Wine Trails in South Tyrol

The vineyards along the Algunder Waal and the Schlundensteinweg are a special example of a cultural landscape shaped by the diligence of farmers. On the Algund Wine Trail, the history of the cultural vineyard landscape comes to life and is tangible for hikers. The simple panels describe the Algunder Waal, the old grape varieties and the work of the vineyard watchman known as the Saltner. His job was to watch over the ripe harvest.

The wine teaching trail Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | On the 1.6 km path through the vineyards of Cortaccia, hikers can trace all of the important things that happen over the course of the wine-growing year. You’ll learn about wine cultivation, landscape, and history at a number of different information stations along the way. You can also smell different aromas found in wine. | The wine teaching trail Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | Starting point: The main square of Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | Highest point: 400

From the swimming pool in Chiusa/Klausen, you walk along the main road to the crossroads for Velturno/Feldthurns. Follow the marked Wine Trail (Weinwanderweg), first along the road and then through the Leitach vineyards past various wineries up to the Hienghof farm and from there back down to the swimming pool. On the way you will get a fascinating insight into winegrowing in the Eisacktal valley and learn about the different varieties of grape.

The starting point for the vineyard trail is in the center of Bressanone/Brixen (refreshments available) at the Adlerbrücke. Follow trail no. 1 through the Stufels district, first via Kranebitt (refreshments available) up to Elvas (refreshments available). Here continue through the Mooswald forest to the Raiermoos biotope and on trail no. 6 via Hochrain to the Strasserhof farm (refreshments available in autumn). Continue on trail no. 4 between vineyards and the typical dry stone walls down to the well-known Neustift monastery (refreshments available). From here head south on trail no. 16 back to Bressanone/Brixen. There is no shortage of places to stop along the way, especially in the fall it is charming to visit one of the rustic Buschenschänke.

The vineyard path is easy to walk and also brisk, much worth seeing transforms this hike, but without further ado into a day trip. Already at the starting point, the narrow medieval streets of Stufels are fascinating. Once you have conquered the first meters of altitude, you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Bressanone basin from the Wetterkreuz near Elvas. Nature lovers will be delighted by the diversity of the Raiermoos biotope, as well as the centuries-old vineyards on the slopes above Neustift. Wines from these same vineyards can also be tasted directly at the Neustift monastery before heading back towards Brixen.

“Good wine begins in the vineyard” – an oft-quoted maxim whose truth is unchallenged.

Why this is so and what happens in the vineyard is clearly described along the Castel Sallegg wine trail in Caldaro. Panels located in the midst of the vine rows explain all about Alto Adige’s grape varieties and their characteristics, relate the annual vegetation cycle of the vines and tell the history of winegrowing. Those wishing to learn more will find plenty of information about the local climate, geography and terroir. To round off the trail, visitors can visit the cellar and enjoy a wine-tasting session, thus completing the path from the vine via the barrel and into the bottle.

The starting point of the trail, which is some 350 metres long, is the Rottenburger Platz in the centre of Caldaro. From there it leads up through the vineyard to the inner courtyard of Castel Sallegg. Visitors can follow the trail alone or take part in an individual or a group guided tour: either way you can be sure of acquiring an informative insight into the traditional viticulture of Alto Adige.

Route: Rottenburger Platz (centre of Caldaro) to Castel Sallegg (30 minutes on foot).
Opening times: mid-March to mid-November (guided tours only during the ripening season).
Price: unaccompanied visits are free of charge: guided tours are €9.50 or €16.00 including cellar tour and wine tasting.
Guided tours: from 1 April to the end of October, followed by cellar visit (except during harvest time) and wine tasting. Guided tours followed by wine tasting can be organized for small and big groups.

 

The Pinot Noir Trail in the south of South Tyrol is a new educational path where you can learn more about our land’s culture and its wines. It winds through the famed Pinot Noir vineyards and along the Trudner Horn Nature Park. It starts at the quaint villages of Auer, Montan, and Neumarkt in the Unterland district and leads you through Italy’s best Pinot Noir terroirs in Mazon, Glen, and Pinzon. You can choose between a 16-km-long one-day outing or three half-day tours.
Along the way, hikers and strollers will encounter various historical spots and cultural highlights – e.g., the significant archeological sites of Castelfeder, the oldest segment of the Fiemme Valley railway, St. Stephan’s Church in Pinzon with its late-Gothic Altar by the Master Hans Klocker, the idyllic St. Michael’s Church in Mazon, the ruins of Kaldiff, and the handsome Enn Castle. Along the way, information panels and interactive stations will help you learn more about this unique wine-growing area and its history. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Unterland district. The differences in elevation shouldn’t be a problem as most of the route is relatively level. But there’s a lot to explore and discover, for young and old alike! It’s easy, comfortable, and suitable for
families. The route is open 12 months a year. A red “B” will lead the way.

The new theme path provides an insight into viniculture and wine history and spans an arc between agriculture and gastronomy. Different information panels describe local grape varieties, landscape and culinary specialties. The Val Venosta wine path is perfectly walkable from Easter to November and takes you along the irrigation channel paths (Latschander irrigation channel path and Senales irrigation channel path) over long distances. This hike of about 2.5 hours can be made in both directions and it is also possible to choose specific sections only.

This easy hike leads through the sunny vineyards on the steep slopes of Leitach, north of Klausen/Chiusa. Along the way, a series of info boards illustrate the history of winemaking in South Tyrol, describing the different grape varietals and wines of Klausen.

This educational nature and wine trail along Gschleier-Eck in Cornaiano opened in 2007.

Walking time: 60 - 90 minutes

Walk along the historic town center „Betlehem“, through the Gewürztraminer vineyards above Tramin-Termeno. Enjoy the Mediterranean culture, the landscape and a unique view on Tramin-Termeno and the environment.

Easy circular route on the trail of winegrowing in Dorf Tirol/Tirolo. This leisurely walk through the vineyards above the roofs of Meran/Merano starts at the tourist information office. 

Along the way you can find information panels about the history and culture of qine, as well as giant-size items used in winegrowing: a "Reber" (vine knife), a "Moster" (pounder) and a "Pazeide", an ancient wine and measuring vessel on the village square.

In Terlan you will find a "wine path" running through the upper Terlan area.
Already existing roads and hiking paths are combined into a theme walk through the vineyards of Terlan.
From numerous signs you can learn interesting facts about Terlan’s winemaking history and culture. Following the information boards along the path, you will enter vineyards at various altitudes and with different climatic conditions, see the varieties grown in the area and the vine training systems, and be introduced to soil and quality management.
The accompanying brochure is available at the tourist office or at Terlan's winery.

The Wine Trail is layed out in the form of an "8" and takes you from the village centre, down to the lake and back – past wine vineyards, farms and estates. Ground markings have been laid into the ground so that the hiker is aware of the various vineyard names as he passes by. You will see some of the age-old poetic vineyard names, which date back to either Rhaetian or Romantic origins: "Vial", "Prunar", "Puntara", "Palurisch" …

The sunny mountain slope from Bozen up to the Ritten is one of the finest wine-growing areas in South Tyrol. Along the wine steps, the 10 artistic installations offer a fascinating glimpse into the
culture of wine production. From Signat the trail leads downhill through the gently rolling vineyards to the viewing platform with its magnificent views of Bozen, then on to the Loosmannhof, to the settlement of St. Justina and down to Rentsch in the historic wine-growing estate of Ansitz Waldgries. The same route leads back uphill from Bozen to Signat.