Pustertal|Val Pusteria Bike Route: Leg Brunico|Bruneck - Fortezza|Franzensfeste

The Brunico|Bruneck to Fortezza|Franzensfeste leg is rich in cultural and historical treasures that make the route unique. The settlements, fortresses, and historical monuments from Roman times through the Middle Ages line the bike path along the Rienza|Rienz, offering interesting insights into the history of the valley.

This leg of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria bike route is also hilly, as it forms the connecting point between the Central Val Pusteria and the Isarco|Eisack Valley. From Brunico, it continues in the direction of S. Lorenzo|St. Lorenzen to the former Roman road station, Mansio Sebatum. Excavations and a museum offer the opportunity to learn more about the Romans in the Pustertal. The petting zoo at Wildberg Manor is a pleasant change of pace for both young and old and not to forget the Castel Sonnenburg. Things continue on quietly through landscapes of forests and meadows toward Casteldarne|Ehrenburg (Castel Ehrenburg) and Chienes|Kiens. Those who enjoy cheese will be in for a treat at the Gatscher farmhouse cheese dairy. The trip then proceeds to S. Sigismondo|St. Sigmund and Vandoies|Vintl. At Lodenwelt, which is located there, the adventure museum devoted to the subject of loden felt can be visited, as can an animal reserve and the fine Capriz cheese dairy. Those who enjoy the finer things in life certainly won’t come up short along this route! After passing Vandoies, the bicycle trail passes by the Rio Molino|Mühlbach Gap, a former valley and road block from the twelfth century, continuing on to Rio Molino. At this point, it is possible to return by train. But for all those who have some energy and motivation left, continuing on to visit the fortress in Fortezza is certainly worthwhile.

Possible variations along the route:

• Val Badia Bike Route from Brunico to San Vigilio or to San Martin – 23 or 24 km (14.5 or 15 miles)
  Getting to know the Ladin culture and language.
• Valli di Tures and Aurina|Tauferer Ahrntal Bike Route from Brunico via Campo Tures|Sand in Taufers to S. Giacomo|St. Jakob – 36 km (22 miles)
  On two wheels through the realm of more than seventy three thousand meter (ten thousand foot) peaks.
• Bike Route Brennero-Bolzano from Fortezza|Franzensfeste toward Brennero|Brenner (45 km/28 miles) or in the direction of Bolzano|Bozen (43 km/27 miles).

From downtown Brunico (elevation 835 m/2,740 ft.), the bicycle route follows the Rienza River through the city in the direction of S. Lorenzo|St. Lorenzen. This section runs for the most part over a gravel path, and only shortly before S. Lorenzo does it turn back into a paved road, which takes us directly into the village center of S. Lorenzo (elevation 810 m/2,657 ft.). After S. Lorenzo, the bike path briefly leaves the course of the river and leads past the district of S. Martino|St. Martin in the direction of the Val Badia|Gadertal. Running along the edge of the Pflaurenzer Köpfl hill in Floronzo, it then returns in the direction of the river and the road paralleling the railroad tracks. The section past Casteldarne|Ehrenburg (elevation 805 m/2,641 ft.) and Chienes|Kiens (elevation 784m/7,572 ft.) toward the west is characterized by alternating uphill and downhill sections. Meadows, fields, and forests are typical for the landscape views along the bike route from S. Sigismondo|St. Sigmund toward Vandoies di Sopra|Obervintl and Vandoies di Sotto|Niedervintl. From Vandoies di Sotto, the bicycle path then descends slightly past the Rio Molino|Mühlbach Gap to then steadily rise again as far as Rio Molino (elevation 777 m/2,549 ft.) Those who would like can board the train here for the return trip. As an alternative, there is also the possibility to ride over a small hill to the edge of the village of Sciaves|Schabs. After the underpass beneath the highway, the bicycle route follows a little-traveled side street past Aicha (elevation 730 m/2,395 m) to the fortress at Fortezza. Here, the Pustertal Bike Route leads to the Brennero Bicycle Route between Brennero and Bolzano. 

By Car:

Arriving from the west: Take the A22 (Autostrada Brennero-Brennerautobahn) to the Bressanone/Val Pusteria-Brixen/Pustertal exit, then continue along the main highway SS49 to Brunico-Bruneck. 

Arriving from the east: Take the A10 (Tauern Autobahn) from Austria as far as the Spittal interchange, then continue on the E66 highway to the Lendorf exit. From there, take the B100 past Lienz.  The road changes name to the SS49 after the Italian border, then continue on to San Candido|Innichen and Brunico-Bruneck.

Directions

Free parking is available at the Stegona|Stegen Piazza Mercato|Marktplatz (behind the train station area in Brunico).

By Public Transportation
Brunico is easily reached by bus or train.
Schedule Information

For the return to the starting point, the rail connection Fortezza|Franzensfeste to San Candido|Innichen is recommended. 
Schedule Information