The best cycling routes around Gais

This rock was once used as a so-called "sleeping stone"; according to legend, one could wash away one's sins by squeezing under it. Since we last did this four years ago, it's time to repeat the process. It's not that easy, as it involves some climbing, and it's also quite narrow.

The Holy Spirit Church (or Holy Spirit Pilgrimage Church) is located at the end of the Ahrntal Valley in the Kasern district of the Prettau municipality (not directly in St. Peter, which is further down the valley), and is a significant building in South Tyrol. It is located in the farthest reaches of the Ahrntal Valley in Kasern, at an elevation of 1619 meters above sea level, and is considered the northernmost church in Italy. The church was probably founded as early as the 8th century, but it was first documented and consecrated (church and cemetery) in 1455 by Bishop Nicholas Cusanus. It took on its present form in the 16th century. It was originally a miners' church for the miners of the nearby Prettau copper mine and served as a shelter for travelers trekking across the Krimml Tauern to Salzburg. Today it is a popular place of pilgrimage. The church is set in a narrow high mountain valley and is protected from avalanches by a rocky outcrop behind it.

Nice lake with reflective mountains and a great panorama.

Very good food (Kaiserschmarren is recommended!!) and ambience - but it can get very crowded.

The church of Gais is one of the oldest and most interesting country churches in all of Tyrol. Despite many later alterations, the building has largely retained its original Romanesque appearance. It is a typical three-aisled, basilica-like structure with a semicircular main apse and two equally semicircular side apses. The church was first mentioned in 990, and its present form dates back to the late 12th century. The church was raised in the late Gothic period. During the subsequent Baroque renovation of the church, the Gothic ribs on the nave vault were removed. A Neo-Romanesque restoration of the church took place between 1906 and 1911. The last major restorations were carried out in 1974 and 1980. During this restoration, Romanesque paintings from the late 13th century were uncovered in the southern side apse. They depict St. Afra, St. Magdalene, and St. Elizabeth, as well as remnants of a curtain decoration. The frescoes in the side aisles and the central nave by Josef Renzler (1804) show scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus and depictions of the martyrdom of Saints Cassian, Tarsicius and Sebastian.

Great wide path

The Church of the Holy Spirit, one of the most evocative pilgrimage destinations in South Tyrol, is the oldest church in the valley, built for the miners who worked in the copper mine of Predoi and the travellers who used the Tauern Pass to reach Pinzgau or Salzburg. The exact date of its construction is unknown. According to a legend, in this place the sound of a bell coming from the earth could be heard repeatedly. While digging, a portrait of the Holy Spirit came to light. After being taken away, the portrait was found again behind the rock that stands next to the church. For this reason, the decision was made to build the chapel. The first documents regarding the church date back to 1455, when it was consecrated by Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa, Prince Bishop of Bressanone. In 1500 the church was enlarged and during this work it was stripped of the works of art present, which were brought back here only in 1981. Other works of art are a representation of the Holy Trinity as well as wooden statues of St. Oswald, St. Kilian and St. Ursula, St. Francis and St. Andrew. Various tapestries and paintings give the church a particular artistic and architectural richness. The Church of the Holy Spirit is however above all known for the crucifix perforated by bullet holes. According to another legend, this crucifix was located near the Prastmann Farm and a shooter traveling for a competition decided to test his accuracy by piercing the cross three times. He won the competition and returned with a bull that, passing by the cross, became enraged and killed the man. The church, located at 1,620 m above sea level, seems to lean on a rock. And right there, between the building and nature, is the "Schliefstein", the sin-freer: whoever passes between the narrow walls of the rock is freed from his sins. Today a Via Crucis leads to the Church of the Holy Spirit from Casere and the individual stations were created by youth associations and students of the wood carving school of San Giacomo.

a cycle path with almost no inclines. Great for covering distance! Great connection from Hotel Windschar (Gais) to Sand to go to a pizzeria or iced coffee shop.