Content of this page [hide]
From Landeck in Austria, the Adige Cycle Path leads over the Reschen Pass (1,508 m.a.s.l.) to Merano and Bolzano and on to Verona in the Veneto region. The route of the long-distance cycle path follows the historic Roman road (Via Claudia Augusta), which has its starting point in Donauwörth (Germany) and was considered an important Roman trade route across the Alps.
The cycle path with a distance of 345 km starts in Landeck (816 m.a.s.l.) in Tyrol, leads through the Upper Inn Valley, to Martina (Switzerland) and Nauders (Austria) to the Reschen Pass (Italy).
The Etschradweg continues past the beautiful Reschensee lake, meandering through a varied landscape: meadows, forests, lakes and castles. The well-signposted (look for the Via Claudia Augusta sign) cycle path is mostly asphalted, partly gravelled or runs along quiet side roads. Fascinating villages and small towns with Mediterranean flair invite you to stop for a bite to eat.
If you want to avoid steep mountain stages, start at Reschen or in a municipality along the Vinschgau cycle path. Alternatively, you can use a bike shuttle or rent a bike.
The cycle route along the Etsch (Adige) River starts in Landeck (Austria) and leads to the Reschen Pass (Italy) through the Vinschgau Valley and the Etsch Valley to Verona. The Etsch River rises at the Reschen Pass in South Tyrol, which is why many people refer to the stage from the Reschen Pass to Merano (or Bolzano) as the Etschradweg (Etsch Cycle Path), although this actually means the Landeck-Verona cycle route. The start and direction are up to you. The start at the Reschen Pass requires the least effort.
The Etsch Cycle Path has a length of over 345 kilometres from the start in Landeck to Verona. With the start at Reschen Pass and the finish in Verona, the length of the cycle path is approx. 280 kilometres. The cycle path section from the Reschen Pass to Merano is approx. 80 kilometres long. The Etsch Cycle Path largely follows the ancient Via Claudia Augusta road, which has a length of approx. 820 km (from Donauwörth to Verona).
The cycle route follows the historic Via Claudia Augusta and was the easiest and most important route across the Alps for the Romans. The cycle route leads from Landeck in Tyrol through the Upper Inn Valley, to Martina (Switzerland) and Nauders (Austria) on the Reschen Pass (Italy). The cycle path runs well maintained to Merano, on to Bolzano and Trento and on to Verona.
The best time to travel is from May to October. The high summer months (July-August) can be very hot in some sections and should possibly be avoided. Partial stages (from Schlanders-Silandro) can also be ridden in March if the weather is good.
Adige Cycle Route: 3.91 / 5,00 of 47 ratings.
The Etsch (Italian: Adige) rises above Reschen and, with a length of over 400 km, is the second longest river in Italy. It flows through the Vinschgau region with its low precipitation, enters the Merano basin after the Töll/Tell and flows through the South Tyrolean lowlands and Trentino towards the Mediterranean. The Adige passes Verona and flows into the Adriatic Sea at Porto Fossone. At the end of the 19th century and in the 20th century, the Adige was straightened and regulated in South Tyrol. Open Etsch details
Many castles can be visited along the Etschradweg: Churburg, Goldrain Castle, Castelbello, Juval, Tyrol Castle, Trauttmansdorff, and many more. A large part of them have been lavishly restored in recent years and are in fabulous condition. Open overview of castles
