Montan: Wine Landscapes, Trails and Culture

Montan lies on the edge of Trudner Horn Nature Park, surrounded by orchards and vineyards. This location provides a clear framework for planning your trip: hiking trails lead through the landscape, while Enn Castle and the Church of St Stephen in Pinzon offer insights into different aspects of cultural history. Depending on whether you would rather include trails or historic buildings in your travel plans, you can explore Montan from different perspectives.

Hiking trails with different starting points

The Montan–Glen–Gschnon–Gsteig–Montan circular hike starts at the car park by the entrance to Montan and follows the “Vecchia Ferrovia” and the Glener Viaduct to the hamlet of Glen. The panoramic tour along the Fleimstal railway line starts at the entrance to the village, runs along the “Vecia Ferrovia” through orchards and vineyards, and also crosses the viaduct to Glen. Both routes cross the Glener Viaduct to the hamlet of Glen; orchards and vineyards are part of the panoramic tour. The circular hike includes Glen, Gschnon and Gsteig in its name and returns to Montan. This makes it possible to distinguish between the hikes by their named places and landscape features.

The Pinot Noir Trail has a different focus: it is a wine and cultural educational trail that can be explored from Montan and runs through the Pinot Noir vineyards of Glen and Pinzon. Unlike the two routes by the Glener Viaduct, this trail focuses on the vineyards and its educational character. Montan is also a popular starting point for numerous hikes and mountain bike tours.

The mountain hamlet of Gschnon lies above Montan. A hike starts there at the lime kiln. Gschnon is therefore another named starting point, distinct from the routes that begin in Montan.

Enn Castle and the Church of St Stephen

Enn Castle lies above Montan and was built around 1300 at the request of the noble lords of Enn. There are clear restrictions on visiting: the castle has been privately owned by the Albrizzi family since the 17th century and is not open to visitors. The annual castle concert, held in mid-August, is an exception. If you plan to attend this event, check the exact dates before your trip.

The Church of St Stephen in Pinzon offers a different perspective on cultural history. It was built around 1200 in the Romanesque style and subsequently remodelled in the Gothic style. The church houses a late Gothic winged altarpiece, probably created around 1485 by the Brixen master Hans Klocker. The building’s history and the altarpiece belong to different historical periods: the church was later remodelled in the Gothic style, while the altarpiece is classified as a work of the Late Gothic period. The term “winged altarpiece” refers to an altar with side wings.

Discover more destinations: Altrei, Neumarkt, Leifers, Auer, Salurn, Frangarto, Aldein, Andrian.

For the overarching travel overview: Kaltern an der Weinstraße.