Cycle Tour Veneto – Tyrol – Swabia

We set off from Sterzing in perfect weather. The cycle path signs, which are intermittent within the town limits, are immediately reappeared as we leave the old town.

Initially, we cycle alongside the Brenner state road. In Lurx, we turn onto side roads. The first slightly steeper climb leads us up the hillside to Oberried. Then we descend again to the railway line. We continue cycling with a gentle incline to Gossensaß.

Here, we leave the Eisack Valley and enter the Fernerbach Valley. We cycle for a good 3.5 kilometers uphill alongside the railway line. After a few switchbacks and a 50-meter climb, we reach the old Brenner railway line at the exit of the Aster Tunnel. We enjoy a leisurely ride uphill on a wide cycle path with a gentle incline.

Above Gossensaß, there's a beautiful view back south into the Eisack Valley.

We continue cycling along the railway line. Passing the former Schelleberg train station and after two short tunnels, we reach the vicinity of the Brenner State Road and the motorway again below Brennerbad. Both run directly alongside each other here through the narrow Eisack Valley.

We can continue cycling uphill on the former railway line, independent of motorized traffic. The valley widens again, and we are surrounded by narrow meadows.

In Brennerbad, we rejoin the railway line. The cycle path continues uphill on a separate asphalt strip until we reach the border fortifications at the head of the pass.

The head of the pass lies at 1370 m. That area is encroached upon by a four-lane motorway, the Brennerstraße (Brenner Road), and a railway line with 13 tracks in the station area. Alongside these transport routes are terminal buildings, hotels, restaurants, and an outlet center.

On the Austrian side, we have to cycle on the main road. Traffic is light. We quickly roll down to Gries and on to Stafflach. There, the Munich-Venice cycle path turns onto a unpaved track that runs along the hillside. The entrance isn't inviting, so we decide to stay on the main road.

We quickly reach Steinach and are soon descending out of the town again. We had actually wanted to rejoin the cycle path at Steinach; unfortunately, we missed the turn.

It's not until just before Statz that we find another opportunity to leave the main road. We now cycle on the cycle path along side roads until Matrei. Beyond the town, we leave the Sill Valley. The first climb leads up to Stons. A short descent followed by the second climb to Gedeir. Then a quick descent to the Falkasanerbach brook and back up to Innerellbögen. The route continues with short uphill sections and gentle downhill stretches until just before Patsch.

Beyond St. Peter, we see the Europa Bridge of the Brenner motorway below us in the valley. Then one last climb, and it's all downhill. In Patsch, we turn off the main road into the village.

A little below Patsch, we reach a plateau, and the entire Karwendel mountain range unfolds before us. A magnificent sight on a clear day. Fantastic!

With this panorama still in view, we roll down to Igls. There, we rejoin the main road, which we follow towards Innsbruck. The gradient increases. Cyclists coming from the opposite direction are heavily pushing their bikes.

We initially missed the turnoff to Bretterkeller. There are no signs for the cycle path. We have to backtrack a hundred meters. Then it's down to the Bretterkeller Inn. Before the inn, we have to dismount; because cycling is not permittet. We obediently push our bikes past the inn, under the watchful eyes of the innkeeper, and over the motorway overpass. Beyond that, we have to go down stairs on recessed ramps.

We cycle a short distance along side streets by the Sill River. From Leipziger Platz to the old town, there's initially a dedicated cycle path, which becomes a cycle lane alongside the road.

Then we cycle and push our bikes through the bustling streets of the old town.

Near the Ottoburg, we reach the Inn River and join the Inn Valley Cycle Path. This path runs along the Inn River on its own separate route from the road. This way, we get quickly and safely out of the city.

The bike path runs flat along the river and is comfortably to cycle.

In Hall, we make a detour to the old town. Passing Hasegg Castle and the former saltworks buildings, we reach the old town center. We are very impressed by the interior of St. Nicholas Parish Church. We treat ourselves to cake and cappuccino at a café on the Upper Town Square.

Then we return to the Inn Cycle Path and cross the Inn footbridge to the right bank of the Inn River. There, we cycle a long stretch downstream between the Inn and the motorway. Afterwards, we continue further away from the river through the flat valley floor.

Near Terfens, we cross back to the left bank and reach our destination for the day near Schwaz half an hour later.