Earth Pyramids and an ancient larch tree at the Salto await you near the smallest hamlet of San Genesio
Image gallery: Montoppio
Montoppio - meaning "in opulis" (amongst the maple trees) - is the smallest hamlet of San Genesio. Its few houses and farmsteads lie northwest of the main village amidst pastures and meadows on the Monzoccolo. This elevated settlement was first documented in the 12th century.
It stretches between the farms of Montoppio di Fuori (literally: Outer Montoppio, Vordernobls) and Montoppio di Dentro (Inner Montoppio, Hinternobls), surrounding the Jungscharhaus youth centre, and the small church of Montoppio. The late Romanesque-early Gothic Church of Saint Valentine is well worth a visit, featuring engraved halos of the twelve apostles in the apse.
It boasts an idyllic setting with an impressive panoramic view of the valley. Another vantage point can be reached from here via the three farms of Montoppio. The hike leads you to the Tschaufen, where you can survey the Adige Valley as far as Lake Caldaro to the south. The Earth Pyramids in the Wieser Lahn are another popular destination: Rising from the red clay soil of a landslide area, surrounded by pastures and forests, are these geological formations from the last ice age.
In the larch meadows around Montoppio grows the mighty ancient larch tree of the Salto. The conifer rises 24 metres high, with a trunk circumference of 6.40 metres. Many hikes start from the car park next to the Locher Inn. Along with the traditional Wieser and Tomanegger rest points, it offers dining options in the village. Here, you can treat yourself to regional specialities, including South Tyrolean Speck and various dumpling variations, including spinach dumplings.
