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
