Archaeological trail Certosa/Karthaus - Latsch/Laces (A5)

Archaeological trail A5 begins in the village of Certosa/Karthaus where you can visit the cloister of the former Carthusian monastery. It then leads into the Penaud valley as far as the area known as “Karl Sumperer”. From here, you can view virtually the entire valley, with a panoramic view to the summits of the Similaun group of mountains. Arriving at Niederjöchl shortly after, you will have a magnificent view of Vinschgau valley, of the ice-capped peaks of the Cevedale and of the Martelltal valley. This is followed by the long descent to Sankt Martin am Kofel and its pilgrimage church. From here, it’s only a few minutes by cable car to Laces/Latsch.

After a brief visit to the remains of the Charterhouse (1,327 m), we set off: trail marker no. 20, following a forest road that leads into the Penaud Valley. After passing the ruins of the abandoned Penaudhof farm, we reach a bridge and soon after a wayside cross on the edge of a small flat area. The path then climbs again to a place with the curious name “Karl Sumperer”. It is dominated by a three-armed cross, a so-called weather cross, meant to protect against storms.

Every year around mid-June, believers walk through this valley on a rogation procession praying for a good harvest: it is practically the same route described here. The faithful begin their procession in the hamlet of Sankt Martin am Kofel, today’s destination. After crossing the Niederjöchl, they descend along the left-hand slope of the Penaud Valley to reach the church of Unser Frau in Schnals, where the parish priest meets them. After attending Holy Mass, they usually stay overnight with acquaintances before praying their way back to Sankt Martin am Kofel the next day. In earlier times, the inhabitants of Schnals would also cross the passes to make their pilgrimage to Sankt Martin (more information can be found in the printed version of the Archaeological Hiking Map).

We soon arrive at the Penaudalm (2,323 m), which offers refreshments and even some emergency beds. From here, the trail climbs again, and before long a sharply defined line catches the eye in the upper valley: a bright, snake-like feature – the remains of a “Waal”, an ancient irrigation channel. The Niederjöchl (2,662 m), which we reach shortly thereafter, provides a magnificent view of the Vinschgau, the ice-covered peaks of the Cevedale, and the Martell Valley (where archaeological finds have been made at over 2,400 metres). The landscape almost invites you to venture further between the giant mountains and continue southward.

We continue up the slope to the left until we reach a metal cross (2,720 m), where the long descent to Sankt Martin am Kofel begins, a hamlet made up of several farms that seem to cling to the steep mountainsides. Shortly after the pass, there is a simple hut used as an emergency shelter; then the trail winds quickly downhill, with a few exposed sections requiring attention. We reach the tree line, and soon the path joins a forest road that leads directly to the pilgrimage church of Sankt Martin am Kofel (1,776 m), which seems to be anchored to the slope like a ship ready to set sail.

From here, the cable car takes us down to Latsch (639 m) in just a few minutes. But don’t forget: in strong winds, the cable car service must be suspended. In that case, there’s only one solution—enjoy a meal at an inn and walk down!

Naturno/Naturns - Schnalstal Valley - Certosa/Karthaus

With the SAD bus nr. 261 to Certosa (bus stop Certosa)