Bolzano by bike
Bolzano invites you to experience spring and summer on two wheels, with cycle routes, paths through vineyards, connections to the South Tyrolean valleys and easily accessible out-of-town excursions. The city, crisscrossed by a network of more than 50 kilometers of cycle paths integrated into the urban fabric, is an ideal destination for those looking for an active, sustainable and relaxed trip.
Cycling is one of the easiest ways to discover Bolzano.
The cycle paths connect neighborhoods, parks, rivers and places of interest, allowing you to move without haste and without traffic. This means being able to visit the city in a fluid way, alternating cultural stops, alpine views and moments of relaxation in the open air.
One of the most evocative routes follows the course of the Talvera to the north. From the center you can reach green areas, glimpses of the vineyards and views of Castel Mareccio and Castel Roncolo, two symbolic places of the Bolzano landscape. The route allows you to go from the urban atmosphere to a more natural environment in a few minutes, with views that tell the link between the city, the mountains and history.
Beyond the center, the cycle network opens up to wider routes. The Adige cycle path, part of the ancient Via Claudia Augusta, offers a flat route also suitable for families and less experienced cyclists.
From Bolzano you can follow connections to the Vinschgau Valley, the Eisack Valley and the South Tyrolean Wine Road, turning cycling into a real travel experience.
For those who want to combine cycling, landscape and local flavors, the "Pleasures on two wheels" itinerary offers a wine & bike route starting and finishing in Piazza Walther. The itinerary crosses the historic center, the waterways and the vine-covered hills, touching places such as Castel Roncolo, the Abbey of Muri-Gries, the Bolzano Winery and the area of Santa Maddalena.
Along the way, stops in wineries and places of wine culture allow you to get to know one of the strongest identities of the territory.
The bicycle thus becomes a means of slow discovery, including tastings, local gastronomy and views of the Dolomites.
The South Tyrolean Wine Road is also an ideal proposal for an active but accessible holiday. Considered the oldest in Italy, it offers three cycle-food and wine routes without major differences in height, which can also be traveled by combining them. The routes pass through vineyards, apple orchards, villages, historic estates and wineries, with the possibility of tasting typical wines such as Lagrein, Vernatsch, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon.
Those who want to alternate cycling with excursions in nature can choose two destinations near Bolzano: Laives and San Genesio. Laives, a few kilometers south of the city, is suitable for walks and bike rides along the Adige cycle path, among apple orchards, poppies, woods and historic farms. From this year, a new hiking bus connects the centre with the higher mountain areas from 4 May to 31 October, five days a week, with five daily trips.
San Genesio, on the other hand, offers a more panoramic experience. Located on the Salto plateau, at about 1,100 meters above sea level, it offers views of the Dolomites and the valley below. The plateau, known for its larches and the tradition of Haflinger horses, is suitable for easy hikes and themed routes through forests, meadows and viewpoints.
Among the experiences not to be missed is the Marterloch suspension bridge, in the gorge of the Marter stream. At 272 meters long and 130 meters high, it is the longest suspended walkway in South Tyrol and adds an exciting element to a day in nature.
Bolzano thus confirms itself as an ideal destination for slow and outdoor tourism. Between urban cycle paths, wine itineraries, public transport connections and out-of-town trips, the city allows you to build a flexible, sustainable trip suitable for different types of Travellers: families, couples, sportsmen, food and wine enthusiasts and mountain lovers.
