The route leads from Marlengo/Marling via Lana and Nalles/Nals to Andriano/Andrian. Change to the Etschtal Cycle Path, which leads to Bolzano/Bozen. One of the most ‘castle rich’ regions in all of Europe begins south of Merano/Meran. Worth mentioning are Hocheppan Castle in Missiano/Missian, Appiano/Eppan, Maultasch Castle (Burg Maultasch) near Terlano/Terlan and Sigmundskron Castle (Schloss Sigmundskron) near Firmiano/Firmian, Bolzano.

The route leads along the western edge of South Tyrol’s capital city Bolzano (the best way to enter is to follow the Eisack river). The villages south of Bolzano have been historically strongly shaped by the navigable Etsch river. Of particular historical importance are the medieval village of Egna/Neumarkt with South Tyrol’s only proven Roman staging post, Endidae, and Salorno/Salurn, located on the language border at the Salurner Klause, the name of this narrow valley section.

The South Tyrolean portion of the Via Claudia Augusta, leading to Ostiglia near Verona or Quarto d’Altino near Venice, ends at Salorno.

Tip: interactive Via Claudia Augusta route planner available online at www.viaclaudia.org