The bike route Via Claudia Augusta leads from Donauwörth over the Alps to Venice.
Transalp as a "normal Otto cyclist"? - The Via Claudia Augusta makes it possible. The route follows the historic Roman road that ran from Donauwörth via Fernpass and Reschenpass to northern Italy. At 1,210 and 1,504 m, both passes have the character of low mountain ranges. Of course you need some mountain fitness - but you don't have to be a Jan Ulrich.
Important to know: Both passes are the "sticking points" of the route (for a description, see route description with sights). Incidentally, buses with bicycles also operate on both passes.
Route profile
- Length: a good 700 km (Length of the "Bikeline description" Donauwörth - Venice)
- Signposting: there is no consistent, uniform signposting, which is irrelevant with today's mobile navigation options; however, local signposting is usually available
- Slopes: in some cases considerable, in Tyrol the Fernpass and the Reschenpass have to be overcome, for which there are also shuttle buses. In total, the route has an altitude of around 2500 meters.
- Path condition: mostly very good, but there are a few gravel and unpaved sections in Austria (Fernpass!)
- Traffic load: Very high on the Fernpass if you drive on the road.
- Suitable bike: The bike should have a circuit suitable for mountains, otherwise you have to push it more often (Reschenpass 400 meters in altitude). An e-bike makes the way easier.
- Family suitability: consistently no
- Inline suitability: consistently no
background
preparation
- The bike: Claudia Augusta doesn't need a special bike. A trekking or touring bike is best, a mountain bike is also possible, but unnecessary on most sections. Because of the many descents, the brakes should be of good quality and well maintained. The largest possible overall ratio is preferable due to the existing gradients. Of course, an e-bike makes the tour much easier.
- Equipment: The equipment can be chosen according to your own taste. A route map (e.g. from Bikeline) is an advantage as it provides initial information about the area, route and, for example, accommodation. Light rainwear is also recommended in summer.
- With children: If you want to drive the route with children, you should inquire in advance about accommodations on the planned route, as these are not always advertised or visible on the roadside. For self-driving children there are a few and short spots on roads with more traffic where a little more caution is required. On the whole, however, it is very suitable for self-driving children. If you want to take children with you in the trailer, you should make sure that the rear wheel rim and axle are stable, as the trailer exerts great forces on the pulling wheel on steep inclines. Good brakes are also a requirement. Good sun protection is recommended in midsummer, as temperatures can rise very high.
- camping: The density of campsites is not very high, but there are quite a few on the route. However, especially in the high season, the few places are quickly sold out. Here you should be flexible and possibly be ready to choose another accommodation.
Be careful when camping in the wild. In Austria and Italy this can result in heavy fines. It is forbidden in principle in all three countries in which the Claudia runs.
- Catering: The shopping opportunities along the way are very good. Often with small village shops with a nice ambience that invite you to take a break. But also large shops and supermarkets are on the route. In midsummer you should still carry enough water with you. In many places there are wells with drinking water for free use.
- Bicycle workshops: There are bike shops and workshops along the entire route. In the event of a breakdown, however, you may have to walk and push for a while. Basics such as a replacement tube or repair kit and the like. should therefore be carried along
getting there
By train
The station is only approached by individual ICs. Otherwise there are connections in local transport from several directions. The next long-distance train station with IC stops is augsburg. No ICs stop in Ingolstadt.
By bicycle
- Danube cycle path
- Together cycle path
- romantic street
Route description with sights
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Donauwörth - Augsburg - Füssen: 162 km
- Of 1 Donauwörth
the cycle route follows the Lech to after - 2 augsburg Km: 45. - The Roman Museum awaits you here.
Further highlights on the way to Füssen are:
- 3 Landsberg am Lech : well-preserved medieval town center
- 4 Schongau· Km: 126 - 726 m: has an excellently preserved medieval old town and many historical buildings
- 5 Lechbruck am See Km: 142 - 737 m.
- 6 Feet · Km: 162 - 808 m - There is a lot to discover in and around. The most famous sight is certainly the "fairytale castle" 6 km away. Neuschwanstein at Schwangauthat is about the Lake Constance-Koenigssee cycle path is attainable.
Füssen - Fernpass - Landeck: 88 km
Behind Feet the Lech Valley becomes narrow for the first time at the Lech Gorge (with waterfall). Here is the gateway to the Alps, so to speak. But after a few kilometers you reach the wide valley all around Reutte. From here it goes up to the high valley Cheerfulness (The 1000 m altitude mark is exceeded for the first time on the tour). After crossing the "Tiroler Zugspitzarena" at Ehrwald You have to pedal harder (pushing is also allowed on the Roman route). The first big pass of the tour is reached with the 1210 m high Fernpass: The 7 Fernpass
Bike route on the Fernpass 1210 m
- Use of the pass road is very dangerous (very busy road, no bike path available)
- Alternative I: exposed, partly steep MTB route with sliding sections for touring bikes over the Fernpass (route is not signposted; for detailed information see Römerweg (MTB route) bike travel wiki).
- Alternative II: Hahntennjoch with 1903 m - demanding pass with less traffic, but many motorcyclists; for touring cyclists with luggage actually no alternative to the Fernpass (see also Hahntennjoch on www.quaeldich.de
- More detailed information about the Fernpass: Article Fernpass in the Radreisewiki.
- Timetable Bike shuttle 2012: Biberwier → Nassereith · 3 times a day from May to October
over Nassereith you cycle further to Imst with its historic old town. With a day's stay you can enjoy the 3000 m long "Alpin Coaster" summer toboggan run pay a visit. It's not far from Imst Landeck, the center of "West Tyrol", but the bike path goes a few kilometers next to the motorway.
Landeck - Reschen am See: km: 59
Through the Inn Valley via Nauders to the Reschen Pass (1507 m)
Behind 8 Landeck
it’s steadily going uphill again. But it only gets really serious on the ascent to the Reschenpass, which lies on the border with Italy.
places:
- Landeck Km 250 - 816 m
- Tösens 931 m
- Prutz 866 m
- Pfunds (A) km 281 - 971 m
- Vinadi vineyard (Finstermünzpass) km 289 - 1086 m
- Martina (CH) km 294 - 1035 m
- Norbertshöhe (A) km 300 - 1406 m
- Nauders (A) km 302 - 1340 m (center: 1394 m)
- Reschenpass (Passo Resia) (I) km 307-1507 m
- The busy federal road 180 leads to the pass, with a gradient of 6 km no bike paths owns. There are also several tunnels and galleries along these 6 km. A drive is therefore more likely not recommended
- From the north of the Inntal, it might be better to use the Norbertshöhe (1461 m) Drive south. The pass road from Martina in the Inn Valley is only moderately traveled. The actual ascent to the top of the pass before Nauders is about 430 m ascent, spread over 6.5 km with a 7 - 8% gradient. But also here: About 7 km of the customs road in the Inn Valley below Martina also have no bike path. After all, the uphill section is less traveled with this variant and the route contains fewer galleries. Those who drive over the Norbertshöhe can take a detour to the historic one in the Inn Valley Finstermünz border station on the old Reschenstrasse. Attention: The old Reschenstraße leads from Finstermünz as a coarse gravel road to the above-mentioned main road, but the most dangerous 3 km of the road (with most tunnels and galleries) still have to be overcome in the uphill area.
- After the hairpin bends of the Norbertshöhe have been conquered, a wide high valley opens up. You now zoom down to the winter sports resort of Nauders for around 80 meters. After Nauders, you cycle back south through the wide valley floor, slightly uphill. At the border station you cross the main road at an altitude of about 1450 m. Two brown signs on the road point to the Reschenpass allegedly located here, at an altitude of 1455 m. However, the signs are misleading. The geographic top of the pass (at 1,504 m) with the watershed is even further south near the village of Reschen.
Further information about the Reschenpass:
- see also Reschenpass or Norbertshöhe im Bike tour wiki or also info on www.quaeldich.de - Possible alternative: mobile MTB route.
- Bike shuttle Timetable 2020: Landeck → Pfunds → Nauders · 5 times a day from May to October (Postbus connection; according to the notice on the timetable, bicycles should be registered in advance if possible).
- PostBus from Martina in Switzerland to Nauders (A) in 11 minutes, 7 times a day, fare: 4.20 CHF, bike card: 4.20 CHF. It is best to get off at “Nauders Norbertshöhe” (1406m) and cycle down to the village (1340m). Advance booking advisable, Tel .: 0041 (0) 58 - 453 28 28 Timetable 2012
Reschen am See - Meran : 80 km
From Reschen am See to Mals
- In the Reschen reservoir you will find the well-known church tower of Alt-Graun (at 46 ° 48 ′ 39 ″ N.10 ° 32 '12 "E). If you want to see the tower, you have to take the largely flat bike path on the state road East bank cycle along.
- The bike path on the is hilly, but quieter (because it is away from traffic) West side of the reservoir.
After this exertion one becomes in Vinschgau, the orchard of South Tyrol, has been rewarded with a fantastic cycle route - the Vinschger cycle path.
Vinschger cycle path
From the barrier wall of the Reschensee the bike runs along the new Vinschger bike path "as if by itself". The route, which is provided with signposts and information boards, quickly brings you in the right direction 9 Meran (86 km from Reschen am See almost continuously asphalt road; mostly traffic-free tour).
In spring, around mid-April to mid-May, you can drive right into the middle of spring in just one day. While everything on the Reschenpass is still brown and the crocuses are in bloom, in Merano the fruit trees are already in full bloom or have even faded. By the way, what is pleasant in spring can become torture in hot midsummer. Temperatures of over 30 ° C are not uncommon in Merano. Then you long for the pleasant temperatures on the Reschen Pass (difference of up to 10 ° C).
Characteristic for the Vinschger cycle path are the many apple orchards that can be found in the middle and lower Vischgau along the way. Anyone who wants to can do that on this topic Fruit growing museum in Lana visit near Meran. The castles and palaces that populate the mountain slopes of the Vinschgau are also worth seeing. For example, Juval Castle is known Naturno with the Messner Mountain Museum.
Places along the route:
- 10 Resia(Resina) Km 309 - 1513 m
- Graun in Vinschgau(Curon Venosta) 1501 m
- St. Valentin on the Haide(San Valentino alla Mutte) 1474 m
- Burgeis(Burgusio) Km 324 - 1208 m
- Times(Màlles Venosta) 1052 m
- Schleis(Clùsio) 1064 m
- Laatsch(Laùdes) 987 m
- Glurns(Glorenza) · Km 330 - 914 m - small town with a very well preserved old town with city wall.
- Old Spondinig (Spondigma) · 886 m here it goes left to Prad before the Sudenbach.
- Prad am Stilfserjoch(Prato allo Stelvio) Km 329 - 911 m
- Lasa(Lasa) · 869 m - is known for the Lasa marble, which is quarried here.
- Goflan(Covelano) 755 m
- → Schlanders (Silandro)(apart) 775 m
- Morter(Mortèr) · 701 m, alternatively via Goldrain (Coldrano)
- Laces(Làces) 642 m
- Kastelbell-Tschars(Catellbello-Ciardes)587 m
- → Tschars(Ciardes) 636 m
- Bars(Stava)
- Naturno(Naturno) 528 m - with Juval Castle. The castle is the residence of the well-known mountaineer Reinhold Messner. The Messner Mountain Museum can be visited.
- Plausibility 519 m
- Töll
→ Partschins(Parcines) 626 m - Partschins waterfall, approx. 1 hour walk - Algund-Forestry (Lagundo Foresta) · 302/350 m− Forst Brewery
- Meran(Merano) 325 m
- km 0: Reschen am See (1525 m)
- km 40: Lasa (875 m) - is known for the Lasa marble, which is quarried here.
- km 69: Naturno (540 m) with Juval Castle. The castle is the residence of the famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner. The Messner Mountain Museum can be visited.
- km 79: Töll (508 m) - Below Töll, a complex cycle path was built in the Adige area, which leads in several bends over about 100 m down into the valley floor to Algund.
- km 82: Lagundo (350 m)
- km 86: Meran (323 m) - In Merano you encounter southern flair for the first time. Vineyards adorn the slopes and palm trees thrive on the river promenade. The old town invites you to stroll. You should definitely visit the lookout tower "Pulverturm" with a fantastic view over the city (ascent on foot).
Merano - Bolzano - Trento: 91 km
ALTINATE range
Of 11 Bolzano you can quickly reach the Überetsch region with Eppan on the Wine Route and the Lake Kaltern. Here you can cool off when it is very hot. Alternatively, you can also drive over Kalten. There are still a few vertical meters on a bike path through a tunnel (it was probably a train route).
- Bozen-Kaiserau · Km: 420
→ Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol.
Trento - Venice: 237 km
Further south it divides into Trent(Trento) the Via Claudia:
The more popular section (mountainous), however, is the route to the Adriatic Sea with the destination Altino, shortly before 13 Venice . Attention: The way from Trento to Pergine has long, extreme climbs and is poorly signposted. The route is almost impossible with a trailer!
- Trient · km: 480 - 194 m - Those who shy away from the steep ascent can use the winding train that runs every hour and is in Pergine in 20 minutes, or the bus that runs every quarter of an hour and takes 25 minutes. It costs € 5 with a bike.
- Pergine Valsugana · Km: 493 - 490 m
- Borgo Valsugana km: 525
- Feltre km: 577
- Valdobbiadene km: 601
- Treviso · Km: 655
- Quarto d'Altino km: 681
- Altino Km: 698 (small village)
- Venézia-Mestre km: 706 - end of Via Claudia Augusta
Until after 14 Venice it is only a stone's throw from here. You can also drive to Venice via Bassano del Grappa, but not on cycle paths, but on country roads with little traffic; only the few cars that drive here are very fast, so don't be careful.
- Venice(Venézia) · Km: 717
Branch: Trento - Verona - Ostiglia: 185 km
PADANO route
A branch continues over along the Adige 15 Verona until after Ostiglia on the buttocks. Follow the Adige cycle path to Verona, then it goes over flat land.
- Trent
- Rovereto Km: 26
- Pilcanto · km: 42 - Piano Museum, Archpriest's Church - opposite the town of Ala
- Ávio
- Rivoli Veronese · km: 71 - short stretch up and down.
- Bussolengo km: 86
- Verona Km: 100 - 59 m
- Villafranca
- Povegliano
- Sommacampagna km: 117
- Castel d’Azzano km: 136
- Erbè km: 153
- 16 Ostiglia
· Km: 185
Note: If you are familiar with the route, work the route description into a detailed route description with stages and precise route information. You can find instructions on how to do this here .
An example of a fully developed cycle route with stages is here to find.
Return transport
- With the train: For the return transport, it is advisable to book the EC / IC connections in good time in the high season, as places are very limited. It should be noted that in Italy bike transport cannot always be guaranteed and can sometimes even be dependent on the train attendant. From Venice and Verona, Munich and Innsbruck can normally be reached by EC without having to change trains.
- With private bike transport: There are private providers for repatriation, especially with the destination Munich. As a rule, access is possible at several points on the Claudia Augusta. A reservation is urgently needed, as the trips usually only take place if there are enough participants.
- By plane: You can return by plane from Venice and Verona. Here, too, you should book and compare in good time, and the bike must be packed accordingly (box or bag) and checked in as sports baggage (study conditions in advance).
- With Long-distance bus: Long-distance bus companies such as Flixbus now also offer limited bike transport, but you must also book in good time.
- With the automobile: If you plan to return by car, you should note that there is a motorway toll in Italy, from Venice to Brenner around 35 euros are due, the Brenner motorway costs an additional 10 euros. The price of gasoline in Italy is a lot higher than in Germany and even more so than in Austria, and it also fluctuates very strongly (20 cents and more are not uncommon), depending on the region. The refueling stop should be moved to Austria accordingly.
- With the bicycle: If you have the time and energy, you can of course make the return trip by bike. The Munich-Venice cycle path runs parallel to Claudia Augusta and offers a varied alternative for the return journey. Interestingly, however, both routes are driven from north to south far more often than vice versa.
GPS data
- Route profile with GPS data and Google Earth KMZ file in the bike travel wiki
References to literature and maps
- Article Via Claudia Augusta in the Radreise-Wiki (with route map based on Google Maps and some pictures).
- Bikeline guide "Via Claudia Augusta" - see Esterbauer publishing house
Web links
- www.viaclaudia.org - Cross-country page of the entire route (in German, Italian and English)
- www.claudia-augusta.net - Page on the Italian section: Trento - Adria (Venice); Information in German and Italian
- www.roemerstrasse-via-claudia.de - Photographic documentation of the Via Claudia between Donauwörth and Füssen
- www.bikemeran.it - Route of the cycle path from Resia to Merano and Bolzano
- www.radwegvinschgau.org - Via Claudia Augusta through the Vinschgau; Information and sights
- www.erlebnis-via-claudia-augusta.de - Bike tour on the Via Claudia Augusta
