Back on the bike again and again with the advice of Michele Malfatti, a Trentino guide and route planner who has hundreds of itineraries under his belt. If last time, among the spring rides, he took us on the BallinoThis time, the proposed loop is easier and well-suited to a very wide range of cyclists. However, it doesn't mean you have to give up a little thrill. By the way, the goal? TheOltradige and the Lower Atesina.
A very beautiful ride for this time of year. It doesn't climb too high, you can enjoy the warmth of the lowlands, and you're almost entirely riding along the Adige cycle path. All that's left to do is hop on your bike (Komoot photo above).
We start on the plain
We're in the heart of the Adige Valley, just inside the province of Bolzano. The meeting point is Egna-Ora, right on the cycle path where there's a bike grill . It's an ideal place to cool off and perhaps even do some minor repairs.
We're pointing north, but right on our right, historic climbs loom, like the San Lugano Pass, which then leads to the Dolomites at passes like Rolle or Manghen. Better to wait for such hard work!
You'll soon understand the DNA of this area: apple orchards and vineyards, vineyards and apple orchards. It's no coincidence that you'll also enter the Wine Road, crossed by another historic cycle path, that of theOltradige, which runs parallel to this one.
But let's proceed in order. As we were saying, you cycle north. Once you arrive, you'll pass the southern part of Bolzano, but you absolutely won't enter it. However, you can experience an unusual geographical moment. Near Frangarto, a small medieval village that marks the turning point, you can witness the confluence of the Adige and Isarco rivers.
The Monticolo pearl
Frangarto. A village reached after 20 kilometers, round and flat as a billiard table. All, remember, on a cycle path. At this point, however, you first take the cycle path of theOltradige and the Cornaiano Wine Road and we start to climb.
It is done on the hills ofOltradige, a small mountain range that emerges from the great Adige plain. Half of these peaks, mind you: We are talking about 500 metres above sea level or a little more and starting from over 200 metres above sea level, it hides a pearl: Lake Monticolo. Which are actually two, the large one and the small one. The entire area is home to unique tree and flower species. A stop is a must.
As a stop, even if it requires a small detour, it absolutely must be made just before heading to the Monticolo Lakes. We're talking about the MMM Firmian . It's one of Reinhold Messner's seven museums : here the theme is man and the mountains in their broader, more than just mountaineering, relationship.
In the heart ofOltradige
At this point you start to descend and enter the heart of theOltradige. The undisputed star is the Caldaro cycle path. A true gem nestled among vineyards, but also occasionally through woods. It's one of the best-maintained cycle paths in South Tyrol. Moreover, it's especially popular with tourists in spring.
Once you reach Caldaro, after just 40 kilometers, Malfatti suggests leaving the bike path and following the Via Castelvecchio, which offers breathtaking views and cuts through the hillside vineyards. It climbs to an altitude of (about) 600 meters, in the village of Sella. But the view is worth the effort. Furthermore, right below us it seems like we can dive into Lake Caldaro, another biotope of considerable naturalistic value.
Alternatively you can continue on Wine Road, Road which however is resumed in Cortaccia, once you return to the valley.
At this point, the loop comes to an end. It heads towards the next turning point, Cortina, then crosses back to the other bank of the Adige, and then finishes in Ora after 74 kilometers and just over 800 meters of elevation gain ( here's the route).
And finally, how could we not close with the two iconic products of this circle: apple strudel and wine. Two products that perhaps will be better savored after breathing in the air and the environment from which they originate.
