Cycling along the Alto Adige Wine Road

We ride on the Etsch cycle path from Terlan in the direction of Bozen to the Sigmundskron train station. Here we take the main road, cross the Etsch bridge on the right and then drive towards Girlan. After a short ascent, we come back to the bike path, which leads in a moderate incline and with a wonderful view of the Adige Valley to the village of St. Michael / Eppan. Here we always stay on the bike path and continue to the village of Kaltern, where we come to the “New Cellar”. There we have to cycle back a short distance and then come right downhill through the orchards into the Lavason valley. We ride downwards and enjoy the wonderful view of Lake Kaltern. At the crossroad to Kaltern we stay left towards Klughammer. Here the lake is on our right. We continue to Gmund and keep left, past some houses, pass under the motorway, onto a bridge and immediately turn left onto the cycle path towards Bozen. Along the Etsch river it goes to Bozen Süd, where you turn left towards Sigmundskron and Terlan.

This is a short adventure from Lake Kaltern into the forest between its eastern shore and the Adige Valley. South of the Leuchtenburg castle, enchanted paths lead to the Rosszähnen, a rock formation above the Etsch river.

The Caldaro High Path is a moderately difficult mountain bike tour that is ideal for experienced cyclists. This approximately 10 km circular route starts and ends at the sports facilities in the Altenburg Forest in Caldaro. With an elevation difference of about 322 m and an estimated riding time of about 1 ½ hours, the route offers a challenging yet rewarding experience. The trail mainly consists of gravel and leads over wide, traffic-free forest roads, including an initial climb of about 10% over approximately 5 km.

Visit the Bassa Atesina and go in for a beautiful bike tour alomg the Südtiroler Weinstraße/Strada del Vino. The pictorial arbours of Egna, the contemplative Village Cortaccia and the romantic historical center of Termeno are waiting for you!

This tour combines an easy but long ascent along the former railroad line with a stunning view of the Dolomites – including the Latemar and the Rose Garden – and with a wonderful, relatively gentle and fluid downhill trip that speed demons will love. There are practically no difficulties requiring a high level of technical skill, and there are certainly no segments where you'll have to dismount and push your bike. So if you have a high level of physical fitness and if you start out early, you will certainly complete this 90-km marathon – especially since you can breeze along almost 40 km in both directions on dedicated bicycle trails. From the starting-point at the parking lot in the Kellereistrasse, you first proceed along the bicycle trail to Auer / Ora and on to Neumarkt / Egna. After a short and relatively steep ascent through vineyards, you come to the village of Montan / Montagna. The trail then follows the incline along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line. You'll climb approx. 800 meters of altitude differential with a grade of no more than 6%. Shortly after you reach Kaltenbrunn / Fontanefredde, you'll turn off to the left via a couple of wooden staircases and then continue along the narrow, low-traffic road to Radein / Redagno and from there along a wide, gently inclined gravel road up to the Jochgrimm. Once you've reached the Jochgrimm Inn (at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea-level), you'll be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Dolomites: The mighty chain of peaks extending from the Latemar and Rose Garden with the Vajolett Towers is a visual feast – an unforgettable view. There is a beautiful, somewhat wider trail about 10 km in length, always slightly downhill, over alpine meadows and all the way to the Weissenstein Monastery along these imposing mountain cliffs. This ascent is highly enjoyable. You can enjoy this fluid downhill trip, and there are practically no difficulties requiring a high level of technical skill. From the Weissenstein Monastery – a well-known place of pilgrimage – a gravel road first leads you down a steep downhill grade. Just before Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente, you'll have to then accomplish a short opposing climb before descending into the marvelous Branten Valley. You will then proceed at first down a steep gravel trail and in part over streamlets paved with jagged stone (Attention: plenty of flat stones) into a narrow gorge with in part vertical cliff walls. The trail will take you down to Leifers / Laives in the Etsch / Adige Valley. This is a unique experience – not only because of the giant cliff walls, but also because it is pleasantly cool in this valley even on hot summer days. Once you've arrived in Leifers, you have two alternatives to get back to Kaltern: You can either take the bike trail to the south around the Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo and then past Lake Caldaro, or proceed to the north towards Bozen / Bolzano and then along the bike path towards Meran / Merano and Kaltern. You should base your decision on the wind direction: In the afternoon (especially when the weather is fine), it will be blowing relatively strong from the south. The route towards Bozen is a little bit longer, but quicker when you have a southerly wind to your back. Especially ambitious bikers are free to take the "Coyote Pass," allowing you to accumulate another 150 meters of steep uphill meters of altitude differential.

Variants: Via Truden / Trodena, you can reach the "Cisloner Alm", "Kanzel," and "Trudner Horn" routes.

Mustn't be missed: The former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line, the Maria Weissenstein place of pilgrimage, the village of Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente, a beautiful panoramic view of the Weisshorn and Schwarzhorn, the Latemar, the Rose Garden, and the Schlern / Sciliar.

Wild trails, forestry routes or flow trails - Montiggl Forest is a sensational mountain bike territory.

The movement in the outdoors is not only healthy, it also causes mental miracles: On foot or by bike - fresh air promotes circulation, relax and brings good mood. The view of the Asparagus fields in Terlan and the blossoming orchards promotes this feeling of happiness.

It's hard to believe that the Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo – this oblong, heavily forested mountain situated between the Etsch / Adige Valley and lake Caldaro – is crisscrossed by more than 600 km of trails, but it's true! The network of bike trails here is so complicated that you'll have to take care to maintain your bearings. The expansive Stein Valley is actually only a shallow depression near the highest point of the Mitterberg – which has an altitude of about 650 meters, and at the summit of which there is a large antenna station. You begin the ascent by first cycling downhill from Kaltern / Caldaro on the bicycle path towards Lake Caldaro, but after a few meters, you'll have to take a sharp left turn into a forest trail which is asphalted at the bottom. At the beginning, there is an only slight uphill grade. But starting at the Montiggl Plateau, it becomes much steeper. When you've gotten a little farther, a gravel trail starts. This gravel trail is only slightly uphill, and will take you to the entrance to the expansive Stein Valley. The route through the Stein Valley is virtually level, so you'll encounter nothing requiring any significant technical skill. The big, moss-covered boulders in the forest will catch your eye; they are found on both sides of the forest trail, and give the valley its name. Once you've gotten to the other side of the Stein Valley, you'll have two options to pedal downhill: The following description applies to the easy asphalt trail (which is nonetheless off limits for motor vehicles). Once you've descended, you can pedal along the level road to the west of the Montiggl Lakes towards Eppan. From there, you should take the bicycle trail along the former railroad line and bike back to Kaltern. In the summertime, the Montiggl Lakes are a popular destination for outdoor swimming, and you can enjoy a slice of delicious, home-made pie and cake in any one of the beach cafes. But please note the large number of pedestrians and hikers you'll encounter along the way to the lakes when the weather is nice. All in all, the Stein Valley is an easy mountainbike tour and, because it will take you mostly through shadowy forest, is to be preferred on hot days.

Variants: This tour can also be combined with the "Girlan / Cornaiano" tour.

Mustn't be missed: The Montiggl Lakes.

This tour includes a number of fabulous lookout spots where you can enjoy an unparalleled view of Kaltern / Caldaro and the surrounding vineyards. At the same time, you are guaranteed plenty of wonderfully relaxing time in the forest. However, you'll probably be focusing on fun riding technique for most of the time, which leaves little time for contemplating the view. After completing the ascent from Kaltern – a short segment along the Mendel Pass Road, continuing over a long gravel trail – you will commence the extensive trail passage: At first, you will proceed over a bumpy, rocky path which will require even practiced cyclists to fully concentrate on the trail. But after just 300 meters, you'll have overcome this steep groove and can take a sharp right turn into a trail. This is a narrow, smooth path which in part winds its way through the forest. This trail possesses a lot of "flow," as cyclists say, and you will simply glide over the mostly leaf-covered path as you negotiate the many bends and little hairpin curves. It's like a rollercoaster ride – only more pleasant! Following this fantastic segment of the trail, you'll finally reach a gravel trail. After you cross the Mendel / Mendola funicular tunnel, you'll return to a trail. This trail winds its way along level or slightly uphill terrain as you slowly ascend the slope and reach another gravel road which will take you to the Ziegelstadel; signposts mark this as the Kaltern High-Altitude Trail. From here, you can take charming paths either uphill or downhill. A short side-trip to Tramin / Termeno, and then the trail continues to Lake Caldaro – the perfect place for a cool dip in hot summer months! After you've refreshed yourself, you'll have to undertake the obligatory 180 meters of altitude differential on the bicycle trail up to Kaltern. Once you've arrived here, what better way to conclude your successful tour than with a glass of wine at the town square?

Variants: You can continue straight and follow the Mendel Pass Road and try the "Penegal" or "Malga Romeno" tours.

Mustn't be missed: The Mendel / Mendola funicular, Lake Caldaro, and the beautiful panorama of the vineyards and fruit orchards.

Kaltern - Bolzano - Colle - La Costa - Pineta - Bolzano - Kaltern
Level of difficulty medium

This demanding road bike tour takes you from Auer/Ora, Neumarkt/Egna or Salurn/Salorno up to the mountain hamlet of Gfrill/Cauria, perched above the Adige Valley. Covering approx. 52 km and 1,240 meters of elevation gain, the route combines steep climbs, cultural highlights and magnificent alpine views – perfect for well-trained riders seeking a true South Tyrolean challenge.

This tour leads you to the breathtaking GardaLake with its Mediterranean flair and pictorial villages.

This is a challenging gravel tour in which you will proceed from the shore of the Etsch River via a demanding ascent to this hidden pass. In the Etsch / Adige Valley, it will take you to Salorno / Salurn, on the border to Trentino and then disappears in the quiet forest behind the cliffs which sharply demarcate the Etsch / Adige Valley on the eastern side.

The start will help you limber up and warm your muscles. From Kaltern / Caldaro, you'll roll down at a fast pace to Lake Caldaro. From the southern shore of the lake, you'll quickly reach the Etsch Valley Bicycle Trail. Here, you will follow the river another 10 km – with a tailwind, if you're lucky – and soon reach Salorno / Salurn, the southernmost settlement in South Tyrol. But that isn't entirely true – because just before you come to it, there's a forest road representing a short-cut to the road up to Gfrill / Cauria, a peaceful hamlet 1,000 meters above the valley. That is the decisive ascent of this tour – because you'll have to master another 200 meters of altitude differential on forest trails to the saddle – with an average grade of 10%. This is then followed by a descent of 400 meters on the other side on gravel trails in the forest as you approach Gschnon / Casignano. This is the perfect place to take a short side-trip (one kilometer in each direction) to the "Kanzel," an extraordinary lookout point high above the Etsch Valley. A street leads from Gschnon to Mühlen and into the valley through which the Truden Brook runs steeply down into the Etsch / Adige Valley. You'll follow it uphill till you get to Truden / Trodena and gain another 300 meters of altitude differential along the little valley road. The descent from Truden into the Etsch / Adige Valley represents the highpoint of this tour, with regards to beautiful landscape. The gravel trail along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad will take you down to Montan / Montagna. ATTENTION! The entrance to the tunnels can be a little daunting – built-in motion sensors will first have to detect your presence before they switch on the lights. After you've exited the final tunnel, the landscape will open up, and you'll be treated to a sublime view of the Etsch / Adige Valley – the most-spectacular of which is on the viaduct near Pinzon / Pinzano, a looped bridge which the engineers used to elegantly smooth out the necessary hairpin curve of the railroad in the somewhat steeper area of the slope. Then you'll be treated to the Castelfeder biotope, an ancient cult site which is certain to catch your eye against the surrounding landscape. Extravagant geological formations and enormous boulders left behind by receding glaciers are scattered about at various elevations. The wild, romantic hilly landscape has lost none of its magical appeal. Castelfeder is the subject of numerous legends and stories. The so-called "Kuchelen" on the highest level are the remains of a ring wall dating back to the Early Middle Ages. This is an ideal place to pause for a breather and enjoy the scenery. Or to prepare for the next segment. That's because the trail from the Etsch / Adige Valley, Lake Caldaro, and uphill to the center of Kaltern represents another 200 meters of altitude differential to be managed.

Variants: If you'd like to enjoy some sightseeing in Salorno / Salurn, you can also take the ascent to Gfrill / Cauria from the center of Salurn. However, that entails more time on the streets. If you'd like to take a short-cut, proceed from Mühlen and follow the Truden Brook downhill until you return to the main trail just before you pass the small hamlet of Glen prior to the viaduct.

This route crosses four villages of the Val d'Adige by orchards, vineyards, along the forest and also provides some viewpoints. The route is easy to ride, since no large height differences have to be overcome.

There are several places of interest which invite you to linger. The route leads not only past designated bike paths, but also to non-busy routes. Very easy to ride with the racing bike too.

The southernmost ‘Wine & Bike’ route leads from the wine villages of Cortaccia/Kurtatsch and Magrè/Margreid to Cortina all’Adige/Kurtinig and Salorno/Salurn. Return via Egna/Neumarkt and Ora/Auer, the Lake Kaltern and back to Termeno/Tramin. The stretch from Salorno to Ora can be completed by train.

 

Those deciding on the rather more challenging and scenically rewarding Überetsch variation of the Via Claudia Augusta should remain on the orographic right side of the Etschtal in Andriano/Andrian, following the old wine road to Riva di Sotto/Unterrain.

This variation ascends to San Paolo/St. Pauls in Überetsch up to the two largest wine producing municipalities in South Tyrol, Appiano/Eppan and Caldaro/Kaltern. Just after Appiano, head down to the Kalterer See lake, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, and on to the village of Termeno/Tramin, famed for its Gewürztraminer wine. With their vineyards and wineries, the picturesque wine villages further to the south, Cortaccia/Kurtatsch, Magrè/Margreid and Cortina all'Adige/Kurtinig, are also well worth a visit. At Egna/Neumarkt, the two variations meet up once more at the Via Claudia Augusta on the Etschtal Cycle Path leading to Salorno/Salurn and then on to Italian-speaking Trentino.

Tip: an interactive route planner of the Via Claudia Augusta is available at www.viaclaudia.org

While pedaling in the Etsch / Adige Valley from Bozen / Bolzano to Meran / Merano, to your right you can see only cliffs and steep slopes served by two solitary cableways. But behind those mountain slopes and cliffs, there's an enormous hidden area of verdant alpine meadows dotted by hamlets and countless farmhouses. The road across this landscape is a joy for bicycle racers. This road leads from Kaltern / Caldaro over to the Burggrafenamt / Burgraviato district. This district – which includes the city of Meran – has its name from the previous historical era during which Tyrolean Burgraves reigned here. Today, this region is a center of tourism in South Tyrol: Meran and its neighboring communities are pulsing with life. One the route to this area, the only thing holding you back might be a gentle breeze blowing to the south from the Vinschgau / Venosta Valley along the Etsch / Adige River. This tour starts at the central market square in Kaltern and continues via the Bahnhofsstrasse down to the Kellereistrasse (alternative starting-point) at the end of which (at the old locomotive) the actual bike trail begins that leads down into the Etsch / Adige Valley. You will now proceed along the Etch bicycle path into the valley and later along the little valley roads until you approach the gates of Meran. The traffic will now become somewhat heavier until you have left the branch roads into the center of Meran and the streets up to Schenna / Scena behind you. At the outskirts of Meran, the ascent begins up to Hafling / Avelengo, the first village of the extensive "Wiesenbalkon" ("meadow balcony") above the Etsch Valley. (This village gave its name to the "Haflinger" breed of horse.) On the uphill stretch, the traffic will lighten once you've passed the valley station of the Meran 2000 gondola-type aerial lift (to which many visitors come by car). You can now fully enjoy the fabulous view of the Etsch / Adige Valley until the in part quite steep road disappears behind the cliffs. Not only the view into the valley is now obstructed. Suddenly, Meran has vanished from sight when you immerse yourself in this completely different world of peaceful mountain pastures and rustic farmsteads. From Hafling, the road now winds across the plateau via Vöran and over to Mölten / Meltina. Just before you reach Mölten, in Schlaneid, you can also stay on the main road. But this tour will take you over a narrow side street and past the aerial lift's mountain station that serves the Etsch / Adige Valley. And that again meets the main road in Mölten. This side-trip is an exciting option for cyclists looking for a little adventure. That's because, between Hafling and Mölten, there is one or another side street leading to hamlets and farmsteads that you might like to try out along this route. But in Mölten, you'll again be riding along wider, well-established main street and continue for a while over the plateau. But soon, while descending along this exciting road featuring a couple of curves, a warm wind will again be blowing in your face until you get to Terlan / Terlano and are standing in front of the gates of the provincial capital. You'll now see more vineyards, and viticulture will now characterize the tour. The route does not lead you directly on the main street to Kaltern. Instead, you will be taking little side streets through wine villages. You'll have to exert yourself until just after the Kaltern Höhe you have achieved the upper part of the Mitterdorf district. Only now can you glide easily into the center of town and maybe treat yourself to an espresso or maybe even a glass of wine – the perfect conclusion to this interesting tour.

Variants: You can take this tour in either direction. However, the descent from Mölten / Meltina to Terlan / Terlano is more charming that the one from Hafling to Meran. Because this route is in the shape of a figure-eight, with nodes between Terlan and Andrian, you are free to try out different variations.

From the MediterraneanfFlair of Salorno to the pictorial arbours of Egna and the bucolic alleys of Ora and the historical center of Bolzano.

The name "Kanzel" tells the whole story: This lookout point looms high above the valley and offers breathtaking vistas. The tour to the lookout platform – at an elevation of 970 meters above sea-level – leads from Kaltern / Caldaro along the bicycle trail at first downhill to Lake Caldaro and then to the completely level Etsch / Adige Bicycle Trail to Neumarkt / Egna. Then comes the exciting ascent along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line. You'll overcome about 800 meters of altitude differential with a grade of no more than six percent. This railroad line from Auer / Ora to Predazzo was built during World War I by Russian prisoners of war to transport men and matériel from the Etsch / Adige Valley to the Fleims / Fiemme Valley towards the front. After the conclusion of the war, this small railroad transported chiefly wood and passengers until it was finally shut down in the 1960s due to shrinking profitability. The only thing that remained was the perfectly established route which, today, serves as a gravel road called the "former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad" or "ex ferrovia". Because the locomotives back then were unable to manage a grade of more than five or six percent, this route is perfect for cyclists – you will be able to gently ascend the meters of altitude differential. As you approach Kaltenbrunn / Fontanefredde, you'll leave the railway route and proceed a short distance uphill along the road to Truden. This is the perfect opportunity to pause for a breather and enjoy a soft drink – but it's actually more sensible to roll through the narrow side valley through which the Truden Brook flows down towards the Etsch / Adige River and down to Mühlen / Molini. Once there, you should take a sharp left turn to Gschnon / Casignano. This little village affords a fabulous view. Right after Gschnon, the asphalt ends and you will proceed along a gravel trail all the way to Kanzel, where you can take a break and fully enjoy the view under the large wooden cross. You will find the following segment quite challenging – both for your arm muscles and your brake linings: The steep gravel forest trail will require constant braking. This can result in cramped finger muscles and smoking-hot brake linings. We therefore recommend that you try "alternating braking" – shifting from your front brakes and your rear brakes so that they don't overheat. When you stop for a moment down at the confluence between Laag / Laghetti and Mazon / Mazzon, you're likely to smell the odor of your overheated brakes. Take care to not touch the hot brakes with your calves – you can really hurt yourself! Finally, you'll follow a short downhill stretch through the lovely vineyards below Mazon before you come to the historical heart of Neumarkt / Egna and begin your return trip to Kaltern / Caldaro. All in all, this outing to the Kanzel is physically challenging, but does not require a high level of technical skill. Thus, even cyclists with modest technical skills can appreciate the fabulous panoramas and make frequent stops along the way at the numerous refreshment opportunities. This route is a "must-have" for any cyclist vacationing in the Kaltern region.

Variants: You can combine this tour with the route to the Trudner Horn to the "Jochgrimm."

Mustn't be missed: The Kanzel Cross, the alpine village of Truden, the fabulous panorama of the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol, Kaltern, Bozen / Bolzano, the majestic Monte Roen, the impressive Mendel, and the mighty Penegal.

 

From Kurtatsch we cycle along the wine road to the Margreid sports ground, where we turn right to the south. From there we cycle along the rocks via Aichholz (Roveré della Luna) until shortly before Mezzocorona, where the road turns east towards San Michele. We continue southwards, cross the bridge over the Adige at Zambana and continue to Lavis, where we turn off towards Pressano. The route now climbs via Panizza di Sopra and Masen and soon descends again to San Michele all'Adige. There we cycle uphill on the Adige cycle path to Egna. From there, the route continues to Tramin and back to Kurtatsch via the wine route.

This is a pleasant roundtrip circuit that will help to acquaint you with the vicinity. It's not quite 20 km long, and will provide you with a good impression of the experience of biking around the Kaltern / Caldaro area. This tour includes beautiful, flowing forest trails interrupted only by charming little lookout points where you can enjoy some wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and Lake Caldaro.

As the name of this route implies, the High-Altitude Trail will first take you uphill from Kaltern. You'll have to manage about 500 meters of altitude differential at the very start. From the town's central market square, you will ascend "through the villages" (the parts of town at higher elevations) – namely: Pfuss and St. Niklaus – up to the so-called "Kalterer Höhe" (high-altitude trail). From this high point, you take the Mendel Pass Road farther up to the Mendel Pass. But this main road is crossed only twice before the High-Altitude Trail really becomes true to its name in the forest and gains elevation until you cross the cableway leading to the Mendel Pass. Now comes the most-enchanting segment of this tour, as you proceed along forest paths and trails downhill until you come to the Ziegelstadel. While passing through the forest, you'll repeatedly come to little clearings where you can stop for a breather and take in the marvelous views. From the Ziegelstadel, you should now take a trail down to Altenburg, the perhaps quietest neighborhood in Kaltern. Altenburg is situated on a sun-drenched plateau above the lake, hidden behind the forest. This is the perfect opportunity for you to pause for refreshments at the Waldschenke Inn or to discover one of the stunning lookout points with a view of Lake Caldaro. The return trip from Altenburg takes you back to Kaltern, past the St. Anton Sports Center with its fun climbing facility. If you feel up to it, you might want to stop by and include a session of wall-climbing in your tour. Or, you can comfortably glide down the path to the central square of Kaltern. Once you've arrived, you might want to relax and enjoy a cup of cappuccino, or a glass of delicious Caldaro wine. What an apt way to conclude a pleasant journey through the many vineyards you've passed through on this tour!

Variants: This tour can also be combined with the "Panorama" tour – part of which runs along the same High-Altitude Trail. You thus have a number of different options to choose from.

 

As early as the 17th century, the "smart set" of that era who resided in Bozen / Bolzano would flee the big city during the hot summer months and escape to the cooler climes of Ritten / Renon. They would "summer" there. Today, the road leading from Bozen to this cradle of fashionable summering is a popular route for bicycle racers, and boasts a terrific panoramic view of the Dolomites. Ritten, together with Oberbozen / Soprabolzano, are now both attractive recreational areas for the residents of the provincial capital. It's a great opportunity for them to take the aerial tram and float 1,000 meters up to escape the oppressive summer heat on the valley floor. But ambitious athletes won't take the lift. Instead, they'll take the road beginning at the northeastern edge of the city – there where the Eisack / Isarco River leaves Brixen / Bressanone and exits the narrow valley on its way to the Etsch River. At the beginning of this ascent, the bike path first proceeds from the Kellereistrasse in Kaltern / Caldaro down towards Bozen before running parallel to the banks of the Etsch River. Soon, it continues along the shores of the Eisack River northwards until you have practically left the city. Now you'll have to deal briefly with the motor vehicle traffic in the vicinity of the main train station, but soon you'll get onto the road winding its way up (with hairpin curves) to Klobenstein / Collalbo. At an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea-level, you'll have overcome 1,000 meters of altitude differential. You can now take the time for a little rest-stop – maybe for a meal, or for a short trip to the nearby "Earth Pyramids." In Klobenstein, a somewhat narrower road begins that proceeds over the alpine meadows – with a constant "up" and "down" and another 300 meters of altitude differential. And all the while, you can admire the fantastic panoramic view. You will now descend into the Sarn / Sarentino Valley and to a road rising from Bozen as you continue northward. You will breeze along through several tunnels towards Bozen. The lower section was expanded only a few years ago; you will now proceed over it through wide and well-illuminated tunnels where you can merge into the motor vehicle traffic. Nevertheless, we recommend that you keep your warning light flashing as you navigate the saddle. Once you've reached Bozen, the bike path will continue along the Talfer Brook (which comes from the Sarn Valley). The path soon merges again with the Eisack Valley Bicycle Trail. The route will now take you back on the same way, uphill to Kaltern – with another approx. 300 meters of altitude differential. If you have time to spare, you might consider stopping for a pleasant stay amidst the charming arcades of the provincial capital. But don't dawdle too long in Bozen! You should still plan to enjoy a glass of delicious wine once you get to the market square in Kaltern.

From Tramin to Neumarkt. After the Etsch bridge you have to turn left in the Etsch cycle path and to follow until Bozen. In Bozen you pass Castel Firmiano with the Messner Mountain Museum, then in direction to Appiano and at the return over Caldaro back to Tramin.
Don't forget your swimwear!

The cycle route of about 30 km leads over long stretches between villages and apple orchards of the Adige Valley. A sea of flowers meets the cyclists in the first half of April. The tour starts in Andrian and touches the villages of Nalles and Lana along the Via Claudia Augusta. Here it crosses the Adige River to join the Adige Cycle Path and return to Andrian.

You start by taking the biking trail to Bozen. (ATTENTION: When you're at the wineries, be sure to take the biking trail past at the vintage locomotive, towards Bozen – NOT the path to Lake Caldaro!) Once you've arrived in Bozen, you should continue following this biking trail along the Etsch / Adige River until you have left the lively provincial capital behind. The contrasting landscape forms you will see over just a few kilometers as the crow flies are now enormous. The flank of the Etsch / Adige Valley rises steeply – e.g., uphill towards Kohlern / Colle or into the Eggen / Ega Valley (which derives its name from the eponymous brook which has to cut its way through a deep gorge to attain the Etsch River). In actual fact, it's only two or three kilometers – as the crow flies – from the outskirts of Bozen, from the busy autobahn, or the hustle-and-bustle of the Staatsstrasse, and you're already in another world. But you have to steadily pedal up winding roads in order to reach this peaceful oasis in the Eggen Valley. But one mustn't oversimplify the character of the Eggen Valley; rather, this region embraces not only the valley, itself, but also an extensive area including ridges, high-altitude plateaus, and side valleys. And it's on one of these ridges north of the Eggen Brook that you find the astronomical observatory. If you take this tour and pedal from the Etsch / Adige Valley via the village of Karneid / Cornedo uphill to the forest chapel at the "Kasererbild," you'll be rewarded with completely peaceful segment along a side street with only little traffic, and will also have mastered 1,000 meters of altitude differential. But you might want to wait a little bit longer before taking a rest-break – that's because you have almost reached the lookout point at the observatory, and the small road to it soon exits the forest, affording you a marvelous panoramic view. And the descent from the observatory is a highlight of this tour, when you speed down the road, negotiating hairpin curves on your way to Birchabruck / Ponte Nova on the valley floor by the Eggen Brook. The road continues with a moderate uphill grade to Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente, one of the region's main centers. This town is located on an extensive high-altitude plateau west of the mighty Latemar. The road remains at this elevation (about 1,300 meters above sea-level) for a few more kilometers when going south via Aldein / Aldino to the Staatsstrasse, which in turn leads to the neighboring Fleims / Fiemme Valley. En route to this destination, you can also take a side-trip in Petersberg to the Maria Weissenstein Place of Pilgrimage (2 km, 100 meters of altitude differential). This side-trip should be interesting not only for the devout, but also for hungry travelers – because there's also an inn next to the monastery. Behind Aldein, you can continue on the main road not to the left into the Fleims / Fiemme Valley, but rather to the right, for a quick descent into the Etsch / Adige Valley. You'll reach the valley floor in Auer / Ora. Now there's a nasty little surprise coming up for you: The Kreither Saddle – nicknamed the "Coyote Pass" – which offers an additional 170 meters of altitude differential between the Etsch River and Lake Caldaro. And then there's also the final ascent from the lake through the Lavason Valley to the wineries and on through the Bahnhofstrasse to the market square of Kaltern / Caldaro. But in comparison with the Kreither Saddle, this final ascent is relatively tame.

Variants: In the Eggen Valley, you can take a short cut and glide along the Staatsstrasse from the valley towards Bozen / Bolzano. In doing so, you'll have to navigate two tunnels (with a length of 600 and 2,800 meters, respectively) and watch out for the traffic. On the saddle, we recommend setting your light to flash.

This is a challenging biking tour with plenty of short, steep ramps demanding that you shift to the proper gear. Cyclists who choose this tour will be rewarded with beautiful views from high above the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano all the way up to Jenesien / San Genesio. Forget the hustle-and-bustle of the cities amidst verdant alpine pastures on your way to Mölten / Meltina. You will start from the market square in Kaltern / Caldaro, cross the Bahnhofsstrasse and proceed down to the Kellereistrasse (alternative starting-point). The bicycle trail begins at the end of the Kellereistrasse (at the old locomotive) and will take you all the way to the heart of the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano. You will proceed along the bicycle trail parallel to the Etsch / Adige River, then along the Talfer Brook – a tributary of the Etsch coming from the Sarn / Sarentino Valley. At the northern outskirts of the town, the road leading into the Sarn Valley and uphill towards Jenesien forks off from the Hauptstrasse. This represents the first highlight of this excursion. The street winds its way upward through two tunnels to the Panorama Balcony with an unobstructed view of the city and the Etsch Valley. You'll soon reach Jenesien, the main settlement of this plateau, and the streets will become gradually narrower as you pedal up to the Schermoos Saddle, the inconspicuous pass between Jenesien and Mölten. You'll be passing by farmers driving their hay wagons – and fewer city folk in their convertibles. The environment is now gradually growing quieter, and the street are adapting more and more to the wild character of the surroundings. Now it will get curvier and completely unrhythmic. You'll be frequently shifting gears – more often than you'll be changing direction. Until you surmount the Schermoos Saddle, you'll have to occasionally switch on your turbo in the appropriate gear. When descending from the saddle to Mölten / Meltina, you'll have to exercise caution, because the street at first remains narrow and treacherous. But in Mölten, you'll turn into the wider, well-established street and continue for a while over the plateau. You are now biking high above the Etsch / Adige Valley between Meran / Merano and Bozen / Bolzano – the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with a different aspect of this region. This exciting descent features a couple of curves. A warm wind will again be blowing in your face until you get to Terlan / Terlano and are standing in front of the gates of the provincial capital. You'll now see more vineyards, and viticulture will now characterize the tour. The route does not lead you directly on the main street to Kaltern. Instead, you will be taking little side lanes through wine villages. You'll have to exert yourself until just after the Kaltern Höhe you have achieved the upper part of the Mitterdorf district. Only now can you glide easily into the center of town and maybe treat yourself to an espresso or maybe even a glass of wine – the perfect conclusion to this interesting tour.

Variant: It is also possible to take this tour in the opposite direction. However, when descending to Bozen / Bolzano, you will have to be especially attentive in the tunnels. And just before the end of the tour, you can visit the charming historical center of Bozen and its medieval promenades.

Starting in the centre of Trodena on an asphalted street we drive down to Fontanefredde (1005m). Then we drive past the farm "Pausa" until we reach Montagna (672m). The track leads past Castelfeder (377m), between Ora and Egna we reach the connection to the Adige Cycle Route.
Tour Nr. 4

 

 

Through the villages in Unterland down as far as the language barrier at Salurn.

Through the vineyards and orchards you go from Tramin past the neighbouring village of Kurtatsch to Margreid. In this small little village we can find the oldest grape vine in Europe from the year 1601. You continue on through Kurtinig to Salurn where we can visit Haderburg castle after a short walk. For the return route we cycle through Laag on the cycle path which takes us along the Etsch river to Auer. We leave the cycle path at Auer and cross the bridge over the Adige. After approx. 500 metres, we turn right into the hamlet of Gmund (Pfatten). We cycle along this path until we reach the Laimburg crossroads. Here we turn sharp left and ride down to the lake. Cycle around the lake and after the St. Josef campsite you will come back to the cycle path towards Tramin. The home village of Tramin isn’t far from there.

Another absolutely superlative tour in the vicinity of Kaltern / Caldaro: Almost 80 km in length and requiring a high level of physical fitness, this route leads – after arriving via the bicycle path from Kaltern to Neumarkt / Egna – along the old railroad tracks to Kaltenbrunn / Fontanefredde and then on to Truden / Trodena. As you proceed along the course of the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line, you will climb approx. 800 meters of altitude differential with a grade of no more than 6%. This railroad line – stretching from Auer / Ora to Predazzo – was built during World War I by Russian prisoners of war to transport men and matériel from the Etsch / Adige Valley to the Fleims / Fiemme Valley and towards the front. After the conclusion of the war, this small railroad transported chiefly wood and passengers until it was finally shut down in the 1960s due to shrinking profitability. All that remained was the perfectly established route which, today, serves as a gravel road called the "former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line" or "ex ferrovia". Because the locomotives back then were unable to manage a grade of more than five or six percent, this route is perfect for cyclists – you will be able to gently ascend the slope. The old railway tunnels – which seem like gloomy holes when you first approach them – shouldn't startle you: motion detectors will sense your approach and automatically switch on the lights. As you approach Kaltenbrunn / Fontanefredde, you'll turn off of the railway route and proceed a short distance uphill along the road to Truden. This gravel road is not overly steep and so is easily managed, and will take you up to the Ziss Saddle; this represents the transition to Altrei / Anterivo. Continuing to pedal uphill. Shortly before your reach the Horn Alm, you'll be treated to a fantastic long-distance view eastwards. Now you can enjoy the entire Fleims / Fiemme Valley and the majestic craggy towers of the Pale di San Martino looming behind the Rolle Pass. At an elevation of about 1,700 meters above sea-level, the Horn Alm is a very popular destination for cyclists coming from Bozen / Bolzano and its vicinity. From here, you'll take a short ramp uphill before you pass by Lake Schwarz and Lake Weiss on a gravel path downhill towards Gfrill / Cauria. This charming little hamlet is situated high above the Etsch / Adige Valley and affords a breathtaking view of the magnificent Dolomiti di Brenta. You will first proceed along the old and partially paved rural paths through alpine meadows and then downhill via Trail No. 7 – a forest trail requiring a high degree of technical skill and with almost 1,000 meters of altitude differential that will take you to Laag / Laghetti. The return trip to Kaltern in the afternoon is especially pleasurable when the weather is fine because that's when there's a strong southly wind (the so-called "Ora") blowing through the Etsch / Adige Valley that will act as a tailwind, giving you a little extra "push." It's thus no problem to achieve a speed of 40 km/h on average. All in all, the Trudner Horn is a superlative tour featuring great panoramas. However, it requires a medium-good level of technical skill and relatively good physical fitness.

Variants: In Truden / Trodena, you can decide whether you'd rather opt for the somewhat shorter and easier "Cisloner Alm" or "Kanzel" tours.

Mustn't be missed: The former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line, Lake Weiss and Lake Schwarz, the villages of Truden / Trodena and Gfrill / Cauria.

The Leuchtenburg cycling round tour starts at Klughammer on Lake Caldaro and covers a distance of approximately 24.9 km with an elevation difference of about 170 m. The total ascent is around 290 m. This tour is suitable for touring bikes, trekking bikes, city bikes, and mountain bikes and primarily runs on paved, low-traffic roads. The best times for this tour are spring, late summer, autumn, and winter, with the route being particularly beautiful from mid to late April during the blooming season.