Cycling in the Vinschgau Valley

The Vinschgau and especially the Ortler region is an Eldorado for cycling enthusiasts. A well-signed bike path goes through the whole Venosta valley, where formerly the old Roman road Via Claudia Augusta was passing by. This tour alongside the Etschriver is moderate and therefore well suited for families trips. The road starts from Lake Resia in the North, goes through the main valley and ends at the spa town of Meran. A somewhat more demanding variant is to start the biketour directly from Pension Astoria at Prad am Stilfserjoch up to the Lake Resia.

If you don't have a own bike, you can rent one at one of the many bike points along the railway line, give it back on another bikepoint and return with the Vinschgau train - free of charge with the VinschgauCard.

A highlight and almost obligatory date for many bikers is the popular "StelvioBike" Cycle Day. It takes place every year at the lasts of August or firsts of September. On this day the road is closed for motorised vehicles and belongs only to the cyclists. It’s not a classical bike race competition, so also a lot hobby cyclist participate according the motto "being there is everything". The final destination of this cycle tour is the Stilfser Joch at an altitude of 2,760 metres above sea level, one of the highest Alpine passes open to traffic. With the descent via the Umbrail Pass (2,503 metres), also closed to regular traffic, you will come to Santa Maria in the Munster Valley (Switzerland) and from there to Glurns. This makes it a truly beautiful circular tour and unforgottable experience.

The historic pass road is particularly popular among racing cyclists. It is also frequently a stage for the Giro d'Italia. A total of 48 bends wind their way up to the mountain pass. King Ortler and his majestic entourage always flank you on your journey on the often so called "queen of the pass roads".

Further challenging tours are along the Goldseeweg, the Uina Gorge or the Madritsch-Joch, as well as numerous other trails are enjoying increasing popularity among mountain bikers and downhill bikers! In order to be able to master these challenging trails, it is recommended to attend technique training course, which are offered by trained bike guides on a weekly basis.

Pension Astoria also offers an accommodation for cyclists crossing the alps, even if it is only for one or two nights. A lot of biker come back for holiday, realizing that the village Prad offers a great starting point for dozens of beautiful biketours!