Family hike to the Sacred Three Fountains of Trafoi

For our hike on this May day, we have chosen a very special destination: the little Church of the Sacred Three Fountains of Trafoi all'Ortles, known as Heilige Drei Brunnen von Trafoi. The walk there is easy, and nature awaits us as a wonderful playground. Even the drive there is stunning.

At the first bends of the Stelvio Pass road, we reach the starting point of our hike, the Naturatrafoi National Park House. We have warm clothes with us, as it can quickly get chilly at over 1,500 metres above sea level. Following trail no. 18, we walk past the parish church, through mountain meadows, and reach a campsite. After that, the path leads through a forest to some barracks.

Right next to them are signposts. To the right, we can reach the Sacred Three Fountains red deer enclosure, while the path to the left leads to the church. We follow this path and, after a few metres, reach a picnic area in the forest, equipped with benches, a fountain, and plenty of space for a picnic. At the far end of the picnic area, we can see the bridge crossing the Rio Madaccio stream, with the church standing just beyond. According to legend, a miracle occurred here.

We look with interest at the wooden prostheses to the left of the entrance, which tell of various miraculous healings, and admire the beautiful stained-glass windows. Next to it are the well house, where the legend can be read, a small chapel, and toilet facilities.

We marvel at the fountain, set against a backdrop of waterfalls and the north-west flank of the Ortles in the Stelvio National Park. We then return to the starting point along the same path. A visit to the national park house after the one-and-a-half-hour walk makes for the perfect finish.

---

Author: MS

Experienced: May 2011
Last updated: 2026

---