Austria, in Hall-Wattens a new hiking trail on the trail of mountain legends

Beginning in the summer of 2024, Austria’s Hall-Wattens region in the heart of the Tyrolean mountains will see the opening of the new Berglegen long-distance hiking trail, aimed at those who wish to venture out on multi-day hikes in the mountains. With five stages of moderate difficulty, this trail is especially suitable for beginners in long-distance hikes and offers total immersion in the beauty of alpine nature. The trail winds through airy but not too high alpine elevations, providing breathtaking scenery and passing through picturesque villages that serve as refreshment stops. What makes this trail truly special, however, is the atmosphere of peace and tranquility it provides. Additional charm is added along the way by encounters with mountain legends: from mysterious Alpine spirits to fairy tale giants to ancient Christian legends. The trail offers a deep connection to local history and culture.

Stage 1: The Legend of Maria Larch

During the 17th century, farmer Magdalena Bogner, a resident of Schlögelsbach in Terfens, used to pass regularly along the road near a particular larch tree, which irresistibly attracted her. Feeling a deep spiritual call, she decided to pray there. In 1665, Magdalena recounted this experience to the benefactor of St. Martin’s in Gnadenwald, Johann Weiß. Deeply impressed, Johann personally created a statue of the Virgin Mary out of clay and donated it to be placed next to the larch tree that had so inspired Magdalena. Magdalena’s husband placed the gift in a specially prepared niche. The episode attracted the attention of other people, who began to pray regularly at the “Maria-Lärch.” A chapel was then erected shortly thereafter, initially made of wood, which was later replaced by a sturdier stone construction only a few years later . However, Joseph II canceled the pilgrimage the object of worship was moved to Terfens. The chapel was reopened only in 1795 with the return of the statue of Our Lady. Another significant reason for Maria Larch’s popularity in Gnadenwald is related to the belief that the healing spring gushing from the Baroque fountain healed a mute girl, Maria Jenewein, from suffering in the 18th century. Since then, the water from the fountain has been considered invigorating and is seen as a divine gift in a place of great power and suggestion.

Stage 2: The Legend of the Giant Glungezer

Where the Tulfein Alm now stands, once stood the palace of a shepherd king who ruled his people with great kindness along with his four daughters. The peace of this high valley was disturbed one day, however, by the irruption of a giant who inhabited a cave near the summit of the Glungezer. The giant often roared terribly at night, causing avalanches and landslides to descend into the valley. One day, the giant saw the king’s four daughters, and his cruel heart was filled with desire: he wanted to marry one of the princesses and asked the king to grant it to him. The king, deeply frightened, replied that if the giant could win the affection of one of the princesses, then he would be welcome. So the giant presented his proposal, but the king’s daughters mocked him and rejected his court. The giant, spurned and furious, decided to take terrible revenge. The next night he rolled boulders the size of houses from the summit of the Glungezer toward the Tulfein, pushing the royal castle and its inhabitants toward the lake, into whose waters everything sank. What remains today is known as the “Black Brunn.” The giant, soon after, was seized with bitter remorse for his actions, but not even his tears could bring the drowned king’s daughters back to life. As time passed, the giant Glungezer transformed into a gray figure of ice, desperately stretching his small wrinkled hands toward the glowing figures of the king’s four daughters, who floated like spirits above the lake. However, he could never reach them, and in despair, he threw himself into the lake to quench the fire in his heart.

Stage 3: The Legend of Saint Romedius.

According to oral tradition, Saint Romedius was born in the castle of Thaur, which is why he is also known as the “Nobleman of Thaur.” Raised in a family that imparted a Christian education to him, Romedius carried on this education with great zeal. After the death of his parents, he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome to visit the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul and decided to consecrate his life to God.Numerous legends surround the figure of St. Romedius, but one of the most famous tells of the time he decided to visit the Bishop of Trent. Before leaving, he ordered his companion to saddle his horse. However, the companion returned and reported that a bear had attacked and mauled the animal. Romedius, without hesitation, ordered the bear to be bridled. Surprisingly, the wild animal agreed and Romedius rode on the bear all the way to Trent. This legend is often depicted in images of St. Romedius, who is depicted with a pilgrim’s staff, a pilgrim’s shell, and sometimes next to a bear.

Stage 4: The legend of the mendicant spirit.

Long ago, when the monastery of St. Magdalene was under the leadership of the Augustinian order, a poor salt miner knocked on the door asking for help for his starving children. The nun who answered the door, discouraged, gave him only a piece of rock-hard bread. The miner, who was seized with irrepressible rage, shouted, “You can eat this bread yourselves, misers!” Forcefully, he hurled the bread at the rock wall north of the monastery. The indignant nun cursed the salt miner, shouting, “You will pay for this! Your spirit will find no peace in the grave. It must wander restlessly in this valley.” And so it did. From that moment, the man was never seen again. His spirit, invisible, still haunts the rock walls of the Halltal. During winter, he causes dust avalanches; in summer, he unleashes mudflows from the fragile rocks. On hot föhn days, its howls and rages can be heard coming from the cracks in the rocks. But the nun’s avarice was also punished. An earthquake in 1670 severely damaged the monastery building, and nineteen years later it was completely destroyed by another earthquake. The people began to call the steep and rugged wall against which the salt miner had thrown the hard bread “the beggar,” in reference to the act that had triggered the curse.

Stage 5: The legend of the haunting on the Walder Alm

The Walder Alm, now a renowned hiking destination, has long been the subject of stories concerning a malevolent spirit that seemed to wreak havoc. In 1842, farmer Alois Speckbacher von Wald went chamois hunting and rested at night on the Walder Alm in a small wooden shed next to the barracks. During the night, he was awakened by a noise similar to a dog scratching violently behind his ears. The noise kept coming and going until the farmer tried to lure the dog, which seemed so real. All remained quiet and by morning there was no trace of the dog. In the same year, the farmer’s brother spent a night on the pasture and the spirit woke him and the shepherds. It seemed that all the cattle had been herded together with great shouts and bellowing. The shepherds, with their lanterns, looked quickly, but all was soon quiet again, and even the cows rested quietly in the barn. However, two of the animals were inexplicably tied together, with nothing separating them. In the morning, when the chapel bell rang for the first time, the chain opened by itself.

Austria, in Hall-Wattens a new hiking trail on the trail of mountain legends

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.