The Sun bike path that follow the valley floor is a paradise for bike lovers: the route is a long and safe car-free road, and it follows the river Adige, among vineyards and apple orchards. The route we suggest goes from Bolzano to Verona, both easily reachable by train.
Bolzano, one of the most bike-friendly cities in Italy, features a nordic style architecture: the gothic cathedral, Walther square and the long porticoes remind us that Austria is really close from here. We leave Bolzano behind, following the river Isarco, while we are overlooked by the high peaks of the Dolomites, until we meet the river Adige. The bike path is perfect, smooth, full of cyclist to chat with, maybe in one of the many snack bars you can find on the way, drinking apple juice produced by the local farmers.
We suggest a few detours: the first one is towards the shining Caldaro lake, along a beautiful bike path that crosses large vineyards, the second one is towards the charming village of Neumarkt (Egna in Italian language), an ancient market-city featuring well-preserved porticoes. Then, heading south, we find many castles and vineyards on the way: one of the most famous wines here produced is the Teroldego, a red wine from the beautiful Rotaliana plain.
The city of Trento deserves a long break: the medieval alleys, the elegant Romanesque cathedral, the Buonconsiglio castle and the delicious food are just a few reasons why we suggest you to overnight here. On the following day we cross another nice city, Rovereto, the Northeast territory ruled by the Republic of Venice: the Venetian influence in its architecture is evident, despite of the prevailing mountain-style. From Rovereto, you can choose two different routes, both really beautiful.
The first route goes towards lake Garda, nearby Riva del Garda: the view of the lake surrounded by high mountains is unforgettable. We suggest you to enjoy the lake and its nice temperatures for a few days, before getting to the village of Garda by ferry. Then, by bike again, the route goes slightly up and down on hills covered with olive trees until it meets again the river Adige bike path and finally, easy life on safe road until the arrival in Verona.
The second route follows the Adige valley, always on bike path, it crosses the village of Avio, overlooked by a great medieval castle, until the impressive Chiusa dell’Adige canyon. After the canyon, we reach the flatlands and, after a few kilometres, the beautiful city of Verona
Length: about 170 km / Suggested duration: minimum 3 days