Innsbruck to Bolzano

Austria, Italy Bike Tour

Along the Inn and Àdige Rivers through the orchards and vineyards of South Tirol….

Embraced by the snowcapped peaks of the Alps, Innsbruck's beauty and medieval wonders have kept it one of Austria's most marveled  cities for centuries. Along the cobblestone streets in the Altstadt (Old Town), you will come across magnificent Gothic architecture as well as Innsbruck’s most famous landmark, the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). Built in 1500, this roof was built for Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor, and is covered with 3000 gold-plated copper tiles. The balcony once served as Maximilian’s "ringside seat" during festive events in the square below. Furthermore, the Hofburg Palace served as his residence during the 15th century (with the paintings of the Hapsburg family still visible inside today). Also of note is that Innsbruck is the home of Swarovski Crystal, and has a theme park dedicated to the beautiful crystal art.

The route from Innsbruck onwards to Meran will be highlighted with quaint old villages, old aristocratic houses and castles, fortress ruins, lakes and famous churches, including a Baroque Cistercian convent and the St. Prokulus Church housing the oldest frescos in the German-speaking area. Meran, the capital of Tirol, sits perfectly along the Àdige River as it curves south to Bolzano. The cozy town of Meran offers exquisite views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and allows for several excursions, including one on the famous Trappeinerweg, as well as for some marvelous shopping. The numerous vineyards and orchards in the Àdige Valley will make for some wonderful stops. The beautiful flat landscape will continue past shimmering lakes, including the Montiggler Lakes, before you find yourself in Bolzano, one of Italy's beloved cities that is also famous for its spa resorts. The city will impress its unique character of mixed Italian and Austrian cultures on you as well as its imposing Gothic Cathedral (12th-14th century), Hapsburg-esque churches and numerous castles, including Schloss Runkelstein and Schloss Maretsch.

Where You’ll Stay

Very nice 3 star to 4 star hotels.

What’s Included

• 6, 7, or 8 night accommodations
• Breakfast buffets
• 21-speed hybrid bicycle
• Luggage transportation
• Tour information packet
• Route descriptions & maps (1 set per booked room)
• Bus transfer with bike Landeck to Nauders (Day 3)
• Sign posted route
• 7 day service hotline

What’s Not Included

• Visitors taxes, payable in each hotel (0 to 4 Euros per person/night, depending on city)

Tour Dates

• Every Saturday from May 5 to September 22, 2012.
  

Skill Level

Moderate self-guided tour with between 22 to 40 miles per day; and a total of 194 miles over 6 cycling days. Routes include flat terrain and rolling hills, some steep. Between the Resia Pass and Bolzano, there’s more than 1200 m difference in altitude.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Innsbruck.
2. Innsbruck – Imst, 40 mi.
3. Imst – Mals/Burgeis, 31 mi. + 25 mi. by bus
4. Mals/Burgeis – Meran, 40 mi.
5. Passeiertal (valley) – Meran, 25 mi.
6. Meran – Kaltern/Tramin/Auer, 28-31 mi.
7. Kaltern/Tramin/Auer - Bolzano, 22 mi.
8. Departure from Bolzano.

* The 7 day tour option leaves out Day 6. Instead you will cycle from Meran to Bolzano, 28 mi. (45 km). 

*The 9 day tour option, includes a roundtrip excursion to Trento, (40 mi / 65 km) on Day 7. Attractions include the old town with cathedral, numerous piazzas, Castello del Bounconsiglio, and of course the cozy cafes and varied shops. On Day 8, you cycle from Kaltern to Bolzano (same as on Day 7 on the itinerary above). Departure from Bolzano on Day 9.

BELOW IS THE DETAILED DAY TO DAY ITINERARY FOR THE 8 DAY / 7 NIGHT TOUR.  

DAY 1: Arrival in Innsbruck
Following your arrival in Innsbruck by 6 pm, there is an introductory presentation and the bikes will be distributed. You are free to explore the historic part of Innsbruck: highlights include the town tower and the Goldenes Dachl. On the group tour, there will be a guided evening city tour. 

DAY 2: Innsbruck - Imst, 40 mi. (65 km)
On the former Treidelweg (Treidel Path), you will travel along the Inn River through many small villages and then cycle through Stams, where there is a Baroque Cisterian Convent and convent museum. The evening destination is the town of Imst. Highlights of today's tour include several nice churches, old aristocratic houses, and fortress ruins. 

DAY 3:Imst - Mals/Burgeis, 31 mi.(50 km) with 25 mi. by bus
Today will begin along the Inn and pass the Kloster Zams monastery en route to Landeck. From here, there is a bus transfer to Nauders where you will begin a 100 m climb up to Reschenpaß/Resia Pass before cycling downhill to Reschensee, or Resia Lake. From there, the route takes you along side paths to Malles Venosta, where the town center has many towers, or to Burgeis at the foot of the fortress of Marienburg.

DAY 4: Mals/Burgeis - Merano, 40 mi. (65 km)
The first part of the day includes a cycling tour to Glurns with its fully preserved medieval city walls. Then, over the Montani ruins, the discovery site of the Nibelungen manuscript, through Schlanders/Silandro, and passed the church of St. Prokulus, which houses the oldest frescos in the German-speaking area. Then, it is downhill to Merano, where many fortresses and castles, such as the Reinhold Messner Castle Juval, can be found along the way.

DAY 5: Passeiertal (valley) - Merano, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today, you have the option of making a bike trip to Passeiertal to the Sandwirt, the birthplace of Andreas Hofer, to wander on the famous Trappeinerweg path, or you may go on a shopping trip under the bowers of Merano. In Merano, the group tour will engage in a guided city tour and wine-tasting. In the individual tours, there are booking possibilities for additional nights.

DAY 6: Merano - Kaltern/Tramin/Auer, 28-31 mi. (45-50 km)
In the Àdige Valley to Lana (with the Schanetterpeck Altar) and through numerous vineyards and orchards in the region of the South Tirol Vine Street, today's route leads past many fortresses, castles, and ruins to the Kalterer Lake and partway on to Tramin.

DAY 7: Kaltern/Tramin/Auer - Bolzano, 22 mi. (35 km)
Today is an option to choose a flat route through the Àdige Valley or with a beautiful landscape and an ascent, you can cycle through the Montiggler Lakes and pass the Ruin Sigmundskron into Bolzano.

DAY 8: Departure
Individual departure from Bolzano following breakfast.

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