Adige cycle path
From the harsh main Alpine ridge to the "Città del Arte"
The Adige Valley stretches from the Venosta Valley via the Merano region to the south of South Tyrol and, with its cycle path of the same name, is ideal for leisure cyclists and families. The Adige Cycle Path is 100% car-free as far as Riva del Garda, and there are only just under 20 km of little-used side roads to cycle to Verona.
Along the way, you can marvel at the magnificent scenery and numerous sights. Cosy inns and hotels invite cyclists to linger and offer delicious refreshments.
Cycle holidaymakers can experience the contrasts in mentality and architecture between the main Alpine ridge and the Po Valley without any traffic all the way to the Abbey of San Zeno in the old town of Verona. The city of Romeo and Juliet has an exemplary network of cycle paths in the old town centre; strolling through the traffic-calmed alleyways by bike and sometimes turning left, sometimes right is pure "dolce vita".
The Romans were already looking for easy routes across the Alps and so the Adige cycle path to Verona is also largely easy to cycle on, as it is mostly downhill. From Merano, the Adige Cycle Path leads through the now wide Adige Valley, mostly along the Adige via Bolzano and Trento to Verona.
➡ HERE are the most popular sights ⬅
TOP sights along the Adige cycle path
CULINARY PARADISE
South Tyrol
Here the milk still comes from the mountain farmer. The farmer's wife lovingly tends the vegetable garden and collects the eggs from her free-range hens. Clean air, fresh spring water and a mild climate are the first prerequisites for farmers to produce unique products. Carefully cultivated and carefully developed traditions are an important ingredient. A love of home-style cooking and a dash of southern joie de vivre take care of the rest. The result is dishes that always give you a flavour of nature. South Tyrol has long been on the way to becoming a land of culinary delights, appreciated by gourmets and wine connoisseurs alike. Along the Adige Cycle Path, cyclists always have the opportunity to make a detour to local producers to enjoy South Tyrolean quality products such as wine, speck and apples.
SUNKEN TOWER
in Lake Reschen
The sunken tower in Lake Reschen, the landmark of the Vinschgau Valley. The tower in the lake is both magical and fascinating: a sunken church tower rises out of the 6 km long, clear Lake Reschen, against the mountain backdrop of the rustic Langtauferer Valley. Today, the tower in Lake Reschen is a listed building and a magnet for visitors.
MEDIEVAL TOWN
Glorenza
Glurns is the smallest town in South Tyrol. Old stone walls and wooden bridges give the town of Glurns its medieval flair. Glurns lies at 907 metres above sea level in the Vinschgau Valley at the entrance to the Münstertal Valley. The historic centre of Glorenza/Glurns, which is well worth seeing, is surrounded by a completely intact town wall.
MARBLE VILLAGE LAAS
Nestled in the apple orchards of the Vinschgau Valley, with a favourable climate and spoilt with excellent apricots, lies Lasa with its beautiful white Lasa marble. Excellent cafés tempt you to take a break during the cycle stage.
SCHLOSS JUVAL
of Reinhold Messner
The medieval Juval Castle is located on a prehistoric cult site on a hill at the entrance to the original Schnals Valley. The castle complex was built around 1278 by Hugo von Montalban and came into the possession of the Lords of Starkenberg in 1368. In 1540, after several changes of ownership, the castle was acquired by the Sinkmoser family and reached its heyday in those years. Centuries later, in 1913, the Dutch coloniser William Rowland bought the now dilapidated castle and had it professionally renovated.
Since 1983, Juval Castle has been the summer residence of mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner, where he writes books and works on new ideas. Around the castle, Reinhold Messner runs a mountain animal park and a small farm with vineyards.
We recommend taking a break from cycling at the rustic Schlosswirt Juval inn.
SIGMUNDSKRON CASTLE
with Reinhold Messner Museum
An extensive castle complex near Bolzano dominates the mouth of the Eisack river into the Adige - coming from the Brenner Pass. The ruins now house the fourth mountain museum of the South Tyrolean extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner. The MMM (Messner Mountain Museum) was opened in the late medieval fortress in 2006.
SOUTH TYROLEAN WINE MUSEUM
in Kaltern
According to locals, Kaltern is the oldest wine-growing region in the German-speaking world. Opened in 1955 at Ringberg Castle above Lake Kaltern, the museum is the oldest wine museum in Italy. Today it is located in the centre of the wine village of Kaltern in the former Di Pauli winery. A remarkable groined vault from 1693 in the Törggl room, stone-framed pointed arch doors and a deep cellar give the building a special atmosphere.
OLD TOWN OF TRENTO
with cathedral square
Between the archaeological remains from Roman times, the old town contains evidence from the Middle Ages and palazzi from the Renaissance period. The promenade leads from the Castello del Buonconsiglio through the old town centre to the cathedral square. This is the ideal opportunity to admire the city's marvellous frescoed palazzi.
CATHEDRAL OF MANTUA
In 2008, the historic centre of Mantua was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List . And rightly so, as the numerous stone witnesses to history, such as Mantua Cathedral, prove. The five-nave basilica dates back to the 9th century and its interior was remodelled after 1540 by Giulio Romano based on early Christian models, in particular the old St. Peter's Church in Rome. The façade was completed in 1756. Next to it is a Romanesque bell tower.
ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
in Verona
After the Colosseum in Rome and the amphitheatre in Capua, the Arena is the third largest Roman amphitheatre. With its gigantic dimensions of 140 metres long and 110 metres wide, it dominates Piazza Brà from the north. Its magnificent acoustics and unique location still make it the ideal venue for events today. Probably the best preserved Roman arena.