At the foot of the Dolomites you cycle without meeting steep inclines, along well built valley cycle paths, among which are also the classic “Drava/Drau bicycle path”. Lake Toblacher See, the view to the Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks), as well as typical towns will stay in your memory for a long time.
From your hotel in Hochpustertal you leave every day for your bicycle tour. The programme gives you space for an individual organisation of the stages and guarantees fun for all cyclists, equal if athletic ambitious or “pleasure-seeking”. The bicycle tour leads you into side valleys of the Hochpustertal to Sesto and Casies and on the old Dolomites railway track from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Dobbiaco.
Ideal for families; it runs consistently on valley cycle paths without steep inclines. On the most days there is the possibility to choose independently the desired length of route and to adapt according to this the transfer by minibus or train. In addition for convenience you can take a day of rest. There are more demanding routes for experienced bikers. The overnight stay is intended always in the same hotel in Hochpustertal (Villabassa/Niederdorf or Toblach/Dobbiaco).
SHORTER VERSION AVAILABLE – 4 DAYS
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco). Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel.
Day 2: Along the Pustertal cycle path and the river Rienz: Hochpustertal – Bruneck/Brunico
(approx. 25 – 30 km to Bruneck or 55 – 60 km if going to Sand in Taufers/Campo Tures)
Starting from the highest point in Dobbiaco/Villabassa the cycle path is wriggling along the river „Rienz“ through the villages of the valley to Brunico. Visit castle Bruneck with its Messner Mountain Museum or the open-air museum of Dietenheim. Ambitious cyclists have the possibility to continue the cycling path to the valley Tauferer Ahrntal and to visit castle Taufers. Return transfer from Brunico to your hotel in the afternoon.
Day 3: The Sextner Valley: framed from the Dolomites of Sexten (approx. 40 km)
The cycle path will bring you into he valley Fischleintal, From above some famous peaks of the Dolomites are greeting while you stroll through the Sextner valley. Out of the valley you cycle to San Candido (famous Romanic dome). After a refreshment at the source of the river Drau/Drava you return to the hotel.
Day 4: Drava/Drau cycle path: the classic Toblach/Dobbiaco–Lienz (approx. 50 – 55 km, consistent slightly downwards)
You leave Dobbiaco or Villabassa and arrive to San Candido, before you overstep the nearby Italian-Austrian border right after Prato Drava. Soft you cycle with the bike to Lienz, which is located on the confluence of Isel and Drava. Worth seeing are the historic centre and the castle Schloss Bruck. Return transfer to your hotel in the afternoon.
Day 5: Cycling path along the Dolomites railway track: Cortina d’Ampezzo – Hochpustertal (approx. 30-35 km)
Transfer to Cortina d`Ampezzo. On the unique road, with – especially for cyclists – illuminated tunnels of the erstwhile track, the path leads you from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Cimabanche, the highest point of the tour. Following the cycle path you pass lake Dürrensee, don`t forget to look over your shoulder and enjoy the view of the massif of Cristallo. Shortly afterwards you will see the world famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks). Passing by lake Toblachersee you reach your hotel in Dobbiaco/Villabassa. Ambitious bikers can cycle both ways instead of taking the shuttle in the morning (approx. 60-70 km).
Day 6: The Gsiesertal Valley (approx. 55 km)
This valley is characterised by traditional farms and a big calmness and tranquillity. In Monguelfo there is the possibility to visit the castle or you have a break in Villabassa for searching refreshment in the Kneipp facility.
Day 7: Departure
Indivdiual departure from Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco) or possibility to extend your stay.