Freienfeld: Pilgrimage, Castle and Trails

Freienfeld brings together the history of pilgrimage, castle culture and trails through woodland and meadows. If you are looking for a hotel in Freienfeld, deciding what you want to focus on can help you plan your trip: Are you most interested in religious art, historic interiors or nature? Maria Trens and Reifenstein Castle offer cultural highlights; trails and natural sites appeal to travellers who want to spend time outdoors. This lets you tailor your stay to the subjects that interest you most.

Pilgrimage and Castle Culture

The pilgrimage church of Maria Trens has a Rococo interior, which includes a ceiling painting by Joseph Adam Mölk. The Chapel of Grace near Maria Trens was built in 1726/27. The devotional image at Maria Trens is carved from Swiss stone pine, depicts Mary and the Child, and was created around 1470, according to a South German scholar. The church and devotional image offer different ways to explore the religious art and history of the area.

Reifenstein Castle, also known as Castel Tasso, is located in the municipality of Freienfeld and is considered one of South Tyrol’s best-preserved and most historically significant castles. Rooms open to visitors include the original castle kitchen, the bathing room, medieval sleeping alcoves in the residential tower, panelled parlours and the famous Green Hall. The visit therefore takes in both spaces used in everyday life and the well-known hall. The castle can be reached on bus route 310, which runs hourly.

Trails with Different Themes

The Bee Trail in Trens starts at the cultural centre in the village centre and runs for two kilometres south through woods and meadows towards Valgenäun. Information boards and interactive stations explain the life of bees and how honey and other bee products are made. The trail is suitable for pushchairs. It combines a nature theme with stops that provide specific information along the way.

The pilgrimage trail from Sprechenstein to Maria Trens was established in 2001 and has 14 stations. Its theme differs from that of the Bee Trail: here, the sequence of stations connects the trail with pilgrimage, while the Bee Trail focuses on information about bees. The Trens–Valgenäun circular walk leads from the pilgrimage site of Maria Trens along a walking path to the hamlet of Valgenäun. There you will find the Church of St Valentine, which is of cultural and historical interest; this circular walk is also suitable for pushchairs.

Natural Sites and Hikes

Rofis Boden in Stilfes has a small natural pond, extensive green meadows, a barbecue area, a pavilion and a playground made from natural materials. As parking is limited, travelling by public transport is recommended. These features make it a different kind of destination from the churches and castle: here, the focus is on meadows, the pond and the playground.

Cima di Stilves (Zinseler) is located in the municipality of Campo di Trens. The panoramic mountain is suitable for the whole family; hikes are especially rewarding at sunrise and sunset. The time of day is therefore one specific factor to consider when planning this hike.

For the hike from Pfulters to Puntleider See, take trails Nos. 16 and 14. The lake is at an altitude of 1,850 metres.

Discover more destinations: Ratschings, Mareit, Mauls, Pfitsch, Franzensfeste, Brenner, Sterzing

Return to the main travel overview: Wipptal.