Knappensteig trail Prettau
The "Miners' Trail" in Prettau is a scenic and educational hiking path that traces the historic routes used by miners in the Ahrntal Valley’s northernmost village
The Knappensteig is an educational hiking trail marked with the symbols of hammer and pick, leading through the rich mining history of Prettau in the Ahrntal Valley. The trail begins at the St. Ignaz Adit, the lowest tunnel of the Prettau copper mine, located at 1,500 m above sea level.
From there, the route ascends to the St. Nikolaus Adit, also known as the Herrenbau Adit. At the fork near the St. Ignaz tunnel, follow the marked trail to the right. The path continues alongside an impressive avalanche protection wall and follows a traditional Waalweg (irrigation channel path) to the St. Christoph Adit. It then climbs another 120 vertical meters to the St. Johannes Adit.
Soon, hikers reach the upper mining areas, including the St. Marx and St. Sebastian adits. The trail then passes the St. Georg and St. Jakob tunnels, finally reaching the last adit at the St. Wilhelm Adit. The trail ends at the Rötkreuz (2,080 m), from where it’s only a short walk to the Outer Rötalm mountain hut.
This alpine trail is lined with ten informative panels that explain the development of the mining area, the function and history of each tunnel, and the daily life and backbreaking work of the miners. The route also describes the transport and processing of the extracted copper ore.
The ascent requires a reasonable level of fitness, but hikers are rewarded with magnificent views of the Zillertal Alps. In the upper mining area, the landscape becomes wild and rugged, especially between the former mine buildings at the Jakober Stuben and the St. Wilhelm Adit. This dramatic scenery was formed in the 18th century through open-cast mining, using black powder to access the remaining ore deposits.
A unique blend of nature and industrial heritage, the Knappensteig offers a captivating journey into South Tyrol’s mining past.
