Eppan Manor Houses

This pushchair-friendly hike starts from the town hall square in St. Michael | Eppan. Next to the yellow primary school building, follow the wooden signpost of the AVS (South Tyrolean Alpine Club) numbered 8/A, through vineyards offering marvellous vistas and views of the Schlern and the church tower of St. Pauls | Eppan until you reach a crossroads. Here, turn left towards Missian | Eppan and again follow trail No. 8/A (direction Castle Boymont), which leads to the pretty little Justina Church. After a rest under the lime tree it goes now left, following the trail No. 8/A, continue to Berg | Eppan fire station (city-bus stop). At the Melag Residence, the path now runs along a narrow road southwards to Freudenstein Castle. Valentin Castle above on the right, and the stately mansions of the Überetsch, give an idea of the wealth of this formerly aristocratic
area. The route now passes the large Freudenstein Castle complex and then right follows Matschatscherweg (road sign) uphill, soon reaching the inn Gasthof Steinegger.
This hike offers wonderful views of the city of Bozen with the Schlern, Seiser Alm, Latemar, Weiss- & Schwarzhorn in the background, and the mountains of the Fleimstal valley as a backdrop. Follow
signpost No. 8/B down to the next crossroads with the brown castle trail signpost and Moos Schulthaus Castle (possibly visit).
The most interesting sights now are the small church of St. Sebastian and the splendid Englar and Gandegg Castle buildings, which are still in use today. The pedestrianised trail No. 540 leads back to the starting point.