Pustertal|Val Pusteria Bike Route: Leg San Candido|Innichen - Brunico|Bruneck

On the San Candido|Innichen to Brunico|Bruneck leg, the green color of the meadows, fields, and forests dominates the view. Along the railway route, sometimes through inhabited areas and sometimes through an undisturbed natural landscape, the bike path runs with a constant up and down from village to village as far as Brunico, the economic center of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria. 

After the start in San Candido, the absolute first destination that is reached is the village of Dobbiaco|Toblach, the highest point of the entire leg. Following the Rienza-Rienz down the valley, the cyclist will then continue on to Villabassa|Niederdorf and Monguelfo|Welsberg. Anyone who would like to enjoy a game of golf can do so here in the newly built miniature golf course. For all culture lovers, a visit to Welsperg Castle is recommended. From Monguelfo, it is not far to Valdaora|Olang. Riders will pass by all three parts of the village, namely Valdaora di Sopra|Oberolang, Valdaora di Mezzo|Mitterolang, and Valdaora di Sotto|Niederolang, and the only problem will be too many choices as to whether there should be a detour to the Kinderwelt (“Kid’s World”) of Valdaora, a visit to the Kron Arc Adventure Park, or a trip to the restored Venetian “Lipper Säge” (Lippa Sawmill).  From Valdaora, the bike path continues downriver through undisturbed nature until the small medieval city of Brunico is reached. Towering high above the roofs of the city is Brunico Castle, while further down on the via Centrale|Stadtgasse, a lively hustle and bustle is going on in the charming shops and the many cafes, inns, and restaurants. In Brunico, there are a whole variety of museums and art treasures to experience. Of particular significance is the Folklore Museum in Teodone|Dietenheim, the Messner Mountain Museum MMM RIPA which is housed in Brunico Castle, and the newest museum, the MMM Corones. The latter is located at an elevation of 2,275 m (7,464 ft.) on the summit of the Kronplatz|Plan de Corones, and it can be reached from Riscone|Reischach by cableway.

Possible variations along the route:

• Valle di Casies-Gsieser Tal Bike Route from Monguelfo to Santa Maddalena-St. Magdalena – 15 km (9.5 miles)
  Experience the rural lifestyle.
• Valle Anterselva-Antholzertal Bike Route from Rasun-Rasen to Anterselva di Mezzo-Antholz Mittertal – 13.5 km (8.5 miles) 
  On the route to one of the most beautiful high mountain lakes in South Tyrol-Südtirol.
• 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 to S. Giacomo-St. Jakob – 36 km (22 miles)
  On two wheels through the realm of more than seventy peaks of three thousand meters (ten thousand feet).

From the center of town, the railway station, or the Parkplatz Ost parking lot, this leg leads from the village of San Candido|Innichen toward the west. Immediately before the turnoff for highway SS49, change to the bike path that continues straight. Follow this as far as Dobbiaco Nuova|Neutoblach (elevation 1,210 m/3,970 ft.) The bicycle path leads through meadows and fields in the direction of Villabassa|Niederdorf. Shortly before the campground, there are underpasses below the main road and the train tracks. After Villabassa (elevation 1,154 m/3,786 ft.), another underpass leads past the train tracks at the edge of town. The route then leads at times along the side streets with little traffic and at times on a separate bike path to Monguelfo|Welsberg (elevation 1,087 m/3,566 ft.). From there, it continues in the direction of the Valdaora|Olang reservoir.
Along the road paralleling the train tracks and directly next to the lake, the bike route follows a gravel path through the forest close to the shore. Soon after leaving the lake behind, the gravel path leads to a narrow asphalt road that leads to Valdaora di Sopra|Oberolang (elevation 1,080 m). It then continues on to Valdaora di Mezzo|Mitterolang (elevation 1,048 m/3,438 ft.) and Valdaora di Sotto|Niederolang (1,024 m/3,360 ft.). From there, the bicycle route continues on to Villa di Sotto|Unterwielenbach and Perca|Percha. Far away from cars and any other noise, the bicycle trail then crosses through thick woods and a few tunnels until the destination of this leg, the city of Brunico (elevation 835 m/2,740 ft.) is reached.

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-E66 to San Candido|Innichen. 

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, and continue on to San Candido|Innichen.

Directions

Free parking is available at the Parkplatz Ost in San Candido.

By Public Transportation
San Candido|Innichen 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