St. Jacob Legend Trail

Behind the parish church of Santa Cristina Valgardena, an easy hiking trail starts that is popular among young and old. Its destination is the little Church of St. Jacob, whose history is said to date back to the 12th century. It is not only idyllically situated, but is also adorned with beautiful Gothic frescoes in the presbytery and murals from the 16th century depicting the Legend of St. Jacob. This hill with the little church, called "dlieja da Sacun" in Ladin, is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Val Gardena with stunning view on the Dolomites.

The almost 6 km long path was designed by the pupils of the Santa Cristina primary school: 16 panels tell you the legend of the Count of St. Jacob in three languages. The young Count of Val Gardena, Jakob von Stetteneck, is said to have donated the little church after his return from Santiago di Compostela in gratitude for his life. He dedicated it to St. Jacob, the protector of hikers. At the end of the trail, at the Festil Farm, there is a last short steep ascent to the chapel at 1,608 m a.s.l. There and back, the Legend Trail can be done in about 2 hours.