"Keschtnweg": Isarco Valley Chestnut Trail A line of chestnut groves extends from Vahrn near Bressanone/Brixen all along the slopes of the Isarco Valley as far as the high plateau of the Rittner and down into the Bolzano/Bozen valley as far as Runkelstein castle with its fabled frescoes: the ideal route for the "Keschtnweg".

It should not only be thought of as an Autumn excursion though, because the landscape is extremely attractive all year round thanks to the diverse vegetation of the area.
The well marked route leads through mixed forests vibrant with colour, lush green meadows and imposing chestnut groves - a very special experience.
All along the "Keschtnweg", artistic and natural monuments bear witness to a centuries old culture, places steeped in legend tell tales of witches, fairies and ghosts.
In Europe the chestnut, more than most other species of tree, has performed a distinct and vital service; so important that it has earned the right to be known as "Brotbaum" - bread tree (until modern times the chestnut provided nourishment for at least 6 months of the year). The vital importance of this type of tree, even at our latitude, is still well known thanks to a variety of writings and sayings.
The chestnut is a companion to the people and has integrated with them, and as a result a veritable "Chestnut Culture" has grown up around it. In days gone by the chestnut represented "Life for the mountains". As a result of the re-establishment of many chestnut groves, and perhaps also because of the "Keschtnweg", it once again represents this in some of the valleys of South Tyrol which are now facing different human and socio-economic conditions. The "Keschtnweg" helps people to discover, and hopefully to enjoy, the way in which man and nature live side by side.