E-bike tour to the Greiter farm above Merano

The pleasant climb on a quiet tarmac road is technically undemanding, yet offers plenty of scenery, with constantly changing surroundings and all kinds of gradients. Until a few years ago the "Greiter" was also known for its restaurant and its own brewery; sadly there is no house beer any more and the restaurant is currently open only a few days a week. Even so, the Greiter remains a rewarding destination for e-bikers, thanks to the view from up here and the many different ways down.

This easy tour starts at Brunnenplatz in Maia Alta (Obermais), where there is also a paid car park if you need one. From here you follow the picturesque Sissi path through Maia Alta up to St. Valentin, just above the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. After crossing the main road things get serious for a moment: a farm track climbs, in places quite steeply, through the vineyards of St. Valentin. With the e-bike's turbo mode this first climb is no great test of fitness; if you are unsure of your technique, you can take the route via Rametz Castle instead – both join the tarmac road at St. Valentin. From here the road climbs gently for another 100 metres of altitude to the Stegerhof. Keep following the road, mostly on the flat, until you are above Sinich, south of Merano.

From here not only the road changes character but the landscape too. Venerable chestnut trees now line the road, orchards alternate with mixed woodland as the climb to Fragsburg Castle begins. Shortly after the castle you can leave the tarmac for a detour to the Fragsburg waterfall. The well-signposted path there is just as easy and asks another 100 metres of altitude from your battery – no problem given the modest climbing on this tour. After Fragsburg the road continues, steep in places, up to the Greiter, which you reach after a few hairpins. A spacious rest area with loungers, benches and a great view awaits you.

The way back can simply follow the ascent route; the tour drawn in this description is an exciting alternative. At first you go back down the tarmac road; at the fifth hairpin turn right to the Unterweiherhof, a popular and well-known farm inn that is also ideal for a short break. Just below the farm (please push your bike here!) a footpath leads towards Merano through the woods to the Weissplatter, and from there back onto the tarmac road you already know from the climb, which brings you back to Maia Alta.