Legend trail towards S. Giacomo

Walking in the footsteps of a fascinating legend, being rewarded with a wonderful view and getting to know the culture of Val Gardena at close quarters are just some of the many reasons to hike the Legend Trail.

What is the connection between Val Gardena and Santiago de Compostela? And how could a roast duck save the son of a count from certain death? If you want to find out this and much more, you should lace up your hiking boots and set off on the S. Giacomo Legend Trail.

There is a shorter and a longer version of this trail. For the shorter trail with a length of 5.7 km, hikers need an average of just under two hours. For the longer version (7.5 km), you should allow about two and a half hours. You can return by bus or on foot along the same route.

Val Gardena can be reached via the Brenner motorway (A22). From the Chiusa exit, it is only about 15 kilometres to S. Cristina. There are plenty of parking spaces available: you can easily park your car at the community square or the car park below the gym.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to S. Cristina. Leave the bus at the town hall stop and walk about 10 minutes to the starting point. Timetables can best be found via SüdtirolMobil.

The actual hiking trail begins at the Sovara Residence in S. Cristina and can be reached via a little-used road.

The Legend Trail recalls the legend of S. Giacomo and can be read on numerous display boards found along the path from Ortisei to S. Giacomo Church. The story takes place in the 14th century - a time when the Counts Stetteneck lived in a castle in Val Gardena and made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela out of joy for the son they had. When their son Giacomo was 20 years old, they were to set off.

During a rest stop in a Spanish castle, the host's daughter fell madly in love with the boy from Val Gardena, but he did not return her love. Deeply offended, the spurned Carmencita swore revenge and devised a ruse: she accused the young Giacomo of theft and hid the evidence of the imagined crime in his luggage. Seemingly caught in the act, the young count was arrested and hanged.

The heartbroken parents continued their pilgrimage to their destination and on the way back saw that their hanged son was still alive. They asked the Spanish count to release their son, who at first could not believe that Giacomo was alive. Only a roasted duck that suddenly fluttered away convinced him of this miracle. His daughter confessed her crime and Giacomo and his parents were able to return to Val Gardena in good health. The grateful count's son had a chapel built near his home castle in gratitude, which centuries after the castle was destroyed still stands today and delights visitors.

The Legend Trail is nowhere near as arduous as the journey Giacomo and his parents once undertook. As an easy, varied path, it leads through the forest and offers hikers new viewpoints of the Sassolungo time and again. And if you get tired in between, you will always find benches and nice resting places along the way.

Those who start their hike at the parish church in S. Cristina follow the forest path that begins directly behind the church. On this path, you will find the 16 text panels created by primary school pupils from S. Cristina, on which the legend of S. Giacomo can be read in detail once again.

The trail then passes the "Festil" farm. Here, hikers have a view of S. Giacomo's Church. A short, steep path then leads up to the chapel, which is considered the mother church of Val Gardena. While the number 1181 engraved in the bell tower indicates an earlier construction, according to legend, the church was only built in the 13th century. Several reconstructions and renovations define the chapel's appearance: While the exterior is Gothic, the interior has both Gothic and Baroque elements.

The high altar created by the Vinazer-Pescosta brothers is a real masterpiece. And the fresco painting on the outside of the church depicting St. Christopher with the infant Jesus is also worth seeing. After visiting the church, the short version of the Legend Trail leads back to S. Cristina along the same path. Alternatively, the high trail via the farmhouse Ulëta and over the Plesdinaz road is a wonderful way back to S. Cristina.

The station at S. Giacomo's Church is one of the most popular photo spots in Val Gardena. Anyone who has made it up to the church steeped in legend should not miss the opportunity to take a picture with the Sassolungo in the background.

Numerous benches and rest areas along the Legend Trail encourage you to stop and enjoy the food you have brought with you in the middle of nature. Those who would rather be pampered after their efforts can do so at the traditional Albergo Somont in S. Giacomo, where the team around the Insam family spoils its guests with traditional specialities of South Tyrolean cuisine. There is also a bus stop at the hotel from where you can return if necessary.