Casere-Knappenegg: Hoch-Tirol Trail and Mining

For getting your bearings in Casere, the Hoch-Tirol Trail is a specific starting point: it begins at Casere’s large car park. From there, the route follows the valley towards the Aurino stream and meets the road near the Chapel of the Holy Spirit; the signpost to Rifugio Giogo Lungo is clearly marked. The stated starting point helps with local route planning, while the trail also describes a longer cross-border route.

The long-distance hiking trail connects Predoi at the end of the Ahrntal valley with Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tyrol. It passes through the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park. The same trail therefore offers both a specific starting point in Casere and a route across the border. Anyone interested in the trail can distinguish between these two scales: the stated start at the car park and the route between the Ahrntal valley and East Tyrol.

Outdoor activities

In Kasern, the Snowpark Kasern natural ice rink near the cross-country skiing centre offers outdoor skating amid idyllic natural surroundings. Another option is the short, groomed toboggan run in Kasern: the “magic carpet” conveyor belt for children is right by the car park, and snow tubing is also available. The activities offer different options—ice skating at the natural rink, or tobogganing and snow tubing on the run. As seasonal operating details may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Mining history in Prettau

The mining heritage can be experienced in different ways. A mine train takes you almost one kilometre into the St. Ignaz tunnel of the disused Prettau mine. You can book online for visits to the Prettau climate gallery. The Knappensteig Prettau educational trail leads from the St. Ignaz tunnel at 1,500 metres to the Rötkreuz at 2,080 metres. Along the way are adits and ruined remains of former mine buildings. This offers two different ways to explore: a journey underground and an educational trail through the mining landscape.

The “Jakober Stuben” also tell the story of the mine’s former use: this is the name given to the ruined remains of former mine buildings at the entrance to the St. Jakob tunnel. The uppermost part of the mining area begins there. The name, the tunnel entrance and the start of this section give the place a specific connection to mining history.

Nature park house and culture

The Kasern Nature Park House is located at the car park at the end of the Ahrntal valley and serves as the information centre for the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park. On the ground floor, an exhibition showcases handicrafts and agriculture from the upper Ahrntal valley. The house thus combines information about the nature park with insights into regional crafts and agriculture.

The pilgrimage church of the Holy Spirit is situated in a narrow high-mountain valley. Its history is associated with a specific year: in 1455, Cardinal Nikolaus Cusanus, Bishop of Brixen, consecrated the church and cemetery. This offers a historical point of interest alongside the nature and mining themes.

Getting there and practical planning

Bus route 450 runs to Kasern, where it terminates. Check the current timetable before travelling, as transport details may change. For planning purposes, Kasern is the stated terminus. If you plan to visit the Prettau climate gallery, you can book online. Check seasonal operating information for the toboggan run and natural ice rink before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Olang, Innichen, Gsies, Percha, Bruneck, Toblach, Sand In Taufers, Rasen-Antholz.

Back to the main travel overview: Pustertal.