Castelfeder Walk

A family-friendly hike to the “Arcadia of Tyrol”

Just 5 km from Tramin, this scenic walk begins at the Schwarzenbach recreation area in Auer and leads to Castelfeder, a distinctive porphyry hill. With its dry grasslands, gnarly oaks and rugged rock formations, the 405 m high hill is often called the “Arcadia of Tyrol” – a mythical place steeped in history and legends. The entire area is a protected nature reserve, home to small ponds, wetlands, and a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Castelfeder is perfect for families. For children, the hill is a natural adventure playground – with rocks to climb, mysterious ruins to explore, and many plants and animals to discover. Adults can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this unique place of energy and recharge in the midst of nature. As there is little shade on the plateau, the hike is especially recommended in spring or autumn when temperatures are pleasant. From the summit, a wide panorama opens up over the South Tyrolean lowlands: the Adige Valley, Kaltern and Eppan lie at your feet, and to the south you can spot the Salurner Klause, the natural border to Trentino.

After crossing the wooden bridge near the sports hall and tennis courts, the path leads under the bypass road and to the foot of the Castelfeder hill. From here, the ascent begins on trail no. 5A, past a rest bench to a first gentle rise with lovely views. Hikers can also switch to trail 5B, which runs through a marshy meadow and rejoins the main route higher up.

The trail, now marked as no. 5, continues across meadows and rocky outcrops up to the Castelfeder plateau (405 m). At the top, you’ll feel transported back in time: remains of a late Roman fortress, parts of a defensive wall, and the small St. Barbara Chapel from the 6th century are still visible. You’ll also find the legendary “fertility stone” – a smooth rock believed by local tradition to have magical powers.

The return is via the same path. If you have time and energy, you can extend the tour: a blue-white marked trail leads down the southeastern slope in about 20 minutes to the road to Montan. From there, you can continue to the charming wine village of Pinzon and return to Auer via trail no. 4, passing through vineyards and woodland. This option turns the hike into a varied half-day circular route that remains easy and family-friendly.

• Walking time: approx. 2 hours round trip
• Difficulty: easy
• Highlights: scenery, history & pure nature – perfect for families!