Fourth Advent hike

Christmas on Monte Lussari

As in the previous year, it will also be wintry again on Sunday on the Monte Lussari pilgrimage mountain near Tarvisio. (Bild: Hannes Wallner)

On Sunday, the Advent hikes lead to the pilgrimage mountain Monte Lussari. A Christmas mass will be celebrated there at 12 noon.

There is no more contemplative and beautiful way to start Christmas Eve than with the annual Advent hike by "Bergkrone", the church and the mountain rescue service to the 1790-metre-high Monte Lussari. With touring skis, snow boots or hiking boots, the hike takes you up the Penitents' Trail before a mountain devotion with Alpine chaplain Roland Stadler takes place at 11 am directly at the summit cross. And at 12 noon, Monsignor Engelbert Guggenberger will get the many Carinthians and East Tyroleans in the mood for Christmas.

On Sunday, the route along the Penitents' Way leads up to Monte Lussari. (Bild: Hannes Wallner)

If you wish, you can of course shorten the ascent with the cable car. "The Lussari cable cars are open until 4 p.m. on December 24," says Alessandro Spaliviero: "Those who ski to the middle station can then ski down to the valley for free. Unfortunately, the entire valley run is not yet fully open."

The inns on Monte Lussari are open for longer on Christmas Eve. "However, if you want to stay longer on the mountain, you should book a room or descend via the Büßerweg, because the piste can no longer be used after the end of operations," says Jure Preschern, who is delighted to see so many hikers.

When the fourth Advent and Christmas fall on the same day, the Advent hike is always very special.

Roland Stadler, Alpinseelsorger

After Christmas, the Kartitsch Mountain Christmas, including a hike and prayer on the Dorfberg, Kartisch's panoramic mountain, takes place on December 28.