You will find one of South Tyrol’s most beautiful pilgrimage churches, St. Martin’s Chapel, on the Val Venosta High Route
Image gallery: San Martino al Monte
San Martino al Monte, at 1,740 metres above sea level, represents spirituality, historical heritage, and a magnificent mountain landscape. The village is not a component locality of Laces, but a charming mountain hamlet and pilgrimage site. You can reach it easily: The cable car, which takes you up to the Monte Sole in eight minutes all year round, departs from the edge of Laces. Alternatively, you can also get there on foot, as the route from the valley station to the San Martino al Monte mountain station is one of the most popular speedhiking routes in the Val Venosta.
St. Martin's Chapel forms the centre of San Martino al Monte (St. Martin im Kofel): It dates from the 16th century and was built over a small grotto containing his image. Much older, however, are the hollows still visible in the rock, which date from the Neolithic period. You are here on the slopes of the Punta di Vermoi and Mt. Cima Cermigna. These belong to the southernmost foothills of the Mastaun Chain in the South Tyrolean part of the Oetztal Alps.
The mountain village, with its hiking paths and bike trails, is popular with active holidaymakers. Tours up to the St. Martin Hut at 2,000 metres and to the surrounding peaks reward you with an impressive view of the Ortles Alps, the Val Martello, and the glacier of Mt. Orecchia di Lepre.
Further down, the Val Venosta High Route winds past the Egg and Forra farmsteads, as well as the Monte Sant'Anna and Monte Silandro Castles, towards Silandro. Alternatively, the "Via Vinum Venostis" leads along Waalwege paths in the other direction, towards Castelbello. In the colder months, the Monte Sole is often snow-free and invites you to enjoy pleasant winter hikes.
