4 holy paths in the Austrian Tyrol, among the mountains on the footsteps of pilgrims

Among the holy paths in the Austrian Tyrol the most famous is the Tyrolean section of the Camino de Santiagowhile for the more mountaineering pilgrims there are mountain pilgrimages High & Holy and the Way of San Romedio, where you can also walk in South Tyrol. L’Euregio Marienweg n° 2on the other hand, opens its gaze onto the Kufstein region and the neighboring Bavarian area.

4 holy paths in the Austrian Tyrol, among the mountains following the steps of the pilgrims

Pilgrimage is a slow but constantly moving, long journey paths steeped in spirituality, lives, stories and traditions. Step by step we return to the essentials, we find time to organize our thoughts and get closer to ourselves. There are many reasons that push people today to undertake a pilgrimage: not least the desire to prefer a slow and therefore more sustainable form of tourism, but also the desire to test themselves to better understand their own body and strengths. “How far will my feet take me today?”

There are some in the Austrian Tyrol 4 great pilgrimage routes that preserve an intact, authentic and rare beauty because, unlike the most famous paths in the world, they are not overcrowded and can be followed in absolute quiet, encountering the hospitality of the local people and gathering a unique wealth of ancient knowledge and naturalistic experiences. Not only do ancient churches and chapels invite you to linger, but It is above all in nature that pilgrims in Tyrol discover exceptional places which become for them a source of personal inspiration and reflection. For example, the Tischoferhöhle cave in the Kaisertal valley (Kufsteinerland) which descends to 40 meters deep and whose settlements date back to the Stone Age; or the monumental Grawa waterfall in the Stubai Valley.

1. Tyrolean Way of St. James

The most famous of the holy paths in the Austrian Tyrol, the Camino de Santiago, naturally also passes through Tyrol. Here pilgrims follow the historic route (also called Via Tirolensis) from Strub / Waidring in the Pillerseetal valley through the Inn Valley to St. Christoph. Once you reach the Arlberg pass, you also reach the highest point of the entire Camino de Santiago. Numerous locations along the route are dedicated to St. James and present evidence of the transit of pilgrims through the Inn Valley since the Middle Ages.

The Tyrolean Way of St. James covers 270 kilometers on forest roads, asphalt roads and paths. How many kilometers can be covered in a day is given by the individual pilgrim, but in general it is distributed around 11 or 13 stages. Accommodation is found almost everywhere along the route and numerous parishes also offer beds for pilgrims. One of the oldest places encountered on the path of this pilgrimage is the monastery of St. Georgenberg near Stans bei Schwaz, which can be reached by crossing the Wolfsklamm Gorge on foot along a path of about one kilometre, characterized by 354 steps and bridges of wood, immersed in a wild and impressive landscape.

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2. Hoch & Heilig, from Alto Adige to Carinthia

The Hoch & Heilig cross-border mountain pilgrimage in East Tyrol allows you to discover evocative Alpine locations, chapels, places of worship but also energy centers of nature with healing power. The almost 200 kilometer long route starts from Lavant in Alto Adige and arrives via San Candido to Heiligenblut in Carinthia following ancient pilgrimage paths. It is divided into nine stages, each of which has its own motto, stories and stimulating meditation practices or rituals to practice.

Per exceed 13,000 meters of total altitude difference it is essential to have high mountain experience, good physical condition and the right equipment. However, less trained pilgrims should not be discouraged because at each stage they can personalize their route and decide how much altitude difference to make, without compromising their finish line. Single or multiple stages of the Hoch & Heilig trail in Tyrol can be done on request in the company of mountain guides.

3. The Way of San Romedio

From Thaur in Tyrol to the pilgrimage site of San Romedio in Val di Non (Trentino Alto Adige), across 180 kilometers in length and a difference in altitude of 10,000 metres. This route divided into 12 stages, each of which ends in the valley, is among the most recent pilgrimages, inaugurated only in 2014. Walking in the high mountains opens your gaze to impressive landscapes and breathtaking views that give the pilgrim a boundless sense of freedom.

On this path pilgrims follow in the footsteps of medieval folk saint and hermit Romedio and find welcoming accommodations where to stay overnight. Among the most significant places is the Maria Waldrast monastery (at the foot of Mount Serles in the Stubai Valley), a timeless nature retreat that invites you to take a contemplative break. Alpine experience, surefootedness, ability to overcome vertigo and adequate alpine equipment are the necessary requirements to best tackle the Romediusweg and be able to safely overcome the passes and avoid risks.

4. Euregio Marien-Weg long-distance trail n° 2

It’s about a cross-border circular hiking trail in the Austrian-Bavarian border area. For a total of 309 kilometres, it connects numerous pilgrimage sites, churches and chapels, closely linked to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Marien-Weg n. 2 starts from Marienbrunnen in Kufstein via Kössen to Lofer, continues to Fieberbrunn and from there reaches St. Johann in Tirol and Going. The trail runs alongside the scenic Wilder Kaiser to Kramsach, Bayrischzell and Kiefersfelden and returns to the starting point in Kufstein.

This pilgrimage is technically easy to master, but requires a good level of fitness: 13-day tours are recommended for an average of between 20 and 29 kilometers per day. Accommodation is easy to find along the road. There are no particular technical challenges on well-maintained paths and roads, but good endurance is required.
More information on pilgrimage routes, places of pilgrimage and places of power: at www.tyrol.com (in English)

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2024-04-02 08:06:53
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