Leisurely walk through the Monticolo Forest to the viewpoint that inspired the legend of the wild man
Image gallery: Autumn walk to the Colle dell’Uomo hill
November has brought bright colours to the foliage, and the leaves are slowly dropping in the Oltradige area as well. On this November day, we decided to take another walk through the Monticolo Forest to enjoy the warming rays of the sun.
The car park at the Big Monticolo Lake is accessible from the roundabout near San Michele Appiano. The road leads directly into the forest, which is home to the two Monticolo Lakes. First, we walk along the lakeshore, and then we follow trail marker 1 towards Firmiano Castle.
The castle stands on a rock above Bolzano and Frangarto. We observe nature as it prepares for the cold season. The minimal elevation gain and wide paths make this walk through the autumn landscape a leisurely stroll. Only the final section is narrow at first before becoming stony. We reach the top of the 620-metre hill, which provides an expansive view from Appiano to Merano.
The Col dell'Uomo (Wilder Mann Bühel) is covered with the remains of settlements dating back to prehistoric times. Furthermore, the legend of the Wild Man is linked to this very spot. After a break, we begin our return journey and include a walk around the Small Monticolo Lake and its larger sibling. We no longer see any swimmers, but we do spot azure damselflies and other dragonfly species. The colourful autumn woods are reflected in the water.
Author: AT
Experienced: November 2010
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- parking space at the Big Monticolo Lake (496 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 02:30 h
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- Total route length:
- 8,2 km
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- Altitude:
- from 496 m to 619 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +191 m | -191 m
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- Route:
- Big Monticolo Lake - Monticolo Forest - Colle dell'Uomo hill - Small Monticolo Lake - Big Monticolo Lake
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- Signposts:
- no. 1A, 1
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- Destination:
- Colle dell'Uomo hill (619 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- Small Monticolo Lake snack station (April/May to October)
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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:
- Autumn walk to the Colle dell’Uomo hill
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- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
