Discover Issing: Nature, Trails and Culture

A stay in Issing can be planned around different interests: Lake Issing is a nature destination, the LandArt Trail and the Four Churches Trail offer opportunities to get active, Bergila has a seasonal guided tour, and several attractions appeal to culture enthusiasts. When making your choice, the themes are not the only things that matter. The dates of the guided tours, the entry rule for Schöneck Castle and the possibility of getting a bus back after the Four Churches Trail may also play a role.

Nature at Lake Issing

Lake Issing is one of the last pond biotopes in South Tyrol; its plant and animal life is rich and diverse. The Kronaction Outdoor & Fun Park, South Tyrol’s largest high ropes course, is located right by the lake. This means visitors can choose between a natural biotope and a high ropes course at the same named location. Another natural attraction is the “Columnar Spruce.” This protected natural monument is a pendulous spruce and stands beside the main road between Hofern and Issing. At the lake, the focus is on its plant and animal life; at the Columnar Spruce, attention turns to a single protected tree.

Plan your walks and return journey

When planning your walks, distinguish between the LandArt Trail and the Four Churches Trail. The LandArt Trail runs from Pfalzen to Issing and can be started at Lake Issing. On the Four Churches Trail, St. Nicholas Church in Issing is one of the notable landmarks along the way. After completing the trail, you can take bus No. 421 from Issing or Mühlen back to the starting point. Check the timetable in advance if you plan to use this option. The trails can thus be compared by considering different questions: the LandArt Trail by its route and possible starting point, and the Four Churches Trail also by the return journey.

Bergila and seasonal guided tours

Bergila’s guided tours are offered seasonally: from May to the end of October, Bergila offers free tours of its Swiss pine oil distillery; no reservation is required. Plan your travel dates around this period and check the tour schedule again before setting off. The Bergila Experience Trail in Issing/Pfalzen includes an herb garden and a scent trail. The guided tour and the Experience Trail offer different ways to visit: the tour focuses on the Swiss pine oil distillery, while the herb garden and scent trail are part of the trail. This distinction helps you choose between Bergila’s two offerings according to your interests.

Church and Schöneck Castle

The cultural attractions offer different points of interest. At first glance, St. Nicholas Church in Issing displays features of Gothic architecture, and it is also one of the notable landmarks on the Four Churches Trail. It therefore combines an architectural impression with a role in helping visitors find their way along the trail. At Schöneck Castle, the ruins of the chapel and fragments of the historic wall have been preserved. The castle is privately owned and may not be entered. Check the entry rules before visiting the site.

Discover more destinations: San Martin In Thurn, Abtei, Welsberg-Taisten, Sand In Taufers, Ahrntal, Lappach, Mühlen In Taufers, Stern

View the main travel overview: Pustertal.