The content menu at the start of the route description allows you to jump directly to the various sub-sections. There is currently only one long-distance hiking track along the ‘Altinate’ route. It runs along the northern edge of the Venetian Plain to Castelbrando. You can use the detailed route description  for reference during your long-distance hike  alongside the hiking maps Bavaria / Tyrol / Reschenpass-Trento / Trento-Castelbrando ,available for download. Alternatively, you can download offline navigation apps for your iPhone or Android or simply take a printed guidebook with you.

BAVARIA

01 ... Donauwörth and Donau-Ries

02 ... Between Donauwörth and Augsburg

03 ... Augsburg

04 ... Between Augsburg and Landsberg am Lech

05 ... Landsberg am Lech

06 ... Between Landsberg am Lech and Schongau

07 ... Altenstadt, Schongau and Peiting

08 ... Between Schongau and Füssen

09 ... Füssen and Schwangau

TYROL

10 ... Between Füssen and Reutte

11 ... Breitenwang, Reutte and Ehrenberg

12 ... Heiterwang and Bichlbach

13 ... Lermoos, Ehrwald and Biberwier

14 ... Across the Fernpass

15 ... Between the Fernpass and Imst

16 ... Imst

17 ... Between Imst and Landeck

18 ... Zams, Landeck and Fließ

19 ... Between Landeck and the Reschenpass

Reschenpass > Trento (South Tyrol, TRENTINO)

20 ... The Reschenpass

21 ... The Upper Vinschgau valley

22 ... Laas/Lasa und Schlanders/Silandro

23 ... Goldrain/Coldrano, Latsch/Laces und Kastelbell/Castelbello

24 ... The Lower Vinschgau valley

25 ... Algund/Lagundo, Meran/Merano and Marling/Marlengo

26 ... Between Meran/Merano and Bolzano/Bozen

27 ... Bolzano/Bozen

28 ... Bolzano/Bozen and Environs

29 ... Across the Piana Rotaliana

30 ... Val di Cembra, Pinè

empty ... Trento > Altino/Venice (TRENTINO, VENETO)

31a ... Trento (towards Feltre, Treviso, Altino, Venice)

32a ... The upper Valsugana

33a ... The middle Valsugana

34a ... Tesino plateau, Lamon, Sovramonte

35a ... Feltre and the Feltrino area

36a ... The Valbelluna

37a ... The Altamarca

38a ... The right bank of the Piave river

39a ... Treviso

40a ... Silea, Roncade, Quarto D'Altino

41a ... The Lagoon

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... Use the main menu on the website to jump to the subsections from Trento to the Po river via Verona (Via Claudia Augusta ‘Padana’).

Tip: arriving

We recommend that you take a train to the Donauwörth intercity railway station. If you are arriving by car, you can leave your car at the parking lot on Neue Obermayerstraße while you explore the area by bike. Consider arriving a day early  so that you can start your long-distance hike well rested and see a little of this lovely town before you set out.

A walk through town

The Tanzhaus on the Reichsstraße houses the archaeological museum, a fitting start to a journey along the historical road. Do not miss the impressive town hall on the same street. Head through the Rieder Tor gate, which houses the local history museum (Haus der Stadtgeschichte), and visit the old town on the island of Ried. This is where the town first began to develop. Another local heritage museum (the Heimatmuseum) is located here. Back on the Reichsstraße, walk past the Liebfrauenmünster church and the Fuggerhaus.  Your walk ends at the Käthe Kruse Doll Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the famous dolls from Donauwörth. The tourist information office offers many guided tours.

 Archaeological museum: Reichsstraße 34, 

+49 (0)906 789-170, open on Sat, Sun and public holidays: 2 pm–5 pm. 

 Haus der Stadtgeschichte in the Rieder Tor: Spitalstraße 11, 

+49 (0)906 789-170 or -151, opens upon request.

 Heimatmuseum on the island of Ried: Museumsplatz 2, 

+43 (0)906 789-170 or -151, May to October: Tue–Sun, 2 pm–5 pm, November to April: Wed, Sat, Sun and public holidays, 2 pm–5 pm. 

 Käthe Kruse Doll Museum: Pflegstraße 21a, +43(0)906 789-170 or -151. May to September: Tue–Sun, 11 am–6 pm; October to April: Thu–Sun, 2 pm–5 pm; 25 December to 6 January: every day 2 pm–5 pm; closed on 24 December and Good Friday.

Food and drink

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route from Donauwörth to Augsburg

The hiking route takes you to the Lechtal valley from north to south past picturesque meadows and fields. You will be passing many villages small and large on the way. Between Mertingen and Druisheim, an information panel marks the location of the Submuntorium-Burghöfe fortress complex. It was the last building before the Danube, which probably had a very wide riverbed back then. Soon after, you reach Holzen Abbey. From Nordendorf, the hiking route follows the eastern edge of the Lechtal valley before crossing the valley and the river near Gersthofen. In the town center, the balloon museum is well worth a visit. Hike onwards along the Lech to reach Augsburg. The route crosses the river on the Lechhausen Brücke bridge on the way to the old town.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to the Rathausplatz (tourist information)

Cross the Lechhausen Brücke bridge to get from the Lech to the city. Head along Lechhauser Straße, Jakoberstraße, Barfüßerstraße, Metzgplatz and Am Perlachberg (1.5 km) to reach the Rathausplatz (the central town hall square) with the Perlachturm tower and the ceremonial Goldener Saal and gain an impression of the old and new town on the way.

Hiking route south from the town hall

Head south from the Rathausplatz and along Maximilianstraße (or ‘Max-Straße’, as the people of Augsburg lovingly call their historic street). It leads up to the Ulrichskirche church. Continue out of the city center and to the Siebentisch-Wald forest on the Lech river, a local recreation area popular among the residents of Augsburg. Follow the hiking route to the south.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route through the Lechfeld

Cross the Siebentisch-Wald forest on the Lech, a local recreational area that is popular with the people of Augsburg. Continue to Haunstetten and Königsbrunn, where the hiking route runs into the town center near the Ilsesee, another local recreational area with a lake. The route through Königsbrunn, the Lechfeld and its villages mostly follows the old Roman road. In Klosterlechfeld, the hiking route crosses the river and leads you to Kaufering and Landsberg am Lech.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Kaufering, Landsberg am Lech, Pöring, Pitzling

Near Klosterlechfeld, the Via Claudia Augusta hiking route crosses the river and follows its course along picturesque meadows and forests. It first leads you through the eastern part of Kaufering before heading to Landsberg am Lech. Hikers catch their first glimpse of the medieval town from the high banks of the river. Following the former salt road, you will pass through the Sandauertor gate to reach the picturesque and historical main square, which was redesigned and revived very recently. Take a little break and enjoy the shops, cafés, and ice cream parlors that line the square. Today, the bridge over the Lech in Lechwehr is in the exact same spot where the salt road used to cross the river.  The hiking route sticks to the eastern bank of the Lech as it leaves the town through the gate of the former waterhouse. Pöring and Pitzling to the south are parts of the municipality of Landsberg, but the surrounding nature gives the area a genuine countryside feeling.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route through Schongau (Altenstadt, Peiting)

Although our hiking route does not cross Altenstadt, we will take a brief detour there: Altenstadt is the Roman predecessor and mother parish of Schongau. Its Romanesque domed basilica grants you a glimpse into its rich history. The hiking route continues straight to Schongau, crossing picturesque meadows and romantic forests on the way. In the town area, it follows the beautiful riverbends of the Lech, where the people of Schongau love to spend time. The old town is on the way. Situated at a slightly elevated position, it overlooks the Lech and is surrounded entirely by its medieval walls. The town itself can only be accessed through the gates. On the other side of the Lech, to the south of the market town of Peiting, you can see the partial excavation of an extended country manor: Peiting’s Villa Rustica. To visit it, head through the center of Schongau and cross the dam as you exit. Return to the hiking route over the striking bridge. Altenstadt, Schongau and Peiting have been situated at an important crossroads ever since Roman times. In the Roman era, the Roman road ran past Scharnitz and Garmisch to cross the Via Claudia Augusta here. Later, in the Middle Ages, the two roads remained in use and were called Upper Road and Lower Road.

Questions and information about the section

For information, contact

Via Claudia Augusta Info
www.viaclaudia.org
info@viaclaudia.org
0043 664 27 63 555

For specific questions about the town of Schongau, contact the

Schongau tourist information office.
www.schongau.de
Münzstraße 1 - 3, 86956 Schongau
touristinfo@schongau.de
0049 8161 214 181

For specific questions about the region , contact

the Pfaffenwinkel tourist board
www.pfaffen-winkel.de
Bauerngasse 5, 86956 Schongau
info@pfaffen-winkel.de
0049 8861 21 13 00

Hiking route through the Auerbergland

Soon after Schongau, the hiking route crosses an extensive forest before rejoining the historical Roman route and continuing to follow it through the Auerbergland between Schongau and Füssen. Near Burggen, you are treated to one of the most spectacular views of the river: the ‘Litzauer Schleifen’. Afterwards, the route takes you up the Auerberg, which was the site of human settlements as early as pre-Roman times and the Roman era. Visit the Auerbergmuseum in Bernbeuren on the way to learn more about the history of this Alpine foothill. Then continue to the rafters’ village of Lechbruck, which has developed into a popular holiday destination – not just for the Lechsee, a reservoir of the river. On your journey through the Auerbergland along the Via Claudia Augusta, you will enjoy the exact landscapes for which the Allgäu is famous: gently rolling hills covered in verdant pastures, fairytale forests and plenty of lakes and ponds of all sizes. You will pass some of them on the way from Lechbruck to Rosshaupten, where the Bavarian Via Claudia Augusta documentation center is located. The Via Claudia Augusta Kunstpark, an open-air art exhibition, is also en route. Past Rieden and Füssen, the hiking route returns to the shore of the Forggensee lake. Unfortunately, the Direttissima route, which once followed the Roman road, is no longer usable today: the Roman road is submerged in the reservoir and can only be accessed during a few weeks every year, when the water level is lowered to generate electricity in the off season.

Questions and information about the section

For information, contact

Via Claudia Augusta Info
www.viaclaudia.org
info@viaclaudia.org
0043 664 27 63 555

For specific questions about the entire Pfaffenwinkel region up to Bernbeuren, contact the

Pfaffenwinkel tourist board
www.pfaffen-winkel.de
Bauerngasse 5, 86956 Schongau
info@pfaffen-winkel.de
0049 8861 21 13 00

For specific questions about Bernbeuren and the Auerberg, contact the

tourist board of Bernbeuren am Auerberg

bernbeuren.de/informationen.0.html

Marktplatz 4, 86975 Bernbeuren
info@bernbeuren.de
0049 8860 210

For specific questions about Lechbruck, contact the

tourist information office of Lechbruck am See
www.lechbruck.de
Flößerstraße 1, 86983 Lechbruck am See
info@lechbruck.de
0049 8862 987 830

For specific questions about Rosshaupten, contact the Rosshaupten

tourist information office 
www.rosshaupten.de
Hauptstraße 10, 87672 Rosshaupten
info@rosshaupten.de
0049 8867 364

For specific questions about Rieden am Forggensee , contact the

tourist information office of Rieden am Forggensee
www.rieden.de
Lindenweg 4, 87669 Rieden am Forggensee
info@rieden.de
0049 8362 37025

Hiking route through Füssen and Schwangau

The hiking route now takes you along the shore of the Forggensee lake to the festival hall and the old town of Füssen, where a Roman fortress used to stand on the castle hill. Following the eastern bank of the Lech, the route takes you into the old town. Its historical main road, the Reichenstraße, is identical to the route of the Roman road. It is a pedestrian area today. To visit Schwangau and the royal castles, head out from the Lechbrücke bridge to the east of Füssen. Afterwards, return on the same path or take the Fürstenweg to the town of Pinswang in Tyrol. Leaving Füssen, you will follow the left side of the river to the Lechfall, where the water roars out of the Alps. Cross the bridge over the falls and enjoy the spectacular views. On your way to Tyrol, you get a chance to visit the Füssen Forest Experience Center and a treetop path giving you sweeping bird’s-eye views of the alluvial forests.

Questions and information about the section

For information, contact

Via Claudia Augusta Info
www.viaclaudia.org
info@viaclaudia.org
0043 664 27 63 555

For specific questions about the town of Füssen, contact the

tourist information office of Füssen Tourismus und Marketing.
www.fuessen.de
Kaiser-Maximilian-Platz 1, 87629 Füssen
tourismus@fuessen.de
0049 8362 93 850

For specific questions about the town of Schwangau , contact the

Schwangau tourist information office.

www.schwangau.de
Münchner Straße 3
info@schwangau.de
0049 8362 81 980

The hiking route from Füssen to Reutte

Leave the old town of Füssen and cross the Lech river. Make sure you look back at the town from the south bank of the river: the view is wonderful! As you enter Austria, the hiking route runs parallel to the Lech river and the picturesque, old country road, parts of which are lined with trees. After Pinswang, the route runs over the mountain ridge between Stiglberg and Kratzer in the same spot where the Roman road is believed to have crossed it. Continue through the picturesque villages of Unterpinswang and Oberpinswang before crossing the Kniepass. Having visited Breitenwang and Reutte, you will cross the Mösle (a forested wetland) and the Urisee, a popular swimming lake.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route through Breitenwang and Reutte to Ehrenberg

Coming from Breitenwang, the hiking route runs directly into the center of the market town of Reutte. The roundabout constitutes the border between the Untermarkt (lower market) and Obermarkt (upper market). The road through the Obermarkt corresponds to the salt road, which crossed the Lech between Lechaschau and Reutte. Do not miss the turns leading towards the hospital and, a little later, to Ehrenberg.  The relatively steep gravel path up to the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg (the Ehrenberg castle ensemble) also corresponds to the salt road. You can still see parts of the steadily ascending Roman road on the right and left.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Heiterwang a.S., Bichlbach, Wengle, Lähn

Just like the Roman route and the salt road, our hiking route runs through the gate of the Klause Ehrenberg fortress. For many centuries, this was the only way of crossing the reservoir, where carters had to pay a toll. The route then continues along forest trails to Heiterwang am See, taking you through the Klausenwald forest. You will be following the old Roman road all the way to the edge of the town. The salt road will lead you through the town itself in a wide circle. The hiking route continues towards the Heiterwanger See lake, then follows the Panoramaweg road until the valley basin between Lermoos, Ehrwald and Biberwier. Situated at a slight elevation above the valley, the Panoramaweg offers stunning views of the ‘Mähberg’ mountain, which used to be mowed until the late 20th century,  the villages of Bichlbach, Wengle and Lähn, and the original track of the Roman road, which  connected them.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Lermoos, Ehrwald, Biberwier

At the edge of Lermoos, the hiking route departs from the slope of the mountain. It runs through the center of Lermoos, then follows the old Roman road through the picturesque Moos wetland that stretches between the three towns. You can take a detour to Ehrwald and the Zugspitze on the way. A transparent panorama panel near the road shows you how the Roman log road crossed the wetland to Biberwier.  In Biberwier, you will pass the location of a Roman road station that was unearthed by archaeologists a few years ago. Having crossed the quaint little town, you start the ascent to the Fernpass.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking across the Fernpass

Mostly following the Roman road, the hiking route climbs up to the ‘old top of the Fernpass’ through the seemingly high-alpine forests of the landslide site.  It leads directly past the Weissensee lake. The Blindsee is another nearby lake and a popular, Alpine swimming destination. When you reach the Roman top of the Fernpass, take some time to soak up the  spectacular, panoramic views of the landscape with all its roads and paths from the pre-Roman era, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, and the early modern period. The hiking route descends towards the valley on the Nassereither Almweg, much like the Roman road used to. Having crossed the modern incarnation of the Via Claudia Augusta, the Fernpass national road, it follows long stretches of the Gurglbach river, then crosses the national road again to reach two lakes: the Sammeranger See and the Fernsteinsee lakes. Walk past their beautiful shores to reach the Schloss Fernstein Castle Ensemble. 

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Fernstein, Nassereith, Tarrenz, Imst

From Schloss Fernstein castle, the hiking route leads through a picturesque forest before reaching the entrance to the Gafleintal valley, which was a mining area until the past century, and the mining settlement of St. Wendelin. Continue through the pleasant center of Nassereith and onwards to Dormitz with its pilgrimage church of St. Nicholas. It is located on a millennia-old crossroads where human settlements have existed since Roman times. The road on the foot of the Holzleitensattel saddle offers stunning views of the Gurgltal valley. The hiking route returns to the original route of the Roman road and takes you through the Strader Wald forest to the village of Strad, which was named by the Romans. Before crossing the valley towards Tarrenz, it takes you past the Knappenwelt Gurgltal open-air mining museum. From the picturesque center of Tarrenz, head to the Schloss Starkenberg brewery. Of course, you get to sample the local beer here – and you can even bathe in it if you feel so inclined. On the way to Imst, you will pass the Starkenberger See lake and its canals, which irrigate the dry slopes on the sunny side of the valley. 

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to and through Imst

The hiking route enters Imst through the backdoor. From the Starkenberger See lake, it crosses the mountain road over the Hahntennjoch pass and descends into the Lechtal valley . Passing idyllic countryside forests and meadows, it takes you to the Bergl above the town center of Imst. It was on this hill that pre-Roman settlement first began. Today, the pretty Laurentiuskirche church stands here. From here, you have wonderful views of the historical Obermarkt and Untermarkt and the Kramergasse, which connects the two and is largely identical to the route of the Roman road. A processional walkway leads you  to the town.  In the Obermarkt on the left-hand side, you can see the parish church and the Haus der Fasnacht, a museum dedicated to the local Carnival traditions. In the Untermarkt on the right-hand side, the Kramergasse, its side streets and the Ballhaus museum are worth a visit. Following the Roman route along the Kramergasse and the old national road, the hiking route exits the town.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route from Imst to the Landeck region

The hiking route takes you along the sunny, northern slope of the valley as it follows the old Roman road. Unfortunately, the far end of the rocky slope can no longer support a hiking path, so our route descends into the valley, crosses underneath the motorway and follows the Inn cycle path for a while. The Trofana Tyrol adventure village and the Milser Au meadow are on the way. The village road of Mils and the road that follows it and leads up to Starkenbach, where the Roman road crossed the Inn river, corresponds exactly to the Roman road. But the hiking route crosses the Inn earlier to get to Schönwies. Near the church, head up the shady slope of the Inntal valley and pass the Kronburg Monastery at the foot of Kronburg castle. The road crosses the local recreational area of Trans and continues to Schloss Landeck castle, which offers great views of Zams, the Inn riverbend and the districts of Landeck.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Zams, Landeck, Fließ

The hiking route clings to the slope as it heads towards Schloss Landeck castle, the former seat of the court and the namesake of the town and district. A little below the castle stands the parish church and the town center with its Malerstraße. Here, the hiking route climbs back up the slope and follows the original route of the Via Claudia Augusta across the Fließer Platte plateau to the municipality of Fließ. On the plateau, you can still see wheel tracks left in the rock surface during various epochs. A little before, there are skid marks on the rock. In Fließ, visit the Tyrolean Via Claudia Augusta documentation center and the archaeological museum of Fließ. Head down the dry slopes with their typical diversity of vegetation and cross the Pontlatzbrücke bridge over the Inn river.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route through Prutz, Ried im Oberinntal, Tösens, Pfunds

The hiking route continues along the old national road, which largely corresponds to the Roman road. Today, it is the domain of hikers, cyclists and those who live nearby. Burg Laudegg castle thrones above you as you hike through verdant meadows towards Prutz. Unlike the cycling route, the hiking route stays on the left side of the river. It follows its course to Ried im Oberinntal and Tösens, where it crosses the so-called Roman bridge opposite the village. Although built in the Roman style, it is one of the oldest medieval stone bridges of the region. Having crossed the bridge, the hiking route mostly runs along the slope of the mountain until reaching the customs station on the Katejanbrücke bridge. This spot offers lovely views of Pfunds and its districts along the old country road, which largely corresponds to the Roman road. It then follows the Inn river to the historical toll station of Altfinstermünz. Before reaching the toll station, the Roman road (identical with this section of the hiking route) runs along the external border between the EU and Switzerland.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through Finstermünz, Nauders, Reschen/Resia and the Reschensee lake, Graun/Curon and St. Valentin/San Valentino

From the medieval customs station of Altfinstermünz, the hiking route follows a narrow hiking trail up to Hochfinstermünz, where a former luxury hotel stands abandoned. You may need to interrupt your hike here and take a public bus to Nauders. A continuous hiking route is already being built near the former fortress of Nauders. To get from Nauders to the village of Reschen/Resia, you will hike past picturesque meadows along the Austrian-Italian border and then cross the mountain pass. From Reschen/Resia, the hiking route follows the eastern shore of the Reschensee lake. The Roman road also used to run along this side of the lake, which was much smaller then. Today, it is submerged in the lake alongside the old village of Graun/Curon. Only the steeple of the church protrudes from the water, making an excellent photo motif. From St. Valentin/San Valentino, follow the Roman road across the Mals heath to Burgeis/Burgusio and Mals/Malles.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route from the Mals heath to Schluderns/Sluderno

The hiking route first takes you to the picturesque village of Dörfl/Monteplair and along the edge of a forest before crossing the Mals heath, the largest alluvial cone in the Alps with many striking canals. This is where the Roman road used to be located, and a Roman road station has been identified at its center. Near Alsack/Alsago, the route ascends a hill and crossed the Planeiltal valley in Planeil/Planol. After a brief section on a road, it follows the Mals Waalweg canal path to Schluderns/Sluderno. You will be treated to lovely views of Mals/Malles, the town of Glurns/Glorenza, and the historical settlement hill Tartscher Bichl on the way. Alternatively, you can take one of the various steeper roads leading down into the valley to Mals/Malles and Glurns/Glorenza. Above Schluderns/Sluderno, you can visit a partially unearthed Rhaetian settlement on the Ganglegg hill. Some of its houses have been reconstructed. The hiking route now takes you to the picture-perfect village of Schluderns/Sluderno. It climbs past Churburg castle, sticking to the sunny side of the dry, grassy hill across large stretches of the Vinschgau valley.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through Eyrs/Oris, Laas/Lasa, Kortsch/Corzes and Schlanders/Silandro

This section of the hiking route is exemplary of the typical, dry grasslands of the Sonnenberg mountain, which stretches from Mals/Malles to Partschins/Parcines across the entire Vinschgau valley. Enjoy interesting glimpses of its sparse plant life and the animals attracted by as you take in the lovely views of the valley. A few sections even take you through coniferous forests: a nice change! The hiking route largely follows the lower slope of the mountain. Every now and again, it takes you past or through a small town: Eyrs/Oris, Laas/Lasa, Allitz/Alliz, Kortsch/Corzes, Schlanders/Silandro, Vetzan/Vezzano. The sunny hills above Eyrs/Oris, the valley crossing at Allitz/Alliz, and the section between Kortsch/Corzes and Schlanders/Silandro are particularly attractive.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through Schlanders/Silandro, Vetzan/Vezzano, Goldrain/Coldrano, Latsch/Laces, Kastelbell/Castelbello, Tschars/Ciardes

This section of the hiking route takes you along the Vetzanwaal (or: Roppenwaal) and the Latschander Waal – particularly beautiful canals, so typical of South Tyrol – and the orchards they irrigate. Vetzan/Vezzano, a district of Schlanders/Silandro, and Goldrain/Coldrano, dominated  by its eponymous castle, are only separated by a stream. From here, the hiking route is likely to correspond to the Roman road until Kastelbell/Castelbello. Wherever possible, the Romans built their roads along the bottom of the sunny slopes of a valley, which dry faster after rainfall or snow. This section is a panoramic route offering many spectacular views. In Kastelbell/Castelbello, another castle awaits hikers. Afterwards, follow the route through vineyards and orchards to Tschars/Ciardes, then head up the hill to Schloss Juval castle.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route to Schloss Juval castle, Naturns/Naturno, Rabland/Rablà, Partschins/Parcines

This section consists of two fundamentally different parts. The first takes you a little higher up the slope, offering lovely views of the valley. The second follows the Maarlinger Waal, one of South Tyrol’s best-known and most beautiful canals. During the first part of this section, you will see Reinhold Messner’s mansion and castle, Juval. Below it lies Naturns/Naturno with its unique little church, the Prokuluskirchlein, and the Prokulus museum opposite. Naturns/Naturno is the approximate middle of the section. Past it, the route ascends the hill again. In Partschins/Parcines, a picturesque village on the hiking route, a museum tells the story of the inventor of the typewriter, who was a local here.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Algund/Lagundo, Meran/Merano and Marling/Marlengo

When we think of the Waalwege paths in South Tyrol, images of water channels snaking through plentiful vineyards and fruit orchards spring to mind. That is exactly what hikers get to enjoy throughout this section of the route. It takes you straight from the Partschinser Waal to the Algunder Waal canal path, treating you to splendid views of the garden village of Algund/Lagundo and the spa town of Meran/Merano on the way. In Algund/Lagundo, the hiking route leaves the slope and takes you to the garden village. It crosses the valley just like its historical predecessors did: this spot was the last opportunity to do so before the Etsch river filled up the entire valley. The Brückenkopf museum contains remnants of the medieval bridge. Cross a wooden footbridge to get to the other side of the river,  where the district of Forst and its well-known, eponymous brewery await. Head back up the hill. From here, the hiking route follows the Marlinger Waal canal, offering spectacular views of Meran/Merano, Marling/Marlengo, the valley and its surrounding mountains. The Marlinger Waal is said to be the most beautiful of all the canals, but judge for yourself.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through Burggrafenamt to Bolzano/Bozen

This section of the hiking route is characterized by great diversity: canal paths lead you through vineyards and fruit orchards, deciduous and coniferous forests, along hiking trails and leisurely walkways ... It also takes you through the highest density of castles and stately homes in Europe. The German name of the region, ‘Burggrafenamt’, translates to ‘burgraves’ post’. Along the Marlinger Waal, many traditional taverns beckon you to rest awhile. Near Lana, the hiking route departs from the slope for a meander through the village and a tour of the picturesque Brandis Waal canal path and Schloss Brandis castle.  It climbs the beautiful plateau and visits Tisens/Tesimo and Prissian/Prissiano. A walkway takes you back into the valley, following the historical route to Nals/Nalles, the village of roses. Before you reach Bolzano/Bozen, the path heads up the slope once more, taking you through fairytale forests and past stately homes and castles. Hocheppan castle is the most famous of them. From here, you get the first glimpses of Bolzano/Bozen, the capital of South Tyrol. 

Accommodation and camping

Accommodation and camping

A trip to Bolzano/Bozen, the state capital

The Roman road probably crossed the valley at Bolzano/Bozen and continued southwards across the Talfer river and the Pons Drusi. Our hiking route sticks to the western slope and traverses the Überetsch region to the well-known wine-growing villages of the region: Eppan/Apiano, St. Pauls/San Paolo, St. Michael/San Michele, and Kaltern am See/Caldaro. If you want to take a detour through the state capital of South Tyrol and see its interesting archaeological zone in the district of Gries, head there from St. Pauls/San Paolo or from St. Michael/San Michele. Did you know that Ötzi the Iceman came from here?

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through southern South Tyrol

Of course, there is a limit to what a hiker can cover on foot. Nonetheless, the hiking route attempts to show you a little of everything there is to see in the south of South Tyrol. We start along the South Tyrolean Wine Road, heading through the vineyards and picturesque centers of the wine-growing villages of Eppan/Apiano, Kaltern/Caldaro and Tramin/Termeno. The section that takes you past Kalterer See lake to Tramin/Termeno along the slopes of the mountain is particularly attractive. Afterwards, the route crosses the valley. Continue to Neumarkt/Egna along the foot of Castelfeder. Neumarkt used to be the site of one of the only two proven Roman road stations. You can still see its remnants here. Like Bolzano/Bozen and Meran/Merano, the town has beautiful arcades. Past Neumarkt/Egna, the hiking route takes you along the Dürerweg, which Albrecht Dürer is said to have visited on his travels as an apprentice artist. It leads you to the Salurner Klause, a striking gorge overlooked by Haderburg castle. The route crosses the valley to show you some of the Piana Rotaliana at the crossing of the Etschtal valley and the Nonstal valley.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through the Piana Rotaliana and Nonstal valley

Rumour has it that the drift washed up by the Noce river once dammed the Etsch river to create a lake that reached all the way to Laag/Laghetti. (The name is said to be derived from lago = lake.) This lake, which filled the entire Piana Rotaliana, is cited as a reason for the formation of a language and culture border. On the western side of the Etsch river, Italophone Italy begins. The population of the eastern side speaks Italian. The hiking route takes you across the large wine plain to Roverè della Luna and Mezzocorona, then continues through the Nonstal valley to Mezzolombardo. It crosses the valley to San Michele all‘Adige, a former monastery that has survived as an agricultural center of competence and a local-history museum. From here, the hiking route ascends the slope and clings to it until Trento, with a brief detour in Lavis only. On the way, it takes you through pretty little villages, forests and vineyards.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through Lavis, Meano, Argentario, Trento

Having crossed the Avisio, the border between the municipalities of Lavis and Trento, the hiking route follows the eastern slope of the mountain and the route of the old Roman road. It first takes you to the village of Meano, which is a part of Trento today. Continue through picturesque forests until you reach the district of Argentario, named for its historical silver-mining industry. You will be treated to stunning views of the valley and the provincial capital of Trentino on your way. From Martignano, descend the hill into the town center or continue to the Valsugana.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route through the upper Valsugana: Civezzano, Pergine Valsugana, Levico Terme

This section of the hiking route takes you to from Trento to the Valsugana. It passes the Ecomuseo Argentario, which documents the silver-mining history of the region. Having reached the Valsugana, you walk past pretty villages, picturesque nature and a nature reserve to reach Pergine Valsugana, where the hiking route meets the Renaissance road Via Maier. Continue along the foot of Pergine castle and across the slopes above the Levicosee lake to the spa town of Levico Terme, founded by the Habsburgs.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route through the middle Valsugana

From Levico, the hiking route takes you to the picturesque district of Selva and continues towards the bottom of the valley, where it follows the Brenta river until Marter. Frutti di bosco (forest berries) are grown all over the Valsugana, and you will spot them again and again as you hike.  From Marter, head to the second spa town of the Valsugana: Roncegno Terme. From here, you hike across verdant meadows to Borgo, with the Castel Telvana providing a splendid backdrop. Borgo is the main district of the Media and Bassa Valsugana.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route across Tesino plateau to the Senaiga gorge, Lamon and Sovramonte

Once you reach Bieno, you have mastered the hardest part of the ascent. This makes the town feel like a part of the Tesino high plateau. Running through an idyllic landscape, the route crosses a wild stream and takes you past a lake into the picturesque town of Pieve Tesino, which it traverses in its entirety. It continues through the front section of the valley along the Grigno stream. It is said that the hill above Castello Tesino used to be the site of a Roman fortress. From here, the route follows in the footsteps of history as it takes you through a nature reserve, the hamlet of Coronini (only inhabited in summer!) and the Senaiga gorge to Sovramonte and Lamon. No other section of the Via Claudia Augusta is as sparsely populated as this. Lamon and the next town of Sovramonte are located on the edge of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. 

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Croce D'Aune, Pedavena, Feltre, Cesiomaggiore, Busche

From the Croce D'Aune Pass, the Roman road descended the slope. Our hiking route follows the Roman route until the Pedavena, where a road station is believed to have stood. Take a rest at Italy’s largest birreria, the Birreria Pedavena, or in the center of the historical town of Feltre. Afterwards, walk through picturesque towns to Cesiomaggiore, the discovery site of one of the two milestones documenting the history of the Via Claudia Augusta. Head onwards to Busche. You will pass several Ville Venete on your way; they are characteristic for the region of Veneto.

Accommodation and camping

Hiking route to Busche, Cesana, Lentiai, Bardies, Mel

A crossing over the Piave probably existed between Busche and Cesana in Roman times. Our hiking route crosses the river in the same spot. Below the dam, there is a beach and even a beach restaurant. In the village of Cesana, visit the attractive San Bernardo church before continuing your hike to Lentai, Bardies and Mel. The route takes you along the Piave, giving you an impression of the expansive river landscape. When the river is high, it fills the entire riverbed. When the water is low, brave locals even drive through the riverbed in their cars to save time. In the Nave section just before Mel, the Via Claudia Augusta is said to have crossed the river. The name of the town suggests that this is true: ‘nave’ means ship. Mel, the municipal capital of Borgo Valbelluna, is located on a small hill above this area. Do not miss its beautiful piazza.

Accommodation and camping

The hiking route to Castello di Zumelle, Praderadego, Castelbrando

There is another picturesque pass plateau between the Valbelluna and the Prosecco hills, which slope smoothly towards the wide Venetian Plain: the Praderadego. On your way up the pass, the hiking route takes you past the villages of Borgo Valbelluna, across forests and meadows, and to the Castello di Zumelle, which thrones above the valley like a painting.  A mountain hut and a private guesthouse stand at the top of the pass. The little mountain road snakes down into the Prosecco hills of the Altamarca, granting you lovely views of the hilly landscape and the plain just before its descent. On a clear day, you can see the Venetian Lagoon from here. Continue to the little town of Valmareno, overlooked by the Renaissance palace Castelbrando. You can enter the palace from the rear of the spur in the town of Cison di Valmarino. Valmareno belongs to the municipality of Follina, whose center is a little way to the west. There is an interesting old monastery there. 

Questions and information about the section

For information about the entire route, contact the

Via Claudia Augusta Info
www.viaclaudia.org
info@viaclaudia.org
0043 664 27 63 555

For specific questions about the region up to Praderadego/Quero-Vas,  contact

the tourist information office of the Consorzio Turistico Dolomiti Prealpi
www.dolomitiprealpi.it/en
32032 Feltre, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 21
32026 Mel, Piazza Papa Luciani
info@dolomitiprealpi.it
0039 329 272 900

For specific questions about the region from Praderadego/Valdobbiadene onwards, contact the

Consorzio Turistico Marca Treviso
www.marcatreviso.it
info@marcatreviso.it
0039 0422 595 790