On a beautiful day in May we - that's to say me and my two children - start our hike to the Tröpfltal, a special little valley near Villa di Mezzo (Mitterdorf), a district of Caldaro. We start our walking tour at the Piazza Major von Morandell square where we park our car and walk towards Castel Campan. We turn into the Via Garnellen road, which proceeds into the rich green forest. Also the vines already have the first buds now in spring.

We hike along the left edge of the Tröpflbach brook and follow the marker no. 17. The path proceeds uphill - flowers, blooming wild berries and other plants grow by the wayside. Again and again we stop, so that the kids can play at the water.

The path crosses the brook and still proceeds uphill. Finally we reach the Mendola Pass Road. Here we have two possibilities now: either we walk along the road to the Kalterer Höhe and further back to San Nicolò and Villa di Mezzo, or we return along the same route through the forest. We choose the second alternative.

Author: RD

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

We start our spring hike on the Mendola Trail (Mendelsteig) in Sant'Antonio di Caldaro on the Wine Road. This district stretches towards the Castelvecchio forest and is home to the valley station of the Mendola Funicular. The "M" signpost guides us past the church.

First, we walk to the district of Pozzo. From here, the path climbs steeply towards the forest and passes Mühlburg Castle. The Mendola Path winds up to the Mendola Pass at an altitude of 1,363 metres. We do not plan to walk quite that far today. Instead, we have chosen the Zollwiese meadow, which lies at 1,000 metres above sea level, as the highest point of our route.

From there, we continue northwards at a comfortable pace along the Boos forest track. This path ends at Masaccio (Matschatsch) and meets the Mendola road (SS42). We walk uphill along the road for a short distance. After about 200 metres, we spot the junction for hiking trail no. 7 on the right which leads down to the Steinegger inn near Appiano Monte.

From the restaurant, we follow marker no. 540 to reach San Michele Appiano. A local bus then takes us back to Sant'Antonio di Caldaro (St. Anton bei Kaltern).

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2017
Last updated: 2026

Starting in Sant'Antonio in Caldaro, more precisely at the valley station of the Mendola Funicular, we follow the trail no. 95 which leads us to San Nicolò and to the marker M (Mendelsteig). A quite demanding ascent takes us up to the altitude of the Caldaro High Route no. 9 (Kalterer Höhenweg, in German). After the intermediate station of the funicular, it turns into a wide forest path.

Occasionally the forest clears up and we can enjoy gorgeous views on the area of Caldaro: Lake Caldaro, the Bassa Atesina area and the peaks of the Dolomites until Mt. Corno Bianco. Finally the path leads into a narrow valley to the 'Ziegelstadel', a forest station. It crosses a brook and immediately after the bridge the path no. 9 f to Castelvecchio branches off to the left.

Behind the church of the village, the Castelvecchio Viewpoint is located which offers a stunning view on Lake Caldaro. We continue on the Peace Trail and walk through the wild Rastenbach Gorge. After the junction with the connecting road Caldaro - Castelvecchio (Altenburg) we reach the path no. 11. It takes us back to the sports ground and further on to Sant'Antonio (St. Anton), where our circular walk ends. By the way: the first section (ascent) can be avoided by taking the Mendola Funicular until the intermediate station.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2012
Last update: 2026

In autumn, Lake Caldaro and its unique landscape of vineyards and apple trees enchant with its extraordinary blaze of colour. In fact, the mixed forests around the lake create a very romantic autumn atmosphere before the landscape finally falls into a deep winter sleep. It is impressive how beautiful even the grey month of November can be in the south of South Tyrol. Starting our hiking tour at the Geier restaurant in the north of the main parking space at Lake Caldaro, we follow the trail clockwise. On a sunny November day the temperatures in the south of South Tyrol can still be very pleasant and this tour is even more recommended in autumn than on a hot summer day.

After a five-minutes walk towards north we turn right into a path that leads us to the road at Campi al Lago under the mountain ridge of Castelchiaro. Walking towards south, we continue our tour on asphalted streets, partly limited to traffic, enjoy the warming sun, the beautiful colours around us and the wonderful views to the lake. After about one kilometre we turn right into a straight road limited to traffic which leads us to the Wine Road ('Weinstrasse'), passing fruit orchards and the beautiful biotope of Lake Caldaro. At the end of the road we cross the main street and walk towards north to the small village San Giuseppe al Lago, partly on the famous Wine Trail ('wein.weg'), finally arriving at our starting point.

Author: EMS

Experienced: November 2009
Last update: 2026

On a beautiful Sunday morning in autumn we - that is to say two women and four kids between 3 and 8 years - drive towards Lake Caldaro and park our car in the hamlet of Campi al Lago (Klughammer) right before the signpost 'Kreit'. Our hike to the Castelchiaro Fortress starts on the path no. 18, first steeply uphill, then following a wide forest road also used as MTB trail.

At this point we can choose between the longer and wider trail (approx. 50 minutes) or the alternative path which is shorter and steeper. Our kids want to reach the knight's castle as soon as possible so we follow the steep trail and arrive at the Castelchiaro Fortress (Leuchtenburg) after a 15-minute uphill walk.

The shady inside of the ruin can be reached by a short iron stairway, the walls are perfect to climb and explore. Near the flag behind the castle the view opens up on the turquoise Lake Caldaro and its surroundings (if you look over the wall). After a picnic we start the descent on the same trail.

Author: RD

Experienced: September 2010
Last update: 2026

From the car park at Campi al Lago south of Lake Caldaro ("Seerundweg"), we walk south along the road at the foot of the mountain. Walking past a barracks, we reach Monte (Gmund). This is a small settlement that belongs to the municipality of Vadena and lies directly below the southern slope of the Monte di Mezzo. Vadena itself is located on the other side.

Trail no. 18c is signposted on the left side of the road. A narrow path takes us upwards through steep terrain in the deciduous forest. We reach a porphyry rock landscape below the Horse Teeth rock formation above the Bassa Atesina area. Clearings in the forest allow us to see as far as Termeno on the Wine Road to the west and Ora to the east.

We navigate some light climbing at a few rocky spots to continue our ascent. Finally, the path joins a forest road (no. 18), which we follow slightly downhill. It leads to a junction with trail no. 18a. We hike up this trail to Castelchiaro (Leuchtenburg). An iron staircase leads into the interior of the castle complex. From the fortress wall, we enjoy the wide view over Caldaro and Lake Caldaro.

Even the provincial capital of Bolzano can be seen from here. After a rest and some exploration (please be careful!), we start our journey back. We follow the same path downhill to the junction and then continue heading north. Eventually, trail no. 18 brings us back to Campi al Lago. This area is also home to the Hot Air Springs, which are an interesting natural phenomenon.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2019
Last updated: 2026

Our hike starts at the parking place near the minigolf course at Lake Caldaro. We follow trail no. 10 towards the main street, which we cross, and walk in a southerly direction (to the Sonnleitenhof), turning right at the following two forks. Having crossed the Rio Rastenbach, we follow the asphalted road until we reach the last few houses. This is where we continue our hike on trail no. 13, which will directly lead us into the Rastenbach Gorge (Rastenbachklamm, in German).

After several steps and bridges we finally reach a waterfall. We make a short detour to the near St. Peter's Basilica, presumably the oldest church of Tyrol, simply following the relevant signposts. Back at the Rastenbach Gorge, we continue our tour and finally arrive at the small village of Castelvecchio (Altenburg). After having spent enough time to enjoy the wonderful panorama from the Castelvecchio Viewpoint, we follow the asphalted road towards north for about 700 metres, passing an old bridge (at a bend), until we reach the parking space Müllereck on our right.

From here, we continue our hike on the Bärentalweg trail no. 13. Walking down the valley through a beautiful deciduous forest, at the Vogelmeierhof farm we finally reach the trail on which we have ascended, and continue our tour back to the starting point. Surefootedness and hiking boots are recommended! The trail is well maintained but can be slippery at some sections - therefore we don't recommend this tour to families with little children.

Author: RD

Experienced: April 2011
Last update: 2026

We, two women and four children aged 3 to 8 years, park our car a little above Lake Caldaro in the district of Campi al Lago, opposite S. Giuseppe al Lago. The small car park near the forest is on the right side of the road, just before the road sign announcing the vineyard site 'Kreith'. A signpost tells us that we have to take path no. 18, which is actually the only one that leads to Castelchiaro castle (Leuchtenburg, in German) respectively to the 'Rosszähne'. The path ascends a little steeply, but soon we come to a wide forest road, which can also be managed by cyclists. As if to prove it, we also meet some mountain bikers who pedal pretty hard. We now have the choice of taking the long (approx. 50 min.), wide path or following a short, steep trail, which is also often used by other people. A knight's castle wants to be conquered and in addition, it is important to explore the ruins of the Castelchiaro extensively. So the boys decide to take the intensive, shorter version of the hike.

They are very motivated, the action for the mothers and the youngest knight is a little more sweaty. After approx. 15 minutes, however, the time has come: 'Castle in sight' is the motto and we are already at the entrance to Castelchiaro. Inside, the boys look, climb, check and discuss. And because it gets a bit chilly in the shade of the walls, we climb out again and move to sunnier places. Also to the flag, which is clearly visible from a distance, we pass through mysterious bushes or along the castle walls. A small snack at the edge of the castle strengthens us for the descent. We now walk along the wider paths and soon we find our entry point from before. Arriving at the car park we are all pleasantly tired, the afternoon in the forest and at the castle was really worth it.

Author: RD

Experienced: September 2010
Last update: 2026

The destination of this hike, the impressive rock formations high above Lake Caldaro, really resemble horse teeth. They rise into the sky close together and offer a beautiful panoramic view on the valley. Our hike starts in the small hamlet of Kreit above Campi di Lago, where we park our car. We follow the signposts indicating 'Leuchtenburg' (Castelchiaro Fortress, no. 18) through vineyards and apple orchards.

Shortly afterwards we enter the forest and the path gets steeper. After a 30-minute walk we reach the first junction - the path on the left leads to the Castelchiaro Fortress, we follow the trail straight to the Denti di Cavalli, or Horse Teeth. The path gets flatter and after another 15 minutes we reach our destination. Before we ascend to the rock formations, however, we make a short side trip to the hot air springs nearby. This protected place is a special natural phenomenon: from the holes warm air pours out for - yet - unclear reasons.

We continue our hike to the Horse Teeth to explore these bizarre rock formations. The view from this place is breathtaking - it opens up on Caldaro, its lake, Termeno and the villages of Ora, Egna and Laives. Finally we turn back along the same way to Kreit, our starting point.

Author: ED

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

Our walk through the spring forest above Lake Caldaro begins in San Giuseppe al Lago. We start this April day at the car park next to the fire station on path no. 14, which leads to Castelvecchio. This route takes us upwards through the Nussental valley and the deciduous forest.

At an altitude of around 600 metres, the valley and the path end at the junction with the "Auf der Warth" panoramic trail. We follow this trail and reach a few particularly beautiful viewpoints. These spots allow us to look out over the Oltradige area, Lake Caldaro, and the South Tyrolean Bassa Atesina. After a U-turn, we head back towards Castelvecchio and finally enter the village itself. The village features several restaurants, making it a perfect spot for the lunch hour.

With full stomachs, we tackle the second half of the circular walk. We stroll past the local parish church towards St. Peter's Basilica, which is believed to be the oldest church in South Tyrol. From here, we descend into the Rio Rastenbach Gorge. The Peace Trail - with the signpost "Sentiero della Pace", or "Friedensweg" - then guides us out of the ravine. We continue through the deciduous forest until we reach the junction with the Kardatscher Weg (no. 10).

We follow this path and arrive back in San Giuseppe al Lago after three and a half hours.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2019
Last updated: 2026

This nice walk to the village of Sella (Söll) near Termeno is recommended on not too hot days and offers a beautiful view on Termeno with its vineyards, from Lake Caldaro to Castel Rechtenthal. The ideal starting point is the little parking space along the Via Rechtenthal road, near the wooden bridge. There we follow the signpost no. 11 towards Sella.

After a few minutes we are amidst vines and follow the mostly asphalted road. Arrived at Sella, we visit the stunning St. Maurice Church and admire the well-preserved frescoes on the interior walls: they depict scenes from the life of Jesus.

We don’t want to walk back along the same route, so we follow the path towards Lake Caldaro (signpost), which proceeds through the deciduous forest, and continue on the 'Nussenweg' or 'Seeweg' path back to Termeno and our car again.

Author: AT

Experienced: August 2010
Last update: 2026

The Val di Fusca valley lies slightly away from the more famous walking routes of the Spring Valley and Castelchiaro ruins, below the Monte di Mezzo di Caldaro. It formed as the glacier tongue of Lake Caldaro retreated at the end of the last Ice Age. The starting point for this spring walk is the Passo di Novale al Varco above Stadel-Castelvarco (Stadel-Laimburg) near Vadena.

Locals also affectionately call this spot the "Koyotenpass". The unmarked entrance starts 50 metres from the top of the pass. It leads northwards through a vineyard before the path winds through the woodland and scrubland on the southern slopes of the Monte di Sotto. The route climbs steeply for a short distance before reaching the "Valle di Valplon - Piccola Valle dei Sassi" forest track (Valplontal - Steintal). We follow this path northwards as it crosses the small valley.

After this section, the track merges with the Monte di Sotto path. Walking gently downhill, we reach the junction for the "Fuscaleital" forest road (no. 19). This path heads towards the south. Above the village of Campi al Lago by Lake Caldaro, trail no. 19 branches off the forest road. We remain on the wide forest track, which leads us directly back to the pass height.

The final 500 metres run initially through the forest before following the asphalted road. The first section of the walk offers lovely panoramic views of Lake Caldaro and the surrounding mountains. These views stretch as far as the Monte Bondone in the Lake Garda Mountains near Trento. We arrive back at our starting point after a pleasant two-hour circular walk.

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2013
Last updated: 2026

It is the end of November, the autumn is coming to an end and the Advent period is approaching. This period is perfect for a suggestive walk or a hike in the surroundings of Lake Caldaro. All those who decide for a walk or a hike at the foot of the Mendola Ridge, should start the tour in the morning because already at 2 pm the area is in shade and walking in these conditions could be not comfortable. We start our hike from Sella (Söll) near Termeno.

At the St. Maurice Church we follow the path climbing up along the road towards Castelvecchio to reach the signpost no. 4A "Zogglerwiesen". The first part of the trail is an asphalt road which climbs up until some farmsteads, afterwards we walk on a pleasant forest path in the wood. In the Valle dell'Inferno (Hell Valley) we cross a bridge over the stream and we walk up to reach the Zogglerwiese meadow. Here we find a beautiful area with a fire protection pond surrounded by larches, which are dressed with the colours of the autumn season. That is the perfect place for a break, we decide to eat here our packed lunch and relax.

After the lunch we walk towards Corona, a component locality of Cortaccia, following the path no. 4. The autumn wood gives way to gentle meadows at the Lenzenhof farmstead until Corona. There there are several taverns. We come back to our starting point following the same path, as alternative (on workdays) there is a bus to reach Cortaccia, and then Termeno and Sella.

Author: AT

Experienced: Novembre 2011
Last update: 2026

From Ora to the 1,000 m higher located village of Aldino - this hiking tour with a steep ascent on the 'Katzenleiter' path we want to discover today. Starting point is the parking space near the lido of Ora. We take the path no. 1 through the forest which proceeds along the Rio Nero river and continues on the 'Katzenleiter' (lit. Cat Ladder), a steep stepped path which proceeds along the pressure line of the hydro, starts. At rocky spots the view opens to the waterfall in the gorge and across the Val d’Adige valley near Ora.

After about 1 hour we reach the junction with the path no. 1A. Here, at 650 m a.s.l., the 'Katzenleiter' path ends, path no. 1A proceeds back into the valley. But we stay on the path no. 1, and walk further past meadows and farms and then through the forest to the mountain village of Aldino. There we take the public bus back to Ora. Avoid this hiking tour on hot days!

Author: AT

Experienced: June 2015
Last update: 2026

One of the many projects of the wein.kaltern initiative for a better understanding of wine culture is called the Wine Trail. It is a 9 km long theme trail that climbs 472 metres in altitude and leads through the historic vineyards of Caldaro to Pianizza di Sopra and Lake Caldaro. It is an easy hike that is pleasant in the Mediterranean climate of South Tyrol, especially in spring and autumn.

The Wine Trail leads you from the central Piazza dei Rottenburg square first towards Barleit and
San Giuseppe al Lago (no. 12 and 12A), and then via the Seerundweg path back to Caldaro village (no. 3). The individual names of the vineyards can be read on marble thresholds on the ground, some of them Rhaetian, some Romanesque: Vial and Prunar, Salt and Palurisch, Ölleiten and Puntara. And every now and then, a winery or a farm invites you to taste the good wine, or a resting place to enjoy the view. Walking time: approx. 2.5 hours.

The wein.wegweiser brochure with background information and a list of the 68 wein.kaltern partners completes the experience. A further interesting complement is the visit to the South Tyrolean Wine Museum, the first Wine Museum on the southern side of the Alps.

A very particular walking path with starting point in Caldaro village leads through the woods and the landscape of the Oltradige into the Rastenbach Gorge and reaches also the St. Peter's Basilica, presumably the oldest church of Tyrol: the well signposted Peace Trail (Friedensweg, in German). We start our hike at the Piazza dei Rottenburg square in the village centre, featuring a parking space as well as a bus stop. Here we see the first signposts for the Peace Trail to follow.

The trail was realised in the time period between 1995 and 2000, arising from the cooperation of the Assumption of Mary Parish, the Franciscan Monastery of Caldaro and the Market Town of Caldaro, who invited several Italian and foreign artists to create seven different models at seven points of meditation.

The models are inspired by the landscape and the virtues of temperance, prudence, justice, faith, hope, courage - exposed at the Rastenbach Gorge - and love - represented by the St. Peter's Basilica. Parts of this walking trail with its steps and bridges are also exciting for children! Arrived at the end of our hike, the Castelvecchio Viewpoint, we enjoy a stunning view on Lake Caldaro.

From the main square of Termeno (Tramin) we walk towards south - the Via J.v. Payer and the Via J.v. Zallinger roads lead us out of the village towards the Wine Road. Crossing it we follow for some metres the road towards Egna (Neumarkt) and turn off at the first junction on the left side (signpost "CH", Cholera Path).

After 30 metres we branch off to the left again and follow the field path no. 15 towards north. Above us there are some beautiful vineyards, beneath us - in the valley basin - we see the characteristic fruit orchards. On the last section we reach the Termeno sports ground (outdoor pool, tennis courts, football field).

Right before it we branch off on the left and follow the course of the brook up to the Wine Road. We cross it and continue along the stream to a small wooden bridge. At this point it's not far anymore to the village centre of Termeno, our starting point.

Starting point of our walking tour is the romantic little St. James in Kastelaz Church in Termeno (Tramin). First we walk towards Castel Rechtenthal until the junction before the bridge and follow there the signpost 'Kurtatsch Kastelazweg'. We follow the road uphill through vineyards and orchards, then the forest starts and the path proceeds slightly uphill now.

In a beautiful panoramic position with view on the Bassa Atesina area we walk towards south. The last section of the path, shortly before we reach Cortaccia (Kurtatsch), proceeds again through the vineyards. After a visit to the village centre, we walk back to Termeno again, this time on the asphalt path through the vines which proceeds slightly lower parallel to the forest path.

We pass the small village of Ronchi (Rungg), a locality belonging to Termeno, and cross Termeno village until the Townhall Square, where we ascend again to the St. James in Kastelaz Church. Finally we take the opportunity to admire the wonderful frescoes inside the Romanesque monument. This hike is particularly suitable in spring and autumn, on hot summer days it is better to avoid it.

Author: AT

Experienced: September 2011
Last update: 2026

Between Lake Monticolo and Lake Caldaro, there is a hollow with a very favourable climate. Early in the year, warm air from the south flows into the valley here. This allows a natural phenomenon to unfold beautifully. When everything around is still brown and the mountains are covered in snow, the Spring Valley comes into bloom. You can undertake this hike as early as the end of February - we set off on a Sunday in early March to discover Spring Valley.

The starting point is the large car park at Lake Monticolo. It charges a fee in summer, but it is still free at the end of winter (as of 2026). We walk along a short, asphalted section of the road. After passing through a stretch of forest, we arrive in Monticolo itself, a hamlet in the municipality of Appiano. Past the houses, the forest begins again. The path is fairly flat and easy to find.

Without any further detours, we hike along path no. 20 over the Monte di Mezzo to the basin of Lake Caldaro. Snowdrops, crocuses, and other spring flowers accompany us with all their beautiful colours and scents. There are places where the ground seems completely invisible, covered entirely by a vast sea of blossoms. Many flowers grow on the banks of the Angelbach stream. As soon as we reach a clearing with a fountain and a large sunbathing area, we take a break.

We decide to turn back now and save the beautiful shores of Lake Caldaro for another day. The path would lead straight to the shore, past meadows and vineyards. For the way back, we do not take the same route. Instead, we choose a loop along a field path that takes us directly back to the village of Monticolo. We enjoy a homemade cake at the Sparer inn and return after an hour and a half of pure walking time. With breaks, we were out for an entire afternoon. Please note: The Spring Valley is a protected nature reserve, and picking flowers is strictly prohibited!

Author: RB

Experienced: beginning of March 2026

The difference of altitude amounts to 1,840 m and the estimated walking time adds up to 8-9 hours. We start in Termeno Rechtenthal and hike to the Gummererhof farm inn. Then we continue on path no. T/10 until we reach the Rif. Oltradige (Überetscher Hütte). From here, the climbing route no. 523 takes you to the summit of Mt. Roen. Here we enjoy a stunning scenery and a breathtaking view!

On our way back we follow the signpost Romeno Alm, pass again the Rifugio Oltradige al Roen mountain hut - or walk across the Giovo di Coredo - and continue on path no. 501 - or path no. 6 - towards Termeno. Sturdy shoes are obligatory!

Experienced: June 2010
Last update: 2026

Our cycling tour starts at the way of the cross in San Michele Appiano, from where we continue towards the Valle Lavason on the asphalted cycling route to the crossing "Altenloch“. This is where we take the trail number 4 (Schäufelwies), leading us the way towards the Monticolo Lakes across the broad-leaf forest. The trail can be done by every mountain biker and only overcomes a remote altitude difference, nevertheless the trail is rough and takes across country.

The starting point is located at the lake of Monticolo. From this place we take the trail 1A, leading to the romantic little lake of Monticolo. We follow the trail no. 1 towards the “Wilder Mann Bühel” on a wide forested trail. After 1.5 km of comfortable cycling, the rough ground returns: the signpost no. 1 leads us to a rocky trail towards to the left. Grit your teeth and get to it! After a few hundred metres the trail starts getting easier again. Forested road and asphalted road take us to Colterenzio near Cornaiano, from where we reach Ponte Adige via the trail no. 1.

At the Marklhof the asphalt ends and an interesting forested trail leads to the Monte di Mezzo mountain. Particularly interesting, as there are some little highlights for cyclists such as ramps. Be cautious, as there are also hikers on the trails. The trail leads from the parking space of Firmiano Castle towards Frangarto. There we take the cycle path which leads us back to San Michele.

Author: AT

Our cycle tour starts at the new vinoteque of the Caldaro Winery and enters the Katzental valley on the trail no. 4, leading to the other side of the valley and uphill into the Monticolo Forest. The partly stony trail gets narrower, we have to push our bike. Soon afterwards we reach the parking space at the Monticolo Lakes and cycle downhill to the Big Monticolo Lake.

Cycling round the reed belt along the south bank (paths no. 5 and 20) we reach the eastern shore. When we've almost circled the lake the trail no. 1 branches off towards the Small Monticolo Lake. We also circle this beautiful lake and continue afterwards on the forest paths no. 1 and 2 towards Colterenzio (Schreckbichl). The small hamlet is located on the edge of the forest in the middle of the vineyards stretching to the village of Cornaiano (Girlan).

After a visit to its historic village centre we follow the Via Lammweg towards south and turn into the path no. 6. It proceeds to the junction with the trail no. 23 towards north-west. Along the cycle track starting at the Appiano Way of the Cross (Eppaner Kreuzweg) we turn back to Caldaro, our starting point (no. 22).

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

We suggest to do this 20 km long tour it in spring, autumn or in the evening hours in summer, in order to enjoy the shade of the Mendola Ridge. We start on the parking space of the valley station of the Mendola Funicular in Sant'Antonio (St. Anton) in Caldaro and cycle towards Castelvecchio (Altenburg) for about 1 km. We turn to our right, where we take the forest road no. 523 into the direction of the 'Ziegelstadel', a forest station.

We pass the forest hut and keep on biking the forest road no. 9 to the Gummererhof farm, a short but steep section. Then we take the path no. 10 which leads us downhill to Termeno. We pass the bridge at Castel Rechtenthal where we find later on the sign of the hiking trail to Lake Caldaro (KS). This trail - more or less a single trail - we suggest only for experienced mountain bikers. At Lake Caldaro, this trail leads us to the South Tyrolean Wine Road. Alternative route: at the castle we continue through Termeno until we reach the Wine Road, and then towards Caldaro and Bolzano.

Now we take the road no. 2 which leads off from the Wine Road to San Giuseppe al Lago (St. Josef am See), where we have to bike uphill. We keep on going into the direction of Caldaro and follow the signs of the Mendola Funciular, where we reach our starting point after a last uphill ride. This MTB tour offers a big variety of landscapes - villages, woods and vineyards - and also the characters of the roads are interesting: asphalt, forest road, single trail - all there!

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2012
Last update: 2026

Our starting point is the Piazza Municipio (Townhall Square) in Termeno (Tramin). This tour will take us through the Bassa Atesina area, so we start cycling southward on the Via Andreas Hofer road up to Ronchi, past old buildings and wonderful vineyards. We reach Cortaccia (Kurtatsch), where the trail gentle climbs up southward, and pass the villages Niclara and Magrè (Margreid). We suggest you to visit these picturesque villages to breathe the true culture of this region.

Our next destination is Cortina (Kurtinig), the hearth of this plain. Near the village there is also the entrance of the Adige Cycle Route. We cycle along the river southward up to the bridge which joints this plain to Salorno (Salurn). Here we can enjoy the charming atmosphere on the southern border of South Tyrol, surrounded by vineyards and orchards. From the centre of the village we cycle through the Via Loreto and Via Molini roads to reach the hamlet of San Giovanni.

Then we continue northward towards Laghetti, from where we take the cycle track towards Egna (Neumarkt), which is our next destination. Egna is a lovely village with a beautiful old centre and picturesque buildings. We follow now the cycle track northward up to Ora (Auer), where we take a road towards Lake Caldaro. At the Lake Caldaro Biotope we turn left and follow the South Tyrolean Wine Road, which takes us back to Termeno, our starting point.

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

Our mountain bike tour starts near the upper bridge of the Rio Höllenbach in Termeno (Tramin) and leads us first to Castel Rechtenthal. On the left-hand side we follow the signposts towards the Zogglerwiesen meadows and Corona (Graun) along the steep uphill road. Past the Zoggler Forest Hut we arrive at the eponymous lake. Afterwards the trail proceeds less steep towards Corona (no. 9) - the pleasant forest path turns into an asphalt road and passes a farm.

It takes us straight to the village centre of Corona, a component locality of Cortaccia at 800 m a.s.l., where several rest points invite to stop. At the local fountain we turn into the road no. 5 (Lochweg) leading back into the valley. First the downhill ride takes us through the vineyards, then a more demanding section on a path covered by leaves snakes its way through a rocky landscape. You have to be fit and experienced to overcome this section without getting off the bike!

After the junction with the Kastelaz Path the trail proceeds further downhill and turns into the Via Andreas Hofer road in Termeno. We follow the signposts to the St. James in Kastelaz Church and finally turn back to our starting point near Castel Rechtenthal. In summer we recommend this tour in the late afternoon or evening hours when the area lies in the shadow of Mt. Roen.

Author: AT

Experienced: July 2011
Last update: 2026

In principle, any place with access to the route can be considered as the starting and end point of this tour: Appiano, Caldaro, Ora, Bronzolo, Laives or Bolzano. This time we have chosen Ora. At the train station in Ora, at the roundabout, we take the exit to the north (old country road to Bronzolo) and immediately after the car park, we turn left into the subway towards Castelvarco/Laimburg. A few hundred metres further on we find the entrance to the Adige Cycle Path, which we take towards Bolzano (north). Along the Adige river we pass Bronzolo and Laives, then cross the Vadena Bridge and continue to the 'Frizzi Au', where the rivers Isarco and Adige meet. We reach the cycle path junction south of Bolzano and turn left towards Merano and Appiano. Continuing along the eastern bank of the Adige, we come to a small railway crossing, just before which there is a turnoff across the bridge over the Adige river towards Appiano.

Across the bridge, the route leads uphill, past Firmiano Castle and Frangarto, through vineyards, deciduous forests and a few short tunnels. Finally we reach S. Michele, where we drive through a subway and continue towards Caldaro. At the Kreuzweg path we turn left and follow the signs 'Lavasontal' and 'Ora'. The path goes downhill through orchards, vineyards and woods. In front of us we see Lake Caldaro. Be careful during the fast descent, because the local residents are also allowed to drive their cars or tractors on these paths. Arriving on the eastern shore of the lake, the route passes the settlement of Campi al Lago, leads then through a biotope, and after the military area into a more busy country road. Here we have to turn left. The route leads under the railway and the Brennero Motorway over the Adige river. After the bridge we turn left to return to the starting point at the train station in Ora. A tour that can be done by (almost) everybody - a few small ascents, cycle paths and side roads, a short section on a country road ... Even children with a little bit of driving experience and fitness can easily follow this route.

The tour is especially recommended in spring and autumn, when it is not too hot. Variant for sporty cyclists: shortly before reaching Lake Caldaro, a mountain road turns left up the Monte di Mezzo. The steep route (up to 15% gradient) leads over the Kreithberg Pass, which the locals simply call 'Much', and then via Vadena back to the Adige Cycle Path. This route is only suitable for trained cyclists.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2010
Last update: 2026

There is a car park on the state road north of Egna at the 'Imbiss Castelfeder' snack station. At this level, a steep road branches off to the right uphill to the Castelfeder hill. This very short climb is already finished after only 100 metres - because here we turn into the 'Bahnweg', the Vecia Ferrovia. The route now leads gently upwards through a landscape characterised by vineyards and oaks. After a few bends, we see the ruins of Castelfeder on the left. We continue through the picturesque village of Pinzano to the vineyards of Glen. Soon after the viaduct of Glen, the road climbs through forests to Doladizza.

The route is legendary - it leads through wine-growing areas, deciduous and coniferous forests that are already part of the Monte Corno Nature Park - through tunnels and over viaducts. The railway line, which was built by Russian prisoners of war, had to overcome many difficulties and was built in just a few years under Austrian leadership. In the 1960s, the railway that connected the Dolomite valleys with the main towns in the valley was replaced by a regular bus service. The advantage of such a decommissioned railway line is the steady but constant gradient. Once you have found your rhythm, you can simply pedal on to the San Lugano pass. Extreme climbs are just as absent here as flat sections.

Interesting views include, for example, the Aldino Bridge (also called the 'Little Europe Bridge' because of its height), the vineyards near Montagna, the forests of the Monte Corno Nature Park and the old railway stations, relics of bygone times. By the way, the San Lugano pass is the border of South Tyrol - the Trentino begins here. Those who don't like the bumpy descent on the former railway line can alternatively take the Dolomite road. The lower section offers great panoramic views on the Adige Valley.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2013
Last update: 2026

In principle, any place along this route can be considered the starting and end point of the tour: Cortaccia, Cortina, Magrè, Salorno, Termeno, Laghetti or Egna. This time we start in Egna. From Egna we drive northwards to Villa until we reach the junction with the Brennero state road. A few 100 m further north, on the opposite side of the road, we see the Adige Cycle Path, which we enter. At the level of Ora we turn left onto the bridge and cross the Adige river towards Termeno. We cycle under the railway and motorway and then the bottom of the Adige Valley until the road to Termeno ascends.

Even if we have to cycle uphill - a detour to the centre of Termeno is worthwhile: the beautiful church tower and the historic houses in the typical architectural style are well worth a visit. The wine road continues southwards and leads up to Cortaccia before it continues down to Magrè. From there we follow the signs to Cortina, where we have a drink at the village square before continuing eastwards. Before the motorway we turn right towards Salorno, and after a few km we come to the bridge over the Adige river, which leads directly to Salorno. We visit the village on the language border, which has its own charm.

We take the Brennero state road towards north, passing the village of Laghetti. Worth seeing are the frescos of the small St. Florian Church north of the village. We continue on the Brennero state road towards Egna and turn right towards the centre of the village. Back at the starting point we enjoy an ice cream at the well-known ice cream parlour 'Arlecchino' on the town hall square. We have now deserved this, haven't we?

Please note: Only a short section of the route described runs on the cycle path, the others on low to moderately frequented roads. The last section from Salorno via Laghetti to Egna can alternatively be done on the somewhat safer Adige Cycle Path - but in this case some views on the villages are lost.

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

Starting point of this mountain bike trip is the village of Laghetti south of Egna, of course any other village along the route can be starting point and ending as it is a circular tour. In Laghetti we cycle towards south, through the apple orchards until shortly before Salorno (220 m a.s.l.), where the road to Pochi di Salorno and Cauria starts. We cycle uphill and after some bends we reach the village of Pochi di Salorno at approx. 550 m a.s.l. Past the village we continue our tour always along the asphalt road up to the mountain village of Cauria at 1,300 m a.s.l.

Broadleaf and mixed forests and vineyards characterise the landscape. In Cauria, the gravelled road up to the Monte Corno starts. We follow the marker E5. The path is traced out quite well, only a short section is eroded and another one is paved with partly broken cobblestones. Finally we reach the Malga Corno mountain hut at 1,715 m a.s.l., just beneath the summit of the Monte Corno. It's time for our lunch break and we enjoy typical South Tyrolean dishes.

To come down into the valley again we take the forest road to Trodena village. After this really nice downhill ride we reach the village centre and drive along the asphalt road towards Molini and Gleno (direction of Montagna). At the village entrance of Montagna, the road to Pinzano and Egna branches off. In Egna we take the Bassa Atesina Cycle Path which leads us back to Laghetti again.

Author: AT

The Mendola packs a punch: The highest point of it, the Monte Roen mountain, indeed is "only" 2,116 m high, but this tour is rich in variety, gorgeous ascents and descents but also parts to wheel and to carry can be experienced. Our starting point is the valley station of the Mendola Funicular in Sant'Antonio di Caldaro. Due to the fact that it is weekend, plenty of bikers will choose the Mendola Road today, so we want to spare this section and enjoy the venerable funicular which also transports our bicycles. Arrived at the top we follow the marker no. 500, which leads us to the Rif. Mezzavia (Halbweg Hut) in 30 minutes. Further we proceed along the comfortable wide forest path to the Romeno Mountain Hut, a rustic cultivated hut at 1,780 m a.s.l.

Here cycling is over for the first time. The path no. 500 which proceeds from the Malga Romeno towards the summit of the Monte Roen is steep and has a bad gravel surface. More than half an hour we wheel and carry our bicycles, partly cycling can be managed. Finally the highest point is reached - the peak of the Monte Roen! We left the timberline below us and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view on the Swiss, Austrian and Italian alpine world. After a well-deserved break in the meadow we decide to cycle back via the Giogo di Corona.

A single trail proceeds until the viewpoint "Verbrenntes Egg" always towards south. At the steepest sections we have to carry our bicycles down, attention - the gravel is slippery! Then we carry on our descent, finally we reach a forest road which leads us to the Giogo di Corona. Here we start an appreciative descent down to the village of Corona (800 m a.s.l.) where we take the road towards Cortaccia and come back to Caldaro via Ronchi, Termeno village and along the Wine Road.

Author: AT

We start in Sant'Antonio (St. Anton), a locality of Caldaro, more precisely at the valley station of the Mendola Funicular. 12 minutes takes us the way up to the 1,350 m high Passo della Mendola mountain pass by this historic funicular, our starting point for this MTB tour. We follow the sign no. 500 which leads us towards south. Passing the Rif. Genzianella and Rif. Mezzavia mountain huts, the forest road leads us upwards to the Malga Romeno mountain hut at 1,770 m a.s.l. Until this point the ride was quite easy, only a few very steep slopes we had to push our bikes.

At the Malga Romeno, a charming hut where traditional food is served, we take a rest. Cows graze on deep green meadows and a bit higher up we see a small chapel. Let's go on! We still follow the road no. 500, but now it is very steep and the road surface are crashed stones, so the wheels don't have any footing while driving. The only possibility is to push or to carry our bikes for a length of 40 minutes. At 2,000 m a.s.l. we are rewarded by an amazing view on the villages of the Val di Non valley - here we reach the tree limit. Still a short way and the mountain top is reached!

This is the 2,116 m high Mt. Roen which offers a gorgeous view which is not found very often. Bolzano, Appiano, the Dolomites... on the other side we can see the Oetztal Alps, the Ortles Alps and the Adamello Group. The silence here on top is wonderful, we take a rest and enjoy before we ride back the same way we came. There is only one difference: now we enjoy the downhill-ride on the Mendola Road to Caldaro, which is great fun! But please pay attention: quite a lot of car and motorcycle traffic you have to keep in mind. Most of them are going too fast - the road not only has u-turns but also narrow sections and hairpin curves!

N.b. The indicated data concern only the route from Passo Mendola to Mount Roen and back.

Author: AT

Experienced: July 2011
Last update: 2026

We drive from Caldaro via Ora on the Dolomite Road to Fontanefredde and Trodena (Truden). Our MTB tour to Mt. Corno starts at the parking space near the village entrance at 1,170 m a.s.l. Through the village we cycle on the E5, the European long-distance trail, uphill to the Passo Cisa saddle (Ziss-Sattel) and further on in serpentines to the Malga Corno mountain hut (Horn Alm), where we stop for a rest and a refreshment. This beautiful hut is located at 1,710 m a.s.l., just 70 m beneath the top of Mt. Corno, a peak of the Fiemme Mountains.

Afterwards the path no. 3 continues less steep, sometimes even flat, to the Lago Nero (Black Lake) and the Lago Bianco (White Lake). The path meets the E5 trail again, which leads us downhill to Cauria (Gfrill). This small mountain hamlet at 1,300 m a.s.l. is idyllically located above the Valle dell'Adige valley. From Cauria we continue our uphill ride overcoming another 150 m of altitude difference in order to reach the Passo Cauria saddle (Gfrillner Sattel).

The last section represents the downhill ride on forest paths to Trodena (signpost towards Casignano and then no. 10A, 10 and 6). The untouched landscape and the quiet of nature as well as the beautiful views on the valley make this tour an unforgettable experience!

Author: AT

Experienced: August 2015
Last update: 2026

We start our tour at the upper bridge of the Höllenbach brook flowing through Termeno (Tramin) and cycle to Castel Rechtenthal. Passing the majestic building on the left hand side we follow the road uphill towards the Zogglerwiesen meadows and Corona (Graun). The forest paths no. 4 and 9 lead us to the asphalt road towards Corona.

At the junction to Favogna (Fennberg), a component locality of Magrè, we cycle uphill towards Favogna di Sopra and finally reach Lake Favogna. Favogna di Sotto with its lake, a popular bathing lake and protected biotope, is the perfect place for a well-deserved rest.

On the way back we follow the signpost no. 3 to 'Madonna della Neve' (Our Lady of the Snows) and enjoy the downhill ride to the village of Magrè. 3 km past the village, the path no. 3A towards Niclara (Entiklar) branches off - from this hamlet we cycle along the South Tyrolean Wine Road to Cortaccia (alternative trail: no. 7). The well-known Kastelaz Path in the village centre proceeds through the forest straight back to Castel Rechtenthal in Termeno, our starting point.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2010
Last update: 2026

A road with glamorous history: in 1885 the road from Caldaro and Appiano to the Mendola Pass was finished. Already before 1900 bike and car trips took place on this panoramic route. The around 40 car races held up until the late 1980s also contributed to its legendary reputation. Today, the annual car-free cycling day takes place up on Mt. Mendola.

We start in Caldaro, where we cycle along the Via Europa road, passing the component localities of Sant'Antonio and San Nicolò. At the Kalterer Höhe tavern (can be well used for the first rest) we reach the actual Mendola State Road, which leads from Bolzano via Appiano to the top of the mountain pass. And already here the u-turns start, we are now near Castel Masaccio and drive through a mixed forest. A nearly straight section in southerly direction follows, we cross the 1,000 metres-bench mark and pass the so-called Tumortal valley. Here, at the steep cliff walls, the road becomes closer and we have a great view from Lake Caldaro to the Dolomites.

Finally a set of close u-turns follows before we reach the top of the pass at 1,350 m a.s.l. This pass height represents a watershed, the administrative border between South Tyrol and Trentino and language border all in one. In the west we see the Val di Non valley, in the east the Valle dell'Adige valley. Souvenir shops, restaurants and a few clothes stores - this is the village on the Passo della Mendola, where also the mountain station of the historic Mendola Funicular is situated. After a relaxing rest with panoramic view we start the downhill ride without any efforts back to Caldaro.

Tips:

• Avoid this route if temperatures around 30°C are expected, as the asphalt and rocks quickly turn the route – which is already exposed to the sun in the morning – into a real hotbed!
• Especially on weekends and bank holidays you have a lot of traffic of cars and motorcycles. During the week normally it is much calmer!
• Without being in good physical condition, the uphill tour is hard to manage. Don't overestimate yourself - there are a lot of fantastic bike tours also in the valley, or you take the possibility to go by Mendola Funicular to the mountain top and to do an easy-going MTB tour on the pass!

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2012
Last update: 2026

Orientation and directions are really simple: from the roundabout at the end of Via Stazione in S. Michele you proceed in southern direction, following the main route and the marked trail n°22. This cycle track takes you past the tavern "Christl im Loch“, ideal for a stop, to Caldaro, that is to say to the steam engine, a former locomotive of the Oltradige railway. The trail is very famous with cyclists and also promenaders.

Along the route, there are also some children's playgrounds. It stretches past fruit orchards and vineyards and leads across forested areas. It is explicitly destined for pedestrians and families, for this reason cyclists should have regards for them.

Starting point: Piazza Stazione
Trail: cycle track to Caldaro (Radroute nach Kaltern, Ueberetscher Promenade)
Cycling time: about 20 minutes (each direction)
Length of the course: 5.5 km
Altitude difference: 60 m
Cycling surface: asphalted road
End point: Caldaro village
Further information: for further information don't hesitate to ask your host

From the end of Via Stazione in S. Michele you proceed on the cycling track towards south, towards Ganda di Sotto. This is where a series of trails branch off, we take the trail on the left and soon after turn to the right, following the signpost "Val Lavason“.

We proceed across the Val Lavason valley and the "Katzental" valley, following the signpost “Auer/Ora”, taking us to Campi al Lago located at the lakeside. If you would like to, you can cycle to the western lakeside (caution, promenaders!) and start your return from there. Be aware that the way back is a little more challenging, as you cycle from 220 to 400 m asl.

Starting point: Piazza Stazione Appiano
Trail: cycling route to Lake Caldaro and to Ora
Cycling route: about 20 minutes (one way), 35 minutes (return)
Length of the trail: about 9 km
Altitude difference: 200 m
Surface: asphalted road
Arrival point: Campi al Lago, S. Giuseppe al Lago
Further information: for further information don't hesitate to ask your host

At the roundabout (Piazza Stazione square) in San Michele Appiano, we cycle towards Monticolo, before we turn left into Via Weisshaus road, from where we proceed, slightly upwards, towards the forest. Where the vineyards and the fruit orchards border on the Monticolo Forest, the asphalted track ends and we proceed on a wide forested path, leading us to the sports area of Ronco. First left, than right we proceed on the forested trail for about 10 minutes.

Orientation and directions are very easy, as the trails are all well-signposted. At the Small Monticolo Lake (Kleiner Montiggler See), the trail ends and an asphalted road takes us to its "big brother". To those who would like to discover nature we recommend a ride round the lake. Please have regards for the promenaders. If you drive slow, you can enjoy a great view on the Monticolo Lakes. Even if great parts of the trail are not asphalted, this route can be overcome with almost every bicycle. A mountain bike is of course the ideal bike, but not absolutely necessary.

The drop is easy to overcome, the forest provides shade. The bicycle is an ideal means to reach the recreation area at the lakeside: no parking problems, no dependence on timetables, easygoing movement in nature. Furthermore, both lakes offer a bathing establishment: the Small Monticolo Lake Lido and the Big Monticolo Lake Lido.

Author: AT

Starting point of our tour is the market square of the town of Laives. We cycle along the road towards the Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site and the Vallarsa valley until the junction to the Monte Largo road. Immediately after the left-hand bend we have to pass a short tunnel (88 m). The second bend allows us a short side trip to the mountain summit of the Peterknott hill. From here we have a gorgeous view on Laives, Bolzano and the southern Valle dell'Adige.

We carry on uphill - the acacias and chestnut woods turn into mixed and conifer forests. Past the Steiner farmyards we turn off left, further uphill. After about 100 metres, at the junction to the stone pit, we turn off right. Soon we have reached 1,000 m a.s.l. and the bend which separates the Monte Largo and the Montestretto mountains. Below us we can see the Pineta di Laives, on the other side of the valley the hamlet of La Costa. Now we cycle into the valley, even downhill for a short section. But the last half km is again steep.

As the Dolomites become visible - Sciliar and Catinaccio - we know, that the Wölflhof farm near Nova Ponente village is located after the next bend (approx. 2 hours). There we enjoy a short break before we start our way back: Always downhill it is done within 30 minutes. If you want to do this MTB tour in summer, we recommend to start in the early morning. Then the most demanding section is located in the shadow and can be managed without any problems.

Author: AT

This small mountain bike route leads from Caldaro to the Monticolo Lakes in the municipality of Appiano.

With less than 14 km in length ( there and back) and a difference in altitude of just 300 m, this tour offers variations of varying degrees of difficulty. It takes about 2 hours (including breaks to enjoy the panorama). We start on the Wine Road north of Caldaro, in front of the old steam engine of the former Oltradige Railway. Path no. 4 first leads steeply downhill into the Lavasontal valley and then climbs up into the Monticolo forest. If we follow the marker 4, the asphalt road changes into a forest path up to a narrow hiking trail and becomes quite bumpy in some sections. Alternatively, you can take the well-maintained gravel road, which is easier and also less steep.

The first stage destination is the Big Monticolo Lake, which we reach after crossing the car park of Monticolo (Montiggl). After a short break we continue to the Little Monticolo Lake, which we bypass on the eastern and northern banks. The reflection of the sky, the forest and the mountains gives the natural waters a romantic touch. Following the sign 'Radroute nach St. Michael Eppan', we take the well-trodden path towards north-west until we reach the crossroads with path no. 1, which we take towards 'Wilder Mann'. A few hundred metres further on we turn left into a stony descent that leads to Colterenzio.

Once there, we find ourselves in a world-famous wine landscape. The view sweeps from the Mendola Ridge to the Merano Mountains and Bolzano, behind it the Dolomites. At the little church of Colterenzio we have reached our destination. The fastest way back to Caldaro is via Cornaiano to S. Michele and then along the Oltradige Cycle Path back to the steam locomotive.

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026

This moderate tour runs mostly parallel to the Caldaro High Route (Kalterer Höhenweg). Due to the cycling time of 4.5 hours we recommend to plan a whole-day tour so you can enjoy some stops and the beautiful panoramic views. From the Paterbühel hill in Caldaro we turn into the Via Klavenz road and cycle on the path no. 15 to Pianizza di Sopra (Oberplanitzing) and further on to the junction with the Mendola Road. Following this asphalt road downhill for 300 m we branch off to the Via Andreas Hofer road on the left. It leads us through the Ganda di Sopra settlement.

We choose the Via Badl road on the left and then the Via Piganò road to Castel Palù, and cycle through the vineyards to the Steinegger tavern. The MTB tour itself starts right here: the forest path no. 7 snakes its way through the forest uphill to Masaccio where a parking space is located right beside the Mendola Road. 150 m down the asphalt road we enter the forest again and follow the Boos forest path. After another 3 km it meets the trail no. 521 known as 'Telefonsteig'.

Slightly below we turn into the path no. 9 resp. Caldaro High Route and cycle towards S. Antonio and the Ziegenstadel, a forester's deposit. Sometimes the parallel forest path is better suited for the MTB ride. After 5 km we reach the Ziegelstadel and continue for another 3 km (signpost 'Gummererhof'). The downhill ride takes us on the Zoggler forest trail and later on on a partly asphalted road to Castelvecchio (Altenburg). From this hamlet the forest path no. 11 leads us to the Caldaro sports ground. Via the hamlet of Sant'Antonio we turn back to our starting point.

Author: AT

Experienced: April 2012
Last update: 2026

Our starting point for the Central Wine Trail is the Via delle Cantine road in Caldaro. We cycle northward through the vineyards of the Oltradige area, past the old steam locomotive towards the cycle track of Lake Caldaro. We follow it for a part and turn left along the forest path to reach the village of Monticolo (Montiggl), a component locality of Appiano.

We go ahead up to the Big Monticolo Lake, in order to follow the road on the west side of the lake which leads us to the Small Monticolo Lake. We follow the forest path through the wood and then we turn left on the road towards Colterenzio (Schreckbichl), a little wine growing hamlet. A paved path leads us up to Cornaiano (Girlan). We are surrounded by the vineyards of Appiano and follow the road to San Michele, the main village of Appiano.

Near San Michele there is the picturesque village of Piganò (Pigeno), which is situated at the end of a gentle ascent. We pass through the wood and reach Ganda di Sopra, from where we cycle down towards Caldaro, past Pianizza di Sopra (Oberplanitzing). This is the shortest tour (23 km) of the three Wine Trails, but we have faced an altitude difference of 500 m anyway. The landscape of this trip - with its vineyards, historic mansions, woods and lakes - is just wonderful.

Author: AT

Experienced: May 2010
Last update: 2026