Santa Gertrude: Mountain Trails, Forests and Cultural Heritage

Santa Gertrude is located at an altitude of 1,519 m and is the last village in Val d’Ultimo. The Valle di Montechiesa joins Val d’Ultimo in the village. These geographical reference points provide a brief orientation: Santa Gertrude lies at the head of the valley and is also where another valley meets it. Mountain hikes, winter trails, forest history and religious cultural heritage are among the themes to consider when planning your trip.

Mountain hikes and routes in Val d’Ultimo

Santa Gertrude is an ideal starting point for mountain hikes towards Val Martello and Val di Rabbi in the eastern Cevedale Group. From here, trails lead to Rabbijoch at 2,449 m, which lies at the head of Val d’Ultimo. Santa Gertrude is an alternative starting point for the Ultner Höfeweg trail. The destinations mentioned offer different points of focus: Val Martello and Val di Rabbi lead towards the eastern Cevedale Group, while Rabbijoch is a named destination at the head of the valley. The Ultner Höfeweg offers another specific route option. This makes it possible to distinguish between the mountain hikes based on their named destinations and starting points.

Winter trails and the ancient larches of Val d’Ultimo

The panoramic cross-country ski trail in Val d’Ultimo runs from Kuppelwies via St. Nikolaus to Santa Gertrude in Stelvio National Park. Gentle climbs lead through snowy forests and meadows, past old farmhouses. Both the route through several villages and the landscape along the trail are among its described features. This gives it a different focus from mountain hikes to named destinations: the gentle climbs and farmhouses along the way shape the trail description.

The ancient larches of Val d’Ultimo are near Santa Gertrude and can be reached on foot in about half an hour. In winter, you can reach them on a winter walk. The three surviving larches, thousands of years old, are considered Europe’s oldest coniferous trees. The ancient larches are therefore a specific destination for a winter walk, whereas the panoramic cross-country ski trail is described as a route from Kuppelwies via St. Nikolaus to Santa Gertrude. This distinction helps put the two winter activities in context: one is a destination among the trees, the other a trail through forests and meadows.

Forest and woodworking

The Lahnersäge visitor centre in Santa Gertrude explores the important role of forests in Stelvio National Park. The centre explains and documents this topic. The restored Venetian sawmill also demonstrates how boards and other wooden items are made. The Lahnersäge therefore brings two related but distinct aspects into focus: the importance of the forest in the national park and the skilled processing of wood. Those interested in local forest topics will find not only a nature perspective here, but also an insight into the work of the sawmill.

Parish church and Winkel Chapel

St. Gertraud Parish Church is mentioned in the Württembergisches Urkundenbuch (Württemberg Document Book) around 1278. On 16 October 1492, it was reconsecrated with a high altar dedicated to Saint Gertraud and Saint Mary Magdalene. The mention and the later reconsecration are distinct historical reference points; the consecration includes two explicitly named dedications. The parish also includes Winkel Chapel, built in 1895. A Way of the Cross leads from the chapel to the church. The church and chapel can therefore be viewed not just as individual buildings: the chapel belongs to the parish and is connected to the church by the Way of the Cross. The religious history and the specific link between the two sites complement the hiking and forest themes of a stay here.

Discover more travel destinations: Rabland, Santa Valburga, Oberinn, Pens, Solda, Unterinn, Reschen Am See, Anterselva di Sopra.

View the main travel overview: Bolzano.