Kirchtag auf der Radlseehütte (Radlseekirchtag)

The Radlseehütte Kirchtag

The Kirchtag auf der Radlseehütte, also known as the Radlseekirchtag, is a traditional alpine festival held annually at the Radlseehütte (Radlsee mountain hut), situated at an altitude of 2,284 meters in the municipality of Velturno/Feldthurns, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol, Trentino-Alto Adige region). In South Tyrolean tradition, the term "Kirchtag" refers to a local patronal or religious feast, a custom deeply rooted in the German-speaking Tyrolean culture.

A religious celebration in the high mountains

The highlight of the day is the open-air Holy Mass, starting at 11:00 AM, set against an exceptional natural backdrop: the hut overlooks the small Radlsee, an alpine lake nestled at the foot of the Königsanger, with a panorama stretching across the Dolomite peaks of the Sassolungo, the Sella Group, and the Odle. The celebration blends popular devotion with the charm of the high-altitude environment of the Sarntal Alps (Sarntaler Alpen).

Kirchtagskrapfen and traditional music

True to tradition, the festival is accompanied by Kirchtagskrapfen—traditional festival pastries prepared according to local South Tyrolean recipes—and live music by the Pfeffersberger Böhmische band, which performs a repertoire of Bohemian and Tyrolean folk music. The hut, managed with the support of the Bressanone Section of the Alpenverein Südtirol (AVS), also offers mountain cuisine featuring local specialties, from dumplings to traditional South Tyrolean dishes.

An event for hikers and families

• When: The fourth Sunday of September
• Where: Radlseehütte (2,284 m), Velturno/Feldthurns (BZ)
• Holy Mass: 11:00 AM in the mountains
• Specialties: Kirchtagskrapfen and mountain hut cuisine
• Music: Pfeffersberger Böhmische

The Radlseehütte can be reached on foot via trails climbing from Velturno/Feldthurns, from Latzfons (from the Kühhof, about a 2.5-hour hike), and from Bressanone. The Kirchtag is one of the most anticipated moments of the hiking season in the Upper Isarco Valley, perfectly combining religious tradition, conviviality, and the beauty of the South Tyrolean alpine landscape.