This 60-kilometre cycle loop from Renon to Chiusa and Bolzano is perfect for a Toerggele stop
Image gallery: Bike tour Renon - Villandro - Chiusa
Those wanting to head up high are best off taking the cable car. In our case, it is the Renon Cable Car, which takes us from Bolzano to the Renon. The cycle tour starts in Soprabolzano: We ride past scenic Lake Costalovara to Collalbo - this section is where we encounter the most traffic - and down through Longomoso to Longostagno, passing Maria Saal and Monte di Mezzo.
There is also time for a view of the Earth Pyramids, while Maria Saal is a 17th-century pilgrimage church. Longostagno is the last village on the Renon plateau - the road now narrows and winds downwards, offering views of the Dolomites and the imposing Sciliar. Passing the small Church of St. Verena, we reach Sant'Ingenuino near Barbiano and then the main village of Barbiano.
Its trademark is the crooked church tower, which leans even more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Next comes a section with a noticeable climb that leads us to Villandro. The subsequent descent through the vineyards down to the town of Chiusa is a real treat after the effort. After a break in the lovely historic town centre, we head back to Bolzano along the Valle Isarco Cycle Path.
It follows the old railway line with its tunnels and bridges - the final section to Prato all'Isarco is called "Augenreise" (journey through the eyes) and is adorned with artworks and installations. This route is ideal for sunny autumn days when the inns and farmhouse taverns along the Chestnut Trail, which intersects our route, serve sweet chestnuts and traditional Toerggele menus!
Author: AT
Experienced: late September 2009
Last updated: 2026
-
- Starting point:
- mountain station of the Renon Cable Car in Soprabolzano (1,226 m a.s.l.)
-
- Overall time:
- 04:30 h
-
- Total route length:
- 60,4 km
-
- Altitude:
- from 264 m to 1.226 m
-
- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +544 m | -1505 m
-
- Route:
- Soprabolzano - Lake Costalovara - Collalbo - Longomoso - Monte di Mezzo - Longostagno - Sant'Ingenuino - Barbiano - Villandro - San Valentino - Chiusa - Valle Isarco Cycle Path - Cardano - Bolzano
-
- Destination:
- valley station of the Renon Cable Car in Bolzano (264 m a.s.l.)
-
- Resting points:
- bars and coffee shops in the single villages, farm taverns along the Chestnut Trail
-
- Track surface:
- asphalt
-
- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- Download GPX track:
- Bike tour Renon - Villandro - Chiusa
-
- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the cycling time only, not including breaks or stops. For cyclists with a bit of training, the tour is a gentle ride that leaves plenty of time to take in the scenery (the moderate difficulty level is due to the four-and-a-half-hour duration) - provided, as we did, that you take the cable car to avoid the steep climb at the start.
We highly recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this tour.
