54 – (ITA 6) – Bolzano – Termeno / Bozen – Tramin
Stage 6 – Bolzano-Termeno – Magnificent narrow roads through shady woods lead to the discovery of delightful lakes with crystal clear waters, hills covered with vineyards and orchards, in a landscape that never ceases to amaze and move. You skirt the Adige/Etsch, the Monticolo Small Lake/Kleiner Montiggler See and arrive at the Big Lake/Grosser Montiggler See, then at the Caldaro Lake/Kalterer See.
From Piazza Walther, passing alongside the Cathedral, take Via della Posta. Follow the “Museion” arrow, and take the cycle/pedestrian path that passes alongside the Museum of Contemporary Art and crosses the Talvera river. Then another splendid paved cycle/pedestrian path, skirting the river, which joins the Isarco. Take the Val Venosta cycle path. Then follow the left bank of the Adige; an iron bridge crosses the river and leads under the cliff of Castel Firmiano. (from Castel Firmiano cyclists can continue straight on the Strada del Vino and rejoin almost as far as Colterenzio). Take path 1B which goes up through the woods and reaches the entrance to the fortress. After visiting the castle and its exhibitions, go up and take path no. 1 which first passes through a beautiful wood, then through well-kept crops; thus we arrive at the Marklhof luxury residence. You then enter Colterenzio; in front of the church there is also a beautiful fountain. After the small inhabited centre, leave the cultivated fields to return to the woods, after having passed a barrier. Then the paths lead to the small lake of Monticolo and, further on, the large lake of Monticolo. You cross several fields, a marshy area on a comfortable footbridge, beyond which you take path 20: it is at the edge of the wood with endless crops on the right. Then you enter the forest and after that there are two possibilities: take path 19 on the left which leads to the Valle della Primavera (protected naturalistic environment of considerable value) or continue on path 20 to arrive in sight of Lake Caldaro. Thus you enter the town of San Giuseppe al Lago, a renowned holiday resort. Then the route takes the Spiegelweg, a pedestrian path that leads to the SP 14. Further on, take the SB path with the indications for Tramin. (cyclists continue along the Via Lago di Caldaro road for 2.5 km to Termeno). The path climbs leaving splendid vineyards on the left, then bends to the right and enters the wood, with some challenging but short climbs, and some descents. From the top of the hill, the Tramin village appears, surrounded by vineyards and dominated by the small church of San Giacomo. Along the beautiful vineyards, the route leads to the center of Tramin.
6 – Points of Interest
Sigmundskron Castle (Castel Firmiano) – One of the most imposing castles in the region, first mentioned in 945 AD as “Formicaria” (ant-hill). By the 12th century, the castle was known as Firmian. Sigmundskron Castle has become a symbol for the region. In 1957, a large protest against the failure to comply with the Paris Agreement took place at the castle, under the leadership of Silvius Magnago. Finally, after extensive work on the fortress, the MMM Firmian was opened in 2006, the fourth Reinhold Messner Museum.
The Monticolo And Caldaro Lakes – Already at the end of February the first flowers appear. The valley is called Valle della Primavera (Frühlingstal – Spring Valley). A great many flowers and plants, such as crocuses or lilies of the valley, accompany you through the valley. Then, where the Valle della Primavera ends, you can find Lake Caldaro.
Termeno – The Adige River flows to the east; the municipality is overlooked by Mount Roen, part of the Alps of the Non Valley, which mark the border with the province of Trento. The name “Tramin”, from 1248, derives from the Latin terminus (“limit”), because it is located at the border between the territory of the Tridentines and that of the Isarci. The village belonged for centuries to the Prince-Bishopric of Trento. Tramin then remained under Austrian rule, except for a brief Bavarian interlude in the Napoleonic period, until the transfer of South Tyrol to Italy in 1918. Tramin’s churches are true artistic monuments. The Church of St. James in Kastelaz houses a cycle of Romanesque frescoes that are famous far beyond the borders of South Tyrol. The Parish Church of St. Valentine and the Church of St. Maurice also boast beautiful Romanesque and Gothic frescoes. Enter the churches, let yourself be enraptured by the silence and allow yourself a moment of peaceful reflection.
Bolzano – The eastern part of the territory of Bolzano includes the spectacular elevations of the Dolomites. The high peaks of the Dolomites, alternating with their splendid valleys, create scenery of extreme beauty: this is a realm of unspoilt nature, a true paradise. Mountainous views also characterise the western side, dominated by the Ötztal Alps and their high peaks, Cevedale and Ortles. This is where the Stelvio National Park stretches out, which joins the seven natural parks of South Tyrol with a succession of coniferous forests, meadows, lakes and magnificent valleys. Three cultures live together: Italian, German and Ladin – three languages, three civilizations that blend together harmoniously. South Tyrol is also rich in folk traditions that make for numerous events throughout the year, culminating in the characteristic South Tyrolean Christmas markets at Christmastime. Bolzano is a city full of charm, a meeting point of two different cultures: Mediterranean and Central European, as is evident from its architecture, the alleys, arches and squares of its historic centre. Among the most important monuments is the Cathedral, with its Gothic bell tower with a fretwork spire. The vast, historic Piazza Walther is worth a visit. Don’t miss the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, which exhibits artefacts and documents on South Tyrolean history, from its origins to the early Middle Ages. The main attraction is the famous Iceman, the mummy of “Ötzi”, a mummified body from around 5,300 years ago, found on the Similaun glacier near the Austrian-Italian border
Culinary particularities:
The cuisine of the province of Bolzano – It is influenced by Austria and blends different tastes and traditions with very original results. Typical dishes are the Knödel or canederli (balls of bread enriched with speck, or cheese, or spinach, or beetroot, but also desserts with apricots and plums), the Schlutzkrapfen (ravioli with various fillings), the Spätzle (green spinach dumplings usually served with melted butter or cream and ham), polenta with roe deer or chanterelle mushrooms, deer goulash and pork loin with sauerkraut, but also lake and stream fish and Tirten, delicious stuffed pancakes. Particularly widespread typical sweets are Apple Strudel, Kaiserschmarren, buckwheat cake with cranberries, Bolzano Zelten, a Christmas cake made with dried fruit and candied fruit, Lebkuchen biscuits, farmer’s donuts, bread. South Tyrol is renowned for the production of a large variety of apples including Golden, Fuji and Gala; another local specialty is speck, smoked and tasty, to be enjoyed with the characteristic Schüttelbrot, the crunchy bread that accompanies all snacks. The South Tyrolean land is also famous throughout the world for its excellent native wines Lagrein, Schiava and Gewürztraminer.
please, see the Official Guide of the Via Romea Germanica (www.guidaromea.eu)
Bold type for structures we already used
Red type for structures we have an arrangement (with Credential*)
(*) Prices might change for special situations: please book early and ask for confirmation
In some places it is difficult to find accommodation only for one night: we suggest you to take accommodation for more nights, using, for your movements, the comfortable and cheap local trains, route Brenner-Trento-Bassano del Grappa.
How to arrive
From airport (BOLOGNA, VENEZIA, MILANO-ORIO, VERONA) to Verona FS Railway Station | TRAIN – (www.trenitalia.com) Verona FS Railway Station – Bolzano FS Railway Station |
Where to eat
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Typical Dishes = Gallorosso | Typical Dishes = Buonissimo | Typical Dishes = Gambero Rosso | |
Despar | Via Bottai,29 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Conad | Via Marconi,21 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Eurospin | Via Renon, 10 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Despar | Via Crispi, 21 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Despar | Via C.Battisti,1 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Despar | Via Cavour,25 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Despar | Via della Rena – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Despar | Viale Druso,90 – 39100 BOLZANO | |||
Pensione Ebnerhof | via Colterenzio 37, 39057 COLTERENZIO-BZ | 0471-662717 | info@ebnerhof.com | www.suedtirol.info/it/alloggi/pensione-ebnerhof_a_9759 |
Hotel Seeperle | San Giuseppe al Lago 28, 39051 LAGO DI CALDARO-BZ | 0471-960158 | info@seeperle.com | www.seeperle.it |
Hotel Schneckenthalerhof | via Schneckenthaler 25, 39040 TERMENO-BZ | 0471-860104 | info@schneckenthalerhof.com | www.schneckenthalerhof.com |
Albergo Leone – Gasthof Zum Loewen | Via Barleit,14 – 39052 CALDARO-BZ | 0471-963411 / 335-824252 |
Where to sleep
Bike Service
Pilgrim Service
Associazione Turistica Termeno | via Mindelheim 10A – 39040 TERMENO | 0471-860131 | info@tramin.com | www.tramin.com |
Consorzio Turistico Bolzano Vigneti e Dolomiti | via Pillhof,1 -39057 FRAGARTO BZ | 0471-633488 | info@bolzanoedintorni.info | |
CAI Alto Adige | Viale Europa 53/F 39100 BOLZANO | 0471 402 144 | segreteria@caialtoadige.it | www.caialtoadige.it |
Portale Turismo Alto Adige | 0471 402 144 | info@suedtirol.info | www.suedtirol.info | |
Associazione Turistica Lago Caldaro | Piazza Principale 8 -39052 CALDARO BZ | 0471-963169 | info@kaltern.com / info@caldaro.info | www.kaltern.com |
Photos from the Track
