Self-guided: Italy’s Alpine Valleys – Sud Tyrol, Lake Garda and Verona

Highlights: Welcome to Silandro in the Sud Tyrol

Arrive in Silandro and meet us for a bike fitting and tour briefing. We’ll go over the tour in detail, show you how to use your gps and navigation tools, and answer all your questions, getting you ready for the adventure ahead. In the heart of the Val Venosta along the Via Claudia Augusta, Silandro is considered a “market town” in this region dotted with farms, fruit orchards and pastures. A tidy and pretty town, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, it provides an excellent starting point for a bike tour, where you’ll be able to stroll the streets and watch the locals go by in the afternoon.

Daily Distance: after fitting your bike, you are free to test the bike cycling the distance of your choice

Accommodation: Pension Schweitzer, or similar.

Highlights: Alpine valley scenery; Tyrolean villages

Today you’ll start cycling gently up the valley, northwest towards the Austrian border and heading to Glorenza (Glurns), known for its pretty town centre and the imposing fortified walls encircling the old town. On the way, visit the small town of Lasa and its marble quarries (of such a high quality that’s it’s been mined since Roman times), with the Churburg Castle in sight. If you’d like to add some cycling, you can continue up valley to nearby Malles (or more, if desired) with more spectacular cycling, mostly on paved bike paths and with one small climb on the way.

Daily distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation gain: +400 m (1312 ft)

For additional mileage and more challenging cycling today, we recommend catching the train in Silandro (very easy to board for cyclists) going north to Malles, where the train line ends (purchase the Trentino Card which includes all train transport, funiculars and other options.) Then continue cycling up-valley as far you’d like towards the Resia Pass on the Austrian border; on the way, you’ll see the amazing underwater church (its spires jut out of a beautiful lake). From the lake, it’s 43 km back to Silandro with 160m elevation gain and 960m elevation loss, most on a paved bike path.

Accommodation: Pension Schweitzer, or similar.

Highlights: Lovely bike paths; Merano

Today’s ride is very gentle, mostly downhill and allowing cyclists to take it easy and enjoy the beautiful scenery. En route, stop to admire the Castelbello castle perched on a rocky cliff, and beer lovers will want to stop at the wonderful Forst brewery just before Merano. Situated in the basin of the Val Venosta, this vibrant small city has a Mediterranean feel – a mild climate allows for palm trees, grapevines and even olive trees to flourish here. Plenty of sightseeing to do here, and our hotel has a great location on the riverfront strand, with outdoor café and restaurant.

Daily distance: 36 km (22 miles)
Elevation gain: +105 m (344 ft)

For additional mileage and challenging cycling today, climb to Castel Tyrol from Merano (about 8 km up valley, with 300m cumulative gain), or continue even further northeast towards the Austrian border.

Accommodation: Hotel Aurora, or similar.

Highlights: Val Venosta, Caldaro Wine Region, Bolzano

Cycle yet another wonderful bike path through this river valley nestled in the Alps, following the Adige River towards Bolzano, through vineyards and apple orchards. As the valley widens and then narrows, you’ll approach the shadow of Firmiano Castle, now a museum founded by famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner. Once in Bolzano, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s bustling streets and elegant palaces, relax in the lively main square, and don’t miss the renowned Ötzi Museum, housing the mummy of Ötzi the Iceman found in the glaciers of the nearby peaks.

For additional cycling, take a detour climbing up from the valley to the town of Caldaro (Kaltern in German), among the prettiest villages in the region. Set in the heart of the namesake wine valley (the Caldaro Wine Route winds through here), the main attraction here is beautiful Lake Caldaro, famous for its gentle Mediterranean climate and surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards. Consider visiting a winery or schedule a tasting at a wine estate. You may also choose to visit Caldaro tomorrow, on your way to Trento!

Short option: Daily distance 34 km (21 miles); Elevation gain + 121 m (396 ft).
Longer option: 70 km (43 miles); Elevation gain + 607 m (1990 ft).

Accommodation: Hotel Figl, or similar.

Highlights: Adige River Valley, Mezzocorona, Trento

You keep on cycling South today, enjoy a clear view of the Alps all around you. Our itinerary moves away from the main cycle path on occasion, giving you the opportunity to visit the small town of Neumarkt-Egna, Salorno, Mezzocorona, and San Michele all’Adige. In San Michele you can visit an interesting ethnographic museum about life in the Alps. Continuing on, you will cycle the remaining route to Trento on the familiar bike path next to the Adige River. A rich cultural center, Trento boasts a fascinating history and has enough monuments, castles, frescoed palaces, and stately promenades to prove it.

If you skipped visting the Caldaro wine region yesterday, or if you’d like to cycle through this valley again today, this ride is available as an optional, longer ride.

Short option: Daily distance 74 km (46 miles); Elevation gain + 334 m (1214 ft)
Longer option: Daily distance 82 km (51 miles); Elevation gain + 535 m (1755 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel America , or similar.

Highlights: The Sarca Valley and Arco; Riva del Garda and lake Garda

A shuttle this morning takes you and your bicycle to Cadine, up above Trento where you’ll begin a stunning ride through the Sarca Valley, winding through the Arco area and its dramatic peaks (world-famous among climbers), eventually reaching Riva del Garda, on the northern shore of the majestic Garda Lake. Also known as the pearl of Lake Garda, Riva is a picturesque city that offers a great base from which to explore this naturally blessed region and its Mediterranean micro-climate. Having left behind the German region of Italy, you’ll want to explore and find that perfect restaurant or trattoria along a pretty alley or on a beautiful piazza.

Daily distance: 45 km (28 miles)
Elevation gain: +294 m (964 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar.

Highlights: Ferry cruise, Bardolino, Garda, Verona

A wonderful way to experience Lake Garda today, you’ll get on a ferry boat from the boat dock at Riva (with your bikes at hand) for a lovely 3-hour cruise crossing the stretch of upper Lake Garda. The views of the bright blue and magenta waters, surrounded by mountains and lush forests in this Mediterranean clime, are a visual delight. The boat lands in the southeastern shore of the lake, with its picturesque fishermen villages Garda and Bardolino. From here, you’ll cycle through vineyards and olive trees over gentle rolling hills to the grand city of Verona.

Garda to Verona – Total distance: 34 km (21 miles), with +223 m (730 ft) elevation gain

If skipping the boat ride, cycle from Riva del Garda to Verona – Total distance: 90 km (55 miles), with +709 m (2326 ft) elevation gain

Accommodation: Pepita Lodge, or similar.

Highlights: Arrivederci!

After breakfast, explore lovely Verona, home of an amazingly preserved Roman amphitheater and the famous setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.