This tour can be started and finished in all villages of the holiday region 3 Zinnen Dolomites. This description starts in Sexten. The tour starts at the Bike Academy Infopoint directly at the Helmbahn valley station. Follow the cycle path along the Sextner Bach stream to Innichen. Cycle through the village, the ascent up to the Innichberg starts on the opposite side of the valley. From there it's on to the Lachwiesen hut and down to the Silvesterplatz. The view of the Dolomites invites you to take a break on the sunny side of Toblach. Later the Silvester Valley leads towards the valley, past the Enzianhütte hut and on to Frondeigen. The Eggerberg mountain connects Toblach and Niederdorf. Continue, then, with little effort, along the asphalt road to Niederdorf and on the cycle path to Innichen and back to Sexten.
This scenic tour leads from Bruneck via the Pustertal Valley cycle route to Brixen.
Easy bike tour through the lower Pustertal Valley, with some slight ascents.
Easy bicycle tour. Partly on an asphalted cycle path, partly gravelled road. Road description: At Sexten/Sesto to the Valley Fiscalina and to San Candido. Pass the cable-car facility and ride in the direction of Toblach. Return journey on the same route. Forthis route fromSexten/Sestoto theFischleintal/Valley Fiscalina andto the RifugioFondo Valle/Talschlußhütteand againgo back to SanCandidotakes ca. 1 hour.
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
This cycling tour takes you along a marked cycle trail from San Candido (or from Villabassa/Niederdorf or Dobbiaco/Toblach) via Versciaco/Vierschach and Prato Drava/Winnebach along the Drava (Drau) river to Lienz and is suitable for all types of bikes.
Characteristics: The route goes from San Candido in Italy to Lienz in East Tirol. This part of the Drava cycle trail was the first to be developed and is currently the best maintained section. You can also start in Villabassa or Dobbiaco, which would make the tour longer accordingly. The section from Dobbiaco to Sillian is downhill. The cycle trail is almost always away from the road on the other side of the river and, because of its width and gradient, is also suitable for families with young children. Along the way there are several bus stops so that sections can be shortened if necessary. The route is well signposted and asphalted throughout. There are many opportunities for rest and refreshment along the way.
Starting points: Villabassa/Niederdorf (52,5 km), Dobbiaco/Toblach (47,8 km), San Candido/Innichen (44,8 km)
This tour is also suitable for e-bikes.
flyer & train information
A very varied cycling trip through the wonderful scenery of the Pustertal valley.
Characteristics: The bike tour takes you sometimes on asphalt tracks and sometimes on well-maintained gravel tracks across meadows and through woods on the left of the main Pustertal valley road to Brunico/Bruneck. You start at 1,175 m in San Candido/Innichen and end up at 800 m in Brunico. The difference in altitude of only 400 m is deceptive; there are some sections that are really tiring. However, most of the route is flat, and from Valdaora/Olang it is almost all downhill. Conveniently, you can put your bike on the train to return. For less experienced cyclists or for families with children, there is the option of travelling back by train from any of the villages on the way.
Starting points: San Candido/Innichen (35 km), Dobbiaco/Toblach (30 km), Villabassa/Niederdorf (27,5 km)
This tour is also suitable for e-bikes.
flyer & train information
The mountain bike tour to the Rifugio Forcola/Furkelhütte is a wonderful tour to a hut with a breathtaking view and the possibility to stop for refreshments. As the tour runs through a forest path it is very suitable for e-bikers.
The mountain bike tour to the Malga Vitelli/Kälberalm is an easy tour, which leads through the forest to an alpine pasture. Since the tour follows a forest path, it is suitable for e-bikers.
From Niederrasen to Oberrasen (culture house) > along the river > after approx. 1 km turn right on a country lane > further on northwards to the biotope (the moor area - an integral natural reserve with nature trail). This hike can also be started from Antholz Niedertal or Antholz Mittertal!
Starting point: St. Peter, kilometres: 10.3 km; altitude difference: 324 m; altitude of starting point: 1145 m; altitude of end: 1145 m; Best season: May to October
Tour description: The starting point of the tour is the village centre of St. Peter in the Villnöss valley. Here the route first passes by St. Jakob on an asphalted road. This tour leads you along the slopes of the foresty mountain, which parts the Afer and the Villnöss Valleys. After you reach the beautifully situated “Jochhöfe” (farm houses), you make your way across the saddleback on the northern side. You will be rewarded with a panoramic view to Brixen. After about 3 km of forest road, you return to the south side, past the Tschaufisserhöfe farmsteads to Coll. Crossing the road Coll, continue to the Gsoier Bild and via the Sunnseitenweg back to St. Peter.
Along the Pustertal cycling route to Welsberg / Monguelfo.
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 cycle path to Dobbiaco/Toblach, then go on slightly uphill to the Lake of Toblach/Dobbiaco.
The Pustertal Valley Bike Route is particularly suitable for bicycle tours and family cycling tours, not only for beginners but also for experts. The paved bike path starts in Rio Pusteria-Mühlbach and leads via the villages of Vandoies di Sotto-Niedervintl, Vandoies di Sopra-Obervintl, Chienes-Kiens, Casteldarne-Ehrenburg and S. Lorenzo-St. Lorenzen to Brunico-Bruneck. This first section is very flat and 25.5 km long.
From Brunico, it takes about Perca-Percha, Valdaora di Sotto-Niederolang, Valdaora di Mezzo-Mitterolang, Valdaora di Sopra-Oberolang, Ried, Villabassa-Niederdorf and Dobbiaco-Toblach to San Candido-Innichen. This second section is again very flat, 33.5 km long, and suitable for everyone.
The third section takes us from San Candido on Versciaco-Vierschach to Prato Drava-Winnebach where you cross the Austro-Italian border. Now follow along the Drava River to Lienz. This last subsection is 44 km long, very easy, and ideal for families. For the return, we can use the train to come back to the starting point. If the total distance is too long, you can also take only a small part of the track, and the rest you can travel 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.
The mountain bike tour leads along a forest path to the Malga Stelvio di Sopra/Oberen Stilfser Alm, which makes it ideal for e-bikers. At the end of this relatively easy tour, a managed alpine hut awaits you, with its own alpine dairy and refreshment facilities.
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 Bike Academy Infopoint and leads uphill to the Mitterberg Fortress. After a short, rather crisp climb, the route then goes in the direction of the alpine pastures on a relatively flat terrain. After about 20 minutes you reach the so-called "Saumahd" (1,750m), where you turn left to the Klammbach Alp. A wide forest path connects the Klammbach Alp with the Nemes Alp, which is the next destination of the tour. As a small highlight, however, you can also choose hiking trail no. 13. This trail is a little more demanding in parts, with a short carrying passage of approx. 100m. Before reaching the Nemes Alp, take trail no. 146 to the Coltrondo Alp. From there the 149 leads in the direction of the Kreuzbergpass. This initially runs along a demanding trail (S2), which can, however, be bypassed via the so-called "Krötensee". Then you take the forest road to the Nemes Alp/ Coltrondo Alp junction, where hiking trail no. 130 leads in the direction of "Schwarzsee". From there it's an exciting, partly challenging trail, called “Wurzelweg”, which leads you back to the valley station of the Drei Zinnen cable car.
From Niederrasen along the river to Antholz Niedertal > continue through the village Antholz Mittertal > along the main road up to the Lake Antholz.
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
