Cycle routes and bicycle paths around the world: info and GPS tracks
The Inn River Cycle Path is one of those routes for traveling by bike with your family, best friends or solo travelersThink about a pretty flat cycling itinerary surrounded by the Alps: an itinerary for everyone crossing from West to East a good part of the mountain territory between Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. It's not a utopia but real and it's called the Inn Cycle Path. The 520 km track connects Maloja and Passau, giving to every bicycle traveler the safety to ride on cycleways in a spectacular setting.
This itinerary, northern section of the Sentiero Valtellina, starts in Tirano and continues to one of the most well-known resorts in Valtellina.
At the end of the day we discovered a part of Valtellina not only geographically but also historically. For those less trained or those who really can’t stand hills, the underpass out of the train station leads directly to the bus station to take a bus till Bormio and travel the route in reverse. The difference in altitude will almost only be negative
One of the most suggestive and known bicycle itineraries in South Tyrol is without any doubt the Venosta Valley Cycle Path, connecting Resia Pass to Merano. We finally had the possibility to cycle in this valley and we took some time to pedal until the Swiss border along the Monastero Valley. Immersed in Nature and in the company of hundreds of other bicycle tourists, travelers and bikers, it was like cycling in paradise, with cured cycle paths, MTB tracks well signed and complete services for bicycle travelers, from renting to mechanics, from bike hotels to shuttle service.
The Camonica Valley cycleway starts at Ponte di Legno but in this article we will speak about the lower part that connects Capo di Ponte to Pisogne following the valley floor with the exception of a couple of possible detours. Recently the local administrations finished the missing section of the path to link the upper part of Camonica Valley to the lower until Lake Iseo and now we’ll be able to travel by bike the distance between the Tonale Pass (and even before the Sole Valley in Trentino) and the river Po, till the Adriatic Sea... in complete safety!
Liguria is a land enclosed among the mountains and the sea where pristine places are often just around the corner. Thanks to the restoration of the old railway tack in a quite touristy area in the region, the Framura – Levanto cycle path has been set up that can be easily traveled also by families with children or people who don’t love that much climbing. This path for pedestrians and bikes is undoubtedly a very interesting itinerary to discover a glimpse of Liguria in an alternative way!
The Adda River Cycle Way or Greenway dell'Adda is a cycleway following the river (almost!) from its source, which is northern Valtellina, until its mouth into Po river, in the heart of Po Valley. This cycling itinerary, running on fun gravel roads, secondary roads, tracks, and river banks, is more than 300km long and can be faced in 4 - 5 travel days. Traveling by bicycle along the Adda river allows to discover new, fun and curious points of view, and deeply focus on history and events that happened along this big northern Italian river.
Lombardy is a region rich in valleys, peaks and large lakes where many outdoor activities and sports are played. Between its two lakes, one of which is shared with Switzerland, you can pedal along the old railway dismissed for years now. The itinerary of the Menaggio - Porlezza old railway connects the lakes of Como and Lugano, crossing many villages and one natural reserve...
2016 was the year of walking paths, and usually, these trails are perfect for bicycle tourists too! Moreover, Italy is rich in suggestive paths and it is the perfect destination in order to discover these places through alternative roads with adequate infrastructures dedicated to bicycle tourists. This year (like every other year) might be the perfect moment to try and cycle on a walking path, and here you'll find our top suggestions. We chose to write a list of the 10 best Italian ways to be cycled: our goal is, like last year, to cycle at least one of them.
In the north-eastern part of the Alps there is a cycling itinerary that connects one of the biggest German cities to the charming city on the lagoon. The Friendship Cycle Way, Munich to Venice bike route, travels through cycle paths already existing, secondary, low-traffic roads with the dream to see the whole trail turning into one single connection cycle trail between Germany and Italy.
Lake Iseo, also known as Sebino, is one of the lakes of Lombardy. Lying between the Province of Bergamo and the Province of Brescia, it is still unknown to mass tourism and this is a reason why it is suitable for bicycle tourism. Around Lake Iseo by bicycle can start from one of the many little villages on the banks of the lake, but for convenience's sake we're going to start from Riva di Solto, on the Bergamo side, where you can park your car and eat a good ice cream on the finish line to celebrate the challenge.
The evolution in transportation, the revolution of the tire and the consequent abandon of the railways, during the years, has brought to a transformation: some abandoned railways have been requalified, becoming a cycle and walking paths. In Italy too this small change has brought to a form of development in bicycle touring: when there is a safe path people come and visit, tourism develops and grows...
As the years go by the number of bicycle tourists, as well as of cycling paths is growing in our old continent. Of course, central European countries, counting on thousands of km of bike lanes and bicycle paths - which represent an important sustainable income source - are driving other "not so bike friendly" countries. In this article I will be listing 10 most beautiful European cycle paths or, at least, the ones I love: we will be travelling together from Spain to Italy, cruising through Austria, Germany, France, and the U.K., but also other European destinations!
Pusteria Valley cycle path is one of the main roads of the cycling-tourist itineraries in South Tyrol. The trail connects San Candido to Fortezza in about 70 km of an average demanding route. Unlikely the San Candido – Lienz cycle path developing exclusively downhill (going from Italy to Austria), cycling towards Fortezza requires anyway a minimum training because overall you have to face about 700 meters of difference in altitude.
The Alpe Adria cycle path is an itinerary between Austria and Italy and it connects Salzburg, in the Alps, to Grado on Adriatic sea.We had the occasion of traveling many kilometers along the Alpe Adria cycleway during our trip by bike among Trentino, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia and we discovered many beautiful villages, ancient cities, old railways and wild nature. The Alpe Adria cycle route is perfect for those wanting to get to know these territories, from art cities to the medieval villages, from the mountains to the sea, in a slow way, with no stress.
The railway of the Dolomites, later become Dolomites cycle path, was opened in 1921 to connect Calalzo di Cadore, Dobbiaco and Cortina d'Ampezzo. With the passing years and the development of motorization and technologies it was gradually abandoned. It had its time of glory during the year 1956 on occasion of the Cortina Winter Olympics, but then its decline was inevitable especially when, in 1960, there was a serious accident in which two persons died. 65 kilometers long, the railway was dismantled in 1964. Today, as mentioned before, the railway has become the cycleway of the Dolomites and connects Calalzo di Cadore in the Veneto region to Dobbiaco in the Alto Adige region.
Living in Trento and having a racing bike, it happened to me many times, especially at the beginning of the season, to train along Adige cycleway which runs along the bottom of the valley and often, in summer, it happened to me to meet many cycling tourists, first of all German: the cycling route is indeed ideal for those wanting to skip the traffic and is well linked to other routes that combined can make a trip by bike rather varied and interesting. The cycle route of Adige river is the longest cycle path in the whole province of Trento and continues in the nearby provinces of Verona and Bolzano, being a perfect cycling route for those who love the tranquility of pedaling with no effort and with good cultural-touristic alternatives along the way.
Most cycleways are suitable for anyone: from the little and inexperienced ones to bike veterans. Peschiera - Mantova Cycle path, also known with the name of Mincio Cycle route is not an exception. For almost 50 kilometers it flanks the river Mincio running flat in the heathlands of Lombardy. I must tell you the truth: Peschiera - Mantova Cycle Route is a cycling route among the simplest I have ever traveled in my life... have you ever been there?
Iseo Lake is an excellent starting point for a travel to go discovering the Prealps and valleys of Bergamo by bicycle.
From Riva di Solto, on the Bergamo shore of the lake, you travel for about 190 km an itinerary, mixed secondary roads with low-traffic and old communication channels, natural balconies on deep, enchanting gorges. The length of the journey requires two days at least, if you want to fully enjoy what surrounds you, I suggest that you give three full days to this itinerary in the valleys of Bergamo.
The Spoleto - Norcia cycle route is today an example of a former railway successfully converted to bicycle tourism, but let's take a step back ...
We’re in Umbria where you can’t see the sea but where hills, protected areas, beautiful villages perched on promontories... surely don’t lack! It is the year 1926 and it’s an autumn full of news for this area in central Italy: the Spoleto – Norcia railway line, with narrow-gauge and electric traction, is ready to start its short story in the overview of the Italian railways now almost forgotten!
The Valsugana cycleway stretches for about 80 km between the Trentino and Veneto region; from Pergine Valsugana, a few bike rides from Lake Caldonazzo, you get to Bassano del Grappa, in the province of Vicenza, after covering all the valley. This cycle path stretches almost entirely in the plains and right for this reason is a cycletourism route also suitable for families with children, in addition the Valsugana valley is entirely crossed by the railway line and regional trains can be a comfy alternative to cycling in case of tiredness or to go back to the starting point.
