In a nutshell
- The Adige Cycle Path is a long-distance bike route of approximately 345 kilometers in northern Italy, running along the Adige River from Landeck to Verona.
- You can split the route into various stages — in total, you’ll need about 6 days if you ride every day.
- We rode the Adige Cycle Path independently as part of our cycling trip through South Tyrol — and it was honestly fantastic. We’re sharing everything we learned here.
- If you’re traveling in summer, book your accommodations in advance. In spring and fall, you can often find hotels on short notice.
- For the return trip, the train is your best option — book your bike space well in advance, as spots fill up fast!
The Most Important Facts About the Adige Cycle Path at a Glance
The Adige Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful long-distance cycling routes in Europe and is perfect as a beginner route for a multi-day bike tour.
- Length: approximately 345 kilometers
- Starting point: Landeck
- End point: Verona
- Duration: approximately 6 days
- Surface: almost entirely asphalt
- Which bike? Any type of bike is suitable
You can of course ride the Adige Cycle Path in the opposite direction, but that’s much more strenuous since you’ll mostly be cycling uphill.
Adige Cycle Path on a Map
The Adige Cycle Path runs from Landeck in Austria all the way to Verona in Italy. Following the Adige River the whole way, you’ll pass through towns like Merano, Bolzano, and Trento.
Here we’ve mapped out the Adige Cycle Path for you.
Stages on the Adige Cycle Path
You can divide the Adige Cycle Path into as many stages as you like. Here’s our personal recommendation — including tips on where to stay along the way.
Our tip: Download the Komoot app so you can plan your cycling routes. In the app, you enter the start and end point of each stage and can select the type of bike you’re riding.
Stages at a Glance
- Day 1: Landeck – Reschen
- Day 2: Reschen – Merano
- Day 3: Merano – Bolzano
- Day 4: Bolzano – Trento
- Day 5: Trento – Riva del Garda
- Day 6: Riva del Garda – Verona
If you have more than six days, we recommend spending more than one night in some of the towns so you’re not on the road every single day and can actually take some time to look around.
Stage 1: Landeck - Reschen
- Length: 58 kilometers
- Ascent: 1,000 meters
- Descent: 150 meters
On the first stage, you’ll cross the Reschensee Pass and ride across the border from Austria into Italy. It’s also the toughest stage of the Adige Cycle Path, as the climb to the pass is steep and demanding.
You can also skip this stage and start your bike tour independently at the Reschensee Pass.
Our hotel tip in Reschen: Hotel Schwarzer Adler – great value for money and very bike-friendly.
Stage 2: Reschen - Merano
- Length: 78 kilometers
- Ascent: 200 meters
- Descent: 1,400 meters
On the second stage, you’ll ride straight through the Vinschgau — one of South Tyrol’s most beautiful valleys. Even though the route looks long at 78 kilometers, you’ll make excellent time since it’s downhill the whole way.
Our hotel tip in Merano: Maison Valentina – a stylish boutique hotel right in the center of Merano with a bike garage.
Also read our hotel tips for Merano
Stage 3: Merano - Bolzano
- Length: 30 kilometers
- Ascent: 40 meters
- Descent: 90 meters
The third stage is the shortest of all and one of our favorite sections of the Adige Cycle Path — the views of the surrounding mountains are absolutely stunning.
If 30 kilometers isn’t enough and you really want to push yourself, you can take a detour on the Überetsch Cycle Path and ride an extra 20 kilometers to Lake Caldaro — though you’ll have to cycle back as well.
Our hotel tip in Bolzano: Villa Jasmine – lovely apartments in the historic center of Bolzano with bike storage.
Stage 4: Bolzano - Trento
- Length: 60 kilometers
- Ascent: 120 meters
- Descent: 200 meters
From Bolzano to Trento the route is mostly flat and you’ll cross the border from South Tyrol into Trentino.
Our hotel tip in Trento: Be Place Adult Friendly Hotel – a stylish, modern hotel with a bike cellar.
Stage 5: Trento - Riva del Garda
- Length: 45 kilometers
- Ascent: 210 meters
- Descent: 350 meters
On the fifth stage, you’ll only follow the first part of the Adige Cycle Path. Near Mori, you’ll turn onto a different bike path heading toward Riva del Garda.
You can of course just keep riding along the Adige Cycle Path, but in our opinion you really shouldn’t miss the detour to Lake Garda.
Our hotel tip in Riva del Garda: Agriturismo Casa di Campagna – a bike-friendly place to stay with an incredibly delicious breakfast.
Stage 6: Riva del Garda - Verona
- Length: 82 kilometers
- Ascent: 510 meters
- Descent: 510 meters
For the final section of the Adige Cycle Path, you’ll ride back to Mori and from there follow the Adige all the way to Verona.
If you’re riding a road bike, we recommend cycling down the eastern shore of Lake Garda to Bardolino and then riding to Verona from there. You’ll be on a busy road, but the views are fantastic.
Our hotel tip in Verona: Lady Verona Residence – a great location in the center of Verona right on the Adige, with bike storage.
Our Experience Report on the Adige Cycle Path
During our own cycling trip through South Tyrol, we rode most of the Adige Cycle Path on our own, though we tweaked the route a bit. Here’s what we experienced.
Our Route at a Glance
- Starting point: Innsbruck
- End point: Verona
- Duration: 20 days
- Bike type: Road bike
- Gear: two rear panniers, no tent
- Season: May
Also read our tips on packing for bikepacking tours
Day 1: Arrival in Innsbruck
We arrived in Innsbruck and spent one night there. You could also stay two nights and check out the top sights in Innsbruck.
Our accommodation in Innsbruck: Nala Individuellhotel – highly recommended! The rooms are lovely and there’s a bike garage. One of our top picks for budget hotels in Innsbruck.
Day 2: Innsbruck – Sterzing (60 kilometers)
The next morning we had a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then cycled from Innsbruck to Sterzing.
There’s no proper bike path along this stretch — we rode mostly on roads. The stage was very demanding since we had to pedal our gear up more than 1,000 meters of elevation to the Brenner Pass.
At the Brenner Pass, we were caught off guard by sleet and bundled up for the last 10 kilometers downhill into Sterzing.
Our accommodation in Sterzing: Hotel Lamm – great for the price. Wellness area, breakfast, and a bike garage are all included.
Days 3 and 4: Sterzing
We stayed two days in Sterzing because we wanted to do some hiking in the area. For the town itself, one afternoon is plenty.
Also read all our tips for Sterzing
Day 5: Sterzing – Bolzano (90 kilometers)
From Sterzing we rode to Bolzano via the Eisack Valley Cycle Path. This bike route is just as well-developed and scenic as the Adige Cycle Path.
In Bressanone we stopped for a coffee and had a look around — we absolutely loved the town.
Also read our tips for Bressanone
From Bressanone we continued toward Bolzano — or rather, a little further than that. Our accommodation was actually in Vilpiano, which is roughly halfway between Bolzano and Merano.
Our accommodation near Bolzano: Haus Burger – cute, cozy rooms in a lovely house with a shared kitchen. The host was incredibly warm and welcoming, and we could store our bikes in the garage.
Days 6–8: Bolzano and Merano
We stayed at the same accommodation for a few nights and used the time to take day trips by bike to Bolzano, Merano, Lana, and Appiano.
Every single one of them is worth a visit. That’s why we strongly recommend planning a few extra days in the Bolzano area.
Our tips for Bolzano
Local favorites in Merano
The most beautiful sights in Merano
Our tips for Appiano
Day 9: Bolzano – Mezzolombardo (55 kilometers)
This cycling stage was the easiest on our route — it was short and virtually flat. We spent the night in the small town of Mezzolombardo, located a few kilometers north of Trento.
Our accommodation was a lovely B&B we found through Airbnb.
Since we still had the afternoon free after the ride, we took a cable car up to a gorge in Mezzocorona — a really cool excursion!
Days 10 and 11: Day Trips to Lago di Molveno and Trento
We stayed two days in Mezzolombardo as well. On one day we took a trip to Lago di Molveno — a challenging road bike ride to a stunning mountain lake.
The other day we explored Trento, since it rained almost the entire time.
Day 12: Mezzolombardo – Arco (65 kilometers)
Our next stage took us along the Adige Valley Cycle Path to Mori and then on to Arco — a town right next to Riva del Garda.
Since we arrived on a public holiday, the accommodations in Riva were too expensive for us. But we can highly recommend Arco as an alternative — it’s a charming town and a real hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Our accommodation in Arco: Appartamenti Sarasá – clean apartments a little outside the center. Great value for the price, though nothing fancy.
Days 13 and 14: Day Trips around Lake Garda
We spent two full days at Lake Garda and did a cycling trip along the eastern shore of the lake all the way to Garda — a beautiful route if you’re on a road bike.
On the second day we cycled up to Lago di Tenno and then relaxed on the beach in Riva del Garda in the sun.
Also read all our tips for Lake Garda
Day 15: Arco – Desenzano del Garda (70 kilometers)
Since we had already seen the eastern shore of Lake Garda, we rode down the western shore to Desenzano.
We wouldn’t actually recommend this, though, since you spend most of the time cycling through tunnels, which really isn’t fun on a bike.
Important: Make sure to attach lights to your bike and wear a high-visibility vest for this stretch.
Along the way we made stops in Gargnano and Salò — we loved both towns.
Our accommodation in Desenzano del Garda: Agriturismo B&B Cascina Reciago – lovely rooms in a small house with a large garden. A very personal atmosphere and incredibly welcoming hosts.
Days 16 and 17: Desenzano del Garda
In Desenzano we had planned to stay two days and do some relaxed day trips along the lake. Unfortunately that literally fell through — it rained heavily both days.
We settled for a short bike ride instead and mostly indulged in Italian food.
Day 18: Desenzano – Verona (50 kilometers)
The cycling route from Desenzano to Verona was unfortunately not that scenic — we had to ride the first half on busy roads. It wasn’t until just before Verona that we rejoined the Adige Valley Cycle Path, which made for a much more enjoyable finish.
In Verona we stayed with friends. If you’re looking for accommodation ideas in Verona, check here:
Our tips for beautiful hotels in Verona
Days 19 and 20: Verona
The last two days of our independent cycling trip were dedicated to sightseeing in Verona. We visited the city’s top highlights like the Arena di Verona and the Ponte Pietra.
Also read all our tips for Verona
Day 21: Return Journey from Verona
On the way home we took our bikes on the train. We’ll share all the tips you need in the next section — there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind.
Adige Cycle Path: Getting Back by Train
So you don’t have to cycle the entire Adige Cycle Path back, the smartest option is to take the train home.
There are several direct connections per day from Verona Porta Nuova to Munich via Innsbruck. The journey takes about 5 hours.
Important note: Unfortunately, these trains have very few bike spaces, which are often booked up weeks or even months in advance. Book your train tickets as early as possible.
From Verona Back by Train
If you want to travel north from Verona by train, you’ll almost always route through Munich no matter where you’re headed. Look up your connection using your preferred rail booking app or website.
When searching, add your bike as a passenger. This will show you which trains allow bikes on board.
If you can bring your bike, you’ll see a green bike icon in the top right corner of each connection.
What do you do if there are no more train connections with bike spaces?
This is actually very common, and since it happened to us personally, we have a backup plan ready.
You’ll have to bite the bullet and travel by regional trains. Since you’re passing through three countries, you’ll need to book your tickets through the various rail operators’ apps or at the respective train stations.
#1 From Verona to the Brenner Pass
Through the Trenitalia app (Italian rail), you buy a ticket for a regional train — the fastest option is the Regionale Veloce (approximately 3 hours).
Once you’ve chosen a train, you first enter your details in the Trenitalia app and then add your bike ticket. The bike ticket costs 3.50 euros per day.
Trenitalia’s regional trains have plenty of bike spaces, so you don’t need to worry about not getting a spot.
#2 From the Brenner Pass to Kufstein
At the Brenner Pass, you board a regional ÖBB train (Austrian rail). You buy the ticket through the ÖBB app. When searching, add your bike as a passenger right from the start.
When you select a train, the bike ticket is automatically included (still double-check this during the payment process). The journey to Kufstein takes about 1.5 hours.
#3 From Kufstein Onward
From Kufstein you can board a regional train toward Munich and beyond. You’ll need a bike ticket for this stretch, which you can buy in the BRB app. The train ride to Munich is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
From Verona Back to Landeck
If you drove to the start of the Adige Cycle Path — Landeck — you’ll need to make your way back there.
Book your connection through the ÖBB app. Typically you’ll need to travel to Innsbruck first and then transfer to a regional express to Landeck.
Best Time to Visit for the Adige Cycle Path
The best time to ride the Adige Cycle Path is from April through October. During the winter months of November through March it’s too cold for cycling — especially on the stretch from Landeck to Bolzano.
Keep in mind that at the Reschensee Pass, which sits at 1,500 meters above sea level, you can expect light snowfall as late as May and as early as October.
For example, we set off from Innsbruck in early May in 20-degree sunshine, only to be hit by sleet at the Brenner Pass — the same thing can happen to you at Reschen.
We especially recommend May and June, as well as a trip in September or October — these months fall outside the peak season (July and August) and the weather is usually sunny and warm.
You can also ride the Adige Cycle Path in July and August. Just be aware that some sections can get fairly crowded and that south of Bolzano you’ll encounter very high temperatures.
Read our tips on the best time to visit South Tyrol
Frequently Asked Questions about the Adige Cycle Path
How far in advance should you book hotels along the Adige Cycle Path?
That depends on when you travel.
We were on the road during the off-season in May and booked some accommodations 1–2 months in advance.
Sometimes, though, we booked very last-minute, just one or two days ahead. That wasn’t a problem (except on public holidays).
During peak season, it’s best to book all your accommodations a few months in advance.
Our tip: Only book accommodations that give you the option to cancel on short notice. Especially when cycling, plans can change quickly.
What's the best bike for the Adige Cycle Path?
You can ride the Adige Cycle Path with any type of bike, since it’s largely flat and paved.
It’s best to decide based on what else you want to explore or do by bike on your trip.
If you want to be as versatile as possible and ride on different surfaces, your best bet is a gravel bike.
How much luggage do you need for the Adige Cycle Path?
That really depends on you and how much you need to get by.
We traveled without a tent, and two large bags (20 liters each) on the rack plus two small bags for tools were enough for us.
Is there a luggage transfer service for the Adige Cycle Path?
Yes — if you don’t want to carry all your gear yourself, you can book a luggage transport service as an add-on.
You’ll find several providers online. Since we haven’t tried this ourselves, we unfortunately can’t personally recommend any specific one.
