18 Mountain Farms on the Sonnenberg – San Martino

Course: San Martino in Monte (Mountain Station, Start) ➔ Egg ➔ Forra ➔ Laggar Ruins ➔ Zuckbichl Ruins ➔ Fallerbach Gorge ➔ Patsch Ruins ➔ Tappein ➔ Footpath No. 7 ➔ Castel Schlandersberg ➔ Steep descent (No. 7) ➔ Silandro (Destination)

This challenging hike leads you high above the Val Venosta valley floor from San Martino in Monte along the rugged slopes of the Sonnenberg to Silandro. Your hike begins with a scenic cable car ride from Laces to San Martino in Monte (1,740 m). Directly from the mountain station, follow the initially flat, paved farm track heading west past the rustic mountain farms of "Egg" and "Forra". Behind Forra, switch to a footpath that leads you through gently descending terrain to the historic ruins of "Laggar" and "Zuckbichl" (1,508 m). From Zuckbichl, the trail becomes adventurous: a steeply descending path leads you down into the deep, wild gorge of the Fallerbach stream. After crossing the stream, climb back up on the other side of the valley until you reach forest road No. 14 just before the ruins of Patsch (1,428 m). Follow this flat road heading west to the beautifully situated estate of Tappein (1,397 m). From the Tappein farm, walk down the paved access road until footpath No. 7 branches off to the right. Follow this path further downhill to another track, which leads you flat and to the right to the imposing Castel Schlandersberg (1,060 m). Passing directly to the left of the castle, descend steeply along trail No. 7 over a lateral moraine to Silandro. You can easily return to Laces using the Val Venosta railway or public bus.