Casere-Knappenegg: Trails, Mining and Nature in the Ahrntal Valley

Casere-Knappenegg brings together different facets of the Ahrntal Valley: long-distance hiking, the nature park, mining history, religious culture and winter activities. The Kasern Nature Park Visitor Center is located at the parking lot at the end of the Ahrntal Valley and serves as the information center for the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park. On the ground floor, an exhibition presents traditional crafts and agriculture from the upper Ahrntal Valley. The location at the end of the Ahrntal Valley defines the contrast between high-altitude trails, underground tunnels and activities in the valley.

Long-distance trail through two protected areas

The Hoch-Tirol Trail connects Predoi at the end of the Ahrntal Valley with Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tyrol. Its route passes through the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria. In Casere, the Hoch-Tirol Trail begins at Casere’s large parking lot. From there, the trail leads through the valley toward the Aurino River and reaches the road near the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The signpost to Rifugio Giogo Lungo is clearly marked. Those planning to start the trail should use the parking lot, the Aurino River and the road near the Chapel of the Holy Spirit as reference points. The route through the valley and the crossing at the road form the first section.

Mining heritage in Prettau

The Knappensteig Prettau educational trail leads from the St. Ignaz Tunnel at an elevation of 1,500 meters to the Rötkreuz at 2,080 meters. Along the route are adits, meaning tunnel entrances, as well as the ruin-like remains of former mine buildings. The uppermost mining area begins at the “Jakober Stuben,” the ruin-like remains of former mine buildings at the entrance to the St. Jakob Tunnel. Anyone planning to hike the Knappensteig should take into account the elevation gain between 1,500 and 2,080 meters as an uphill section. The educational trail combines elevation information with the ruin-like remains of former mine buildings.

A mining train travels almost one kilometer into the St. Ignaz Tunnel of the disused Prettau mine. Tours into the Prettau Climate Tunnel can also be booked online. Visiting the St. Ignaz Tunnel and following the Knappensteig lead to two areas of Prettau’s mining heritage: underground by mining train and outdoors along adits and ruins. When planning your visit, the mining train separates the underground section from the trail through the surrounding terrain.

The Holy Spirit in a high-mountain valley

The pilgrimage church of the Holy Spirit is located in a narrow high-mountain valley. The Bishop of Brixen, Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa, consecrated the Church of the Holy Spirit and the cemetery in 1455.

Winter activities in Kasern

The Snowpark Kasern natural ice rink at the Kasern cross-country skiing center offers outdoor ice skating in an idyllic natural setting. In Kasern, the short groomed toboggan run directly at the parking lot has a conveyor belt called the “magic carpet” for children; snow tubing is also possible. The toboggan run is located directly at the parking lot, while the natural ice rink is at the cross-country skiing center. When planning your day, the parking lot and the cross-country skiing center should therefore be considered as different starting points.

Getting to Kasern

Bus route 450 runs to Kasern, terminating at the local final stop.

More destinations

You can also discover Wengen, Chienes, Badia, Issengo, Perca, Floronzo, San Lorenzo di Sebato and Sesto.

For the higher-level travel overview: Puster Valley.