Issing: Nature, Trails and Culture in the Puster Valley

Issing at Issing Pond

Issing Pond is one of the last pond habitats in South Tyrol. It is rich in species and features a diverse range of plants and animals. The Kronaction Outdoor & Fun Park is located directly at Issing Pond. The Kronaction Outdoor & Fun Park is the largest high-ropes course in South Tyrol. The park’s immediate location by the pond connects the two local features without mixing their themes. For orientation around Issing, the pond and the park can therefore be considered separately. This keeps the nature and climbing themes clearly distinguishable from one another in one place.

LandArt Trail and Four Churches Trail

The LandArt Trail runs from Pfalzen to Issing and can be started at Issing Pond. The trail therefore leads from a possible starting point at the pond towards Issing. St. Nicholas Church in Issing is one of the notable landmarks along the Four Churches Trail. After completing the Four Churches Trail, you can take bus no. 421 from Issing or Mühlen back to the starting point. This return journey can be taken into account from the outset when planning if the return route is not to be completed entirely on foot. For the Four Churches Trail, the bus connection is therefore just as much a part of the practical planning as the trail itself. The start at the pond and the return by bus are located at different points in the trail planning.

Church and Schöneck Castle

At first glance, St. Nicholas Church in Issing displays features of Gothic architecture. The ruins of the chapel and fragments of the historic wall have been preserved at Schöneck Castle. Schöneck Castle is privately owned and may not be entered. This access restriction should be taken into account when planning a visit to Schöneck Castle. When exploring the area, it is therefore important to distinguish between the church building and the inaccessible castle.

Natural Monument between Hofern and Issing

The “Column Spruce” natural monument stands beside the country road between Hofern and Issing. The Column Spruce is a weeping spruce placed under nature protection. Its location beside the country road is part of the spatial context of this natural monument. For orientation between Hofern and Issing, this roadside location is therefore just as important a reference point as the tree’s protected status.

Bergila and the Pine Oil Distillery

From May to the end of October, Bergila offers free guided tours of the pine oil distillery. Reservations are not required. The Bergila Discovery Trail in Issing/Pfalzen includes a herb garden and a scent trail. The guided tour focuses on the pine oil distillery; the discovery trail leads to the herb garden and scent trail. When planning a visit to Bergila, the period from May to the end of October is the relevant timeframe for the guided tour. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer does not need to plan for a reservation. The guided tour and discovery trail can be treated as two separate activities during a visit to Bergila.

More destinations in the Puster Valley: La Valle, Percha, Toblach, Badia, Gsies, Luttach, Stern, Vintl

Back to the main travel overview: Puster Valley.