Autumn hike in the Valdurna Valley

The Valdurna Valley is the longest side valley of the Val Sarentino: Our autumn hike follows the western slope opposite the village of San Martino to the blue Lake Valdurna

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Near San Martino, on the road from Sarentino to Valdurna, there is the junction of the path to the Agrathof farm - this is our starting point.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We follow the asphalted path which leads slightly uphill to the Agrathof farm.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Autumnal meadows and sheep, in the background the houses of San Martino are visible.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Our ascent is closely watched by horse and cow.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Shortly before the Agrathof (in the picture) we turn left and follow the gravel road to the forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
So we reach the path no. 4 and follow the signpost towards Valdurna (Durnholz).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Foto: AT, © Peer
We always follow the signs to Valdurna, here the path branches off to the right.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The forest path is replaced by a trail.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We continue through coniferous and mixed forests towards Valdurna.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Slightly up and down…
Foto: AT, © Peer
Again and again the forest is interrupted by meadows and farms - here the hiking route no. 4 runs on an asphalted road for a short section.
Foto: AT, © Peer
At the edge of the forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Now, in autumn, the mixed forest shows beautiful colours.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Our destination is in sight: Valdurna with the St. Nicholas Church at the end of the valley.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Before we reach the village, we pass the Lady Chapel (Wegmannkirchl).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Valdurna in autumn.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Pronn Farms above Valdurna.
Foto: AT, © Peer
There are several places to stop for refreshments in the village, e.g. the Jägerhof tavern.
Foto: AT, © Peer
View on the St. Nicholas Church.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Inside there is a large cycle of old frescoes which were discovered and uncovered a few years ago.
Foto: AT, © Peer
At the end we reach the beautiful Lake Valdurna.
Foto: AT, © Peer
On the southern shore of the lake the bus stop of the bus connection to Sarentino can be found, which takes us back to San Martino.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Our hike starts in San Martino (Reinswald) in the Valdurna valley, where the path to the Agrathof farm branches off at the west side of the valley road. We first take the asphalted path up to the Agrathof farm and then the road towards the forest. This then joins path no. 4, which we follow towards north (Valdurna). At the beginning we walk on a gravel road, later the signs lead us to a forest path. The path no. 4 continues slightly up and down at an altitude between 1,500 and 1,600 m a.s.l., crosses woods and meadows and passes farms.

Again and again, where the forest thins out, we can see the opposite side of the valley. Now, in autumn, the landscape is characterised by coloured larches and deciduous trees. After about 10 km we reach the valley bottom at Valdurna. The small village is located at the edge of the beautiful Lake Valdurna. Worth seeing is the St. Nicholas Church with an old fresco cycle. There are also several places to stop, e.g. at the Jägerhof tavern.

Back to our starting point we take the bus from Valdurna towards Sarentino. This hike through the beautiful landscape of this side valley is not difficult, only at the beginning there is a longer ascent to be mastered and a bit of surefootedness is necessary at some short sections.

Author: AT

difficulty: moderate