Karneld

Not far from Bolzano we cross the Brenner motorway and climb the gorge in the Eggen valley through which flows the Karneld stream. On a steep rocky height on the left stands Karneld Castle (13th century, restored about 1880; chapel and frescoes) above the village of the same name. In Kardaun is the Eisack power station, beyond which a road bridge crosses the Eggen valley waterfall. Then the valley broadens out; near Birchabruck (Ponte Nova; 877m/2,728ft) there is a fine view of the Laternar (on the right) and the Rosengarten (on the left). Beyond Birchabruck the Dolomite Road leaves the Eggen valley and ascends the Welschofen valley.