BikesPlus Travel

This eight-day self-guided tour traverses North Italy's verdant valleys beneath Alpine peaks and glaciers, following some of the country's best bike paths and backroads from Silandro, near the Austrian border, to Valeggio sul Mincio. The route traces the Roman Via Claudia Augusta down the Val Venosta, historically the key crossroads between north and south.

After a loop to walled Glorenza and the Lasa marble quarries, mostly downhill paths lead to Merano, then through vineyards and apple orchards to Bolzano, with an optional detour to the Caldaro wine region. The ride continues along the Adige to Trento, then through the Sarca Valley and Arco to Riva del Garda.

A three-hour ferry crosses Lake Garda before a gentle ride past lakeside villages and along the Mincio to Valeggio, famous for handmade tortellini. Optional longer rides and climbs are available most days, suiting couples, friends and families of mixed abilities.

Highlights:

• Scenic alpine valleys and Tyrolean villages in the Val Venosta
• Merano, Bolzano and the Ötzi Museum, and Trento
• Caldaro wine region and Lake Caldaro
• The Sarca Valley and Arco
• Ferry cruise across Lake Garda with your bikes
• Lakeside villages and Valeggio sul Mincio

Surface and terrain:
Mostly paved bike paths along rivers, rails-to-trails and quiet country roads, with a few hard-packed dirt and levee sections. Gentle to rolling, and largely downhill overall from the Alps to Lake Garda. Optional longer rides add climbs on hillier terrain.

Likely weather:
Alpine valleys are mild to warm in summer, around 18 - 27°C, with cool mornings and possible afternoon storms. Lake Garda and the Mincio are warmer and more Mediterranean, often above 30°C in July and August.

Suitable for:
Leisure cyclists, couples, friends and families of mixed abilities (including children) wanting scenic, low-difficulty bike paths, with optional longer rides and climbs for stronger riders. E-bikes, tandems and kid trailers available.

This five-day self-guided tour is the short version of a traveller favourite, riding through Italy's premier pasta and foodie region between Bologna and Parma. Every day brings behind-the-scenes visits and extraordinary local dishes made according to tradition, with luggage transferred between 3 and 4-star hotels.

After a welcome briefing and bike fitting in Bologna, famous for its arcades, mortadella and ancient university, you ride through Bazzano and the Apennine foothills on a rails-to-trails path to Modena, with its cathedral and Ghirlandina bell tower. The next morning starts at the covered market and a family-run balsamic vinegar estate before quiet back roads lead to Reggio Emilia.

The final ride includes a guided visit to a Parmigiano-Reggiano dairy before arriving in Parma's UNESCO-listed historic centre, home of cured ham. Expect medieval towns, elegant cities and countryside reminiscent of Tuscany, without the crowds, plus the region's rich history, art and traditions.

Highlights:

• Bologna's arcades, cold cuts and pasta culture
• Modena's cathedral and Ghirlandina bell tower
• Guided visit and tasting at a family-run balsamic vinegar mill
• Guided visit to a Parmigiano-Reggiano dairy
• Parma's cured ham and UNESCO-listed historic centre
• Quiet back roads, riverside paths and a rails-to-trails route

Surface and terrain:
Mostly flat, on riverside paths, rails-to-trails, city bike paths and quiet country roads, with some hard-packed dirt and levee sections. Day 2 skirts the foothills of the Apennines.

Likely weather:
Spring and autumn are mild, around 15 - 25°C, with some rain possible. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid in the Po Valley, often above 30°C, so early starts are best.

Suitable for:
Food lovers and leisure riders wanting moderate daily distances on mostly flat terrain, with plenty of time for tastings and sightseeing. E-bikes and tandems are available.

This eight-day self-guided tour explores the postcard valleys of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its exceptional natural beauty, using the gentle bike paths that crisscross the region. It is also the cradle of South Tyrolean culture, blending Italian and Austrian-German cuisine with a remarkably preserved history and way of life.

From Cortina d'Ampezzo, a rails-to-trails path climbs gently past forests and mountain lakes to Cimabanche, with views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, before descending to the Val Pusteria. A loop follows the Drau River into Austria, then the route continues to Brunico, down the Brenner Pass bike path to Bressanone and through the Eisack Valley to Bolzano, home of Ötzi the Iceman.

A final loop visits the Caldaro wine region. Each day offers a choice between rolling valley floors and epic mountain climbs, with local trains on hand to shorten some rides.

Highlights:

• The majestic Dolomites and views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Drau River bike path into Austria
• Brenner Pass bike path and Novacella Abbey
• Bolzano and the Ötzi Museum
• Caldaro wine region

Surface and terrain:
Bike paths and rails-to-trails through valleys, with stretches of hard-packed dirt and gravel (sometimes loose). Rolling to hilly on the main routes, with optional long rides adding big mountain climbs, including a very hilly Day 6 option.

Likely weather:
Summer days in the Dolomite valleys are typically 15 - 25°C, with cool mornings at altitude (Cortina is around 1,200 m). Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and May and September can be cool.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit leisure riders up to seasoned cyclists, with easier valley routes or challenging climbs each day. Riders less experienced on gravel are advised to use a hybrid or e-bike.