A bicycle tour from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Bolzano (7d-6n)
TOUR DETAILS
From Cortina the Queen of the Dolomites UNESCO heritage we will cross the ancient border with Austro Hungarian Empire to enter in the German speaking part of the Italian Alps ; the South Tyrol. our adventure will start on the cycling path on the banks of Drava (Drau), Danube river tributary river entering in Austria to move then to the Isarco and Adige river valley meandering through its many vineyards and apple orchards to the towns of Bolzano and Merano and through the canyon of Napoleon’s Rivoli.
Day 1: Arrival to Cortina d’Ampezzo
As you will arrive you will find your bike and have the possibility to ridealong the Ciclabile del Cadore a bikepath, mostly paved that connects Cortina to S. Vito.
Ride details: Cortina – S Vito di Cadore (24km) EASY using the bike path back and forth mostly descending to S Vito, mostly ascending on the way back.
Special Event of the day: A walk in the historic centre of Cortina and a nice spritz aperitif!
Day 2:Cortina – Innichen / San Candido
Following the Drava river path we will enter in Austria to the town of Lienz (47km), to come back there is the possibility to use the train.
Ride details:
Short route: Cortina – San Candido (approx 45km) MODERATE mostly on bike path with some gravel.
Long route: Approx 55 km DIFFICULT with extra ride to Misurina Lake.
Special Event of the day: The alpine conifer woods, views of the peaks, the Lago di Misurina, the Toblach lake, the Dolomites.
Visits: http://www.schaukaesereidreizinnen.com/it/home.html
Day 3: Innichen / San Candido – Drava river bikepath
Following the Drava river path we will enter in Austria to the town of Lienz (47km), to come back there is the possibility to use the train.
Ride details:
Short route: San Candido – Lienz EASY – 47 km circa mostly descent, return with train.
Long route: 94 km MODERATE using the bike path to come back.
Special Event of the day: the bikepath the town of Lienz and the lake Tristacher, the Dolomites.
Day 4: Innichen / San Candido – Bressanone/Brixen
Today we head west on the Ciclabile della Pusteria bikepath.
Ride details: MODERATE DIFFICULT – 80 km. Across 2 valleys with some hills to cross.
Special Event of the day: The bikepath the town of Brunico, the Loden museum and wool making, Varna Lake, Novacella Abbey, Bressanone historic centre.
Visits: http://www.ahrntal.com/it/cultura/in-val-pusteria/museo-del-loden.html
Day 5: Bressanone/Brixen – Bolzano/Bozen
Ride parallel to the Isarco river, with views of fruit orchards and many vineyards on the slopes of the valley.
Ride details: EASY – 50 km circa flat on the bike path. Optional out and back ride to Reinhold Messner Castle which is now a Mountain Museum.
Special Event of the day: The bikepath the town of Bolzano, its squares ,Frozen Fritz and bilingual Bolzano.
Visits: http://www.boznerbier.it/
Day 6: Bolzano/Bozen –Merano/Meran loop
Along the Via Claudia Augusta road a Roman Imperial way now a bikepath we will get to one of the most beautiful town of the Sud Tyrol Merano with his stunning historic centre once attended by Richard Strauss, Rainer Maria Rilke and Princess Sissi of Austria.
Ride details: Bolzano –Merano EASY – approx 35 km circa flat on the bike path and taking the train to go back to Bolzano. Or MODERATE approx 70 km to Merano and back on the bike path or through minor roads
Special Event of the day: Merano with his spas, vine estates, breweries
Visits: http://www.forst.it/it/
Day 7: Bye Bye!
Bolzano is well connected with the railway to the rest of Northern Italy, Austria and Bavaria.
