• Castelfeder ruins: Arcadia, former Roman stronghold, through which the Roman military road ‘Via Claudia Augusta’ also passed.
• Natural biotope: Dry location with very intensive grazing, several small ponds, small lake surrounded by reeds, ancient oak trees.
• Early morning and late afternoon offer the best atmosphere
• Spring is especially beautiful with Mediterranean flowers
• Ideal for families and short scenic walks
• Great viewpoints near St. Barbara’s Chapel
• Nice picnic spots on the hill

The Castelfeder hill is an ancient cultural landscape with settlement remains dating back to the Stone Age and Bronze Age. The remains of the castle complex, the legendary “slide of fertility” and the Santa Barbara chapel walls are testament to its mystical past. The area is of particular importance not only from an archaeological and historical perspective but also from an ecological point of view as for years it has enjoyed the status of being a protected natural habitat (biotope).

The hike to Castelfeder is one of the most popular easy walks in the South Tyrolean Lower Adige Valley. The porphyry hill between Auer, Neumarkt, and Montan combines nature, history, and panoramic views.

The protected hill features Roman remains, ancient walls, ponds, dry grasslands, and old oak trees. On the summit are the ruins of the former fortress and St. Barbara’s Chapel.

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes
• Be careful on slippery porphyry rocks after rain
• Bring water and sun protection in summer
• Stay on marked trails
• Keep dogs on a leash in protected areas

Parking Schwarzenbach Auer/Ora, Parking Vill in Neumarkt/Egna, Parking sportive area in Montan/Montagna

Take the A22 Brenner highway and exit at Neumarkt/Auer/Tramin, proceed for Auer/Ora, Neumarkt/ Egna or Montan/Montagna

The walk begins in Ora at the Rio Nero sport and leisure centre car park and then goes around the tennis courts and through a short tunnel under the village’s new bypass. Following path no. 5, then no. 5 you go past the remains of the walls up to the highest point of the hill (405 m), where the ruins of Castelfeder can be found. This special site offers magnificent views and a place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. On the way back you can either take path no. 6 (Vecia Ferrovia/Old Fleims railway), or the path you came on, no. 5.

Auer → Castelfeder
Start at Schwarzenbach sports area. Trail no. 5 leads uphill through woodland and Mediterranean vegetation to the ruins.

Neumarkt → Castelfeder
From Neumarkt village centre or railway station, trails through vineyards and the Castelfeder biotope lead to the hill.

Montan → Castelfeder
From Montan or Pinzon, quiet forest and vineyard trails lead towards Castelfeder.