Bike tours

The Adige cycling path along the Via Claudia Augusta is a cultural experience through gardens and architecture. The cycling path leads you through the beautiful landscapes of the Etschtal Valley from the Vinschgau Valley to Merano/Meran and to the south to Bolzano/Bozen and Caldaro/Kaltern. Here is the description of the tour from Stava/Staben near Naturno/Naturns to Nalles/Nals, which leads you to Merano and further south. Without any big efforts you can explore the wide valley. The tour is ideal for families and bikers who want to take it slow.

https://maps.merano-suedtirol.it/en/etschradroute

Along the Pustertal cycling route to Innichen / San Candido.           

Route length in km: 33,0
Vertical climb: ascent 979m – descent 1.814m
Surface: asphalt,forest path, 1 short Single-Trail-section
Required technical skills: S0/S1/S2 – easy with short Single-Trail-section S1/S2

The 23 km long circular bike tour leads through some of the most famous and most beautiful historical wine villages on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, Cornaiano/Girlan, Appiano/Eppan, and Caldaro/Kaltern, well-known for their Pinot Blanc the autochthonous Kalterer See wine.

Route: the shortest of the three wine routes begins in Caldaro in the square in front of the two large wineries, the Kellerei Kaltern and the Erste + Neue Kaltern. The route then leads through a section of forest to the two Montiggler Seen lakes. Continue on to Cornaiano, a historical wine village featuring underground cellars that take up more space than the village itself. The next stages are San Paolo/St. Pauls and San Michele/St. Michael, the actual centre of the Appiano castle region. A visit to the wineries in this outstanding wine region is really worthwhile. The wine route now leads back to Caldaro by the lake, famous not only for the wine named after the Kalterer See, but also because it is one of the most well-known wine villages in the province.

The southernmost ‘Wine & Bike’ route leads from the wine villages of Cortaccia/Kurtatsch and Magrè/Margreid to Cortina all’Adige/Kurtinig and Salorno/Salurn. Return via Egna/Neumarkt and Ora/Auer, the Lake Kaltern and back to Termeno/Tramin. The stretch from Salorno to Ora can be completed by train.

 

From Graun, the wonderful Langtaufers valley opens up to the east. First, follow the asphalt road in the direction of Melag until the fork in Kapron. In Kapron, turn right in the direction of Riegl and then follow the shady forest path to the Kaproner Alm alpine pasture (1,960 m), which is closed. Continue slightly up and down to the Masebner Alm alpine pasture, which is closed as well. Following the path upwards, sometimes a bit steep - arrive at the Maseben mountain hut at 2,267 m. Here the innkeeper of the hut welcomes guests with traditional schnapps and local foods. The 2 km back to the Masebner Alm continue towards the valley and Karlin creek. Once on the forest road, turn right and follow a beautiful forest path along the rushing stream to the Melager Alm alpine pasture. Enjoy the views of the glacier world from the rest areas and then follow the forest path again on the orographic left bank to Riegl. Here go briefly uphill to the main road in Kapron. This road will lead you back to Graun.

Bike tour Riffian/Rifiano - Trail along the Passer River Causeway - Riffian/Rifiano       

This tour to the Bodenalm is perfect for nature lovers and those looking to explore the Pfunders Valley by mountain bike. The route takes you through picturesque mountain landscapes, offering a balanced mix of challenge and relaxation.

From Niederdorf/Villabassa take the bike path in the direction of Lienz along the railroad to Toblach/Dobbiaco. To the right in the direction of Cortina (signposted), the cycling route from Toblach/Dobbiaco leads along the disused railroad line. The route leads in a southerly direction always slightly uphill past Toblach/Dobbiaco Lake, the war cemetery, 3 Zinnen Blick and Dürrensee lake, with Monte Cristallo to the highest point, the Gemärk Pass. This is at 1,530 m above sea level, from which begins the descent to Cortina, with a view of the famous Tofane. Descending, the bike path goes through a tunnel and the subsequent high bridge with a view of Cortina. From Cortina back to Toblach/Dobbiaco, in the summer season, buses with bike trailers run the Cortina Express bus company (advance reservation required).

The classic of the Val d'Ega, the Latemar Ronda offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Dolomite mountains and is a dream tour for all those who want to get very close to the Latemar by mountain bike. Clockwise, the Latemar massif can easily be mastered by mountain bike beginners as well as families during a full-day tour without any major climbs. The starting point of this unique scenic tour can be the villages of Welschnofen/Nova Levante, Karersee/Carezza or Obereggen.

Experience the Pfunders mountains on two wheels: this varied tour takes you to the Gampielalm and onwards to the Kröll Hut. Enjoy the tranquility of the alpine pastures and breathtaking views. Perfect for adventurers looking to combine nature and a gentle challenge.

The route leads from Marlengo/Marling via Lana and Nalles/Nals to Andriano/Andrian. Change to the Etschtal Cycle Path, which leads to Bolzano/Bozen. One of the most ‘castle rich’ regions in all of Europe begins south of Merano/Meran. Worth mentioning are Hocheppan Castle in Missiano/Missian, Appiano/Eppan, Maultasch Castle (Burg Maultasch) near Terlano/Terlan and Sigmundskron Castle (Schloss Sigmundskron) near Firmiano/Firmian, Bolzano.

The route leads along the western edge of South Tyrol's capital city Bolzano (the best way to enter is to follow the Eisack river). The villages south of Bolzano have been historically strongly shaped by the navigable Etsch river. Of particular historical importance are the medieval village of Egna/Neumarkt with South Tyrol’s only proven Roman staging post, Endidae, and Salorno/Salurn, located on the language border at the Salurner Klause, the name of this narrow valley section.

The South Tyrolean portion of the Via Claudia Augusta, leading to Ostiglia near Verona or Quarto d’Altino near Venice, ends at Salorno.

Tip: interactive Via Claudia Augusta route planner available online at www.viaclaudia.org

Antholz Valley > Oberolang > Hamlet Salla > Welsberg > Taisten > Goste > back to the Antholz Valley

Nestled between the Endkopf "Jaggl" (2,627 m) and Pleisköpfl (2,425 m) lies the destination, the Grauner Alm alpine pasture, at 2,173 m. Start the tour in Graun at 1,500 m. For a quick warm up, follow the road into the Langtauferer valley. After 250 m, turn right over the bridge and pedal up through the shady Arluiwald forest on a mainly pleasant incline on the alpine path to the Grauner Alm alpine pasture. There is a possibility to park your mountain bike at the mountain pasture and continue on foot via hiking trail no. 10 to the summit of the Endkopf (2,652 m). Duration of hike: approx. 2.5 hours (ascent and descent). On the hiking path to the peak, it's possible to spot some rare edelweiss flowers and marmots. Lying in the grass on the slope, enjoy the sensational panorama and head back down to the valley via the alpine path to stop by the village for a good meal.

The tour starts at the dam in St. Valentin. In the beginning, the route runs on an asphalt road through St. Valentin to Dörfl to the fisherman's houses and on to Alsack. Here turn left to Plawenn and then take the forest road on the right towards Planeiler Alm. Up to the Planeiler Alm alpine hut you have to really pedal uphill to reach the stopover after about 8 km. On the way enjoy the view of the Malser Haide, the Marienberg monastery and the Ortler group. The alpine hut offers some fresh milk and the traditional South Tyrolean bacon - Speck. With a full stomach, take the alpine path in the direction of Planeil valley to the Planeil stream called - Puni. After a rough, quite steep descent, reach the quaint village of Planeil. From Planeil, the asphalt road leads back to Ulten and Alsack and back to St. Valentin dam.

From the Antholz Valley to Niederolang and further on to Mitterolang.

Those deciding on the rather more challenging and scenically rewarding Überetsch variation of the Via Claudia Augusta should remain on the orographic right side of the Etschtal in Andriano/Andrian, following the old wine road to Riva di Sotto/Unterrain.

This variation ascends to San Paolo/St. Pauls in Überetsch up to the two largest wine producing municipalities in South Tyrol, Appiano/Eppan and Caldaro/Kaltern. Just after Appiano, head down to the Kalterer See lake, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, and on to the village of Termeno/Tramin, famed for its Gewürztraminer wine. With their vineyards and wineries, the picturesque wine villages further to the south, Cortaccia/Kurtatsch, Magrè/Margreid and Cortina all'Adige/Kurtinig, are also well worth a visit. At Egna/Neumarkt, the two variations meet up once more at the Via Claudia Augusta on the Etschtal Cycle Path leading to Salorno/Salurn and then on to Italian-speaking Trentino.

Tip: an interactive route planner of the Via Claudia Augusta is available at www.viaclaudia.org

Get started the tour from any accessible point on the lake. The loop is exactly 5 km long and is suitable for children, families and adults as a leisurely bike tour. The path always runs directly along the shore of Haidersee lake and is mainly gravelled, with very little asphalt. The highlight is the footbridge between the fisherman's houses and the west side and the constantly accompanying view of the Ortler group.

Note: The bikes need to be pushed along the walkway.

From the Antholz Valley along the Pustertal cycling route to the Pragser Wildsee lake.

Bike tour Riffian/Rifiano - Vernuer/Vernurio - Riffian/Rifiano       

This route is suitable for a leisurely excursion, for families, and for mountain bike or e-bike tours for warm-up. The Resia lake can be cycled in both directions. Almost exclusively on asphalt, start along the cycle and gravel path from the famous church tower in Graun northwards to Reschen - past the sailing boats waiting for wind. Don't cycle straight forward to the Austrian state border. Instead, follow the cycle path in Reschen towards the western lakeside, past the Schöneben valley station, and calmly tackle the incline along the lake. The route is leisurely - until the southern lakeside with the dam wall and there is a fantastic view over the Malser Haide and King Ortler (3,905 m). At the dam, turn north and enjoy the panorama with the lake and the approaching mountains back to Graun. If the wind is strong, kiters and sailors can be spotted on Lake Reschen. There are cozy stops along the lake at the Sciuri at the Schöneben valley station, at the taverns Greinhof and Giernhof, at the new kitestation or at the businesses in Reschen and Graun.

Easy route on quiet side roads through woods, meadows and fields. The whole track is tarmacked and therefore also suitable for touring and racing bikes.

 

 

From Niederrasen along the river to Antholz Niedertal > continue through the village Antholz Mittertal > along the main road up to the Lake Antholz > on the pass road up to the Staller Saddle.

 

Family-friendly route to Pieve di Marebbe with the pilgrimage church that is visible from afar and popular with visitors. The route is fully tarmacked and therefore also easily managed with ordinary touring cycles.

 

 

From the Antholz Valley to Mühlbach along the Pustertal Bike Route

Passing the Staller Saddle you reach the Defereegental valley in Osttirol (Austria). From Erlsbach to St. Jakob there is a bicycle path.

"Are you searching a change to cycling? The true bike adventure begins by mountain biking in the Anterselva Valley! "

Both children and adults will enjoy the new MTB area behind the fish pond in Anterselva di Sotto. 3 downhill tracks with different degrees of difficulty and a pumptrack for children awaits you.

From Reschen head via Vallierteck in the direction of Rojen. Arrived at the Kopferbrücke bridge parking lot of the Rescher Alm, take the main road on the right to reach the Rojen valley. Here the trail continues slightly uphill on the asphalt road. At the crossroads to the hamlet of Rojen, continue straight on and then turn left towards Schöneben mountain station and the alpine pasture there at 2,087m. After a short stop at the Schönebenhütte, continue below the hut on the asphalt road towards St. Valentin-Haideralm. After a long downhill ride, the gravel road "Plattweg" branches off to the right on the ski slope in the direction of Haideralm. Now it's about 3 km slightly uphill to the Haideralm at 2,120 m. Make another stop here. The regional cuisine is highly recommended. After a culinary refreshment, start the return journey to the valley. The 5 km long descent along the forest road in the direction of St. Valentin leads through beautiful spruce and larch forest to Plagött above Lake Haider. From Plagött, a wonderful view of the small natural lake opens up towards the south of the Vinschgau Valley. Once in St. Valentin, take the cycle path on the left towards the dam wall of Lake Reschen and cycle on to Graun and Reschen.

This easy MTB tour delights everyone, as it runs mostly on the forest path without any major challenging passages. The fantastic view of the neighbouring Dolomite mountains such as Rosengarten/Catinaccio, Schlern/Sciliar and Latemar is always fascinating.

Cycling route from Neunhäusern to Antholz Mittertal