October 2023 – a Castel tale from the Dobitsch family

Castel Driving Days 2023 – driving pleasure & enjoyment among like-minded people

Beautiful cars, picturesque roads and autumnal landscapes form the backdrop for the Castel Driving Days. Following the success of 2022, host Daniel Dobitsch invited car-loving guests to join him on four day trips through the enchanting region of South Tyrol from 18th to 22nd October 2023.

Driving day 1

Welcome tour on Wednesday, 18th October

The driving days began with a beautiful tour over the Timmelsjoch Pass and on the Ötztal Glacier Road. Guests who were already at the hotel set off from Merano at 9:30 a.m. together with host Daniel Dobitsch and first visited the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Hochgurgl.

The journey then continued along the Ötztal Glacier Road, stopping for lunch at Annemaries Hühnersteign. At the end of the day, we rode together over the Timmelsjoch back to Castel by 4 p.m.

Kilometres covered: 161 in 3:30 hours

Driving day 2

On Thursday 19 October, we headed up high twice

We set off along beautiful mountain roads from Merano to Bolzano. We then changed direction, heading north, and our journey continued through the alpine Sarntal valley. At the end, we had to conquer the imposing Penser Joch.

The reward was a marvellous mountain landscape and a good lunch at the Pretzhof. Invigorated, we set off on the last stage, heading south again over the Jaufen Pass and through the Passeier Valley back to Castel.

Kilometres covered: 208 in 4:15 hours

Driving day 3

Over hill and vineyards on Friday 20 October

From the rocky Eggental valley over the beautiful high plateau of Petersberg to Aldein, famous for the Bletterbach gorge, we travelled through vineyards to Sigmundskron, where we had planned a visit to the Messner Mountain Museum.

We then enjoyed a relaxed lunch at Lake Kaltern before the last 80 kilometres, which took us first along the steep walls of the Mendel Pass and then over the Gampen Pass back to Castel.

Kilometres covered: 182 in 3:40 hours

Driving day 4

8x high up into the Dolomites on Saturday 21 October

The big final tour of the 2023 Castel Driving Days led over eight fantastic Dolomite passes. The landscape looked surreally beautiful in the contrasting autumn light. Because tourism in the Dolomites is dormant in October, the roads were almost empty.

The grin widened curve by curve. This day was all about riding, so two short breaks and a stop for lunch near Cortina d'Ampezzo were enough. Back at the Castel, there was still enough time to reflect on the superb sights.

Kilometres covered: 297 in 5:50 hours