Pilgrimage Route Stage 1 Stams - Nassereith

Description:

The Tyrol-Allgäu Pilgrimage Route

This alpine pilgrimage route is both scenic and culturally very attractive, leading away from major roads over three alpine passes: the Fern Pass, the old Gaicht Pass, and the Joch Pass. It traverses some of the most attractive hiking and holiday regions of Tyrol and the southern Oberallgäu along ancient Roman, trade, and pilgrimage routes.

Pilgrims on the route can undoubtedly look forward to an especially impressive path, as it primarily passes through rural and peaceful mountain regions where people have been deeply shaped for centuries by faith and fear of natural forces. Thus, these regions are particularly rich in churches and chapels with numerous art-historical treasures from various eras. Combined with magnificent panoramic views, constantly changing perspectives, and the meditative, sometimes strenuous hiking in wind and weather through these alpine natural landscapes, this "camino" becomes a path engaging all the senses, an unforgettable journey rich in intense experiences, encounters, insights - and perhaps new self-discoveries.

Integration into the Pilgrimage Network of Austria and Germany

The Tyrol-Allgäu Pilgrimage Route connects in Stams to the German-Austrian pilgrimage route from Munich along the Isar, Loisach, Leutascher Ache, and Inn rivers, as well as to the two Austrian pilgrimage routes that converge in Innsbruck: the route from Lofer/Salzburg to Innsbruck and the route from Lienz to Innsbruck. From Innsbruck, this combined pilgrimage path continues via Stams to the Arlberg or, starting from Stams, follows the Tyrol-Allgäu Route.

Pilgrim Stamps and Pilgrim Passport

There are stamp stations along the Pilgrimage Way in the pilgrimage chapels and the churches mentioned in the text. These pilgrim stamps are lovely mementos in one’s own pilgrim diary. In the internationally recognized pilgrim passport, they serve as proof of the completed route. The pilgrim passport also enables overnight stays in special pilgrim accommodations, though there are still few of these on this route. It is available for a processing fee from the pilgrim associations.

Directions:

Stams Abbey is internationally known for its artistically restored baroque monastery church of the Assumption of Mary, a "basilica minor", as well as for its masterpieces of sacred art. Right next to it is the Stams Ski High School, from which many Austrian ski sport stars have emerged, including Anita Wachter, Stephan Eberharter, and Gregor Schlierenzauer. From Stams Abbey (stamp station) westward through the Stams oak forest, past the sports field and further towards Staudach. ATTENTION: here the paths of the Tyrol Pilgrimage Route and Tyrol/Allgäu separate. After the bridge in the district of Staudach, head north towards Mötz station and railway underpass. Continue over the Inn bridge into the village center of Mötz with Florian fountain and parish church Maria Schnee in baroque style. Behind the fountain follow the marked path to the end of Königsgasse and hike up the partly narrow, steep gorge path to the approximately 25-meter-high waterfall and further onto the sun plateau, which lies beneath the immense rock walls of the Mieming Chain. Klamm Castle (13th century) is privately owned. Then hike westward on the panoramic salt carriageway to the Marian chapel and the Klammer mill, where you briefly hike right up to the parish church St. Joseph (completed in 1780) of Obsteig. Then go about 600 meters left along the federal road until after the Obsteig community center you turn right into the larch meadows and hike westwards to Arzkasten. Shortly after the small Mariahilf chapel follows the hamlet Weisland with the chapel of the Assumption of Mary (1985), where you can admire an altarpiece by Franz Anton Zeiller from Reutte, considered one of the most beautiful chapel paintings in Tyrol. From Holzleiten, at the end of the village by the large chapel "To the Holy Family", the old Roman road leads steeply down to Dormitz with its pilgrimage church St. Nicholas and a statue of James the Elder next to the high altar. However, the pilgrim path branches sharply right already after the first houses in Dormitz-Roßbach, directly in front of the campsite. The narrow Reitergassl runs behind the campsite and stream along the slope towards Nassereith up to a fork at the forest edge with a view of the village. Here, briefly uphill in the forest and along the climbing garden and Nassereith lake directly to the neo-Romanesque parish church "To the Three Holy Kings", featuring a gilded statue of James (circa 1790) and frescoes in Nazarene style.

Tip:

Arrive the day before departure for sightseeing. Stams Abbey: www.stiftstams.at

The pilgrimage site Maria Locherboden, high above Mötz and off the route, is also a must: www.locherboden.at ,

Kneipp facility and Tschirgant bath in Nassereith.

Safety guidelines:
It should be noted that there is an increased risk of accidents and injuries on pilgrimage paths. Despite careful tour planning, there is always a basic risk. Tour preparation through endurance sports, appropriate technical training, and mental preparation reduces the risk of accidents and dangers. But please never forget that the weather in the mountains can change very quickly.Equipment:
The personal pilgrim equipment must be safe and functional and meet the respective technical standard. The backpack should not exceed a weight of 15 kg. Every pilgrim is advised to inform themselves extensively and prepare using specialist literature or the internet.