St. Leonhard in Passeier

St. Leonhard in Passeier brings together several interests for a stay: trails along the Passer, Tyrolean history, climbing and waterside activities. If you are looking for a hotel here, you can plan your trip around these different highlights.

Trails and routes

The Norggensteig starts at Sandhof and follows trail no. 30 along the Passer to the Auerbrücke bridge. A stretch through the forest adds illustrated legends, play stations and a picnic spot in a small clearing. The trail combines a clearly described riverside route with stops featuring local legends.

The Andreas Hofer circular trail starts at the tourist office in St. Leonhard and leads to the historic Sandhof. For the return to the starting point, you can choose either the Gandellenweg trail no. 3A or the Passerweg trail no. 30. The Passer Gorge Trail, by contrast, starts at the village bridge in St. Leonhard and follows the river into the Passer Gorge via bridges and artificial walkways. Check the trail status before your visit.

Tyrolean history and Jaufenburg Castle

The Passeier Museum in San Leonardo in Passiria is dedicated to freedom fighter Andreas Hofer and presents Tyrolean history, particularly the 1809 uprising. Jaufenburg Castle is open on Mondays from 10:00 to 13:00. Check the seasonal schedule before your trip so you can plan your visit accordingly. The fourth floor features Renaissance paintings created by Bartlme Dill Riemenschneider in 1538.

The French Soldiers’ Cemetery in St. Leonhard is also associated with events in 1809. In November, a violent confrontation took place in which 22 Passeier insurgents were killed; on the French side, 200 soldiers and 30 officers were reported dead. In 1959, a local rifle company installed a marble plaque at the cemetery. During excavations there in 2013, a knife, bone fragments and clothing were found, suggesting the presence of a corresponding grave.

Climbing, cycling and waterside activities

The Sportarena Passeier climbing facility is located in Gänsboden in St. Leonhard Passeier. It has 400 m² of climbing surface and a 16 m-high wall. Its 101 routes range from difficulty grades 3a to 8a and reach a maximum length of 19 m. These details provide a clear overview of the facility’s dimensions and the range of routes.

The St. Leonhard adventure outdoor pool features a water slide, a waterfall, a current jet, two children’s pools, water massages, floor bubblers and water loungers. Please note that it operates seasonally and check the opening hours before your visit. The Sandwirt recreational area with its fishing pond is freely accessible to locals and visitors. Fishing at the pond does not require a state fishing licence.

For a cycling trip, the Merano–St. Leonhard cycling path in the Passeier Valley is another option. It is described as an easy cycling excursion along a natural-surface route, about 20 km long, with an elevation difference of about 370 m. This gives you a choice of both walking trails and a cycling excursion, with details on distance and elevation difference to help plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: St. Martin in Passeier, Plaus, Merano, Riffian, Marling, Hafling, Ulten, Tscherms

Go to the main travel overview: Burggrafenamt.