Itinéraires cyclistes dans et à travers le Sud-Tyrol

The Lake Caldaro circuit rout is not especially long. With a length of 17 km and about 300 meters of altitude differential, it's the ideal training tour for your day of arrival, a great way to familiarize yourself with the "lay of the land" around the lake, and an efficient method to obtain a quick overview of the countless further possibilities this region offers. The route is chiefly over asphalt biking paths so it's especially well-suited for novice cyclists and families with children. You'll first glide away from the Infopoint in the Kellereistrasse and down into the Lavason Valley. The trail then flattens out as you continue down towards Lake Caldaro and Auer / Ora. Now comes a single, short ascent before you apply the brakes and speed through the vineyards on your way to the lake. Once you've arrived at the lake in Klughammer, you'll continue on the eastern shores of the lake towards the south. Just south of the lake, you'll take a right turn from the Bozen-Auer Bicycle Trail and proceed over level ground around the lake, past the St. Joseph Church, until you come to the large parking lot at Lake Caldaro with its many lakeside restaurants, beaches, and swimming areas. In the summertime, you'll be tempted to go for a refreshing dip or treat yourself to an ice cream. After a rest-stop, you can continue along asphalt bicycle trails up to Kaltern / Caldaro – there are limestone-white ties embedded in the ground all along the Wine Route that indicate the various different wine-growing terrains. You'll now have to shift gears and overcome 180 meters of altitude differential – which is easier in the afternoon, with the south wind to your back. Once you're back in Kaltern, the lively atmosphere there might tempt you to enjoy a refreshing ice cream or a delicious cappuccino.

Variants: South of Lake Caldaro, you can proceed straight along the bicycle trail towards Auer / Ora and undertake a multitude of longer tours – e.g., the "Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo" tour or the "Neumarkt / Egna" tour.

Mustn't be missed: Beautiful Lake Caldaro with its biotope and bird-watching point. The famous Caldaro Wine Route.

This tour is like a journey through the history of the Etsch / Adige Valley. You will pass through historical villages on its sun-drenched eastern flank, though arcades and narrow lanes. And the highlight is a mystical, hilly landscape – an ancient cult site and important biotope that has lost none of its magical appeal. Castelfeder, situated in the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol between the villages of Auer / Ora and Montan / Montagna, is an ancient cult site on prominent display in the landscape. Extravagant geological formations and enormous boulders left behind by receding glaciers can be seen at various elevations. This wild and romantic hilly landscape exerts an unaccountably powerful attraction on every visitor. 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. The smoothly polished slide at its highest dome is believed to be associated with an ancient fertility cult. It was thought that childless women could get offspring by rubbing the stones dedicated to Mother Earth. The reasons for building the Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad at the southern edge of the magic hill had less to do with pagan rituals, and more with practical necessity: It leads up from the foot of the Etsch / Adige Valley to the San Lugano Pass and into the "Val di Fiemme." In the 1960s, the railroad was mothballed. Today, cyclists are glad that they can use this old route as a bicycle path. It's a steep ascent over the eastern flank of the Etsch / Adige Valley. The trail takes you first through the magical labyrinth of Castelfeder. This ascent begins at the Etsch Bicycle Trail between Auer and Neumarkt / Egna. To get there, follow the bicycle route from Kaltern / Caldaro and past Lake Caldaro down to Auer and along the Etsch River to the south. After ascending through the mystical biotope, you will continue uphill into the historical center of the village of Montan. After that, you'll enjoy an unobstructed view of the Etsch / Adige Valley as you continue to the small hamlet of Pinzon / Pinzano and down to Neumarkt. In earlier days, Neumarkt was an important commercial center along the Etsch Valley Route; the charming arcades from its heyday are a reminder of its earlier importance. On the route from Montan and then back down into the valley, you'll encounter another visual marvel: The viaduct near the little village of Glen, a looped bridge which the engineers used to elegantly smooth out the necessary hairpin bend of the railroad in the somewhat steeper area of the slope. This roundtrip offers numerous photo-ops, so plan some extra time to stop and take a few snapshots. From Neumarkt, the route then returns you along the bicycle trail via Lake Caldaro up to Kaltern. You can now celebrate the completion of your tour with an espresso or a glass of delicious Caldaro wine.

Variants: This roundtrip tour can be taken in either direction. If you take it in reverse order, you'll begin in Neumarkt / Egna and visit the Castelfeder last. But because the route crosses the street between Neumarkt and Montan / Montagna, you can also limit yourself to looping backwards via Pinzon / Pinzano and Montan, or you can completely forgo this loop.

 

Short and very varied circular tour near San Vigilio, between the meadows and fields of the many mountain farms and adjoining woods.

 

 

This scenically enchanting bike ride runs from Dorf Tirol/Tirolo into the picturesque Passeier valley.

 

Family-friendly route to Pieve di Marebbe with the pilgrimage church that is visible from afar and popular with visitors. The route is fully tarmacked and therefore also easily managed with ordinary touring cycles.

 

 

Route length in km: 33,0
Vertical climb: ascent 979m – descent 1.814m
Surface: asphalt,forest path, 1 short Single-Trail-section
Required technical skills: S0/S1/S2 – easy with short Single-Trail-section S1/S2

Have a look at the new bike tour to the Marzoneralm around Castelbello-Ciardes.

Start at Val Martello’s pivot, the Trattla sports and leisure center with the culturamartell visitor center and the South Tyrolean Strawberry World for an e-bike tour on the traces of Europe’s highest strawberry cultivation area with its tasty berries. You can explore part of the South Tyrol Strawberry Trail with its information points by (e-)bike. Follow the Strawberry Trail symbols and take the road into the valley. Turn right after 300m to take Martello’s valley path (no. 36) with its strawberry fields. Follow the rush of the Plima river, cross the bridge and take path no. 22 that takes you up to a small plateau east of the valley floor. Continue out of the valley on the Strawberry Trail above the houses. The beautiful view of Martello’s sunny slopes and Selva with Europe’s highest granaries invites you to take some pictures. Go to the transmission mast and turn left after 300m. Return to the valley floor to Transacqua and continue on the provincial road for 1 km to reach your starting point where your children can enjoy themselves at the playground and you have time for a coffee and for exploring the shop of the South Tyrolean Strawberry World.

The South Wine Route then runs about 40 km in a long circuit to Salorno / Salurn, the southernmost community of South Tyrol. Along the way, you'll pass through the charming wine villages of Tramin / Termeno, Kurtatsch / Cortaccia, Margreid / Magrè, and Kurtinig / Cortina all’Adige as you glide along the Wine Route.

The South of South Tyrol: Bicycle tour

This tour begins at the square in front of the large winery cooperatives (Kellerei Kaltern and Erste + Neue). From here, the bike trail will lead you through the vineyards and down to Lake Caldaro and past its eastern shore (by Klughammer) towards Auer / Ora. You'll pass the reeds and the biotope on the southern banks of the lake before the route enters the Auer-Tramin Bicycle Trail. There, it also bends into the South Wine Route. You can ride on it in either direction. In other words: There are two paths to the southernmost point in Salurn.

If you now take the right turn, you'll first proceed on the South Tyrolean Wine Route and enter into the historic wine village Tramin / Termeno. The Gewürztraminer variety of grape – which is indigenous to this locality and is used to make some of the finest wines available – is named after this village. The route continues to the south through the historical wine village of Kurtatsch / Cortaccia and past the famous "original grapevine" grafted here in the year in Margreid / Magrè. From here, you will proceed to Kurtinig – often referred to as "Little Venice" by the locals because it is flooded so often. It's only now that the route crosses the Etsch River. Salurn is located on its eastern side. You can take the short side-trip to the Haderburg – which was established here on a rocky prominence in the 11th century as a fortress.

On the return trip back to Kaltern, you will encounter the villages of Neumarkt / Egna and Auer / Ora on this side of the valley. In Neumarkt, you ought to visit the centuries-old and impressive leafy arcades in the center (which is closed to motor traffic). It's a wonderful opportunity to exit the hustle-and-bustle of modern times and immerse yourself in the Middle Ages. You can admire the handsome old manors, enjoy the coolness of the arcades, and explore the village's shopping options.

Farther to the north, the bicycle trail will take you past the Castelfeder biotope – an ancient cult site located on a wild, romantic hilly landscape abounding with fascinating geological formations and enormous boulders left behind by receding glaciers, and that has lost none of its magical appeal. If you wish, you can now pay a visit to Auer before continuing across the Etsch River to Lake Caldaro and up to Kaltern.

A fitting conclusion would be, e.g., a visit to the wine house at the starting-point / finish line of this tour. Or at the market square. The "Punkt" wine house there carries a wide assortment of wines from the Lake Caldaro area.

Variants: At Margreid / Magrè and Neumarkt / Egna, there are two additional bridges over the Etsch River which you can use as short-cuts. There is also rail service between Salorno / Salurn, Kurtinig / Cortina, Margreid, Neumarkt, and Auer – a great way to save yourself a few kilometers (www.suedtirolmobil.info).

General information about these three wine village tours:

Biking along the South Tyrolean Wine Route is always a very special experience. Mild temperatures and about 300 days of sunshine per year make the oldest Wine Route of Italy an ideal place for active vacationers and pleasure-seekers wishing to explore the vicinity by bike. The three pleasure cycling routes of the low-traffic South Tyrolean Wine Route offer a wealth of options to experience the vineyards, visit the wine cellars, and explore the castles. The three wine routes (North, Middle, and South) display almost no significant grades – and they can be cycled throughout the year, both individually and in combination.

While you breeze through the landscape, you can stop and pay a visit to the many wineries strung along the route like pearls along a necklace, in the villages of Nals / Nalles, Vilpian / Vilpiano, Terlan / Terlano, and in the provincial capital itself. From Kaltern / Caldaro, you'll register a couple more kilometers on your odometer. A pleasant but relatively simple tour is thus transformed into a lengthier tour offering a wide variety of visual appeal – but it will require more time and moderately good fitness (or a fully charged battery). If you want to take the official North Wine Route from Kaltern, you'll first have to descend the Etsch / Adige Valley. This connecting segment – which features a lot of attractions – does not lead directly downhill. Rather, it curves along the sun-drenched slopes at the foot of the Penegal and will take you on less-trafficked side roads through charming little hamlets and vineyards. After starting at the square in front of the large winery cooperatives (Kellerei Kaltern and Erste + Neue), you'll be treated to several meters of altitude differential as the road undulates up and down. Only later, once you've reached the Etsch / Adige Valley, does the route level off. The North Wine Route stretching down through the valley could now be taken in either direction. But let's proceed in the clockwise direction, through the wine villages of Nals, Vilpian, and Terlan. Later, you will pass through a cultural landscape crowded with historical manors and handsome villas in the "Gries" district of Bozen, which is known for its wineries. You have now reached the provincial capital.

But before proceeding into the city center, we should first go on a jaunt around the perimeter. At the entrance of the Sarn / Sarentino Valley, on the northern outskirts of Bozen, there is, e.g., Runkelstein Castle – a picture-perfect example of medieval architecture with a well-conserved cycle of frescos you can admire. Continuing through the districts of Rentsch / Rencio and Kardaun / Cardano in the northeast, the wine route will now take you into the lively city center. And why not cap this marvelous experience by sipping an espresso at the Waltherplatz or sauntering through the lovely arcades? Do you like art? Then you ought to drop by the Museion, South Tyrol's preeminent museum for modern and contemporary art. From the city center, the route now continues to the Sigmundskron Castle. This impressive castle looming high above the capital city has been the home of the Messner Mountain Museums Firmian since 2004. This museum houses a comprehensive collection on the subject of alpinism. This is also where this trail diverges from the official North Wine Route and bends back towards Kaltern / Caldaro. Time for the last ascent on the bike trail – so you'll hopefully still have some energy in your calves (or battery). A fitting conclusion would be, e.g., a visit to the wine house at the starting-point / finish line of this tour. Or at the market square. The "Punkt" wine house located there carries a wide assortment of wines from the Lake Caldaro area.

Variants: If you wish, you can shorten this tour between Andrian / Andriano and Terlan via the Etsch Bridge. And in Bozen, you can shorten your ride and proceed directly to the Waltherplatz in the city center. There is now train service between Vilpian, Terlan, and Bozen – an additional option to shorten the route (suedtirolmobil.info).

The tour starts at the Bike Academy Infopoint and leads uphill to the Mitterberg Fortress. After a short, rather crisp climb, the route then goes in the direction of the alpine pastures on a relatively flat terrain. After about 20 minutes you reach the so-called "Saumahd" (1,750m), where you turn left to the Klammbach Alp. A wide forest path connects the Klammbach Alp with the Nemes Alp, which is the next destination of the tour. As a small highlight, however, you can also choose hiking trail no. 13. This trail is a little more demanding in parts, with a short carrying passage of approx. 100m. Before reaching the Nemes Alp, take trail no. 146 to the Coltrondo Alp. From there the 149 leads in the direction of the Kreuzbergpass. This initially runs along a demanding trail (S2), which can, however, be bypassed via the so-called "Krötensee". Then you take the forest road to the Nemes Alp/ Coltrondo Alp junction, where hiking trail no. 130 leads in the direction of "Schwarzsee". From there it's an exciting, partly challenging trail, called “Wurzelweg”, which leads you back to the valley station of the Drei Zinnen cable car.

Paved track with two short uphill slopes. Suitable for beginners. Setting off from the church square, turn right after a short uphill ride and then continue along the road towards Pederü for 6 km.
Once you reach Fodara Masaronn, follow the new cycling path to Pederü. To go back, take the same route – this also gives you the option to shorten the trip by just turning round and cycling back.

The biking tour from Gais to Campo Tures/Sand in Taufers through the idyllic landscape along the river Aurino/Ahr is suitable for families and flat. The starting point is the children's playground in the center of Gais; the bike path, brings vacationers across meadows, fields and villages along the Aurino river, until the waterfalls of Riva di Tures/Rein in Taufers are reached, before Campo Tures. It's a marked cycle path that passes partly on roads, partly on streets of access to farms and on paths through the fields. The return journey follows the same route.

Nestled between the Endkopf "Jaggl" (2,627 m) and Pleisköpfl (2,425 m) lies the destination, the Grauner Alm alpine pasture, at 2,173 m. Start the tour in Graun at 1,500 m. For a quick warm up, follow the road into the Langtauferer valley. After 250 m, turn right over the bridge and pedal up through the shady Arluiwald forest on a mainly pleasant incline on the alpine path to the Grauner Alm alpine pasture. There is a possibility to park your mountain bike at the mountain pasture and continue on foot via hiking trail no. 10 to the summit of the Endkopf (2,652 m). Duration of hike: approx. 2.5 hours (ascent and descent). On the hiking path to the peak, it's possible to spot some rare edelweiss flowers and marmots. Lying in the grass on the slope, enjoy the sensational panorama and head back down to the valley via the alpine path to stop by the village for a good meal.

From Brunecker Rathausplatz drive along the road to St. Lorenzen. There you turn right and follow the path towards St. Martin and then to Maria Saalen. Next, follow the trail towards Plaiken and Enneberg Pfarre. Arrived at the road that leads from Longega to Maria Saalen, turn left and moves up to Plaiken (beautiful church with onion dome) and continued until San Vigilio passing by Enneberg.

One reaches the Bike Highline Meran/o through various Uphills, or by utilizing either the Aschbach cableway or the shuttle service. From the Bike Highline Meran there are various single and also forest trails returning back down into the valley.
The stretch between the Tablanderalm and Mauslochalm mountain pastures is technically challenging. All other routes are generally accessible & do not present complications.

If you've ever been to Kaltern / Caldaro or at least passed by it, then you'll already be familiar with the Mitterberg, this long, heavily forested hump of reddish rock in the middle of the Etsch / Adige Valley between the Etsch / Adige River and Lake Caldaro. But not everyone knows that there are more than 600 km of trails and paths in the vicinity of the Mitterberg – an ideal playground for bikers of every stripe. The Mitterberg circuit tour leads entirely along bike trails. It is not restricted solely to the Mitterberg. Rather, it will take you around it – a tour that is extremely suitable for beginners and families – but also a great trail to get a little practice. From Kaltern, you'll first glide along the bike trail on your way down to Auer / Ora. You then continue along Lake Caldaro and finally round the southern tip of the Mitterberg until you come to the Etsch Bridge. Here – just before the village of Auer – you'll now enter the Etsch Valley Bicycle Trail which continues to the south towards Trento and to the north towards Bozen / Bolzano. The tour sticks to the Etsch River – usually far enough away from the autobahn so that you won't be bothered by traffic noise. The Mitterberg circuit tour can be taken in either direction since it consists wholly of asphalt bicycle paths. But the direction indicated here is recommended especially for afternoons when the south wind – the "Ora" – will provide a pleasant tailwind as you speed along the level Etsch Bicycle Trail towards Bozen. Just behind Bozen, the bike trail winds along the old railroad line slightly uphill towards Kaltern.

Variants: To the south of Lake Caldaro, you can continue straight on the bike trail to Auer / Ora and combine this route with, e.g., the "Neumarkt / Egna" tour.

Mustn't be missed: Lake Caldaro, the provincial capital of Bozen, Sigmundskron Castle with the Messner Mountain Museum.

Get started the tour from any accessible point on the lake. The loop is exactly 5 km long and is suitable for children, families and adults as a leisurely bike tour. The path always runs directly along the shore of Haidersee lake and is mainly gravelled, with very little asphalt. The highlight is the footbridge between the fisherman's houses and the west side and the constantly accompanying view of the Ortler group.

Note: The bikes need to be pushed along the walkway.

This scenic tour leads from Bruneck via the Pustertal Valley cycle route to Brixen.

Easy bike tour through the lower Pustertal Valley, with some slight ascents.

Route length in km: 22,6
Vertical climb: ascent 922m – descent 897m
Surface: asphalt,forest path, 1 short Single-Trail-section (Mohlboch-Trail)
Required technical skills: S0/S1 – easy

This bicycle tour – connecting two of Kaltern's prettiest neighboring communities – offers a cornucopia of cultural impressions. This tour will first take you past Lake Caldaro to Tramin / Termeno, the home of the Gewürztraminer variety of grape. This charming wine village with its crooked lanes, historic buildings, and authentic wine cellars is nestled on the side of the Etsch / Adige Valley. The village square rises approx. 50 meters above the river flowing just three kilometers to the west, towards the Po Valley. Visitors to Tramin who want to get more than just a superficial impression of the regional culture should consider going to the Hoamet Museum at the village square, where they can embark on a mental journey backwards in time. In any event, you're sure to become a lot more familiar with South Tyrolean history in the course of this tour. Below on the Etsch River, you'll find Neumarkt / Egna, one of the most-beautiful places in South Tyrol and rich in history.

During the Renaissance Era, the market experienced an economic boom as draymen transporting their goods along the heavily-trafficked Brenner trade route needed a relay station for their horses every 30 km or so. After more and more goods were shifted to the increasingly important railroad, the village diminished in importance. Away from the rail line between the provincial capitals of Bozen / Bolzano and Trento, this commercial center no longer served that purpose. The village became impoverished, young people emigrated, and renovations slowed. But the alleged poverty of Neumarkt was simultaneously its selling point. In the 1980s, a cultural curator recognized the value of the place, with its neglected but unchanged and historically valuable center, and suggested that the center be completely restored in its original style. The restoration work was arduous and time-consuming – but done with care and attention to detail. Consequently, today's Neumarkt with its handsome houses and historic arcades is a true jewel. In some of the inner courtyards, you may still stumble upon original Renaissance frescos. All these aspects make Neumarkt an especially worthwhile destination in the beautiful "South of South Tyrol." The easy bike tour from Kaltern / Caldaro to Neumarkt will take you through the fruit orchards of the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol to the no-traffic zone of central Neumarkt. You can escape the hectic activity of the modern era and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere, with its charming old manors, charming lanes, and ancient monuments. There is an abundance of cute little boutiques and shops, and when it comes to dining, you can choose from many different little restaurants. We recommend that you stop by the little Andreas Hofer Museum or in the Museum for Everyday Culture. Andreas Hofer was a hero of Tyrolean history; after he was sentenced to death, he was transported to Mantua and, in doing so, spent a night in Neumarkt. He was kept in a house basement and, according to the story, told his guards: "Keep a good eye on me! Because if I run away, you'll be executed in my place." With a backpack full of pleasant memories and impressions, you can now continue your journey on the Etsch Bicycle Route towards Auer / Ora and finally undertake the 180 meters of altitude differential back to Kaltern – it'll get your heart pumping and so help you develop a little appetite for dinner in one of Kaltern's many nice restaurants.

Variants: This tour can be combined with, e.g., the "Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo" tour.

Mustn't be missed: Tramin / Termeno with the Hoamet Museum. Neumarkt / Egna with its historic center and the Andreas Hofer Museum and the Museum for Everyday Culture in Neumarkt.

The tour starts at the dam in St. Valentin. In the beginning, the route runs on an asphalt road through St. Valentin to Dörfl to the fisherman's houses and on to Alsack. Here turn left to Plawenn and then take the forest road on the right towards Planeiler Alm. Up to the Planeiler Alm alpine hut you have to really pedal uphill to reach the stopover after about 8 km. On the way enjoy the view of the Malser Haide, the Marienberg monastery and the Ortler group. The alpine hut offers some fresh milk and the traditional South Tyrolean bacon - Speck. With a full stomach, take the alpine path in the direction of Planeil valley to the Planeil stream called - Puni. After a rough, quite steep descent, reach the quaint village of Planeil. From Planeil, the asphalt road leads back to Ulten and Alsack and back to St. Valentin dam.

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.

Easy route on quiet side roads through woods, meadows and fields. The whole track is tarmacked and therefore also suitable for touring and racing bikes.

 

 

Route length in km: 17,9
Vertical climb: ascent 777m – descent 761m
Surface: asphalt, forest path, 1 short Single-Trail-section (Mohlboch)
Required technical skills: S0/S1 – easy with short Single-Trail-section S1

A enjoyable racing bike side trip through the Lower Engadine and the "Oberes Gericht"

Route length in km: 16,5
Vertical climb: ascent 98m – descent 928m
Surface: asphalt,forest path
Required technical skills: S0 – easy

With a length of about 23 km, this is the shortest of the three wine village tours. It will take you through some of the best-known and most-scenic historic wine villages along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, including Girlan / Cornaiano, Eppan / Appiano, and Kaltern / Caldaro – renowned for their Pinot Blanc and the local Lake Caldaro wine.

This roundtrip tour begins in Kaltern, at the square in front of the large winery cooperatives (Kellerei Kaltern and Erste + Neue). From here, the route stretches through a patch of forest to the two Montiggl lakes. It continues to Girlan / Cornaiano, an historic wine village with underground wine cellars actually occupying more area than the village itself. The following segments include St. Pauls / San Paolo as well as St. Michael /San Michele – the actual center of Eppan, renowned for its fortress. You might consider taking a side-trip to the mountain fortress of Hocheppan (managed), which dates back to the 12th century. From there, you can admire a fabulous view of the Etsch / Adige Valley and the Dolomites. The wine route will now take you back to Kaltern by the Lake – which enjoys a great reputation not only for the Lake Caldaro wine named after it. Once you've completed the tour, we recommend going to the market square and visiting the "Punkt" wine house – which has been modernized in appearance – or the South Tyrolean Wine Museum.

General information about these three wine village tours:

Cycling along the South Tyrolean Wine Route is always a unique experience. Mild temperatures and approx. 300 days of sunshine per year make this, the oldest Wine Route of Italy, an ideal place for active vacationers and pleasure-seekers wishing to explore the vicinity by bike. The three pleasure cycling routes of the low-traffic South Tyrolean Wine Route offer plenty of options to experience the vineyards, visit the wine cellars, and explore the castles. The three wine routes (North, Middle, and South) display almost no significant inclines – and they can be cycled throughout the year, both individually and in combination.

Complete service

1. We pay attention to your safety: First water to quench your thirst, and then wine for enjoyment.
2. When you come to us, you can rest assured that your bicycle is in good hands: Reliable onsite parking is guaranteed.
3. We care about your comfort: Upon request, we will deliver your purchases from some of our member wineries to your hotel (surcharge).