Starting from the eastern parking lot of San Lorenzo di Sebato, you walk westwards until you reach the main square of the village, crossing the area known as Marktl. At the pharmacy, follow trail marker 8A towards San Martino. This small hamlet lies northeast of Michelsburg Castle, which can be admired from the outside but is not open to visitors. Continuing along trail no. 9, you reach the Way of the Cross, a devotional path that leads pilgrims and hikers to the Sanctuary of Maria Sares.
The church, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, was built in the mid-17th century and houses the famous Black Madonna with Child. According to legend, a farmer discovered the miraculous image while ploughing his field and kept it at home. However, the statue repeatedly disappeared and reappeared in its current location, prompting the construction of the sanctuary. Today, Maria Sares is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Puster Valley.
Next to the church stands the historic Saalerwirt inn, one of the oldest in the Alps, offering a pleasant stop with traditional South Tyrolean cuisine. The hike ends by returning to San Lorenzo along the same route, making it an easy itinerary suitable even for families.
For those arriving by public transport, from the Mobility Center in Brunico you can reach San Lorenzo with the B400 shuttle service, the Citybus 420.2, or the regular buses 401 and 460, getting off at the station stop.
