Garmisch - Lake Garda
7- 12 participants
3050 Hm
5 Stages
Description
Garmisch - Lake Garda
Facts
The tour leads from Grainau near Garmisch through the Inn Valley, over the Reschen Pass, through the fantastically beautiful Vinschgau Valley and the Etsch Valley to Lake Garda and, with only about 3050 meters of altitude and about 375 kilometers in five stages, is the perfect tour for Transalp beginners and people who like to take it easy.
Requirements
The route runs mainly on paved and unpaved bike paths as well as side roads. With the exception of a few gravel roads on the ascent and descent, such as the Via Claudia Augusta cycle route at the Fernpass, no technically challenging sections are to be expected. Even though the sporting demands of the individual daily stages are moderate, good preparation for this trip is highly recommended in order to spend five consecutive days in the saddle.
Highlights
For landscape fans: Zugspitze massif and Reschenpass, the apple orchards of Vinschgau, Lake Kaltern, Monte Bondone and "last but not least" Lake Garda.
For cult(o)urists: the romantic Fernstein Castle, the medieval Glurns, the Mediterranean Merano and the historic town of Trento.
For gourmets: a culinary journey through the Vinschgau Valley and the wine-growing areas of Lake Kaltern.
Route
From Grainau near Garmisch it goes along the Loisach to Ehrwald. Past the Weißensee to the Fernpass, downhill to Nassereith and from Imst through the Inn Valley to Nauders. On the Roman road Via Claudia we bike over the Reschenpass and further through the Vinschgau to Merano. From Merano we head towards Lake Kaltern, from there to Trento and for the finale to Lake Garda.
The ebook about the journey
You find the ebook in our online shop.
Order here.
Order here.
Details & stages
Sunday
arrival
Monday
Stage 1 - From Grainau to Imst: approx. 50 km; approx. 850 m ascent
From Grainau we start along the Loisach river to Ehrwald. We continue cycling along the Larch and Panorama Trail to Weissensee and up to the Fernpass. On the old Roman path Via Claudia we go to Nassereith and from there on beautiful bike paths with fantastic panoramic views to Imst.
Tuesday
Stage 2 - From Imst to Nauders: approx. 80 km; approx. 1000 m ascent
From Imst we cycle along the Inntalradweg via Mils, Schönwies and Zams, later via Prutz, Ried (there is a wonderful bathing lake here), Tösens and Pfunds to Nauders. Shortly after Pfunds we cross the Inn River, pass the Kajetansbrücke bridge and continue through Swiss border territory. Our last hurdle is the Norbertshöhe. From here you have a fantastic view to Austria on one side and Switzerland on the other.
Wednesday
Stage 3 - From Nauders to Merano: approx. 90 km; approx. 300 m ascent
From Nauders we crank over the Reschen Pass into Vinschgau. We are in Italy! Our route takes us past the sunken tower in Lake Reschen to the medieval town of Glurns. Here we take a break with sun, cappuccino and a delicious ice cream sundae. We continue along the Adige River past Reinhold Messner's Juval Castle high above Naturno and through the endless orchards towards Merano.
Thursday
Stage 4 - Meran - Trento: ca. 100 km; ca. 600 m ascent
From Merano we head in the direction of Bolzano. Passing Lake Kaltern, our route runs through the miles of vineyards of the world-famous wine-growing region. The day's intermediate destination is the small wine village of Tramin on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, home of the famous Gewürztraminer. We continue to beautiful Trento along the Etschtal cycle path.
Friday
Stage 5 - From Trento to Lake Garda: approx. 55 km; approx. 300 m ascent
On the last day of our crossing of the Alps we cycle along the Adige river to Rovereto. From here it is only a stone's throw to the lake. Over the Passo San Giovanni we come to a fantastic vantage point with a view of Lake Garda. The last descent brings us to the finish. We have made it!
Saturday
departure
Services, dates and prices
Arrival
Self-drive to Grainau near Garmisch.
Services
6 x half board in double rooms in good and well-kept hotels/pensions, partly with sauna and pool
tour guide (guide)
luggage transfer
return transfer
Online picture service
tour guide (guide)
luggage transfer
return transfer
Online picture service