Cycling and Sightseeing: Leuchtenburg/Castelchiaro Round Tour at Lake Caldaro
Easy to moderate 24.9 km cycling tour around Lake Caldaro with an elevation difference of 170 m. Ideal during the bloom from mid to late April.
E-Bike & Pleasure Cycling, Road bike
The Leuchtenburg cycling round tour starts at Klughammer on Lake Caldaro and covers a distance of approximately 24.9 km with an elevation difference of about 170 m. The total ascent is around 290 m. This tour is suitable for touring bikes, trekking bikes, city bikes, and mountain bikes and primarily runs on paved, low-traffic roads. The best times for this tour are spring, late summer, autumn, and winter, with the route being particularly beautiful from mid to late April during the blooming season.
Directions
Start in Klughammer (approx. 225 m) heading north. At the first intersection, turn right up towards Laimburg with a steep incline over 1.5 km to the Kreithsattel (approx. 380 m). From there, enjoy a splendid view of Leuchtenburg and then descend into the Etsch valley. Once in the valley, travel about 1.5 km south, then turn left over the highway and Adige bridges, and immediately right down to the cycle path on the left bank of the Adige. Continue to Neumarkt, crossing the Adige bridge towards the train station, turn right at the roundabout before the station, straight ahead to the next roundabout, and then right towards Tramin. After the underpass, turn right into the second agricultural road and continue north to the main road Tramin - Auer. A short way to the right towards Auer and almost opposite, turn left back into the agricultural road. Continue on this low-traffic path and at the end of the road (at the edge of the hill) turn left back to Lake Caldaro/Klughammer.
Parking
Parking is available at the starting point of the tour in Auer/Ora
Public transport
Klughammer on Lake Caldaro is accessible via public transport. Take advantage of the bus services that lead directly to the starting point of the cycling tour.
Recommended equipment
Recommended equipment includes a well-maintained bike suitable for the route type (touring bike, trekking bike, city bike, mountain bike), as well as a helmet, water bottles, a repair kit, and weather-appropriate clothing.
Author's tip
A highlight of this tour is the Burgruine Leuchtenburg, which majestically overlooks Lake Caldaro and the Etsch Valley/South Tyrolean Unterland. It was built around 1200 by the Rottenburgers and is distinguished from others by its massive, tower-like keep and a small outer bailey. The castle can be reached from the Kreithsattel via a footpath (about a half-hour walk) or three-quarters of the way up the parallel forestry road by bike to the south side of the castle hill, from where it takes a quarter of an hour on foot to reach the castle. A visit to the beautiful village of Neumarkt with its picturesque arcades is also highly recommended.
