Dolomites to Lake Garda: Picturesque Cities and Stunning Scenery
★★★★★★4.8/5 (8)
Dolomites to Lake Garda: Picturesque Cities and Stunning Scenery
Self guided from EUR € 669
Bike tour in Italy
Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour
-
Dolomites to Lake Garda
*This itinerary will not be available for the 2023 season
This bicycle tour starts at the foot of the Dolomites, at the highest point of the Pustertal valley. Beautiful and partially new bike paths lead along the rivers Rienz, Eisack, and Adige to Rovereto. From there, you will cycle to the northern shore of Lake Garda.
Some towns with their arcades still show the typical Tyrolean style. In Trentino, the Tyrolean style is mixed with Italian influences. Monasteries, cathedrals and castles are located along the way. In Bolzano the oldest Tyrolean, Ötzi, the man from the ice, is waiting for your visit. Lake Garda offers not only an impressive view, but also many opportunities for relaxation after this comfortable cycling tour.
Highlights
- Local history museum in Bruneck
- Brixen's arcades, dome and Neustift Monastery
- Otzi ice-man in Bolzano's Archaeology Museum
- Trento's old town, dome and Buonconsiglio Castle
- The fantastic Waltherplatz in Bolzano
- Orchards in the south Tyrolean Puster valley
Learn More
Learn more about our self-guided tours or see more bike tours in Italy.
-
Tour Photos
![Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy. Matthias Schroder@Unsplash]()
![Trento, Trentino, Italy. Renato Muolo@Unsplash]()
![Dolomites to Lake Garda Bike Tour in Italy]()
![Chianti Vineyards, Siena Province, Italy. Rich Martello@Unsplash]()
![Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy. Marcus Ganahl@Unsplash.]()
![Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Michael Heintz@Unsplash]()
![Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy. Michiel Ronde@Unsplash]()
![Dolomites to Lake Garda Bike Tour in Italy]()
![Lake Garda, Italy. Salmen Bejaoui@Unsplash]()
![Dolomites to Lake Garda Bike Tour in Italy]()
![Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Mauricio Munoz@Usplash]()
![Dolomites to Lake Garda Bike Tour in Italy]()
![Lake Garda, Italy. Luca Cassani@Unsplash]()
![Vineyards in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Michael Heintz@Unsplash]()
![Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy. Marcus Ganahl@Unsplash]()
![Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy. Gian Domenico Pozzi@Unsplash]()
![Lake Garda, Italy. Charleen Vesin@Unsplash]()
![Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy. Daniel Sebler@Unsplash]()
Traveler photos
-
-
Daily program
*This itinerary will not be available for the 2023 season, please contact us for alternative tour suggestions.
Day 1: Brixen
Individual arrival in Brixen. Spend some time in the evening exploring the beautiful old city, and Episcopal city since the 10th century. The town's arcades and cathedral are worth visiting. The city is located in the middle of picturesque vineyards.
Overnight in Brixen.Day 2: Niederndorf/Toblach – Brixen (41 miles/65 km)
Today, you will take the train from Brixen into the Pustertal valley to Bruneck or Toblach. Following the river Rienz, you will cycle mostly downhill, past the accumulation lake Olanger Stausee to Bruneck (ethnographic museum).On comfortable ways, you will continue your journey in the lower Pustertal valley, through the Mühlbacher Klause into the Eisacktal valley and return to Brixen (arcades, cathedral, the monastery of Neustift).
Overnight in Brixen.Day 3: Brixen – Bolzano (25 miles/40 km)
You will cycle through the town of Klausen, along the river Eisack to Waidbruck (view of the castle Trostburg). Here, the valley narrows and leads you to the Bolzano basin. The city of two cultures is waiting for you (archaeological museum with Ötzi, the Iceman) – access into the museum with a Brixen card is included in the tour cost.
Overnight in Bolzano.Day 4: Bolzano – Auer (19 miles/30 km)
Through numerous beautiful orchards and vineyards near the South Tyrolean wine route, you're passing various castles and ruins while cycling to the Lake Kalterer See and to the charming wine town of Auer.
Overnight in Auer.Day 5: Auer – Trento (28 miles/45 km)
You will ride your bike from Auer on the Adige river dam bike path. At the Salurner Klause, the German-speaking South Tyrol ends. The bike path will lead you through famous the wine regions of Trentino to the old Episcopal city of Trento (old town, cathedral, castle Buonconsiglio).
Overnight in Trento.Day 6: Trento – Torbole/Rive (28 miles/45 km)
Shortly after the old Tyrolean border town Rovereto, you will leave the Adige Valley. In Mori, you will taste the world-famous pistachio ice cream in the Gelateria Bologna. After the only more significant climb (approximately 150 meters) over the small Giovanni pass, you will head down to the lake. Your bicycle tour will end in Riva or Torbole.
Overnight in Riva/Torbole.Day 7: Departure
Departure or extra days on Lake Garda. -
Accommodation
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Hotel Goldene Krone, Brixen
www.goldenekrone.comStiegl Scala, Bolzano
www.scalahot.comHotel and Residence Kaufmann, Kaltern/Tramin/Auer
www.hotelkaufmann.itGrand Hotel Trento, Trento
www.grandhoteltrento.comHotel Caravel, Riva/Torbole
www.caravelbikehotel.comLocal hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.
Interested visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
-
Dates
Saturdays and Sundays: Apr 30-Oct 8, 2022
*This itinerary will not be available for the 2023 season, please contact us for alternative tour suggestions.Low Season: Apr 30, 2022 - May 06, 2022, Oct 01, 2022 - Oct 08, 2022
Shoulder Season: May 07, 2022 - Jun 03, 2022, Sep 10, 2022 - Sep 30, 2022
High Season: Jun 04, 2022 - Sep 09, 2022
Prices
Tour package
Per person, double occupancy € 699 Shoulder season surcharge € 70 High season surcharge € 130 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) € 229 Bike Rentals
Standard touring bike, 21-speed unisex frame € 89 Standard touring bike, 21-speed men's frame € 89 Standard touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade € 139 Electrically-assisted bike € 199 Extra Nights, Brixen
Single room (1 person/1 room) € 124 Per person, double occupancy € 79 Extra Nights, Riva/Torbole
Single room (1 person/1 room) Low Season
€ 124 Shoulder Season € 124 High Season € 140 Per person, double occupancy Low Season
€ 79 Shoulder Season € 79 High Season € 95 Discounts
Child, ages 0-5 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base tour price) 100% Child, ages 6-11 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base tour price) 50% Child, ages 12-14 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base tour price) 25% Person, ages 15 and older sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base tour price) 10% Included services
- 6 nights accommodation
- Breakfast buffet
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Detailed travel documents (1 set per room; maps, route description, points of interest, directional signs posted along route, and important phone numbers)
- Service Hotline available in case of problems or questions
- Brixen Card (for many free admissions and discounts)
- 1 pistachio ice cream on the way to Lake Garda
- Train journey from Brixen to Toblach, including bike
- GPS data available upon request
Local hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.
-
Surface and terrain
You will cycle on beautiful bike ways along the rivers Rienz, Eisack, and Adige, down to Rovereto. On your way from the Adige valley to Lake Garda, you will find the only more significant climb. This tour allows for easy cycling with a lot of time for culture, relaxation, and enjoyment.
How to get there
Tour Start
Nearest airport: Innsbruck and Klagenfurt, Austria; and further away Munich, Germany and Vienna, Austria
Nearest train station: Brixen, ItalyIf you arrive by train, you go through Innsbruck and Brenner before arriving in Brixen.
Tour End
Nearest airport: Innsbruck, Austria
Nearest train station: Rovereto, east of RivaBy bus you can go from Riva to Rovereto (on the line Verona to Munich), or by train to Brixen.
There is a transfer offered on Saturday mornings. It costs €65 per person (including bike), payable on site. Must be reserved in advance at the time of booking.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
-
Reviews
-
★★★★★ Joseph Lutkenhaus October 2, 2022
Great scenery
This was a great trip mostly on bike paths and mostly downhill. The scenery was great and and we had gorgeous weather (end of Sept 2022). Two of the hotels were 4 star (in Brixen and Trento) and were fantastic. The other three were fine and all were bike friendly. The picture included above is typical of the scenery - apple orchards in a valley surrounded by mountains. We were surprised by the number of great looking apple orchards everywhere on the trip. The average distance was about 30 miles per day. On the first day we took the train only about half way which was maybe a mistake because they scenery on day 1 is the best in our opinion as it is higher up in the valley. We were surprised how little meals cost so that was great. Would like to do it again.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Margareta Hefti August 6, 2022
Great scenario! Biketrails where very good
Perfect way to experience Italy!
Tirol was our favorite ! -
★★★★★ Dwight Chapman August 5, 2022
All on bike trails
Seriously. First two days were outstanding forest and river stretches. Last couple of days were a bit more urban and flat, but still nice riding. And the towns were all beautiful.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 15
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ TimHam January 5, 2022
A spectacular trip - best yet with Bike Tours!
What a beautiful trip! The scenery of the Dolomites and Lake Garda was otherworldly, each day better than the day before. The town's and hotels were charming. The well marked dedicated paths and instructions were great, and traffic free most of the way. The Eurobike leader was fabulous, going out of her way to retrieve my backpack with passport that I'd left on the train in Austria. This was my 6th Bike Tours tour...they have all been great, but this one was tops. Oh by the way, we used e-bikes here which I'd highly recommend!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2021
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Addee October 29, 2019
Breaktaking Mountains and Scenic Lake Garda!
Disclosure: I went on this tour as a BikeTours.Com Staff Member.
I had no idea how beautiful both the Dolomites and Lake Garda would be until I arrived just as the leaves were changing and the weather was cool. Having the chance to cycle on quiet countrysides and towns while being surrounded by mountains constantly gave me an intimate connection between me and the gorgeous Italy. Lake Garda was crystal blue and was the perfect ending to this cycling vacation. The route was 95% on cycle paths, with 5% being on small roads as you enter the towns you'll be spending the night in. This tour was definitely a Level 2, however, being a first-timer, I had no issues cycling the few hills on this tour. I chose to do this tour with an eBike since I wanted a more relaxed cycling vacation, however, it is entirely possible to do this tour with hybrid bikes with no issues. Speaking of, the eBike I had on this tour was phenomenal and gave me power when I really needed it. The daily milage of this tour is low and can b cycled rather quickly, giving you more time to explore the local culture and cuisine. Taking this tour at the end of September was perfect for its cooler weather and autumn-colored leaves. I would recommend this tour to first-time travelers and cyclists who want to experience gorgeous Lake Garda and the Dolomites.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 09/29/2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ JDMM August 18, 2017
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 20
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ ChuckHughes August 8, 2017
Most Beautiful Bike Tour so far.
This is by far the most beautiful bike tour we have had the opportunity to take so far. We have been on may great tours with BikeTours.com, but this was our favorite. Every day was spectacular, biking through the mountain passes of the Dolomites, and each stop featured a very beautiful and memorable historic town with shopping, sights and more adventure. The paths along the way were paved and very safe, dedicated to cyclists only, with many signs and markers to help with navigating to the next location. We were so pleased with this tour that we are planning to do it again on our next visit to Italy. For Italy, this is bike tour is our recommendation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
Video: Dolomites Italy via BikeTours.com
-
★★★★★ hbth July 29, 2016
Great tour from Dolomites to lake Garda
We chose self guided tour which was perfect for our group. We biked through amazing landscape and beautiful villages with nice restaurants and friendly people.
The travel documents were very helpful and the luggage transfer was perfect. It was
just a great tour!- What was the date of your tour?
- 3.-10. July
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was the first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
Related Bike Tours
This bike tour brings together a passion for cycling and the culinary arts. Taste the most sumptuous, magical flavors of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, including refined olive oil, gorgeous wines, and tantalizing cheeses. Prepare stunning dishes… More
Italy: where pasta, history, and breathtaking landscapes come together to create a dream cycling destination! With a custom bike tour, the possibilities are endless. Imagine rolling over the hills of Tuscany, feeling the wind in your hair as you pedal… More
Embark on an irresistible bike tour through Tuscany, one that combines breathtaking bicycle routes with captivating cookery classes designed to give you an authentic overview of some of Tuscany's most tantalizing dishes. La Cucina Toscana is simplicity… More
Related Day Tours
This guided bike tour is the perfect way to spend a scenic day outside of Rome's metropolitan center, and to discover how the wealthiest lived in the heyday of the Roman Empire, followed by tastings of some of the region's finest wines. Once the favored… More
For your one-stop-shop of Pisa’s picture-perfect sightseeing spots, look no further than the Pisa & Leaning Tower Bike Tour! This guided bicycle tour, with the added benefit of bike rental, not only takes in the famous icon of Pisa, but also the… More
Take sightseeing in Naples to the next level on the Highlights of Naples Bike Tour! Discover a scintillating city of romantic piazzas lined with arresting ancient architecture as your guide beguiles you with the history of Piazza San Gaetano, Piazza… More
The perfect destination for a wine-lover's Italian bike tour, the Chianti countryside boasts vibrant vineyards, picturesque villages, and verdant views over emerald green hills. If you're based in Florence or passing through Chianti, this is your perfect… More
Explore the cultural and architectural gems of Milan on this guided e-bike tour, perfect for those looking to experience the city’s highlights in a fun and eco-friendly way. This immersive bicycle tour takes you through Milan’s most iconic… More
Hop on a bike tour that tantalizes your tastebuds with sublime Sicilian craft beers, with the added benefit of bike rental! As well as visiting some of the standout landmarks of Palermo, this bicycle tour gives you the chance to visit the city’s main… More
