This leisurely family hike connects the top station of the small Kohlern cable car (1,108 m) with the mountain hamlet of Herrenkohlern (1,180 m), a picturesque gem comprising the little Church of the Assumption and the surrounding farmsteads. As well as a ride on Europe’s oldest cable car, a 36-metre-high observation tower (access via steps) awaits us, offering a magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings of Bolzano and the Central Alps.

Reachability

From the A22 motorway exit at Bolzano South, we first follow the signs towards the centre/Bozner Boden. After the Virgel Tunnel, we continue straight on along Innsbruckerstraße for a few hundred metres towards Brenner until we reach the roundabout by the Cascade restaurant, where we turn right into the underpass beneath the motorway and park in the visitor car park in front of the Kohlern cable car valley station.

Description

The starting point of the hike is the valley station of the Kohlerer cable car in Bolzano (wheelchair access at the rear of the building). It was put into operation in 1908 as Europe’s first passenger cable car. Thanks to a modern refurbishment, the cable car continues to guarantee a safe and comfortable ride to this day. Once we arrive at the mountain station in Kohlern (1,135 m), we climb the 36-metre-high wooden observation tower, which offers a wonderful view over the valley floor of Bolzano as well as distant views of the Dolomites and the Central Alps. We then join the European long-distance hiking trail E5 and follow the tarmac village road (pavement and a few benches) up to the little church at Bauernkohlern (gradient up to 15%), where, after passing the Waldorf School farm and an open right-hand bend, we reach a junction on the left (signposted E5/Herrenkohlern). After a few metres over uneven grass, we reach the adjacent forest track, which initially runs flat through a mountain meadow and then climbs steadily through the following stretch of woodland (partly stony natural surface, gradient 10–15%). Passing through dense mixed woodland, we finally reach a clearing offering views of the surroundings of Bolzano. The path (still marked E5) now leads us initially along level ground through dense coniferous woodland, before climbing noticeably again a short while later. Finally, we leave the cool forest slopes behind us and make our way across sun-drenched mountain meadows to Herrenkohlern, where we take a well-deserved break at the little Church of the Assumption before returning to the cable car via the same route.