The 1,363 m high Passo della Mendola is situated in the south of Bolzano and can be reached via Appiano or Caldaro
Image gallery: Mendola Pass
The Passo della Mendola mountain pass between Mt. Penegal in the north and Mt. Roen in the south connects Caldaro and Appiano on the Wine Road with the Val di Non valley, in other words South Tyrol and the Trentino. The street which leads on the Mendola Pass is a route which is very popular with cyclists and bikers, as it is characterised by its 17 sharp bends as well a great panoramic view. In the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Mendelpass (in German) was on of the health resorts in South Tyrol, famous above all with aristocrats and emperors.
Therefore, the Mendola Funicular was built in 1903 which is still in operation and is known as one of the steepest funicular railways throughout Europe. Nowadays, on the pass there are numerous small holiday homes, in which people from Caldaro and Appiano spend their weekends, and also cyclists, hikers and nature lovers populate "the Mendel" in summer. In winter, however, there are the small Mendola Ruffré Skiing Area and one of the toboggan runs in the south of South Tyrol.
