The Adige Cycle Route
You are looking for a long-distance cycle route on which you can cycle between high Alpine peaks without many climbs? Past mighty castles, famous cities and idyllic wine villages? Then let's go to the Adige Cycle Route!
Information on the length, topography and signposting of the path, as well as tips on how to get there and the ideal season to travel can be found on this page. Selected cycle tours along the Adige may not be missing, of course. Here we take over the booking of the hotels and the luggage transport for you.
On about 300 kilometers the Adige Cycle Route leads from the Austrian-Italian border to Verona, mostly directly on the river of the same name. With its 415 kilometers, the Adige is the second longest river in Italy and flows from the Reschen Pass to the Adriatic Sea near Venice. It thus connects the high mountains around the 3905 meter high Ortler with the Mediterranean Sea. Its course was followed on the section between Reschen and Trento by the ancient Via Claudia Augusta. The historic Roman road was one of the most important connections between Northern Italy and Southern Germany and led from Donauwörth via Augsburg and the Fernpass into today's South Tyrol to Trento. Even the Romans were looking for easy routes across the Alps, and so the Adige Cycle Route to Verona is also largely easy to ride, as it runs mostly downhill.
Show more Show lessShort & Sweet: The Adige Cycle Route
- Length
approx 300 km - Topography
Altitude profile ●●○○○
Mainly downhill, only a few hilly sections and short climbs. - Signage
On the Adige Cycle Route you will not find uniform signage. From Reschen there is the regional Vinschgau bike signs, these are signs with white background and green bike. From Merano to Verona, the Adige Cycle Route is signposted throughout. - Quality
Along the Adige, the path quality varies depending on the region. In general, you will find well-maintained bike paths or low-traffic country roads. In summer, the Ora, a rather strong wind that can definitely complicate the bike tour, sets in around noon between Merano and Verona. Incidentally, you should – even if it seems to offer – refrain from including private roads through orchards in your ride planning.
On the way from Reschenpass to Verona
The Adige Cycle Route begins at the Reschen Pass on the border of Italy and Austria. The pass overcomes the main Alpine ridge at an altitude of 1507 meters and connects the upper Inn Valley with South Tyrol. Not far from the border lies the Reschensee with the church tower of Alt-Graun standing in the water, surrounded by the white peaks of the Sesvenna Group, the Ötztal Alps and the Ortler Alps. From here you will first roll through the Vinschgau Valley with all its charming towns, such as the medieval Glurns, famous for its completely preserved city walls. Countless castles are perched on the mountain slopes on both sides of the valley. Among the most famous are undoubtedly the Churburg with the world's largest private armory and the Castle Juval, where Reinhold Messner has opened one of his mountain museums.
Meran is the first major city on the Adige Cycle Route and shortly thereafter you reach Bolzano, the provincial capital of South Tyrol. This is where the glacier mummy Ötzi found his resting place in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. In Bolzano, you will encounter both Central European and Mediterranean influences, which you will encounter in South Tyrolean cuisine, among other things. Ideally, the wine to accompany the food comes from the South Tyrolean Wine Route. You can see for yourself where the wine grows and thrives south of Bolzano around Eppan, Kaltern and Auer. The Adige Cycle Route now continues into the province of Trentino with its largest city Trento. Be sure to visit the Castello del Buonconsiglio, the former seat of the prince-bishops, and the cathedral square with the cathedral and Palazzo Pretorio.
If you want to make a detour across Lake Garda, you can temporarily leave the Adige River at Roverto and comfortably cross the lake on a boat until Desenzano or Sirmione. To the east of Italy's largest lake, the Adige Cycle Route leads through the province of Verona to the city of the same name. In Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, you can still discover numerous monuments of the Romans, such as the amphitheater or the arch of honor Arco dei Gavi.
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Travel season
The Adige Valley is one of the sunniest valleys in the Alps. Sunshine can be expected here on up to 300 days a year. The best time to travel the Adige Cycle Route is considered to be the months from May to October. It should also be taken into account that the Reschen Pass can be cycled from around March and into October. The journey is particularly beautiful in April and May during the fruit blossom, when thousands of blossoming apple trees line the Adige Cycle Route. In midsummer, it can get quite hot on the southern sections of the Adige Cycle Route. In autumn, when the mountains can already be covered in snow, you cycle among the colorful foliage of fruit trees and vines. Moreover, you can then taste the first new wine at the Törggelen. In addition, hearty dishes such as cabbage, dumplings and sausages are served.
Apple trees near Glurns
Getting there
If you want to ride your own bike on the Adige Cycle Route, it makes sense to travel by car or by train. The best train connections take you to Merano and further with the Vinschgaubahn to Mals. The train station in Landeck in Austria is also of central importance, as all regional trains coming from Innsbruck end here. You can then reach the Reschenpass with a transfer bus.
Lake Resia
Shortcuts
On the Adige Cycle Route, shortcuts or even skipping entire stages are possible, as the railroad lines usually run parallel to the cycle path. Thus, the Vinschgerbahn accompanies the route between Mals and Merano, and from Merano to Verona, various connections are available. However, in case of a possible change from bike to train, it is always necessary to clarify in advance to what extent it is possible to take bicycles on the train. For example, the trains of the Vinschgerbahn are usually overcrowded, especially in the high season, and bicycles can not be taken along. Guaranteed is the transport of bicycles, however, usually in the regional trains (R and IR trains).
Signposting along the Adige Cycle Route
For whom is the Adige Cycle Route suitable?
The Adige Cycle Route is suitable for families with children as well as for beginners and cyclists with less physical stamina. The cycle route runs from Reschen leisurely and always flat or even slightly downhill along countless vineyards and orchards, which characterize the South Tyrolean landscape next to the impressive Alpine panorama. The way back can be started afterwards, together with the bike, by train. However, the train only goes as far as Mals, not to the Reschen Pass. Alternatively, there are bike shuttles on the Adige Cycle Route, with which you can get back to the Reschenpass or Landeck, including your bike.
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