We discover one of the biggest wine growing areas in South Tyrol: Appiano and Caldaro, from Mt. Mendola to the Monticolo Lakes
Image gallery: Central Wine Trail
Our starting point for the Central Wine Trail is the Via delle Cantine road in Caldaro. We cycle northward through the vineyards of the Oltradige area, past the old steam locomotive towards the cycle track of Lake Caldaro. We follow it for a part and turn left along the forest path to reach the village of Monticolo (Montiggl), a component locality of Appiano.
We go ahead up to the Big Monticolo Lake, in order to follow the road on the west side of the lake which leads us to the Small Monticolo Lake. We follow the forest path through the wood and then we turn left on the road towards Colterenzio (Schreckbichl), a little wine growing hamlet. A paved path leads us up to Cornaiano (Girlan). We are surrounded by the vineyards of Appiano and follow the road to San Michele, the main village of Appiano.
Near San Michele there is the picturesque village of Piganò (Pigeno), which is situated at the end of a gentle ascent. We pass through the wood and reach Ganda di Sopra, from where we cycle down towards Caldaro, past Pianizza di Sopra (Oberplanitzing). This is the shortest tour (23 km) of the three Wine Trails, but we have faced an altitude difference of 500 m anyway. The landscape of this trip - with its vineyards, historic mansions, woods and lakes - is just wonderful.
Author: AT
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- Starting point:
- Caldaro, Via delle Cantine road
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- Time required:
- 02:00 h
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- Track length:
- 22,7 km
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- Altitude:
- from 327 m to 579 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +422 m | -422 m
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- Destination:
- Monticolo / Montiggl Lakes
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- Track surface:
- paved low traffic roads and cycle track, forest path, low traffic villages
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Central Wine Trail
If you want to do this tour, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
