The 80 km long Val d'Adige/Etschtal Cycle Path (Etschradweg) leads along the Via Claudia Augusta, an ancient Roman road.
The trail is mainly flat or downhill. The fantastic bike trail network in the Val Venosta/Vinschgau valley makes for relaxed biking on a good surface, i.e. either asphalt or rolled gravel.
The Val d’Adige Cycle Path (Etschradroute) is especially popular with cyclists looking for a moderate challenge. It is also possible to rent bikes at various train stations and to return them elsewhere, meaning that you do not have to bring your own bike with you. The bike tour can also be shortened or simplified at any time by using the Vinschgerbahn train.
From the Adige Valley to the mountains, visitors can cycle with constant temperatures through shady forests and flowering meadows, far away from the hustle and bustle of traffic.
Beautiful mountain hike with a wonderful view of the Merano region and the surrounding mountain scenery. There are some alpine pastures along the way that invite you to stop and relax.
From Algund via Mitterplars to Töll - entrance to the new cycle path. Ride towards the bridge, then follow the Quadrathofstrasse, which will lead you up a steep hill. After 2.4 km turn in the direction of Aschbach (left) at the crossroads, pass two restaurants: at 3 km Gasthaus Niederhof and at 4.3 km Gasthof Bründl. The road leads you through steep forests uphill, passing the former Gasthof Mahlbach (ruins), until the roads ends at 7.3 km at a barrier. Ride on via the forest road, which soon becomes less steep, until you come to 9.2 km. At a fork at 9.8 km, you have reached the highest point (1,416 metres). Turn right, follow path # 27 to Aschbach until you come to 10.9 km, where the forest road ends. After pushing your bike for about 3 to 4 minutes along the hiking path, you come back to a forest road leading downhill to Aschbach (1,362 metres / 12.4 km / N46º 38631 E011º04.421). The Aschbacherhof is a good place to rest and eat and offers you wonderful panoramic views. Be careful on the road leading down to the valley. There are lots of unexpected cars turning corners. Drive via Mitterplars to Algund.
Twelve kilometers long, the Marlinger Waalweg trail is a popular hiking trail which runs along the former irrigation channels, the longest of its kind in South Tyrol. Starting at the Töllbrücke bridge, the 250 year-old path gently ascends through apple orchards and woods to firmer and more level ground. After pausing to admire the medieval Lebenberg Castle, hikers continue slightly downhill along the slope of Marling mountain to the village of Lana.
Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains can be seen along the entire length of the Marlinger Waalweg trail. The agricultural landscape lining the irrigation channels is also impressive, with meadows and forests alternating with vineyards and orchards. Along the Marlinger Waalweg trail there are also impressive views of the Merano basin, the Val Passiria/Passeier Valley, and the imposing Texelgruppe mountain range.
Considered one of the most spectacular in the Alps, the Parcines waterfall cascades down the rock face from a height of almost 100 m. It is particularly impressive in early spring with the melting of snow, when as many as 10,000 liters of water per second flow into the Zielbach torrent.
Aschbach, a fraction of Algund, is a small mountain village at 1,360 meters. It is located southwest of Algund and can be reached by cable car in only 7 minutes. In a circular hike you will discover the Naturnser Alm (mountain hut) and its surroundings at 2.000 m, located below the Mount Guardia Alta at the eastern foothills of the Ortles-Cevedale Group.
From Algund to Meran in the direction of the Passeier Valley. Before you come to the Zenoberg bridge, which leads across the Gilf canyon, turn right uphill to the Passer dam. The cycle path leads you mostly on gravelled road along the river Passer, which you must cross (bridges) several times. Passing the villages of Riffian, Saltaus and St. Martin. The road is well marked and without extended uphill runs until St. Leonhard.
The climatic terrain cure is a special form of exercise therapy characterised by activity adapted to one’s fitness level, endurance training, and time spent in the outdoors experiencing the landscape, which is carried out through a personalised walking programme.
So-called terrain hiking improves endurance and agility, increases speed and flexibility, reinforces the cardiovascular system, stimulates breathing activity and strengthens muscles, ligaments and joints. It has a positive impact on the metabolism, activates the digestive system and noticeably increases the expenditure of calories.
The climatic terrain cure is recommended for functional cardiovascular disorders, respiratory and metabolic disorders, and above all is a tried and tested method of primary prevention and general health promotion.
The "Terrainkur" trails in Partschins/Parcines have been certified by the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich.
Especially on warm days, the Marling mountain road is an ideal hiking path particularly on warm days, along the North-Eastern slope of the Marling mountain.
One reaches the Bike Highline Meran/o through various Uphills, or by utilizing either the Aschbach cableway or the shuttle service. From the Bike Highline Meran there are various single and also forest trails returning back down into the valley.
The stretch between the Tablanderalm and Mauslochalm mountain pastures is technically challenging. All other routes are generally accessible & do not present complications.
Friendly atmosphere, Tyrolean dishes, camp bed, board games - the "Hochganghaus" invites you to take a break. For families and hikers who enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
The Vinschger railway is ideal for enhancing your cycling experience in South Tyrol. Due to the new Vinschger railway, the Vinschgau region can also now be discovered by a combination of train and bike. The railway connects the garden village of Lagundo aslike the spa town of Meran with the village of Mals. There are six railway stations along the line that offer a bike borrow service (mid April to beginning of November): Meran, Naturns, Latsch, Spondinig, Schlanders and Mals.
Bikes can be hired and returned at different stations. The hire service includes a cycling helmet. For our little guests, who are still too small to cycle by themselves, there are children’s seats available. In addition, there are special tandems and multi-purpose trailers (also for dogs).
Due to the incredible success of bike admittance on trains, there was not enough space on the trains for passengers and bikes. For this reason, restrictions had to be applied at that time. This restriction is still valid at the railways stations of Meran and Algund if you enter with your bike for the journey going towards the Vinschgau region. If this applies to you at some stage, you can use an alternative service: the bike shuttle. This bus runs six times daily from Meran to Mals, i.e. at 9.16 am / 9.46 a.m. / 9.46 a.m. / 10.16 a.m. / 11.16 a.m. / 4.16 p.m. and 5.16 p.m. Afterwards, your bike can be picked up at one of the bike borrow stations of your choice, which are at the following stations: Naturns, Latsch, Schlanders, Spondinig or Mals.
The price of transporting a bike & a person is the same as the price per person, which is EURO 7. A day ticket can be bought at the ticket office.
Bikemobil Card:
This combi ticket can be used for all public transport (bus, train, lift facilities) in all of South Tyrol. In addition, on one day of your choice, you can also hire a bike at one of the numerous borrow-a-bike stations with the ‘Südtirol Rad’ symbol (Bike South Tyrol). Borrowed bikes can be returned at any of the ‘Südtirol Rad’ borrow stations. A fabulous way to discover South Tyrol!
Start at the outdoor pool in Algund/Lagundo and turn right to take the cycle path to Naturns/Naturno. In Naturns/Naturno, cross the bridge and continue until the sports field, where the ascent to the Naturnser Nörderberg mountain begins. Passing by a few mountain farms, you continue uphill until you reach the forest road leading to the Kreuzbrünnl car park and to the Naturnser Alm mountain hut. Proceed along trail no. 9A branching off to the right directly behind the mountain hut (Please note: We recommend against taking trail no. 30!). After a short ascent, an old cart path leads along the high plateau to the junction with trail no. 9. Follow this partly steep trail until Vigiljoch/Monte San Vigilio. Take the forest road at the small church to descend towards Aschbach/Rio Lagundo and continue along the asphalt road down to Töll/Tel and back to Algund/Lagundo.
Mountain run Aschbach/Rio Lagundo
The route runs for the most part through dense forest, but the 828 metres of altitude difference from the valley station up to the mountain station of the cableway Aschbach/Rio Lagundo are a real sweaty challenge. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the whole Vinschgau valley/Val Venosta and the Meran/o basin.