In a nutshell
- South Tyrol is a fantastic destination for cycling — there are excellent bike paths everywhere, from flat valley routes to serious mountain climbs through the valleys of South Tyrol.
- Many hotels in South Tyrol let you rent bicycles and e-bikes on-site. Our top pick for a bike hotel is the Linder Cycling Hotel in Wolkenstein.
- Want a bigger adventure? Do a multi-day cycling tour through South Tyrol — load up your bike and ride from one place to stay to the next along one of four long-distance routes.
The Most Important Info About Cycling in South Tyrol
Cycling is huge in South Tyrol. And it really doesn’t matter where you go — there are fantastic bike paths throughout the entire region.
You basically have two options for a cycling vacation in South Tyrol:
- You stay at a (bike) hotel and go on cycling day trips from there.
- You do a multi-day bike tour through South Tyrol along one — or several — of the long-distance cycling routes.
Bike Hotels in South Tyrol
No matter how you plan your biking vacation in South Tyrol, finding a bike-friendly hotel is key.
Here’s what to look for when booking:
- Bike rental is available (unless you’re bringing your own bike)
- There’s a secure bike storage room (if you’re traveling with your own bike)
- Bike paths are nearby
Here are three great bike hotels in South Tyrol that tick all the boxes.
Linder Cycling Hotel: a seriously lovely bike hotel with bike rental, a wellness area, and an incredibly good breakfast. Even the rooms are decorated around the “bicycle” theme.
Vitalpina Hotel Waldhof: a cozy hotel in the Vinschgau valley near Merano. It offers every service a cyclist could want, and even has two pools. It’s also a great family hotel in South Tyrol.
X Alp Hotel: a fantastic bike hotel in the Dolomites. On top of bike rental and a bike path right outside the door, you get a wonderful spa area and stylish rooms.
The Most Scenic Long-Distance Cycling Routes in South Tyrol
As we mentioned, great cycling in South Tyrol is everywhere you look.
The most popular are the four long-distance cycling routes in South Tyrol. On a multi-day bike tour, you can ride them end to end — or pick just one stage as a day trip.
Also read our bikepacking packing list
Long-Distance Cycling Routes on a Map
Adige Valley Cycle Path
The Adige Valley Cycle Path runs from Landeck in Austria all the way to Verona in Italy — about 300 kilometers in total.
The South Tyrol section runs from Lake Reschen through Merano and Bolzano all the way to Salorno.
As the name suggests, you ride alongside the Adige River for most of the route. Since the path is mostly flat, it’s perfect for every fitness level.
Our tip: If you’re based in Bolzano, you can easily ride a section of the Adige Valley Cycle Path as a day trip. The stretch from Bolzano to Merano is about 30 kilometers, for example — and if your legs give out on the way back, you can simply put your bike on the train.
Our Experience Report on the Etsch Bike Path
Eisack Valley Cycle Path
The Eisack Valley Cycle Path runs from the Brenner Pass to Bolzano, passing through the towns of Sterzing and Brixen. It’s about 100 kilometers long and you ride alongside the Eisack River almost the entire way.
We rode the Eisack Valley Cycle Path during our own bike tour of the Adige Valley — so you’ll find our firsthand tips in our trip report as well.
Our tip: If you’re staying overnight in Sterzing or Brixen, you can easily cover the stretch to Bolzano in a single day. Since it runs almost continuously downhill, the kilometers just fly by.
Dolomites Cycle Path
The Dolomites Cycle Path runs from Toblach in South Tyrol to Calalzo di Cadore in Veneto, mostly through the Höhlenstein Valley. The route is 66 kilometers long.
Along the way, you’ll get stunning views of some of the best highlights in the Dolomites, including the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Lake Toblach, and Lake Dürrensee.
Our tip: If you’re feeling athletic, definitely ride up the road to the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. It’s a challenge, but absolutely worth every meter of climbing!
Puster Valley Cycle Path
The Puster Valley Cycle Path is the fourth long-distance route in South Tyrol. It runs from Mühlbach in South Tyrol to Lienz in Austria and is 105 kilometers long in total.
You’ll roll through the beautiful town of Bruneck, and if you have the energy, you can take a detour to Lake Braies — though note that section is on a regular road.
Our tip: Two great shorter stages in South Tyrol are Mühlbach to Bruneck and Bruneck to Innichen.
The Most Scenic Cycling Day Trips in South Tyrol
The long-distance routes are generally the easiest bike paths in South Tyrol — you cover relatively little elevation gain, which makes them perfect for day trips too.
But there are plenty of other great options for biking in South Tyrol. Here are our top picks for cycling day trips, with something for every fitness level and bike type.
Easy Bike Tours in South Tyrol
- Lake Reschen Loop: Lake Reschen is one of the most popular attractions in South Tyrol, and a 16-kilometer loop runs around the lake — ideal for mountain bikes and e-bikes.
- Merano – Lana Loop: This route covers about 22 kilometers, runs partly along the Adige Valley Cycle Path, and takes you past various highlights of the area — great for all types of bikes.
- Tauferer Ahrntal: You ride from Bruneck up along the Ahr River — about 21 kilometers to Mölten, though you can turn back whenever you like — great for all types of bikes.
Moderate Bike Tours in South Tyrol
- Überetsch Cycle Path: The route heads from Bolzano along the Adige River before climbing about 200 meters to Appiano, then continues on to Lake Caldaro. One way is about 17 kilometers — ideal for e-bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes.
- From Merano Through the Passeier Valley: You ride from Merano into the Passeier Valley and go as far as you feel like. Just remember you have to make it back! Ideal for e-bikes and mountain bikes.
- From Toblach Through the Sexten Valley: You start on a stretch of the Puster Valley Cycle Path, then branch off into the Sexten Valley. Again, go as far as you like — ideal for e-bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes.
Challenging Bike Tours in South Tyrol
- Bolzano – Klobenstein Loop: a demanding route in the Bolzano area and Ritten — ideal for experienced road cyclists.
- Sella Pass: a seriously challenging ride in the Dolomites — ideal for experienced road cyclists.
- Stelvio Pass: You ride the legendary mountain pass road toward Lombardy and take on a veeery large amount of elevation gain — ideal for experienced road cyclists.
Which Bike Is Best for Cycling in South Tyrol?
Wondering which bike to bring? The answer is simple: the one you feel most comfortable on.
On the long-distance routes, you can ride comfortably on any type of bike. For other rides, it’s best to choose routes that suit your bike — off-road trails for mountain bikers, paved roads for road cyclists.
We always plan our cycling routes using Komoot.
Bike Shops in South Tyrol and Renting a Bike
You’ll find bike shops in all the larger towns in South Tyrol. If you get a flat tire or suddenly need some accessories, they’ll sort you out.
We visited two bike shops in South Tyrol that we’d both happily recommend — the service was excellent.
- PIT STOP (Bolzano)
- Nardello Fahrräder (Brixen)
In general, though, just head to whichever shop is closest to you.
Small villages usually don’t have bike shops, though some do. Always check the opening hours in advance, as many shops close at midday.
Where Can You Rent a Bike in South Tyrol?
Some bike shops offer rentals, others don’t. It’s worth checking online before you show up.
The easier option is to rent a bike directly from your accommodation.
Many hotels in South Tyrol offer bike rentals — and if you’re planning to ride a lot, it’s really worth booking a hotel that includes this.
Taking Your Bike on the Train in Italy
If you want to bring your own bike but don’t want to drive it to South Tyrol, the train is your best option. It’s also the most practical way to move your bike around during a multi-day cycling tour.
Booking bike spaces and tickets is a little involved, so let us walk you through it.
Getting to South Tyrol by Train
Your best bet is to travel to Munich and catch a connecting train from there into South Tyrol. From Munich, it’s only about 2.5 hours to the Brenner Pass.
Trains on this route are usually operated by ÖBB (the Austrian federal railway).
Important note: Unfortunately, most trains have very limited bike spaces. Especially in summer, it’s better to book your ticket months in advance.
How do you book a bike space on the train?
On long-distance trains, you need to add a bike space reservation when booking. When searching for a connection, add one or more bicycles under the passenger details.
You’ll then see which trains accept bikes — look for a green bike icon. Book that train as normal.
Make sure the booking confirms that bike transport is included.
Taking Your Bike on the Train Within Italy
Within Italy, there are two rail companies: Trenitalia and Italo. Italo only runs high-speed trains on long-distance routes. In South Tyrol, you’ll almost always be on Trenitalia’s regional trains.
For all regional trains in South Tyrol, you need a bike ticket.
How do you book the bike ticket with Trenitalia?
Through the Trenitalia app or at the ticket machines at the station.
In the app, select your connection and enter your details. Once you’ve done that, a window will appear where you can add a bike.
The bike ticket costs €3.50 and is valid all day on all regional trains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cycling in South Tyrol
What do you need to know about cycling in Italy?
Most of the same rules apply as anywhere else in Europe — but be aware that Italian drivers can be a bit more assertive and less attentive to cyclists and pedestrians.
That said, in South Tyrol it’s nowhere near as intense as in Naples or Palermo. The region is genuinely bike-friendly and you’ll feel it on the road.
Can you easily bike in Merano?
Yes! Merano is — like pretty much every town in South Tyrol — very bike-friendly.
Where can you go cycling in the Dolomites?
Our top recommendation is the Dolomites Cycle Path (Dolomitenradweg).
If you ride a road bike, you can tackle almost any road in the Dolomites — as long as steep, long climbs don’t put you off.
And for mountain bikers, there are great off-road trails in every corner of the Dolomites.
