Cycling Holidays - Innsbruck to Bolzano

Innsbruck to Bolzano

Cycle on bike paths in the river valleys of the Inn and Adige rivers on this self-guided holiday from Innsbruck to Bolzano. This is a superb tour that combines scenic routes with rewarding cycling, and as buses are used for the climbs, the tour is suitable for most levels.

Enjoy a meandering route through orchards, vineyards and pretty towns, and past fortresses, castles and ruins before ending your tour in the town of Bolzano with its fascinating arcades and museum.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Innsbruck

Welcome briefing and bike fitting. For the rest of the day, we recommend visiting Innsbruck’s famous old town with its City Tower and its “Golden Roof”.

Day 2: Innsbruck – Imst approx. 65 km

You will pedal on the former towpath along the river Inn, at the foot of Martinswand (mountain face) and through little villages and market towns to Stams (baroque Cistercian convent). Then, you will continue your tour via Haiming to Imst, the so-called “Merano of North Tyrol”.

Day 3: Imst – Burgeis/Mals approx. 50 km + bus transfer

Today, you will cycle along the river Inn, past the monastery Zams to Landeck. A bus will take you to Nauders from where you will cycle less than 100 metres in altitude uphill to the mountain pass Reschenpass. From there, you will cycle downhill to Lake Reschensee and continue on minor roads to Mals (many towers in the centre) or to Burgeis at the foot of the castle Marienburg.

Day 4: Burgeis/Mals – Merano approx. 65 km

Your day starts with a trip to Glurns (perfectly preserved medieval city walls). Then, you will cycle via the Montani ruins, through Schlanders, down to Merano. On your way, you will come across some pretty castles (mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s castle Juval) and you will get marvellous views of the impressive mountain massif Ortlermassiv and the mountain pass Stilfserjoch. Since 2004, the Venosta train (Vinschgaubahn) has been operating again between Mals and Merano. You can almost always take this train to travel a part of your journey.

Day 5: Passeiertal/Merano approx. 40 km

On the fifth day, you will have the opportunity to ride your bike into the Passeiertal valley to the Sandwirt inn (birthplace of the Tyrolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer). Alternatively, you can hike on the famous Tappeiner trail or go shopping at the famous arcades of Merano.

Day 6: Merano –Auer approx. 50 km

Today’s stage will take you via Lana (Schnatterpeck Altar) and through numerous orchards and vineyards in the area of the South Tyrolean Wine Road, past many fortresses, castles, and ruins such as Hocheppan (famous frescos), to Lake Kalterer See. You usually stay in the cosy wine town, Auer.

Day 7: Auer – Bolzano approx. 35 km

Leaving the charming wine town behind you, you will cycle on flat routes through the Adige valley or via the Montiggler lakes (scenic, but more demanding route), past Sigmundskron to Bolzano (arcades, “Ötzi” museum).

Day 8: Departure or extension

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to add a couple of days to your holidays? You have the possibility to combine this tour with another one to Venice or Verona.

Route Overview

You will cycle on bike paths in the river valleys of the Inn and Adige rivers. A bus will take you from Landeck to Nauders. From there you will cycle uphill 70 metres in altitude until you reach Reschenpass (mountain pass). Afterwards, you can enjoy cycling downhill for more than 1,200 metres in altitude to Bolzano. In order to stay on calm roads, cycling some small climbs will be necessary.

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Innsbruck

Route Profile:

Stage	Kilometres	Special notes regarding the route
Innsbruck - Imst	65 km	The route starts off flat going along the River Inn. From the 50km mark, you should expect some short climbs. From the 50km point you can take the train from Ötztalstation if you prefer.
Imst – Burgeis/Mals	50 km	Before Landeck, there are two short climbs. From Nauders to Lake Reschensee another approx. 100m increase in altitude to be cycled
	Organisation: We recommend starting by 9am. Bus transfer to Reschenpass from Landeck (23.5km) to Nauders takes approx. 70 min. From 11:50am your tour representative will be at Landeck train station. The bikes need to be loaded onto the trailer. Be there by 11:55 at the latest. Departure time is 12:12 (bus number 4218 to Nauders). Any changes to this will be announced at the welcome briefing.
Burgeis/Mals - Merano	65 km	Today is mainly downhill (700m altitude difference). You can shorten this stage by using the Vinschgau train.
Excursion Passeier Valley	40 km	Today you travel along a cycle path following the Passer River through the orchards to St. Leonhard and return the same way to Merano.
		Large parts of today’s stage are on easy to cycle on gravel paths.
Merano – Auer	50 km	There is a climb between km 35.0 and km 41.0. Between km 27 and km 35 the route description doesn‘t match with the map. Please follow the official cycle path signs.
Auer – Bolzano	35 km	Two options to Bolzano: Along the Adige dam (approx. 25km) or via the Montiggler lakes (approx. 30km), this is the more demanding (several climbs) but also more beautiful route.

Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Innsbruck airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Innsbruck to Bolzano cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Overnight stays in the listed category
- Breakfast buffet
- Personal tour information
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Excellently planned routes
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Route signposting
- Bus transfer from Innsbruck to Brenner including bike
- Brixen card (free use of South Tyrolean public transportation, a roundtrip ride with the cable car Plose, free admission to Acquarena water park, free admission to nearly all South Tyrolean museums)
- Service hotline
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Men's Bike (Colour may vary)

Electric Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gears

7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 7555385.

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Innsbruck to Bolzano	sample hotel LIST
Innsbruck	Austria Trend Congress ****
	www.austria-trend.at
Imst	Hotel Hirschen ***
	www.hirschen-imst.at
Burgeis/Mals	Garni zum Hirschen ***
	www.hotel-hirschen.it
Merano	Hotel Villa Laurus ***
	www.villalaurus.it
Auer	Bio-Hotel&Residence Kaufmann ***
	www.hotelkaufmann.it
Bolzano	Hotel Scala Stiegl ****
	www.scalahot.com

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2019 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	27.04.-10.05.2019 \| 28.09.-05.10.2019	Saturday and Wednesday
Season 2:	11.05.-21.06.2019 \| 07.09.-27.09.2019	Saturday and Wednesday
Season 3:	22.06.-06.09.2019	Saturday and Wednesday

Category A:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£849
Season 2:	£899
Season 3:	£909
Half Board Upgrade (7x):	£189
Single Room Supplement:	£189
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99
Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	3* / 4* hotels.

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Supplement Price SGL/BB
Innsbruck:	£69	£30
Bolzano:	£79	£40

Reference:AT-ETRIB-08X

Date From	Date To
27 April 2019	05 October 2019

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