Day Trips
Starting point: Hotel Torgglhof
Hotel Torgglhof in Kaltern is the ideal starting point for unforgettable day trips! This charming wine village in the south of South Tyrol boasts a perfect location between gentle vineyards, the sparkling Lake Kaltern and the impressive surrounding mountains. Whether you enjoy leisurely walks through idyllic landscapes, varied cycling tours along well-developed paths, or hikes to breathtaking viewpoints – everyone will find their own personal nature experience in Kaltern. Thanks to the wide range of leisure activities and the warm atmosphere, Kaltern is perfect for an exciting day out with the whole family.
Route to St. Josef at Lake Kaltern:
On foot: From Hotel Torgglhof, walk down the Saltnerweg to Rottenburgerplatz in the center of Kaltern. From there, follow Europastraße to the turnoff onto Barleiterweg. This idyllic walking path leads through vineyards with wonderful views of the valley and the lake. Follow the path downhill until you reach St. Josef at the lake. Cross the road once and you are directly at Lake Kaltern. The route is about 5 km and takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
By bicycle: From Hotel Torgglhof, ride downhill via a side road to Kellereistraße. There, a well-signposted cycle path begins, leading directly down to Lake Kaltern. The route is mostly downhill, paved, and runs through picturesque vineyards – ideal for a relaxed and scenic bike ride. On the return journey, be prepared for the uphill climb back to Kaltern.
By car: From Hotel Torgglhof, drive along the Wine Route towards Tramin and then follow the left turn marked “Kalterer See.” After about 10 minutes, you will reach the parking areas around the lake.
By bus: From the bus stop at Rottenburgerplatz in the center of Kaltern (about a 10-minute walk from Hotel Torgglhof), regular buses (130, 136, 138) run directly to Lake Kaltern. The ride takes about 5 minutes, and the stop is not far from the lakeshore.
- On foot via Barleiterweg: 1h 30 min – 5.2 km
- By bike via Montigglerweg: 25 min – 6.8 km
- By car via the Wine Route: 10 min – 5.6 km
- By bus 130 via the Wine Route: walk 15 min > ride 5 min > walk 7 min
Circular walk around the lake:
The circular walk around Lake Kaltern starts in St. Josef at the lake and follows the signposted path northwards around the lake, passing the Geier Inn. (The path does not run directly along the shore but follows small paths through orchards and a nature reserve.) The route is mostly flat and offers beautiful views of the lake throughout. Part of the path passes through the biotope in the south, where you can experience the region’s unique flora and fauna. The loop is about 7 km long, well maintained, and suitable for both walking and cycling.
- On foot via Kuchelweg: 2h – 7.5 km
- By bike via Kuchelweg: 30 min – 7.5 km
Hike to Leuchtenburg Castle:
The hike to Leuchtenburg Castle can start either from St. Josef at the lake or from the Leuchtenburg parking lot on the eastern side of the lake. Alternatively, you can park in the Klughammer district, just before the road sign indicating the vineyard area “Kreit.” From here, path no. 18 begins, initially leading steeply uphill before reaching a wide forest road suitable for cyclists. From this point, you can choose between the longer, approximately 50-minute wide path or the shorter, steeper ascent. Along the way, there are beautiful views of Lake Kaltern and the surrounding landscape, making this hike a peaceful and nature-filled experience up to Leuchtenburg Castle.
- On foot: 2h 30 min – 7.7 km
Walk through the Spring Valley to Montiggl:
The hike from the parking lot at the ruins of Leuchtenburg on the Kreither Saddle begins on path no. 13 and initially follows the road downhill to the turnoff onto path no. 20, the trail into the Spring Valley. This shaded valley is especially beautiful in spring, when the first flowers bloom and the valley is already in full blossom, while many parts of the country are still covered in snow. After about 1.5 hours of walking, you reach the village center of Montiggl. If you wish to continue, you can reach the large Montiggl Lake in another 15 minutes. The return follows the same route and takes about one hour.
- On foot: 3h 30 min – 15 km
Route to Altenburg – St. Anton Sports Zone:
On foot: From Hotel Torgglhof, walk along Preystraße to Mitterdorf and continue via Göllerweg to the turnoff towards the St. Anton Sports Zone. The walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes and is mostly flat.
By bicycle: By bike, you can reach the sports zone along the same route in about 10 to 15 minutes. The route is well developed, mostly flat, and suitable for relaxed cycling.
By car: From Hotel Torgglhof, drive along Saltnerweg and Europastraße towards the St. Anton Sports Zone. The journey takes only 5 to 10 minutes, and parking is available on site.
By bus: From the center of Kaltern at Rottenburgerplatz (about a 10-minute walk from Hotel Torgglhof), a regular bus (135.3) runs towards the St. Anton Sports Zone. The ride takes about 5 minutes and stops directly at the sports area.
- On foot via Altenburger Straße: 40 min – 3.2 km
- By bike via Altenburger Straße: 15 min – 3.2 km
- By car via Altenburger Straße: 5 min – 3.5 km
- By bus 135.3 Altenburg: ride 5 min – walk 18 min
Circular hike through the Rastenbach Gorge:
The circular hike through the Rastenbach Gorge starts at the parking lot of the St. Anton Sports Zone. From the parking lot, follow path no. 11A and then turn onto the Kardatscher trail no. 10. After about 45 minutes of walking, a sign leads right uphill into the Rastenbach Gorge (path no. 1), which you follow for another 45 minutes towards Altenburg. Then continue uphill through the gorge for about 15 minutes to the Müllereck parking lot. There, cross Altenburgerstraße and follow the Altenburg trail no. 11 to return to the starting point at the St. Anton Sports Zone in about 30 minutes. Due to the stairs and steps, this hike is not recommended for dogs or strollers.
- On foot: 1h 30 min – 2.5 km
Circular hike along the Peace Trail:
The circular hike starts at the parking lot of the St. Anton Sports Zone and follows trail no. 11 with gentle ups and downs to the beehives near Altenburg. There, cross the main road and follow the “Peace Trail” signs towards Kaltern. The path then runs mostly downhill to a small pond, continues along forest roads and trails behind the sports zone to the next pond, and finally leads back uphill to the starting point. The route is particularly scenic and well suited for joggers and runners, especially in spring and autumn when the forest’s colors are especially beautiful.
- On foot: 20 min – 1.23 km
Route to the Mendel Pass:
On foot: From Hotel Torgglhof, walk along Preystraße towards Mitterdorf, straight ahead to the valley station of the Mendel Cable Car. From there, turn right past the Church of St. Anton, continue about 500 meters over the bridge, then turn left and immediately left again uphill. At the last houses, follow the sign “Alter Mendelsteig” (trail no. 521 M). Halfway along, this mountain path joins the Telefonsteig. The route climbs through forests and meadows and offers beautiful views of Kaltern and the Überetsch region. The hike can also be done in the opposite direction, starting at the Mendel Pass just behind the “Kalterer Hof.”
By car: From Hotel Torgglhof, drive via Saltnerweg and Europastraße northwards, then continue along Mendelstraße (SS42) directly to the Mendel Pass. The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Parking is available at the pass.
By bicycle: Cycling follows the same route via Europastraße and Mendelstraße. The route is challenging due to several steep sections but is suitable for athletic cyclists. The ride takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on fitness level.
By cable car (Mendelbahn): From Hotel Torgglhof, walk along Saltnerweg straight ahead to the valley station of the Mendel Cable Car. From there, take the cable car comfortably up to the Mendel Pass. The ride takes only about 10 minutes and offers beautiful views of Kaltern and the Überetsch.
- On foot via Telefonsteig: 48 min – 3.2 km
- By bike via SS42: 1h 54 min – 13.7 km
- By car via SS42: 21 min – 12.9 km
- By bus 132 Kaltern – Mendelbahn: ride 6 min – walk 13 min
- By Mendel Cable Car to the Mendel Pass: ride 12 min
Hike to Penegal:
This easy mountain hike starts at the mountain station of the Mendel Cable Car and leads to the “Kalterer Hof” hotel. There, cross Mendelstraße and then climb uphill into the forested slope. Following trail no. 500, you reach the Penegal summit at 1,737 meters after about 1.5 hours. At the top, you are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites and the Ortler Alps.
- On foot: 1h 30 min – 4 km
- By bike via SS42: 49 min – 4.7 km
- By car via SS42: 11 min – 5 km
Hike to Roen:
This beautiful and not difficult mountain hike starts at the mountain station of the cable car and leads uphill via the forest path (trail no. 500) just behind the station building. Passing the Enzian Hut, continue left to the Halbweg Hut, then follow trail no. 500 to the Romenoalm Hut and on to the Roen summit at 2,116 meters. The walking time is about 3.5 hours. The route includes some climbs but offers magnificent views of the Dolomites and the Ortler Alps, and at the end of June, alpine flowers bloom particularly beautifully here.
A recommended variant branches left at the Romenoalm Hut towards the Überetscher Hut (trail no. 10) and from there via the via ferrata no. 23 up to the Roen summit. This route is only suitable for sure-footed and vertigo-free mountain hikers and extends the walking time by about 45 minutes.
- On foot via Halbweg Hut: 3h 30 min – 8 km
- By bike via SP19: 2h 15 min – 21.4 km
- By car via SS42: 40 min – 21.6 km
