The Renon plateau is often identified with “Soprabolzano”, which is actually a part of the plateau. It is bordered on the east by the Isarco river and on the west by the Talvera river that flows through the Val Sarentino. The municipality of Renon has got more than 7,500 inhabitants and consists of 17 hamlets: Collalbo, Auna di Sotto, Auna di Sopra, Soprabolzano, Costalovara, Siffiano, Vanga, Longostagno, Longomoso, Signato, Campodazzo, Sill, Madonnina, Unterplatten, Monte di Mezzo, Pietrarossa and Gebrack.
The Renon plateau has a long history behind it and many finds indicate an early settlement, with a first mention in the 11th century. Already in the 17th century also the noble inhabitants of the city of Bolzano discovered the Renon as a summer holiday resort.
Until 1900 the high plateau of Renon was hardly reachable, which changed in 1907 thanks to the construction of the narrow-gauge railway. From then on the Renon high plateau became easily and quickly accessible from the city of Bolzano. Today, you can enjoy a ride on this old-fashioned train with a panorama that embraces all the Dolomites: Sciliar and Catinaccio first and foremost. In 2009 the new Renon cable car was inaugurated.
The Corno del Renon is a renowned ski resort, very comfortable and easily accessible for the Bolzanini.
Finally, we would like to point out that Auna di Sotto (Unterinn) is home to an important South Tyrolean excellence in the world of sweets: Loacker. Look beyond the company: now do you understand why the Sciliar is its symbol? Enjoy your meal!
The Colle cable car connects Bolzano and Colle at an altitude of 1,134 metres. Also this village was recognized by the people of Bolzano as a holiday destination in the 19th century and thanks to the intuition of an hotelier from Bolzano, Josef Staffler, in 1908 the first cable car for the transport of people in the world was built. But don’t worry! Today, the first cable car has been replaced by a super modern one that takes you in 5 minutes to admire one of the most beautiful views over the city: the Dolomites rise majestically to the east, eight hundred meters below the city lies silently at the intersection of the three rivers that run through it, to the west you can read the profiles of Mount Penegal and the Mendola Pass, your gaze is lost up to the Gruppo del Tessa and the mountains of eternal ice.
As soon as you get off the cable car, don’t miss the model of the original cable car: it is right there next to the garden benches. And now you can immerse yourself in the network of beautiful paths that populate this part of Bolzano