Bike Tour: Around Lake Kaltern

Kaltern – Lavasontal – Altenloch – Klughammer – Wine Road – St. Josef am See – Kaltern
Length: 17 kilometers
Time: 1.5 hours
Physical effort: Easy

Lake Kaltern in the depression between Mittererberg and the Mendel Mountains reaffirms its reputation as a unique leisure paradise in the south of South Tyrol every year. Whether swimming, pedal boating, windsurfing, fishing, horseback riding, or golfing – the family-friendliness of this dreamlike spot of nature is reflected in the variety of leisure activities, because everyone, no matter their age, finds an activity that is really fun. With an average depth of only 4 meters, the lake reaches up to 28 degrees in summer and is thus considered, alongside Lake Klopein, as the warmest bathing lake in the Alps.

The idyllic reed and marsh landscape along the shore is perfect for cycling around. In addition to cooling off in the lake, you can always find a cozy place to stop for a break. A mix of asphalt roads, gravel paths, bike trails, and forest roads ensures a varied terrain. The predominantly flat route has only a few inclines and is therefore also suitable for little cycling adventurers.

The tour starts in Kaltern at the local wine cellars. Passing by the decommissioned steam locomotive, it goes through vineyards and orchards to Lake Kaltern, where the circumnavigation begins on the eastern shore.

At Klughammer, you have the opportunity to take a detour to the Leuchtenburg ruins. Even though the castle, built around the year 1200 on the Mitterberg, strictly speaking, no longer belongs to the Kaltern municipality, many see it as a landmark of the lake. Once the forest trail with its switchbacks and past the overgrown remnants of the outer castles and the curtain wall is conquered, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Lake Kaltern, the Überetsch, and the Etschtal.

In St. Josef, a dreamy biotope awaits you, which can be visited via a comfortable walking path. Information boards scattered throughout the protected area provide information about the native animal species and their habitat.

On the west shore, part of the bike path runs along the somewhat busier Wine Road, before it goes back through the vineyards to Kaltern.