With many great works of art to be discovered, this hiking circuit from Brixen/Bressanone runs to St. Andrä/S. Andrea and then Klerant/Cleran. In fact, a number of the small churches on the low-lying St. Andrä mountains are home to masterpieces of the late Gothic period. The sacred aura and historical significance of these treasured works of art make the scenic Eisacktal Valley even more captivating.
The starting point is on the Widmannbrücke bridge (560 m) in Brixen, near where the Eisack and Rienz rivers meet. Follow the river north to Guggenbergstrasse street (which soon becomes Lüsnerstrasse street). Turn right at the bend onto trail no. 6 and continue slightly uphill along a dirt road to Trunthof farm (over the bridge to the left) up to Karnol/Cornale. On the hill stands a small church in honour of St. John the Baptist dating to the Renaissance era (around 1520). In the apse is an excellently preserved fresco depicting the martyrdom of St. Ursula. Heading towards Burgstall, continue the hike to St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo and then continue south along the forest road (trail no. 12) to St. Andrä (958 m), with its beautiful old church. The Parish Church of St. Andrä first appeared in the old records as far back as 1177 and was later rebuilt around 1485. Today it remains much the same as it was during the late Gothic period. Head south on uneven ground and take trail no. 18 across the Lamplgraben ditch to Obermellaun/Melluno di Sopra (898 m). The small Church of St. Johann in Mellaun/Melluno is a simple, single-nave construction dating from the mid-15th Century. Continuing further south, follow trail no. 18 to Klerant (856 m) until you reach the parish church. With its late Gothic frescoes, the St. Nikolaus-Kirchlein Church is rich in art history. Then descend to Milland/Millan along trail no. 8/7, to the ancient Sanctuary of Maria am Sand in Millan. With its magnificent iconography of the Madonna, this significant place of worship dates back to the 14th Century. To return to Brixen, take the Karlspromenade trail downhill.
