Tyrol Cycling Holidays: Innsbruck to Bolzano

Your cycling adventure begins in Innsbruck, the vibrant capital of Tyrol. Upon arrival, you can take time to explore the city’s famous old town, a charming blend of medieval and baroque architecture. You can visit the City Tower, which offers stunning views, and check out the iconic “Golden Roof,” a 15th-century gilded landmark. Another highlight is the Bergisel Ski Jump, an architectural marvel offering breathtaking city vistas and surrounding peaks.

You will follow the former towpath along the Inn River, offering a comfortable and scenic ride at the foot of the striking Martinswand mountain. As you pedal through villages and bustling market towns, you will reach Stams, home to the impressive baroque Cistercian Abbey Stift Stams, which has its own schnapps distillery. Finally, you will arrive in Imst, known as the “Merano of North Tyrol.” You can explore the Rosengarten Gorge or take an adrenaline-filled ride on the Alpine Coaster, the world’s longest Alpine roller coaster.

You will continue along the Inn River, passing the picturesque village of Zams, home to a historic monastery. Eventually, the route becomes a bit more varied as you pedal through hilly terrain, alternating between open valleys and forest paths. When approaching Pfunds, the landscape becomes even more magical, with towering peaks of the Alps framing your path.

Note: If you wish to avoid the climb to Reschenpass on Day 4, you can catch a bus from Landeck to Nauders and cycle straight to Burgeis, thus shortening the entire tour by a day.

The route gradually ascends and climbs almost 900 meters to reach the top of Reschenpass, where Austria transitions into Italy. A rewarding downhill ride from the pass will take you into the heart of the Italian Alps, with the magnificent Lake Reschensee as your next highlight. The descent continues along quiet, minor roads through idyllic alpine landscapes, leading to the historic town of Mals, known for its many medieval towers. Your destination, Burgeis, lies at the foot of the majestic Marienburg Castle.

Your day begins with a visit to Glurns, a town renowned for its well-preserved medieval city walls. The route will then lead you further, passing the Montani castle ruins and the charming town of Silandro. Along the way, you will encounter numerous castles, fortresses, and monasteries. You will be treated to spectacular views of the Ortlermassiv mountain range and the legendary Stilfserjoch mountain pass. The stage ends in Merano, known for its Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, offering a stunning view of the 80 different garden landscapes.

Today, you will ride along the scenic Adige River cycle path, passing through blooming orchards and endless vineyards along the South Tyrolean Wine Road. You will discover numerous historic landmarks, including fortresses, castles, and the renowned frescoes of Hocheppan Castle. You can even treat yourself to a swim in the refreshing Kalterersee, known as the warmest bathing lake in the Alps. Capping off your day, you will continue cycling to the cozy wine village of Ora.

You are in for a relaxed ride today, following the flat paths through the picturesque Adige Valley surrounded by vineyards, leading you to the vibrant capital of South Tyrol – Bolzano. Upon reaching it, you can spend the rest of your day exploring its famous arcades, visiting the Archaeology Museum to meet Ötzi the Iceman, and unwinding with a caffè macchiato at Waltherplatz, the city’s lively central square.

To make the most out of your last day of the journey, you can take the nearby Renon cable car to the 1221-meter-high Soprabolzano. From there, you can enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites and surrounding valleys before you wrap up your holidays and return back home.