By bike from Bozen to Venice
If you like to cycle for several days, we recommend the cycle route from Bozen to Venice – with a length of almost 300 km, hardly any differences in altitude and wonderful panoramas. Mountains and vineyards, spas and villas, castles and towns, Lake Garda and the Venice lagoon await you.
From South Tyrol to Veneto
The route is mainly flat with a few short ascents and leads along cycle paths or low-traffic side roads. Therefore, it is also ideal for families. The route starts in Bozen and leads along the cycle path that follows the famous Via Claudia Augusta to the right or left of the Etsch river to the romantic city of Verona. From there it continues through fertile plains, along picturesque hills and past magnificent villas to Vicenza, Padova and finally to Mestre. As it is also forbidden to push bicycles in the historical centre of Venice, we recommend that you leave your bike at the bike parking area at Mestre railway station.
Your physical condition and holiday planning will determine how many daily stages you will divide your route into. For some cyclists it's all about the sporting aspect, for others it's more about the exciting highlights along the way. We recommend that you plan at least 5 to 6 days: This way, you will experience a great mix of sports and culture, nature and enjoyment. Check out our following tips for worthwhile stops and side trips along the route.
Castle in the centre of Trient
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Cathedral Square in Trient
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The Castle of Rovereto is the location of the Italian War History Museum.
APT Rovereto e Vallagarina - Graziano Galvagni
Woman with bike on the Monte Baldo
autofocus67 / Fotolia.comTrento, Rovereto & Riva del Garda
The first city on the route after starting in Bozen will be Trento with the wonderful cathedral square and the family-friendly MUSE: In this science museum designed by Renzo Piano, visitors young and old get exciting insights into nature and technology. Rovereto is the next stop for culture lovers: the city is known for its great exhibitions at the Mart, the museum for modern and contemporary art.
If you love beach and water with mountains in the background, you will be thrilled by Riva del Garda on the northern shore of Lake Garda and the subsequent boat trip. From Riva, you can take the ferry to Desenzano or Peschiera on the south shore of Lake Garda. This way, you can enjoy the lake in all its beauty and diversity – between mountains and olive groves, beach promenades and sailing boats.
Verona Ponte Scaligero bridge.
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Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
Alberto Masnovo / Fotolia.com
Panorama of Verona
Dudarev Mikhail / Fotolia.com
Villa La Rotonda - Vicenza
Unsplash.comVeneto beauties: Verona & Vicenza
Another city worth seeing on the route is Verona with the famous Arena, the historic centre and many nice shops. The route then continues through fields and vineyards to the Berici hills and Vicenza. In Vicenza, we recommend a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria di Monte Berico and Villa La Rotonda. You should also try the Soave and other delicious wines of the region.
Basilica del Santo - Padova
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Padova - Prato della Valle
Unsplash.comPadova & the thermal baths
The next stop will be Padova. The city can be reached via the cycle path Riviera Berica, which follows the route of an old railway line along the Bacchiglione river to Padua. The centre of Padova has a lot to offer: the famous Basilica of Sant'Antonio, the huge Prato della Valle square and the oldest botanical garden in the world. If you are a wellness fan, we recommend a detour to the Euganean Hills and the thermal centres of Abano and Montegrotto.
San Marco - Venezia
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Gondola - Venezia
Unsplash.comTowards Venice and the sea
Leaving the centre of Padua, follow the Brenta Canal, where you can admire Villa Pisani and other splendid villas. From Mestre, it is possible to reach Venice by following the cycle path across the Ponte della Libertà. However, as bicycles are prohibited in the historic centre of Venice, we recommend that you leave your bike at the BiciPark next to Mestre train station and take the train for the last stretch to Venice. Alternatively, you can leave your bike at the BiciPark in the municipal car park on Piazzale Roma, very close to the historic centre of Venice.
