The route from the Eisack Valley into the Puster Valley to Toblach is mountainous, but hardly less fascinating. Then the somewhat arduous hurdle of the Cimabanche Pass into the Italian-speaking Alpine region awaits.
For around 50 kilometres, you roll south along the route of the former Dolomite railway to the illustrious Cortina d'Ampezzo, past magnificent rocky massifs and through deeply carved river valleys. The ideal destination is the picturesque Bassano del Grappa at the transition from the Alps to the northern Italian plain.
Character:
The tour from Brennero/Brenner to Bassano is mainly on cycle paths and forest tracks as well as quiet side roads. A little riding technique and some touring experience are an advantage, as are slightly wider tyres. The steep ascent from the Puster Valley to the Cimabanche Pass can be made easier with the shuttle bus.
The Transalp route:
Dolomites Transalp, 325 km, 3500 m altitude, easy to moderately difficult route:
Brenner Pass - Sterzing - Reischach/ Pustertal - Toblach - Cortina d'Ampezzo - Tai di Cadore - Feltre - Bassano del Grappa
Best time to travel:
Beginning of June to mid-September.
Journey:
By train via Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass and back from Bassano del Grappa.
Info under www.bahn.de
Cycling hotels:
Bicycle-friendly hosts include
Sporthotel Zoll, Messner family, Brennerstraße 48, 39049 Sterzing
South Tyrol / Italy, Tel. +39 0472 76 56 51, info@sporthotel-zoll.com
Hotel Reischach in Reischach near Bruneck, Prack-zu-Asch-Str. 10 | I-39031 Reischach/Bruneck (BZ), Tel +39 0474 548009 | Fax +39 0474 550839
Hotel Santer in Dobbiaco, Alemagnastr. 4, I- 39034 Toblach , Dolomites/South Tyrol/Italy, Tel.: +39 0474 972142 , info@hotel-santer.com
Flat rate:
- The Specialist tour operator Alps Biketours, Tel. +49 (0)89 1250 3683-0, rides for a week from Sterzing to Valdobbiadine via Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Dolomites cycle path (350 km, 3700 m altitude), incl. luggage transport, overnight stay, info www.go-alps.de
Map/literature:
The Bikeline cycle map "Südtirol Dolomiten" at a scale of 1:75,000, 7.90 euros, will help you up to Cortina. After that, the TCI map "Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia" Sheet 4, 1:200,000, 10.95 euros or the various tabacco cards (Casa Editrice Tabacco) at a scale of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 between 10 and 13 euros, or the Tabacco app.
Tip for sustainability and your wallet! Various maps and books can also be bought cheaply second-hand on the Internet (rebuy, medimops).
Information (general):
Italian National Tourist Board ENIT Germany, Schaumainkai 87
Germany, 60596 Frankfurt am Main
E-mail: frankfurt@enit.it
Internet:
www.veneto.to (general tourist information);
The most beautiful pictures:
