Hike from Flavon Castle to the Virgolo

In March, nature is more and more awakening. The sun is warming the porphyry rocks above Aslago, ideal for a nice spring walk.

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Spring snowflakes in front of Flavon Castle.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The castle, which houses also a restaurant, is accessible by car via the district of Aslago (Bolzano). Here our little circular walk starts.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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From the parking space behind the castle we walk through the forest (no. 10A). Now myriads of liverworts are blooming here.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Along the path no. 10 we walk towards north.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Also a herald of spring: the lungwort, a medical plant.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The wide path turns into a narrow track through the forest. We follow the marker towards the Virgolo (resp. Kohlerhof).
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View on Bolzano.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The porphyry rocks absorb the warm sunbeams.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The heather is in full bloom in March.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Towards Virgolo.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Past the Kohlerhof we reach the asphalt road.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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A few bends further down we reach the entrance of the old S. Virgolo Church. Unfortunately it can be visited only on special dates.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Unlike the opposite Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The information board tells the history about the church on the Calvary of Bolzano.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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We have to walk back for a short distance and reach the junction to the Virgolo Promenade.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Along this promenade we come back to Flavon Castle again.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Entrance to the “Schelmwald” education trail near Aslago with nice attractions for kids.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Starting point of our little circular walk through the woods above the district of Aslago is Flavon Castle (Haselburg). Path no. 10A proceeds uphill through the broadleaf forest, first along a forest path which then turns into a narrow path (marker 4A, 10). We walk towards "Virgolo" and "Kohlerhof" until we reach the little mountain.

Here we follow the road downhill until the church of the Bolzano Calvary. After a visit to the church we walk further downhill until we reach the entrance to the Virgolo Promenade. We follow this promenade and come back to Flavon Castle again. The last section leads us past a forest with a sea of spring snowflakes. Nature is awakening, soon everything is starting to green up!

Author: AT

If you want to do this hike, please take information about the weather and the current conditions of the trail on site!

Starting point: Flavon Castle, quarter of Aslago in Bolzano
Route: Flavon Castle - Kohlerhof farm - Virgolo hill - Holy Cross Church - Virgolo Promenade - Flavon Castle
Signposts: no. 10A, 10, "Virglpromenade/Passeggiata del Virgolo"
Trail length: approx. 5.8 km (in total)
Walking time: about 2 hours (in total)
Altitude difference: approx. 240 m
Altitude level: between 340 and 560 m a.s.l.
Experienced at: mid-March 2015