Vinschgau Bike Path

Stages and elevation profile

From Reschen to Merano the route descends around 1,200 metres in altitude and climbs only about 75 metres. The two longest descents are between St. Valentin and Mals and between Töll and Algund. In between, the cycle path is mostly flat or gently downhill.

Bike transport in 2026: Vinschgau Railway and Bikeliner

Start at the Reschen Pass

The starting point is the Reschen Pass at the northern tip of Lake Reschen. The reservoir was dammed after the Second World War and flooded the old village of Graun: to this day its church tower rises out of the water. The main route follows the paved western shore with views of the Ortler massif, while a gravel variant runs along the eastern shore. After about three kilometres you reach the bay with the church tower, ideal for a short break. The path then continues along Lake Haider, through which the Adige flows before plunging over rock steps into the valley, and descends to Burgeis and Mals.

Mals - Glurns - Prad at Stelvio

From the Mals train station the cycle path leads via Laatsch to the smallest town in South Tyrol: Glurns with its completely preserved town wall. The route continues along the Adige, past a reservoir and through a shady stretch of forest to the Prad fish ponds (recommended stop). Beyond them it crosses the "Prader Sand", a biotope in the delta of the Suldenbach stream, where the path is gravelled. Road cyclists can bypass this section via the industrial area of Prad. From the edge of Prad the cycle path runs on a paved meadow track to Tschengls, shared only with occasional agricultural vehicles.

Recommended stop: Gasthof Grüner Baum in the centre of Glurns.

Tschengls - Laas - Göflan

Towards Tschengls the cycle path climbs gently and turns off below the village with its Tschengls Castle onto a shady gravel track; road cyclists take the road through the village instead. After a short descent to Eyrs the path runs along the Adige into the marble village of Laas, whose marble is world-famous for its purity. Beyond Laas another gravel section leads through the forest, then downhill to Göflan, where a moderate speed on gravel is recommended. At the Kortsch fish pond the Radtreff Brugg invites you to take a break. From Göflan the path continues on asphalt through apple orchards to Goldrain.

Recommended stop: Radtreff Brugg at the fish pond.

Goldrain - Latsch - Naturns

Passing the Goldrain lake you reach Latsch, where cosy bars invite you to take a break. At the St. Martin cable car the cycle path rejoins the Adige: past Kastelbell Castle, through orchards to Tschars and on to Staben, overlooked by Juval Castle. Shortly afterwards you reach the popular holiday resort of Naturns.

Naturns to Meran

The stage from Naturns to Meran continues along the Etsch, passing idyllic villages such as Plaus, Rabland, and Töll. In Töll, one safely crosses the main road using an underpass, before descending towards Algund. Along the bike route, a rest stop at the big chairs is recommended – a perfect spot to enjoy the panoramic view of Algund, Dorf Tirol, Meran, Schenna, and the expansive Etschtal valley. There, you can also find a water point to refill your water bottle(s).

The journey on your bicycle continues towards Algund, always at a controlled speed and without strain. Before reaching Algund, you pass by the miniature golf course and the swimming pool of Algund, while on the right side of the Etsch, the Forst Brewery is visible. At the Algund swimming pool, the bike path initially follows along the expressway, but then reaches an underpass leading to the Lido Merano. There, one crosses the Passer River over a bicycle bridge and continues on the bike path towards Bolzano (open Meran-Bolzano bike path), passing Schenna - or one can head towards the city center of Meran to enjoy a well-deserved aperitif. Additionally, there is the option to continue from the center of Meran into the Passeiertal valley (open Passeiertal bike path).

Refreshment stops at the cycling path

Along the cycle path from Reschen to Meran, numerous rest stops await cyclists' discovery. From cafes and restaurants to grill spots and beer gardens, there's a perfect pit stop for everyone to refuel or simply enjoy the view. Whether you're taking a break in historic inns in Glurns or refreshing yourself with a cool drink in Algund, the variety of stopping points along the route makes your bike tour through the Vinschgau an unforgettable experience.

Here we have listed some beautiful spots, with a link to a map, so you don't miss any stops. Please check locally for opening hours.

• Glurns:
  • Flurin – Café and Restaurant Google Maps
  • Grüner Baum Google Maps
• Prad am Stilfserjoch:
  • Fischerteich – Grillplätze, Café and Restaurant Google Maps
• Laas-Göflan:
  • Radtreff Brugg am Kortscher Fischteich – Café and Restaurant Google Maps
• Göflan:
  • Am Platzl – Café and Restaurant Google Maps
• Kastelbell
  • Seeber am Dorfplatz – Café and Restaurant Google Maps
• Latsch:
  • Bar Seilbahn – Café Google Maps
• Staben:
  • Radbar Google Maps
• Naturns:
  • Bar Sanzeno – Café Google Maps
  • Mein Beck – Café and Bäckerei Google Maps
• Plaus:
  • Hochwart – Café and Restaurant Google Maps
  • Alpenblick – Café and Restaurant / Pizzeria Google Maps
• Rabland:
  • Beachbar Google Maps
• Algund:
  • Minigolf Google Maps
  • Schwimmbad – Café Google Maps
  • Forst – Biergarten Google Maps

Frequently asked questions about the Vinschgau cycle path

Cycle map - Vinschgau Valley

The bike path through the Vinschgau Valley is very well signed and runs for the most part along the Adige River (see Adige Cycle Path). A GPS device is not required. The route is also part of the Via Claudia Augusta, which connects the Reschen Pass with northern Italy.