Trail Name: Monsteiner Rebweg
Trail Type: A short distance circuit; well-maintained, partly paved, with stairs in places, good marking on the trail.
Length:
Original – 4.8 kilometers/ miles
Extension – 6.4 kilometers/ miles
Convenient to: Bregenz, Austria
Marking: Signs with the words “Monsteiner Rebweg”. See the photo above.
Almost equidistant between Basel and Zurich, the little town of Klingnau came to my attention as the end point of a wine trail in the Aargau region. As a region, this small canton offers wine enthusiasts a surprising diversity. In addition to some good, and even some unique wines, wine culture is celebrated through festivals and learning opportunities such as wine education trails and museums.
Klingnau falls within the Upper Aargau sub-region of the Aargau wine region. Like much of the rest of the Aargau, this region lies along the Aare River. However, the hiking route began in the rolling hills to the east of the river. Because of the hilly terrain and the ample, green leaf cover this time of year, the river remained hidden from view for most of the hike. Consequently, to reach the river-side village of Klingnau, and the end of the hike, the trail covered a variety of landscapes, and several gentle ascents and descents along the way.
What I Learned
The Aargau Wine Region in Switzerland essentially follows the Aare River as it meanders toward the Rhine. Soft, rounded hills where limestone predominates, and a relatively mild climate help create the environment here that favors vine cultivation. The region is sub-divided into 7 distinct vineyard areas, mostly ranging on the south-facing hills in valleys branching off the Aare.
Trail Name: Wein Wanderweg
Trail Type: Mid-distance; almost exclusively paved or hard-packed surface, well maintained, well-marked route.
Length: total – 11 kilometers/ 6.8 miles
Convenient to: Waldshut, Germany
Marking: White rectangle with red letters: “Wein Wanderweg”
Itinerari Tra I Vigneti 3: Yet another wine trail in the Swiss Canton of Ticino for me to rave about. This one is a twin (actually a triplet) to the one I wrote about earlier: Itinerari Tra I Vigneti 1. (See it here.) Although the two trails share many characteristics, there are enough differences to make each uniquely enjoyable.
Itinerari 3 is a multinational trail! While the trail begins in Rancate, Switzerland, it weaves through the Italian village of Clivio, Italy, before returning to its start in Rancate. Thus, it provided me another opportunity to visit the Italo-Swiss lake region. This trail has water views, unlike the other trail which is set close to, but on the other side of the ridge from, Lake Como. An especially memorable view was from on high of Lake Lugano: a stunning blue gemstone set amidst a spring-green landscape. It was a surprise, a delight, and above all, an unforgettable treat.
What I Learned:
Switzerland’s Ticino canton ranks as the fourth most important wine growing canton in Switzerland. The area of Monte San Giorgio, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Property, is particularly favored for growing grapes because of its microclimate, its hydrological characteristics, and especially its geology. From glacier sediment to marine sediment to clay, from limestone to bituminous schist to sandstone, the diverse nature of its soil results in ideal conditions for cultivating green grapes (mainly in the alkaline soils), and red grapes (primarily in the acidic soils.) In total, approximately 500,000 liters of wine comes from the Monte San Giorgio area alone each year.
Trail Name: Itinerari Tra I Vigneti 3
Trail Type: medium distance circuit; mostly paved, some path, mostly well maintained, and marked in some places.
Length: total – 16.8 kilometers/10.45 miles
Convenient to: Chiasso or Lugano, Switzerland; or Varese or Como, Italy
Marking: Purple stylized grapes on a light background. (May be seen in conjunction with white stylized grapes on a purple background – the marking for mountain bikes.)
Continue reading Itinerari Tra I Vigneti 3 – Trail in a Nutshell
When I read that this trail was “baby carriage accessible,” I had my doubts. In such a hilly area? All 8 miles of it? But from start to finish, it was accessible, for baby carriage, or walkers, or even motorized wheelchairs. The whole family could be out there enjoying this wonderful experience. Hence, I am inspired to get the word out on this trail.
But the hills? Well, if walking up to the start from the Biel train station (which will add an extra couple of kilometers), that first hill is steep. But, if you take the bus to, or park at, the top of this first hill, you not only eliminate that challenge, but also begin with a beautiful view of Lake Biel down below. Thus inspired, the final 35 yards of slight incline to the starting marker is easy. Not only that, the start is along a lovely shaded path, which although not tarmacked, is smooth, hard-packed earthen surface. Subsequent inclines are quite gentle.
What I Learned
Set in central-western Switzerland, with the Alps rising to the east, and the Jura Mountains behind it to the west, this hilly region is surprisingly good when it comes to growing grapes. About 200 hectares of vineyards cover the slopes of the hills in and around Lake Biel. In this bilingual area the name is Lac du Bienne in French.
Trail Name: Chemin du Vignoble (French); OR Rebenweg (German)
Trail Type: Mid-distance; almost exclusively paved, well maintained, and well-marked.
Length: Total: 12.9 kilometers/ 8 miles
Convenient to: Biel, Switzerland
Marking: Marking is the name of the route itself (in German or French) at some intersections; otherwise a gold diamond (with or without a stylized figure of a hiker in black superimposed) indicate you are on a hiking trail. (See featured photograph above.)
