Kaltern Bike Graveltour: To the Heilig lake

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.