refreshments during this outing. Check before your visit whether it is currently possible to stop there. A mule track also leads from Campolasta to Monteganda/Gentersberg in about half an hour. There, St. Valentin’s Church, with frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries, is another cultural point of interest. A hike from Campolasta also leads to Lago di San Pancrazio; mountain bikers can ride from there to a mountain pass.

For a direct comparison of journey times, there is the approximately half-hour mule track to Monteganda/Gentersberg and the roughly 45-minute walk to Saulegg Brünnl. These are approximate times for different destinations. Choose your route according to the place you want to visit, and bear in mind that one time refers to a walk and the other to a mule track.

River landscape and orientation

Campolasta lies at an altitude of 1,021 metres, where the Sarntal branches into the Valdurna and Pennes valleys. The Rio Valdurna is another landmark: after about twelve kilometres, it flows into the Talfer at Villa-Campolasta. The confluence is 1,010 metres above sea level. These details help illustrate the river’s course and the altitude of the confluence without conflating the two locations or measurements.

Churches, architectural history and craftsmanship

The history of the smelting works in Campolasta is connected with the processing of metal ores from the Sarntal and silver ores from Terlan and Nals. In its historical context, the works were operated by the Teutonic Order. The types of ore and their places of origin provide a concrete insight into the processing carried out at the time. Haus Schussbrugg is a protected 16th-century building that has been preserved in its original form. In Villa, St. Nicholas Church dates back to 1367. St. Erasmus Church in Campolasta, dedicated to Saint Erasmus, dates from the 18th century and features ceiling frescoes.

The Sarner Reggele is also part of the local craft tradition: it is a typical pipe used by farmers in the Sarntal. At Peter Ainhauser’s workshop in Villa, you can discover the Sarner Reggele and traditional Sarntal costume accessories. If you would like to visit the workshop, check in advance whether it is open to the public. This makes local craftsmanship a distinct stop to consider alongside the churches, historic buildings and trails described here.

Discover more destinations: Petersberg, St. Johann, Santa Valburga, Antholz Mittertal, Slingia, Colle di Fuori, Oberinn, Barbiano

For the broader travel overview: Bolzano.