Pens: Hiking trails, churches and alpine roses

Pens offers several specific starting points for a stay: the Seven-Hayloft Trail, with dry-stone walls, log cabins and a Late Gothic chapel; churches and church art; and the panoramic mountain pass road to Penser Joch. There is also a hike to various destinations and routes with stated lengths. The themes thus range from architectural and cultural history to nature and specific route planning.

Hiking with architectural and natural highlights

At the start of the Seven-Hayloft Trail are notable dry-stone walls. Along the trail are log cabins that served as accommodation during haymaking until not so long ago. St. John's Chapel is also on the trail and was built in the Late Gothic period. The dry-stone walls provide an architectural start to the hike; the cabins, through their former function, are a reminder of haymaking. The chapel belongs to an art-historical period. This way, you can appreciate the trail both for its architectural features and for its historical connections.

A hike from Pens also leads to old trees, waterfalls, alpine pastures and mine tunnels. Unlike the Seven-Hayloft Trail, with its buildings, this route focuses on natural attractions and mine tunnels. The two hiking themes therefore differ not only in their individual destinations, but also in their focus: architectural history on the one hand, and nature and mining on the other.

Churches and historical connections

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands in Pens. The parish of Pens dates back to 1442. Near Pens, St. John's Church in the Forest is adorned with rich church art; the Chapel of St. John on the Seven-Hayloft Trail dates from the Late Gothic period. The year 1442 places the parish in its historical context, while church art and the chapel's Late Gothic construction offer artistic and architectural perspectives.

Mountain pass road and alpine rose blossoms

The panoramic mountain pass road runs from Pens to the 2,211 m-high Penser Joch and is over 9 km long. The elevation refers to the pass, and the distance to the road. Alpine roses bloom along the road from mid-June to mid-July. If you would like to plan your trip around this natural highlight, the period provides a specific point of reference.

Route lengths and travel season

The cross-country ski trail in the Val di Pennes associated with Pens is 18.8 km long; the Pens–Asten circuit measures 8.7 km. By distance, the circuit is 10.1 km shorter, while the ski trail is more than twice as long. The names also distinguish between the types of routes: a cross-country ski trail and a circuit. For a specific outing, you should also check current trail conditions.

The two themes suit different travel interests: the alpine rose blossom offers a natural highlight from mid-June to mid-July, while the cross-country ski trail is a winter activity. If you choose your travel dates accordingly, you can consider the seasonal natural highlight and your interest in cross-country skiing separately.

Discover more destinations: Stainhaus, Trafoi, San Leonardo, Lazfons, Burggrafenamt, Santo Stefano, Innichen, Weißlahnbad

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