Oltradige Cycle Route: Bolzano - Appiano - Caldaro - Bolzano and surroundings

The former Oltradige Railway Line is nowadays a popular cycle route with some gentle gradients

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video : Appiano
The Adige Bridge south of Bolzano is the starting point of the Oltradige Cycle Track leading to Appiano and Caldaro as well as the connection to the Adige Cycle Track between Merano and Bolzano and the Bolzano cycle network.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The track leads slightly uphill and follows the old railway line without any sharp bends.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Near the village of Frangarto the cycle track proceeds through the vineyards, in the background there’s Firmiano Castle (Sigmundskron) with its famous museum.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Also some tunnels have to be passed on the way. They were built some decades ago for the Oltradige Railway Line between Caldaro and Bolzano.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Fabulous view on San Paolo with the Mariengarten monastery and the Baroque parish church known as the “Dome in the Countryside”. The village is surrounded by vineyards and forests, in the background there’s the local mountain, Mount Mendola.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Oltradige Cycle Route near San Michele Appiano: the track proceeds parallel to the state road and leads to the new underpass with its cycle tunnel.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Via Stazione road in San Michele Appiano invites to a short side trip to the lovely village centre or to Cornaiano (Girlan).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Further south the track continues through the fruit orchards - the section between San Michele and Caldaro is also known as Oltradige Promenade due to the hikers along the way. Take care!
Foto: AT, © Peer
There’s an access to the cycle track at “Christl im Loch” between Appiano and Caldaro.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Mendola Ridge dominates the landscape on the western valley side between Appiano (Eppan) and Caldaro (Kaltern).
Foto: AT, © Peer
View towards east on the beautiful Monticolo Forest and - in the background - the Monte Regolo, Corno Bianco and Corno Nero mountains.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Also some playgrounds can be found along the Oltradige Route leading through a beautiful green landscape.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The old steam locomotive in Caldaro represents the final destination of the Oltradige Cycle Route and remembers the days of the Oltradige Railway Line. Following the Via delle Cantine road to the roundabout you can reach the village centre of Caldaro.
Foto: AT, © Peer
video : Cycling through the apple blossom

The starting point of the Oltradige Cycle Route can be found at the Adige Bridge near the Firmiano (Sigmundskron) train station below the eponymous castle. It is accessible from the town centre of Bolzano along the cycle track which follows the course of the Isarco river towards south. Branching off at the junction towards Merano and following this track for 1 km we reach a little level crossing - nearby there's the above mentioned Adige truss bridge. Shortly afterwards the gentle uphill ride to the former train station of San Michele Appiano starts. It leads through a landscape characterised by a mixed forest which overgrows the red porphyry rocks of volcanic origin. Arrived at the village of Frangarto we cycle through the famous vineyards beneath Cornaiano and pass San Paolo.

For some hundred metres the Oltradige Cycle Route follows the bypass road of Appiano through the new underpass with its cycle tunnel, one of a few tunnels along the track. They date back to the times of the Oltradige Railway Line operating between Caldaro and Bolzano. An old steam locomotive in Caldaro comes into sight: It doesn't only remember those times gone by, but represents also the final destination of our cycle tour. This short tour has only some gentle gradients to overcome and offers wonderful views on the highlights of the Oltradige area: vineyards, fruit orchards, castles and historic villages. The cycling trip to Caldaro can be done in about one hour, the way back - leading slightly downhill - requires less time.

Author: AT

suited for families difficulty: easy