The first stage of the Chestnut Trail, connecting five castles worth seeing between Terlano and Bolzano, is called Castelronda
Image gallery: Chestnut Trail, stage 1: Terlano-Roncolo Castle
The Chestnut Trail can be walked from the South Tyrolean Wine Road towards the Valle Isarco or vice versa - we choose the first option. The first stage begins right in the centre of Terlano, the village known far and wide in spring for its asparagus. The hike includes five castles, as it follows the Bolzano Castle Path "Castelronda". We reach the first complex directly from Terlano via a path leading upwards: Casanova Castle (Neuhaus), where Margarete of Tyrol is said to have resided.
As the Tyrolean sovereign was nicknamed Maultasch, the castle is also known by this name. Afterward, the route continues southeast into the district of Settequerce. Above it, the second and third castles can be found: Grifo Castle, the mystical "Pork Castle", from which a pig is said to have been thrown at besiegers, and the lesser-known small Helfenberg Ruin (Castel Soccorso).
From Settequerce, the path continues to the vineyards around Bolzano and via Cologna, which already belongs to San Genesio Atesino, and San Giorgio to the entrance of the Val Sarentino. With its 17.7 kilometres, we are tackling the longest stage of the Chestnut Trail right at the start on this autumn day. At the entrance to the Val Sarentino and at the upper end of the Bolzano Talvera Meadows, Rafenstein Castle sits enthroned idyllically amongst the vines. It is also known as "Sarner Schlössl" (Sarentino Castle) and is located opposite the mighty complex of Roncolo Castle.
There our day's stage ends. The "Painted Castle" is the fifth and final castle and invites you to visit and enjoy a meal in its castle tavern. Ideal for the end of this October day! This stage is also of particular beauty in spring, whereas in summer it can get over 30 degrees C around Bolzano. You can be back at the starting point in Terlano in half an hour by bus.
Author: AT
Experiened: October 2011
Last update: 2026
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- Starting point:
- village centre of Terlano (248 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 06:20 h
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- Total route length:
- 17,7 km
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- Altitude:
- from 248 m to 926 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +1010 m | -956 m
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- Route:
- Neuhaus or Casanova Castle, Helfenberg Ruin (or Soccorso Castle), Grifo Castle, Rafenstein Castle, Roncolo Castle
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- Signposts:
- Castelronda (green tower symbol)
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- Destination:
- Roncolo Castle in Bolzano
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- Resting points:
- Noafer inn in Cologna, Messner inn, Roncolo Castle
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Chestnut Trail, stage 1: Terlano-Roncolo Castle
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- More information:
- The route is shown on the map with the start and end points reversed, but otherwise it remains the same.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
