Meran, Dolomites, Burgstall-Vöran

From apple orchards to the Dolomite peaks – a day full of contrasts

Today we started right after breakfast on our bikes – mile after mile through apple orchards. The route led us over Lana to the Burgstall–Vöran cable car, where we left our bikes at the valley station at 269 m and took the gondola up to the mountain station at 1,182 m. From the top, there was a beautiful view back into the valley – the uniform apple groves looked like a giant, orderly carpet. An impressive panorama!

After descending, we made our way to Meran – with a clear goal: a piece of the famous Schmid Speck. Afterwards, we rolled leisurely through the town, but it was just too hot for exploring. At 36 °C in the shade, every step was a challenge. The rescue: a jump into the Passer, right in the city. Ice cold, but wonderfully refreshing – exactly what we needed!

During the subsequent drink, we spontaneously decided to escape the heat once and for all – off to the mountains! Our destination was St. Ulrich, more precisely the Seceda cable car. According to the internet, it is said to have one of the most beautiful views of the Dolomites – and we can now confirm that. At 2,500 m high, we were greeted with a refreshing 17.5 °C and Kaiser weather like out of a picture book. The scenery was simply overwhelming – striking rock formations, lush alpine meadows, and such clear air that you just couldn't get enough. I could have stayed up there for hours.

With the last gondola at 5:30 PM, we headed back down into the valley – full of impressions. Our last stop of the day was Kastelruth: a well-kept, beautiful place, of course known for the Kastelruther Spatzen. From here, there was once again a dreamy view of the Dolomites – a perfect conclusion to this varied day.

Conclusion: From the flat apple paradise to the alpine high feeling – South Tyrol showed all its facets today.