Cycling tours between the Dolomites and the Adriatic
The famous long-distance routes, such as the Adige Cycle Path, the Via Claudia Augusta and the Long Way of the Dolomites, have long since become international cycling classics. The Trekkingbike team also discovered hundreds of great cycle kilometres between the Dolomites, Lake Garda and the Adriatic Sea.
Italy is discovering the touring bike, and the Veneto region is leading the way. The positive development in the recent past is pleasing: a lot of money has been invested in the infrastructure. For example, new, comfortable cycle paths have been created along the Adige and Brenta rivers - kilometres long, asphalted and without car traffic.
Many leisure routes have been signposted, from after-work tours to multi-day tours. But there's one thing you shouldn't forget in Veneto either: No cycle tour in Italy without enjoyment! Food is usually accompanied by a good glass of wine. And the cappuccino stop can last a little longer.
Here are the best tour suggestions:
The Grande Tour del Veneto is a medium-difficulty long-distance route with a variety of routes: tarmac and unpaved cycle paths, low-traffic embankment paths, quiet side roads. In the city centres of Padua, Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, Treviso and Mestre, you can expect a slightly higher volume of traffic. There are few steep climbs, most likely in the hills around Asolo. The overall route is recommended for 5 to 7 day stages.
Tour tip: Venetian Islands 40 km, easy
Two islands, such as the Lido di Venezia and little Pellestrina, could hardly be more different. The Lido, with its stately villas and old grand hotels, is one of the most exclusive seaside resorts in Italy. Pellestrina, with its narrow beaches and colourful houses, is rarely visited by tourists. Instead, there are a few quaint trattorias with plenty of local colour.
The two islands in the Venice lagoon can be reached by ferry from Tronchetto/Venice or Chioggia. There are also bike hire points on the Lido. The route is signposted E5.
Tour tip: Euganean Hills
The Euganean Hills rise like giant cones from the Po Valley not far from Padua. The highest point is Monte Venda at 601 metres. Even in the Middle Ages, wealthy city dwellers came here to relax in the woods and vineyards. This day trip allows you to discover all the historical and cultural sights of the small low mountain range. For example, the famous thermal baths of Abano and Montegrotto and the picturesque medieval towns of Monselice and Este. The E2 cycle route runs mainly on tarmac cycle paths. www.padovainbici.it
Tour tip: Gira Sile
The river Sile meanders very slowly past Treviso towards the Mediterranean. Over the 95 km between its source and mouth, it only overcomes a minimal difference in altitude of 27 metres, which corresponds to a gradient of 0.3 per mille. The Gira Sile is a leisurely tour on embankment and cycle paths through the river meadows between Treviso and Casale sul Sile, parts of which have been declared a nature reserve. Along the E4 cycle route there are also stately villas from the 15th to 18th centuries, e.g. the Villa Corner Dall'Aglio Gabbianelli in Lughignano. www.visittreviso.it, www.marcatreviso.it, www.3dolomiti.it
From Lake Garda to the Adriatic
The trekking bike route from Lake Garda to the Po Delta is recommended for 6 to 7 stages in order to have enough time for the many sights along the way. You cycle on asphalted and non-asphalted cycle paths, low-traffic embankment paths and mostly low-traffic side roads. As is so often the case, traffic increases somewhat around large cities. The routes along the Po and in the Po Delta are also suitable for families with children.
Tour tip: Route by the sea
The fourth major long-distance cycle route in Veneto is orientated around the water. It starts on the Po in the small town of Rovigo. The destination after 260 kilometres is the famous seaside resort of Bibione. In between, there are exciting stretches through the wild landscape of the Po Delta Nature Park, the beaches of Rosolina Mare and Albarella, the lively and architecturally charming harbour town of Chioggia and the islands of the Lido.as cycling is not permitted in Venice, the route continues from the Lido di Venezia by ferry to the Lido di Jesolo via Cavallino. Via Eraclea Mare and Caorle and Lugugnana, the route finally winds its way through the lagoon world to Bibione. www.venicebeaches.it
The long way of the Dolomites
The railway cycle path is only partially gravelled for the first 20 kilometres to Cortina d'Ampezzo. The rest of the route is mainly on quiet, tarmac side roads and cycle paths. There are always short climbs to contend with. Recommended stages are: Dobbiaco - Calalzo (Tai di Cadore) 61 km/420 metres in altitude; Calalzo - Belluno 46 km/240 metres in altitude; Belluno - Feltre 38 km/280 metres in altitude; Feltre - Bassano di Grappa 52 km/450 metres in altitude.
Alternative: Belluno - Venice
Shortly before Belluno, the stage rider can make up his mind.
(138 km). You cycle along side roads past the idyllic Lago di Santa Croce swimming lake through Valle Lapisina. There is hardly any traffic on the old state road here. It rushes over the motorway on high bridges. Lago di Santa Croce or Vittorio Veneto are ideal places to stop here. The route then continues through the Prosecco hills to Conegliano and further downhill to the banks of the Piave river. From here, the extensive fields of Veneto replace the rolling hills. The historic centre of Treviso is quickly reached. From there it is another 50 kilometres to Mestre before Venice.
Tour tip: Valsugana
The Valsugana forms an impressive scenic link between the Veneto and Trentino regions. The largely flat route on cycle paths and low-traffic roads starts in Bassano del Grappa and winds along the Brenta River through the mountains to Pergine Valsugana. In high summer, trains with large cycle carriages also run along the route. From April to June and in September, buses with bike trailers run. www.valsugana.info/bike
