Bike tour to Merano via the Passo Giovo

Quite a challenge for cyclists is the 2,100 m high Giovo Pass: The easiest way to manage is to start at Vipiteno

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Starting at Vipiteno we cycle into the Val Ridanna until Casateia, where we take the direction towards the Passo Giovo (Jaufenpass).
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Quite steeply uphill…
Foto: AT, © Peer
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We cycle past the meadows of Calice (Kalch) above the Val Racines.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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After Calice more bends follow, which wind up through the conifer forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Another 100 metres uphill until the top of the pass.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Here we are - at 2,094 metres, the highest point of our tour today.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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So we start our descent towards the Val Passiria valley.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Along our way there are several possibilities to take a rest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Racily downhill, bend by bend.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The first village along our route is Valtina.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The weather brightens up slowly - the descent is a real pleasure!
Foto: AT, © Peer
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At the end of the pass road the village of San Leonardo in Passiria is located.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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In the south of the village we stop at the Sandwirt inn, birthplace of Andreas Hofer and today home of the Museum Passiria.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Of course we take the opportunity to enjoy delicate prune dumplings.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View on San Leonardo from the Val Passiria Cycle Route. Right in the background Passo Giovo is recognizable.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Arrived in Merano. We decide to carry on until Bolzano via the Val d’Adige Cycle Route, where we will take the train back to our starting point, Vipiteno.
Foto: AT, © Peer
video : Discovering the Val Passiria
video : Golfing and biking in the Val Passiria

With foggy weather we start in Vipiteno and cycle into the Val Ridanna valley until Casateia where we branch off right to the Giovo Pass. Bend by bend we cycle uphill to Calice, the village above the Val Racines valley. We carry on uphill to the Passo Giovo Mountain Hut (approx. 2,000 m a.s.l.). As we reach the timberline we feel the first rain drops, maybe a thunderstorm is brewing up, so we take a break at the mountain hut. Then we start further uphill to the top of the pass, the last 100 m in altitude have to be managed - then the highest point of our tour is reached - 2,094 m a.s.l.

The sky brightens up slowly and we can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view on the Val Passiria valley. Racily we cycle down until the village of San Leonardo (700 m a.s.l.). Here we take the opportunity to have a coffee break at the Sandwirt guesthouse (next to the MuseumPasseier). Via the Val Passiria Cycle Path we proceed down to Merano and due to the fact, that we are not tired at all, we decide to carry on along the Valle dell'Adige Cycle Path until Bolzano.

There we take the train back to our starting point in Vipiteno. Avoid this tour on hot summer days, the ascent is exposed to the sun - the same for thunderstorms (fog and danger of lightening)! Ascent a bit demanding, good condition/training recommended.

Author: AT

difficulty: difficult