Circuits à vélo dans le sud du Sud-Tyrol

Der Kalterer See ist der wärmste Bergsee im Alpenraum. Die gemütliche Radtour, geeignet für die ganze Familie, führt entlang des Sees durch bezaubernde Obstwiesen und Weinberge. Erkunden Sie die schönsten Plätze im Süden Südtirols auf Ihrem Fahrrad.

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.

Starting point: Center of Valdaora di Mezzo/Mitterolang Finish point: Passo Furcia/Furkelpass Altitude difference: 728 m Lenght: 10,2 km

Very simple line. Wide and flat trail with gentle riders and waves. Flat surface, no natural elements

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.

The tour to Girlan / Cornaiano is a relatively short and easy mountainbike tour for novices and bikers with less stamina. Yet it still has a lot to offer. Girlan is a little wine village belonging to the neighboring community of Eppan / Appiano, and is situated on the northern part of the Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo. There are several lookout spots along this trail where you'll enjoy a beautiful view over the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano and the Etsch / Adige Valley. The bike tour to Girlan is characterized by the visual splendor of the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol, with its handsome vineyards and orchards. From Kaltern / Caldaro, you'll first roll along the asphalt bicycle path towards Eppan. This bicycle path takes you along the now-defunct railway line that used to connect Bozen with Kaltern. This fact guarantees you that the grade will remain gentle throughout (because the old locomotives weren't able to overcome grades of more than 6%). Today, the only vestige of that wonderful bygone era is the vintage steam engine standing on the tracks at the exit of Kaltern. Especially on weekends, when the weather is nice, you will encounter lots of foot traffic along the bike trail, including other cyclists, families, children, and dogs – so we recommend that you remain alert at all times. After about five kilometers, you'll reach Eppan. From here, you'll take the narrow asphalt trail at the right, and proceed uphill towards Girlan. Afterwards, you'll continue along technically easy and shady gravel trails and forest paths over the Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo, past the crossroad at Purzelmoos and the Montiggl Lakes. In summer months, you might want to stop and take a refreshing dip before proceeding downhill via the village of Montiggl and the Montiggl Plateau towards Kaltern.

Variants: You can follow the bicycle path straight towards Bozen and follow the "Mitterberg" tour in the opposite direction.

Mustn't be missed: The bicycle path along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line from Kaltern to Sigmundskron / Firmiano, the Montiggl Forest, as well as the Montiggl Lakes.

 

The bike trail goes trough the wine villages Eppan, Kaltern, Tramin and Kurtatsch up to the country frontier at Salurn on traffic-calmed streets. The tour is appropriate for all kinds of bycicles, but is the most fun to ride on e-bikes or racing bikes.

The route starts at Eppan and leads on the cycle path and the lake loop road to the Kalterer lake and onwards to Tramin. Towards the village you’ll find a rise. Take it and follow the Weinstraße until you reach Margreid and Kurtinig. In all of those villages you’ll find plenty of possibilities to stop for a bite to eat.

Arriving at Salurn, change the downhill side and follow the hillslope until you come to Laag. From there you can take the cycle path along the Etsch in a northward direction up until the spot where the rivers Etsch and Eisack are meeting. There you turn left and follow the old railway track of the Überetscher railway until the initial point in Eppan.

#hansthetrail

Hans is, in a way, an extension of Franz. Painstakingly carved and hewn into the slope over the course of countless hours of manual labour, it boasts bends, waves and steep sections galore – all of which come in rapid succession. This ever-changing trail requires full concentration from top to bottom: pure bliss for experienced mountain bikers.

Beginners beware: Chances are that Hans might be a bit overwhelming, so we recommend staying on the original Herrnsteig trail.

Length: 750 m

Difference in altitude: 187 m

Level: medium to difficult

Route length in km: 17,9
Vertical climb: ascent 373m – descent 1.156m
Surface: asphalt, forest path, Single-Trail-section
Required technical skills: S0/S1 – easy

Option of Trail n° 3:

Medium difficulty line with natural elements like roots and stones, tight curves and wooden elements.

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.

The Malga Romeno is a beautiful alpine meadow situated just over the steep, western cliffs directly above Lake Caldaro. There, you can enjoy not only delicious Trentino specialties, but also a wonderful view of the Dolomites and the mountains of the Non Valley. The ascent is either view the Mendel Pass Road to the pass. Or: You can take the Mendel gondola-type cableway. When taking this aerial tram, you can spare yourself about 600 meters of altitude! On the other side of the pass, you will proceed down a short forest passage, along a trail across the slope which is secured on one side and which is easy and fluid to take along its entire length. The trail will lead you down into the small village of Cavareno and then a little bit farther downhill until you have to overcome 800 meters of altitude differential to ascend to the Malga Romeno. The lower part of this ascent is over a narrow, low-traffic asphalt road which then transitions later into a gravel trail. This route has a pleasant uphill grade along its entire length and thus represents an easy tour. You will finally reach the Malga Romeno, at an altitude of 1,768 meters above sea-level. After the turning point, you can take a not-too-difficult trail past the Halbweg Hut and down to the Mendel Pass. From there, you will have to proceed down the road. The intoxicating descent via the Mendel Pass Road features a nice little reward at the end: The only recently constructed New Mendel Ascent (Mendelsteig). This trail is a relatively wide, gravel forest path and easy to negotiate. It winds its way down to the Boos Forest Road, whereupon you can take the Hohl Trail (which has now been widened somewhat) which will lead you downhill to the edge of Kaltern / Caldaro – another highlight for bikers wishing to test their technical mettle. At this point, you can decide if you want to take the very beautiful trails and gravel paths of the detour via the Kaltern sports grounds – a very rewarding option! But if, after accomplishing this physically challenging tour, you would rather not deal with any more meters of altitude differential, you can instead take the simple straight route to St. Nikolaus and along the Europe Road back down to Kaltern. All in all, the tour to the Malga Romeno represents a highlight for cyclists with the necessary good physical condition. Because of the beautiful flow trails, this route doesn't require all too much biking technique.

Variants: This tour can be combined with the "Penegal" tour.

Mustn't be missed: The village of Cavareno, beautiful lookout points providing

stunning views of the Dolomites and the mountains of the Non Valley.

 

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.

This is a tour of superlatives, with awesome panoramic views, taking you to the best lookout summit in the breathtaking "South of South Tyrol."

In order to climb the Monte Roen, you'll have to overcome about 1,800 meters of altitude differential in a single go. The first intermediate goal is the Mendel Pass. From Kaltern / Caldaro, the Pass Road goes first through the forest, and later over a narrow ribbon of road carved heroically into the side of the mountain, all the way to the pass (at an elevation of 1,363 meters above sea-level). When taking this route, you can enjoy the first sublime views over Kaltern, the Etsch / Adige Valley, and Lake Caldaro.

If you'd rather forgo the Pass Road, you can instead take the Mendel funicular up to the pass. This saves you 850 meters of altitude differential. (You can find out everything you need about prices and schedules at: kaltern.com/de/die-mendelbahn-in-kaltern.html)

At the Mendel Pass, you'll leave the road. Now it's time to brace yourself as you enter a world of stunning panoramic views and high adventure! A gravel road will first take you up to the Halbweg Hut. From here on out, the trail becomes a bit wilder. The path up to the Malga Romeno is crisscrossed with tree roots, and the grade will be a challenge to your calves. If it's your intention to continue on to the summit, you'll need either a powerful electro-motor and perfect technical skills. Or you'll have to dismount and push your bike up the trail – maybe after stopping for a breather and taking refreshments at the alpine rest-stop. In any event, you shouldn't "stress out" over this segment. Instead, you simply relax and enjoy the natural grandeur.

The closer you come to the summit, the more often you will be treated to terrific 360-degree panoramas. When you reach the cross at the summit, you'll be blown back by the fantastic view: The whole chain of the Dolomites, including the Schlern / Sciliar, the incomparable Rose Garden, and Latemar to the east and the Brenta and the glacier region of the Ortler in the west. And a beautiful vista of the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano like you were sitting in an airplane. And to wind things up, you can enjoy a superlative descent at the border ridge between the Etsch / Adige Valley and the Non Valley. This starts off on open alpine meadows at the summit and later takes you along an easy trail to the Grauner Joch.

Now it's time to depart the Non Valley to the right and take the forest trail down to the road to Altenburg. Once you arrive there, you really ought to pay a visit to the chapel there and enjoy the splendid view of Lake Caldaro from the lookout balcony. The trail will now lead through the forest to the St. Anton Sports Center. The cherry on top of this gigantic tour is the fun trail in the forest until you start to pass by the first houses. And now you will finally enter the heart of Kaltern / Caldaro, where you can stop and treat yourself to a glass of delicious wine at the central market square. After this epic adventure, you've earned it!

Variants: The Mendel / Mendola funicular will save you 850 meters of altitude differential with your bike. If you use the funicular to get to the pass, you can consider combinations with the "Penegal" or "Malga Romeno" tour.

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.

Incredibly long, insanely challenging and winding like there's no tomorrow: The Herrnsteig freeride trail is already legendary. One of the Alps' very best, it starts with a 20-minute cable car ride to the top of Mount Kronplatz and takes you down the north face of the mountain on an 8 km bare-knuckle ride worth an impressive 1300 m of difference in altitude. And it never has to be the same: On both sides of the original trail, a number of track alternatives branch off – towards endless fun and kicks. The perfect trail for pros and medium-advanced riders.

The tour from the Ofenpass over the Pass Gallo through the Mora Valley is an exceptional mountain bike tour in the border region of Graubünden with the Veltlin.

During this gravel tour you'll be speeding along the western fringes of the Etsch / Adige Valley. You'll be biking along paths and trails offering a variety of cycling experiences, via Altenburg and Graun all the way up to Lake Fennberg, through to Tramin / Termeno and then back to Lake Caldaro.

In the "South of South Tyrol," the Mendel Ridge rises majestically above the Etsch / Adige Valley. At first glance, it looks as though, between the various wine villages dotted across the valley and the mighty summits, there were only forest. But if you are adventurous at heart, you might want to explore this hidden landscape offering a variety of views and experiences. From the Altenburg Sports Center, forest paths wind their way along the slopes to the Gummererhof Alpine Inn and on into the little hamlet of Graun. From here, you can admire the fabulous view of some of the communities strung along the Wine Route like pearls on a necklace: Tramin / Termeno and Kurtatsch / Cortaccia. You can now remain up high on this balcony and continue rolling to Lake Fennberg. An idyllic scene that – when viewed from below – you wouldn't expect. The lake and the church over its shores is hidden on a small saddle, shielded from the prying eyes of the busy valley, which is why it radiates a special sense of peace and quiet. When taking the return trip, you'll first proceed down the same route, but will the soon leave this balcony and roll down into the Etsch Valley. From Tramin via Lake Caldaro, vineyards will again dominate the landscape. If you have the time, there are numerous eateries and inns along the way where you can stop for refreshments. But there's no reason to not forge on ahead until you get to the market square in Kaltern / Caldaro, where you can toast your success with a glass of delicious Lake Caldaro wine. Or you can interrupt your tour to go for an invigorating dip in the lake.

Variants: You can simply take this tour back and forth. If you choose this option, when getting to Graun on the return leg, you can also divert and proceed to Altenburg. From here, the road will then take you straight back to Kaltern.

On the western side of the Etsch / Adige Valley, the glaciers from the last Ice Age left an almost vertical cliff up to 600 meters in height demarcated in the north by the Gantkofel / Monte Macaion and in the south by the Monte Roen. In the middle, there's the Penegal, with its transmission station visible from afar. The only suitable trail for cyclists from Kaltern / Caldaro to this summit takes about an hour, and is via the Mendel Pass Road. This route displays an average grade of only six to eight percent, thus allowing cyclists to adopt a nice, regular rhythm. However, if you want, you have the choice of instead taking the convenient Mendel / Mendola funicular. Once you've gotten to the pass, you'll still have to overcome the narrow, low-traffic road up to the summit – that'll take about half an hour. But then you're in for a handsome reward: A terrific panorama of Lake Caldaro and the entire "South of South Tyrol!" Now comes the challenging descent to Bait del Prinz. Some stretches of Trail No. 500 are bumpy, rocky, with roots growing across it; the trail leads mostly downhill, but there are also several short, exciting ascents. Once you've reached the Prinz Hut, you'll turn into a gravel trail veering downhill to the left and taking you to the Regole di Malosco – an alpine hut with a bill of fare boasting a variety of delicious Trentino specialties. Then proceed uphill for a bit along the gravel trail and then downhill to the Hotel Paradiso. From there, you should then take the road uphill to the Mendel Pass. After a short descent to the road, you'll turn into the New Mendel Ascent which has been especially established for cyclists. This trail is a relatively broad gravel forest path suitable for cyclists of all levels. It includes a couple of winding segments that will take you to the Boos Forest Road. At the bottom of the Forest Road, you can take the Hohl Trail (which has now been widened somewhat) which will lead you downhill to the edge of Kaltern / Caldaro – another highlight for bikers wishing to test their technical mettle. At this point, you can decide if you want to take the very beautiful trails and gravel paths of the detour via the Kaltern sports grounds and the Kardatsch Hiking Trail, all the way down to Lake Caldaro. From here, you will still have to manage another 180 meters of altitude differential back to the starting-point, but this descent is still quite rewarding. The trails down to the lake have a perfect "flow" and are not difficult to manage. All in all, the tour to the summit of the mighty Penegal represents a real highlight for cyclists with a good level of fitness, and boasts a heavenly panorama. The comfortable flow trail does not require a high technical level.

 

Variants: The tour can be combined with the Malga Romeno tour.

Mustn't be missed: The transmission station on the Penegal, the "Regole di Malosco" alpine hut, the fabulous panorama of Kaltern and Lake Caldaro, the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol, the Dolomites, and the mountains of the Non Valley.

 

Option of Trail n° 3:

Medium difficulty line with natural elements like roots and stones, tight curves and wooden elements.

This is a wild and demanding gravel tour which will take you across the "Green Line" of the South Tyrolean forests and down to Lago Santo ("Lake Heilig") in Trentino. You'll proceed along winding forest trails and curving paths – requiring a good command of your gravel bike on earthy terrain.

You'd better have an adventurous spirit if you want to undertake this tour. In the border area between South Tyrol and the province of Trentino, you'll be passing through seemingly endless forests radiating an enchanting quality. There are many reasons to undertake this tour: You'll love the unparalleled peace and quiet – in part on earthy trails where you can have some fun. And idyllic "Lago Santo" is certainly a worthwhile destination. You'll first proceed at a quick pace via Lake Caldaro and down into the Etsch / Adige Valley. You'll start your ascent on the valley's left flank near Auer / Ora. The trail along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad will afford you splendid views of the "South of South Tyrol." Once you've passed the last few hamlets, you'll be leaving civilization and ascending on forest roads to the Gfrill Saddle. After a short ascent, you'll arrive in the hamlet of Gfrill / Cauria, 1,000 meters above the Etsch Valley, the last small outpost of South Tyrol before you pass over the provincial border to Trentino. You'll enter into this wild forest and proceed along earthy trails on your way to Lake Heilig. But the adventure isn't over yet! First, there's an exciting descent where you'll come out in Salorno / Salurn, on the shores of the Etsch River. The Etsch Bicycle Trail is the quickest connection back to Lake Caldaro where you can perhaps take a refreshing dip and maybe enjoy a snack near Klughammer. The real end of this tour is only after you have accomplished the final 200 meters of altitude differential on your way to Kaltern / Caldaro. But you'll already have rest-stop options along the way – e.g., at the Albergo Lago Santo or in Salurn. Neumarkt / Egna is likewise worth a side-trip. The bicycle trail will lead you right to it.

Variants: This tour can also be taken in the reverse order. However, when cycling from Salorno / Salurn up to Lake Heilig, you'll have to overcome slight ramps.

If you start cycling in Kaltern, you will first find yourself surrounded by vines. Soon, however, the paths disappear into forests where you can lose yourself. This tour can only explore a few kilometres of the huge network of paths, but as a selection of the best paths it does justice to the claim of getting to know the area.

It first leads into the forest on the western flank of the Adige Valley between the sports centre and the small hamlet of Altenburg with one of the most beautiful viewpoints over Lake Kaltern. On the other side, between Kaltern and Etsch, rises the Mitterberg. From the Adige valley, rugged walls rise 400 metres steeply. On the Kalterer side, the wooded terrain slopes gently. Over there is the next destination of the tour, the large stone valley. On the slopes of the Mitterberg you now stay in the forest and pass the Montiggler Lakes. Here you can dangle your feet in the water or go swimming. The Montiggl forest offers an endless network of paths that lead via the village of Montiggl to the cosy wine village of Girlan. Now the vines line the path again when it goes from Girlan back to Kaltern.

Variants: You can also skip the detour to Altenburg and just do the short loop via the Große Steintal and Montiggl to Girlan. If you feel like it, you can also include a detour to Lake Kaltern in the loop.

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.

 

The panoramic plateau of the Cisloner Alm affords visitors marvelous views of the magnificent "Unterland" district of South Tyrol and the stunning Dolomiti di Brenta – for this reason alone, this tour is a "must-have" for every cyclist vacationing in Kaltern / Caldaro. And then there's also the initial ascent along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line, where you will 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. You'll then proceed along the short, steep and partially surfaced ramp up to the Cisloner Alm. This route will take you back to Truden / Trodena. Then you'll enter a narrow side valley through which the Truden Brook flows down towards the Etsch / Adige River. As you glide through historic villages and lovely vineyards down to Neumarkt / Egna, you can enjoy the fabulous vista of the Etsch / Adige Valley. At Pinzon / Pinzano, you'll again cross the former railroad and pass under the viaduct as you arrive at the medieval village of Neumarkt with its historical center. The return trip to Kaltern is via the bicycle trail – in the afternoon, a strong southerly wind often blows, helping you to speed back to your starting-point.

Variants: You can also follow the former railroad line and attack the "Jochgrimm" tour. In Truden / Trodena, you can take a left turn and enjoy the "Kanzel" or "Trudner Horn" tours.

Mustn't be missed: The bicycle path along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad line, the lovely alpine village of Truden, the long-range panoramic vista of the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol, Kaltern / Caldaro, the majestic Monte Roen, the fabulous Mendel, and the mighty Penegal.

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.

 

Medium difficulty line with natural elements like roots and stones, tight curves and wooden elements.

The Regglberg is a high-altitude plateau rising above the eastern shores of the Etsch / Adige River. If you choose to ascend from Leifers / Laives to Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente, you'll land in a landscape of alpine meadows. Here you'll find plenty of rest-stop options – too many, in fact, since you couldn't possibly stop for a break in every inn and cafe situated along this challenging and long tour.

This tour is challenging, but allows you to explore the east of the Etsch / Adige Valley, on the fringe of the foot of the Dolomites. The meadow landscape at the Regglberg between Deutschnofen and Aldein / Aldino resembles a verdant carpet stretching out in front of the impressive Latemar – from the perspective of Kaltern, the nearest outpost of the Dolomites, this most-prominent peak looms 2,842 meters above sea-level. But to approach it, you'll have to constantly pedal. The first milestone of your journey is the Mitterberg / Monte di Mezzo, accessible via the little Pass Road and the Kreither Saddle and then into the Etsch / Adige Valley. After a couple of relatively level kilometers, you'll reach Leifers / Laives, where the Branten Valley indicate the continued upward direction. At the upper end of the Branten Valley, you'll find the town of Deutschnofen / Nova Ponente perched on a high-altitude plateau. There is a path in the valley basin for your ascent, but the winding trails on the north flank of the valley offer more scenic beauty and are just as quick – besides giving you more panoramic views towards Deutschnofen. You will now proceed upwards into the rolling meadow landscape. You've mastered the steep uphill grade; now, it's a constant up and down. This route offers beauty and variety, and every couple of kilometers, you can take a rest-stop at one of the many charming inns and cafes along the way: the Laabalm, the Neuhütt-Alm, the Schmiederalm, or the Schönrast-Alm. In view of this wealth of options, you might be tempted to spend too much time here – but don't forget: The return leg is still ahead of you! The trail will first take you down into the Etsch Valley. But because the direct way from the Regglberg into the valley is possible only via very steep trails that are best traversed on foot, you'll have to instead take a slight diversion and follow the trail along the former Fleims / Fiemme Valley railroad, which displays a pleasant downhill grade at Montan / Montagna. And you'll be treated to spectacular scenery along the way: First, there's the unobstructed view of the valley, then the rolling terrain of the Castelfeder biotope with its mystical medieval cult site. Once you've arrived in Auer / Ora, you can traverse the Etsch River and quickly reach Lake Caldaro. On warm summer days, you could now take a pleasant dip at Klughammer. After a refreshing dip, you'll be ready to attack the final 200 meters of altitude differential from the lake up to Kaltern / Caldaro.

The Gassl Trail winds down the eastern face of the mountain from the middle station Olang 1+2 lift over countless bends all the way down to Casola-Gassl. Although it’s chock-full of easy jumps and low-banked curves, its ever-changing route layout won’t distract you from appreciating the stunning panoramic views. In June 2024, it was made more challenging by adding new elements

The Eppan / Appiano High-Altitude Trail starts off with a gentle rise. Later, you can amble down an equally gentle downhill sloping segment over a gravel trail. The trail has an average elevation of 1,000 meters. This tour offers you a fabulous view of the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano, the "Unterland" district of South Tyrol, and the majestic Dolomites. After starting in Kaltern / Caldaro, you can roll along the bicycle path towards the town of Eppan / Appiano, then through Eppan towards Matschatsch uphill on a gravel trail that starts out rather steep. You then follow the Mendel Pass Road for a short segment towards the right, later turning off and taking the Michaeler Kehre (Turn No. 6) so as to return onto a forest trail. This forest trail starts off level, but towards the end it gets steeper, leading you into the Furglauer Gorge – a steep groove that runs down between Penegal and Gantkofel / Monte Macaion in the direction of Eppan. There's a short stretch where you'll have to dismount and push your bike. Then you'll reach the gorge, from which you'll have to take another short, but very steep gravel trail out. The Eppan / Appiano High-Altitude Trail starts out with a gentle uphill grade until you reach an elevation of about 1,050 meters above sea-level. A gentle downhill gravel trail follows. You will then reach the visual highlight of this tour: The Buchwald Inn, with its sensational view over Bozen. You then continue over a gravel trail towards Perdonig / Predonico. The return trip is via a path below the High-Altitude Trail – in part over asphalt, and in part over gravel trails through the forest and to the exit of the Furglauer Gorge, past various inns, and through the town of Eppan as you continue on your way by bicycle path towards Kaltern.

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

Mustn't be missed: The wonderful panorama of the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano and the fabulous Dolomites.

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.