Etschradroute cycle path along Via Claudia Augusta road

The ancient trade route Via Claudia Augusta was built by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Today, the 700 km route from Altinum near Venice or Ostiglia overlooking the Po River via Reschen and Fern Passes to Donauwörth in Bavaria is a popular and pleasant bike trail. Exactly 150 km run through South Tyrol. Starting from the Reschensee lake in the Vinschgau/Val Venosta valley, the Via Claudia Augusta road, a mostly flat route, runs through forests, meadows and orchards across the Etschtal valley to Salorno/Salurn.

Along this section of the Etschtal cycle path, you can marvel at fortresses, castles and monasteries and explore the many adorable villages and social context during a pit stop. The route stretches from the apple orchards of the Vinschgau/Val Venosta valley to the palm-studded promenades of Meran/Merano and the picturesque wine-growing areas along the Alto Adige Wine Road around Eppan, Kaltern/Caldaro and Tramin/Termeno. This bike tour is beautiful especially in autumn, when the temperatures are mild and the landscape is covered in russet leaves and under a golden light.

Whether you have your own bike or hire one: being mobile is even easier on two wheels. You avoid the traffic and the often long search for a parking space. Take advantage of our bike mobility and benefit from the numerous bike hire and charging stations in the region. The South Tyrol-wide ‘one-way’ bike hire system makes it easy for you. You can cycle across South Tyrol, return your bike to one of the many hire stations and return to your starting point comfortably by train without your bike. Taking bikes on public transport is subject to a charge and only possible to a limited extent. We therefore recommend travelling back or starting your bike tour outside of peak times. Want a guide for your tour? In South Tyrol's MTB schools, highly trained guides will not only pass on their knowledge of riding techniques, they will also accompany you on freeride tours, family bike excursions or multi-day tours.