Bike tour from Cornaiano to Predonico and Gaido

The little villages of Predonico and Gaido are located at 800 m and 900 m a.s.l. and can be reached via the Via Monte road

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Our cycling tour to the mountain villages of Appiano starts in the area of Cornaiano.
Foto: AT, © Peer
From the centre we proceed towards S. Michele, via the Maria Rast road.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Past numerous residences and castles, in the middle of vineyards and apple orchards.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Even if the ascent is not too hard, the sun makes us sweat.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Finally we reach the forest that provides shade.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The road is not much trafficked, the area is agrarian-oriented.
Foto: AT, © Peer
In the middle of the meadows, there is the church of Predonico.
Foto: AT, © Peer
From Predonico, the road becomes rather narrow. Now we proceed towards Gaido.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We turn towards the Gasthof Lipp, where we make a break.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The view ranges to the Dolomites with the Sciliar and Catinaccio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Cycling along the narrow, steep road to Gaido.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The ensemble Gaido with the chapel consecrated to the Fourteen Auxiliary Saints and the Moarhof farm. We reached our final destination, now we can start the descent.
Foto: AT, © Peer

In the centre of Cornaiano we proceed towards San Michele Appiano and turn right towards the Via Madonna del Riposo road. It takes us across fruit orchards to the bypass, which must be traversed. We follow the road signs to Appiano Monte and Predonico (Perdonig). We proceed through the centre of San Michele and up the little mountain road in higher realms, across vineyards in the area of San Paolo and San Michele Appiano.

Past several castles, residences and mansions, one of which is Castel Lodron (or Freudenstein) visible from afar, we proceed the way up, the sun makes us sweat. The shady forest is approaching and starts at the altitude of the Kreuzstein tavern. Forests and fruit orchards alternate when we proceed past the artificial lake of Predonico. This settlement catches the sight above all by its striking church, in the middle of lushly green meadows. At the Lipp tavern we make a stop, this tavern is located about 1 km further in a panoramic location, providing a great view on Bolzano and the Dolomites. The last section to Gaido makes us sweat again.

Steep passages on narrow roads and several valleys have to be overcome, until we reach the Fourteen Holy Helpers Chapel. Here, at the idyllic Moarhof farm, we have reached our final destination. The descend is absolved within a very short time and is absolutely great, also due to the astonishingly beautiful view.

Author: AT

difficulty: easy