South Tyrol Cycle Path - five stages - Brunico - Chiusa - Bressanone - Bolzano - Vipiteno - Merano

Eight towns, five stages: The South Tyrol Cycle Path, or Südtirol-Radweg, takes you across the region on two wheels

Map Open map
You can now explore South Tyrol by bike in five daily stages: As the cycle path winds its way through the valleys, you can tackle it on a MTB, e-bike or road bike, depending on your preference.
Foto: TM, © Peer
Glorenza has a population of less than 1,000: It impresses with its medieval walls and is the starting point for the South Tyrol Cycle Path.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The village centre of Lasa is characterised by the Lasa Marble: Fountains, squares, monuments have been crafted from this "white gold".
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Tel hydroelectric power station, which marks the narrow valley between Lagundo and Merano, has been a listed building since 1987.
Foto: AT, © Peer
"Glaciers and palm trees" is the perfect description of the spa town of Merano, the destination of the first stage: Fancy relaxing at the thermal baths?
Foto: AT, © Peer
The 2nd stage takes you along the banks of the Adige River to Firmiano Castle near Bolzano: It is one of to the Messner Mountain Museums.
Foto: MS, © Peer
The Oltradige Cycle Path winds its way through idyllic countryside to Appiano and on to Lake Caldaro, with cycle stops along the way where you can take a break, such as Spinngart Bike & more.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Here it is: Lake Caldaro - people start swimming here as early as May, and the Ora breeze from Lake Garda ensures good windsurfing conditions.
Foto: AT, © Peer
A view of the Bolzano basin, the destination of the second stage: After passing through Laives, the youngest town in South Tyrol, you'll reach Bolzano.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The third stage leads into the Valle Isarco: A few kilometres past Bolzano, near Prato all'Isarco, lies the "Augenreise" cycle path section, featuring works of art from the "Kimm" sheltered workshop.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The entrance to the Val Gardena valley is situated right where the Trostburg - the home of Oswald von Wolkenstein - stands perched on a rock.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
The South Tyrol Cycle Path runs along the banks of the Isarco River to the artists' town of Chiusa, where Albrecht Dürer stopped off as early as 1494.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The third stage ends in the town of Bressanone, or Brixen, a charming little centre and one of the oldest towns in the historic region of Tyrol.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The imposing Fortezza Fortress and the Rio di Pusteria Fortress, pictured here, lie along the route of the fourth stage, leading into the Pusteria Valley.
Foto: MF, © Peer
A view from above of the Rio di Pusteria Reservoir and the entrance to the Pusteria Valley: The route leads via Vandoies and Casteldarne to Brunico.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The village is called Casteldarne, and its castle is also known as Casteldarne: The cycle route, which runs right across the Pusteria Valley, is known as the Pusterbike and is signposted accordingly.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Brunico, the destination of the fourth stage: If you have more than five days to spare, you can explore the Tures and Aurina Valleys along the cycle route of the same name, or cycle on to San Candido in a single day and return to Brunico by train.
Foto: AD, © Peer
The fifth stage of the South Tyrol Cycle Path leads back to Rio di Pusteria and Fortezza and heads north into the Upper Valle Isarco valley.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Beneath the railway bridge, you can make out the Fortezza Fortress: In 1943, a consignment of 127.5 tonnes of gold, the Banca d'Italia's gold reserves, arrived at the fortress - since 1945, people have been wondering where the bulk of it has gone.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The eight town, Vipiteno, comes into view - the end of the fifth stage and of the South Tyrol Cycle Path: It can also be cycled in the opposite direction.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Over the course of the five days of cycling across South Tyrol, over 270 kilometres and over 1,500 metres in altitude have been covered. Well done!
Foto: AT, © Peer

The whole of South Tyrol is accessible via a well-developed network of cycle paths. One route cleverly connects these sections to take you across the region on two wheels. This route is perfect for leisure cyclists and trekking bikers. E-bikers will also enjoy the ride, as the length of each stage is designed to match a single battery charge. Road cyclists and mountain bikers will also find varied routes to explore the different valleys. If you start in the west, you will set off in historic Glorenza.

It is located in the Venosta Valley and represents one of the smallest towns in the Alps, known for its fully preserved medieval town walls and centre. From there, you cycle on to the spa town of Merano and the provincial capital of Bolzano, which connects directly to the young town of Laives. A detour to Lake Caldaro is included and is highly recommended.

The route then leads you to the artists' town of Chiusa, to Bressanone, and to Brunico in the green Val Pusteria to the east, before finally climbing up to Vipiteno, the Fugger town near the Brennero Pass. A total of around 270 kilometres and 1,500 metres of elevation gain await you. If you prefer to ride the route in the opposite direction, from east to west, this is just as easy to do.

Along the way, you will find sights such as the historic Novacella Abbey, the Sabiona Monastery perched high on a steep cliff, numerous castles, inviting lakes, and charming villages. The cycle paths follow the courses of the rivers Adige, Isarco, and Rienza, leading you through the Val Venosta, the Merano area, the Adige Valley, Valle Isarco, Val Pusteria, and the Upper Isarco Valley.

By the way, if you prefer to explore the landscape on foot, there is also a multi-day hiking equivalent called "Südtirol quer - crossing South Tyrol in eight stages".

Stage 1: Glorenza - Merano

Glorenza, marble village of Lasa, Silandro, Castelbello Castle, Tel
distance: approx. 56.5 kilometres
cycling time: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
Val Venosta Cycle Path

Stage 2: Merano - Bolzano

Lana, Firmiano Castle, South Tyrolean Wine Road, Lake Caldaro, Laives
distance: approx. 68.8 kilometres
cycling time: approx. 3 hours 45 minutes
Valle dell'Adige Cycle Path and Oltradige Cycle Path

Stage 3: Bolzano - Bressanone

Forte Castle near Ponte Gardena, banks of the Isarco River, Chiusa, Sabiona Monastery
distance: approx. 42.2 kilometres
cycling time: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
Valle Isarco Cycle Path

Stage 4: Bressanone - Brunico

Fortezza Fortress, Lake Varna, Rio Pusteria Fortress, Vandoies, Casteldarne
distance: approx. 43.0 kilometres
cycling time: approx. 2 hours 50 minutes
Val Pusteria Cycle Path

Stage 5: Brunico - Vipiteno

Rio Pusteria Fortress, Fortezza Fortress, Mezzaselva, Vipiteno Moor
distance: approx. 58.3 kilometres
cycling time: approx. 3 hours 45 minutes
Val Pusteria Cycle Path and Upper Valle Isarco Cycle Path

difficulty: moderate theme trail multistage route

Starting point:

Glorenza in the Val Venosta (907 m a.s.l.)
Overall time:

16:00 h
Total route length:

274,7 km
Altitude:

from 214 m to 950 m
Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):

+1518 m | -1457 m
Route:

Glorenza - Silandro - Merano - Firmiano Castle - Lake Caldaro - Laives - Bolzano - Chiusa - Bressanone - Fortezza Fortress - Brunico - Rio Pusteria Fortress - Mezzaselva - Vipiteno
Destination:

Vipiteno at the Brennero (948 m a.s.l.)
Recommended time of year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Download GPX track:

South Tyrol Cycle Path - crossing South Tyrol in five stages
More information:

The highest point of the South Tyrol Cycle Path is at an altitude of 950 metres in the Val Pusteria and near Vipiteno, whilst the lowest point is at 214 metres at Lake Caldaro.