14 Laces – Castel Obermontani & Ruine Untermontani

Course: Laces (Start) ➔ Ice Stadium ➔ Klobensteinegg ➔ Neuwaalsteig ➔ Margrin-Böden ➔ Castel Obermontani ➔ St. Stephen's Chapel ➔ Castel Untermontani Ruins ➔ Plima Footbridge ➔ Mareinwaal ➔ Bierkeller Inn ➔ Laces (Destination)

This varied circular hike in the Val Venosta combines lovely nature with fascinating historical highlights. You start in the town center of Laces and walk towards the ice stadium (Ice Forum). From there, pass through the wildlife gate heading west onto trail No. 5 towards Klobensteinegg. Continue westward along this forest path until you join the idyllic Neuwaalsteig trail (No. 5). Following this path at a nearly constant altitude, you will reach the scenic Margrin-Böden meadows (839 m). From the Margrin meadows, hike south along the former Neuwaalsteig until you meet the paved access road of the former marble quarry. Follow this road up to the impressive Castel Obermontani. From the castle, a short path leads you directly to the historic St. Stephen's Chapel (Sankt Stephan), which towers over the slopes above the Plima river. Right next to the chapel, trail No. 5 leads you along a lateral moraine down to the Untermontani Castle Ruins. Walk past the eastern side of the ruins and descend in a few bends through the orchards until you reach a wooden footbridge crossing the Plima. Before crossing the bridge, turn east towards Laces and follow the signs for Mareinwaal / Bierkeller. Walking along the gently babbling Mareinwaal canal (trail No. 5), you will reach the popular Bierkeller tavern and return comfortably to Laces on the paved farm track.