Whether it’s scaling the mountain passes, recreational cycling along the Etsch river or riding helter-skelter down the trails, in Naturns/Naturno you’ll find the widest choice of bicycles to rent for all your cycling needs in South Tyrol.
Road bikes – the lightweight choice
Light carbon-fibre frames, narrow tyres, drop handlebars: for lightning-fast cycling! Racing bikes simply captivate road-cycling enthusiasts and nowhere does it get any better than the area around Naturns! Following the cycle track along the Etsch river, passing solitary side valleys and lonely mountain roads, the mountain-passes around Naturns are an experience like no other. The highlight being the
Stilfser Joch. Also known as the Stelvio Pass, this arduous mountain road challenges even top cyclists competing in the world-famous Giro d'Italia race. The legendary stretch winding its way up the Stelvio Pass crosses no less than 48 hairpin bends! It isn’t just the sheer effort that raises your heart rate, but also the breath-taking views!
MTB: Mountain biking – for cool cats
While formerly known for its rustic mountain huts and pleasant hikes, the shady Nörderberg mountain now boasts a closely-integrated network of mountain bike trails, connecting the localities of Partschins/Parcines, Naturns and Kastelbell/Castelbello. Although Naturns is one of the newest MTB hotspots in South Tyrol, it’s quickly caught up thanks to the multiple route options and its incredible terrain. The landscape in Naturns captivates
downhillers, freeriders, enduro masters and all-round mountain bikers. It's little wonder that that two of the best-known MTB protagonists in South Tyrol: Klaus Nischler (Head of the Ötzi Bike Academy) and Greta Weithaler (ex-MTB pro), are both from Naturns. An all-day out on the mountain trails in South Tyrol wouldn’t be complete without a much-needed stop at one of the numerous alpine refuges along the way.
E-Bikes – the latest trend
Originally developed for urban transport, e-bikes have in recent years crossed over into off-road terrain cycling. Thanks to the electrically-driven motor, cycling on an e-bike requires far less effort – making more distant destinations easy to reach. Needless to say, Naturns has enthusiastically embraced this new trend, opening MTB trails or traditional road-bike routes to the latest e-bikes. The
Vinschgau Valley cycle track following the Etsch river is a staple route for e-bikes. Whoever is of the opinion that e-biking isn’t a real sport is wide off the mark! Research has shown that e-bikes actually increase the likelihood of more frequent cycling. E-bike cycling also brings the heart rate closer into the ideal aerobic zone, thus optimising heart condition.
Recreational cycling – classic cycling
Naturns is synonymous with outdoor enjoyment – even on a bike! Though the Vinschgau Valley landscape isn’t always flat, there are a variety of scenic cycle routes crossing the apple orchards, passing quaint villages, majestic castles – surrounded by spectacular mountains. Running down the valley from the Reschensee lake along the Etsch river, the
Vinschgau Valley cycle track is perfect for recreational cycling. Key attractions include the sunken village in
Reschensee lake,
Marienberg
monastery, the Prad/Prato biotope, the medieval town of Glurns/Glorenza, the marble-mining village of Laas/Lasa, and much more. If, after the 80-km-ride from Reschensee lake to
Meran/Merano you still have unspent energy, the cycle track continues even further, all the way to Lake Garda.