This easy walk is especially recommended in February and March, when the so-called Spring Valley (Frühlingstal, in German) shows a host of spring flowers already very early, due to its climatic conditions. Starting point of our walk is the west bank of Lake Caldaro, near the Geier Restaurant. After about 10 minutes a driveway branches to the right and leads us to the eastern lakeside road. Here we walk leftwards until the signpost "Frühlingstal".

The path leaves the road - after the last vineyards we reach the Spring Valley. Soon we cross a forest road, keep right at a fork and reach the first vineyards and farms of Monticolo (Montiggl). Along the path no. 20 we come to the southeast front of the Big Monticolo Lake. We turn to the left, pass the little castle called "Schlössl" which is hidden in the forest and arrive to the bathing establishment at the shores of the lake, where we enjoy a drink on the beautiful sunny terrace.

For our way back we take the same route - in summer months you can also choose the public means of transport: with the shuttle called "Seebus" from Monticolo to San Michele Appiano (operating between mid-June and the beginning of September), and from there by bus from Appiano back to Caldaro.

Author: AT