A Paradise for Road Cyclists

With the queen of mountain passes right on the doorstep, Prad has always been a magnet for thousands of road cycling enthusiasts from all over Europe. Many cyclists dream of conquering the Stelvio Pass at least once. For quite a few, this experience turns into a yearly tradition.

When the mountain pass road was completed in 1825, after only five years of construction, the hairpin bends were considered the 8th wonder of the world and today would probably also be a worthy candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. Then as now, the 48 hairpin bends leading up to or over the 2758 m high pass are a challenge and an unforgettable experience for everyone who conquers them.

Apart from this, there are many more impressive tours in the western part of South Tyrol. Even during the famous Giro d'Italia, “queen stages” regularly lead over the Stelvio Pass or other nearby mountain roads every few years.

Here we have selected a few routes that you can start directly from Pension Astoria:

• The Classic: Stelvio Pass - Umbrail Pass - St. Maria - Taufers - Glurns - Prad

  From Prad to the 2758 m high pass summit, it is exactly 24 km and 1870 metres of elevation gain. Although there are steeper passes than the average gradient of 9%, due to its length, altitude and breathtaking panorama, it is one of the most impressive mountain roads in the world! The road passes almost directly by the Astoria. Immediately after leaving the village of Prad, the road begins to climb gently. From here, it is a matter of following the road with its 48 hairpin bends for the next 24 kilometres and making sure to carry enough water. At 2188 m (approx. 2/3 of the route), there is the last refreshment stop before the summit, the mountain hotel “Franzenshöhe”. It is worth taking a short break here if your water supply is running low or simply to enjoy the overwhelming scenery from the terrace.

  Once you arrive at the top of the pass, you will certainly have earned a delicious bratwurst with sauerkraut in traditional Vinschgau bread. The route then continues downhill towards Bormio before turning right after a few kilometres and climbing the short ascent to the second pass of the day, the Umbrail Pass, into Switzerland. From here on it is all downhill to St. Maria, where you turn right again towards the Italian border. From Taufers in the Münstertal Valley you can continue directly to Schleis and then return to Prad via the cycle path.

  Route Prad - Stelvio Pass - Umbrail Pass - St. Maria - Taufers - Schlinig - Prad approx. 60 km
  Elevation difference: approx. 1870 m

• Reschen Pass/Lake Resia Circuit

  From Prad, the excellently developed cycle path first follows the Adige River relatively flat towards Glurns. Passing the town walls, the climb begins gently. The route continues through idyllic villages and a short climb of 20% up to Lake Haider. Shortly before, it is recommended to leave the cycle path and continue a short section on the road, as one section along the lake is not paved. The route then continues to Lake Resia, which can be circled, or the tour can continue into the Langtaufers Valley or the Rojen Valley.

  Route Prad - Lake Resia and back approx. 70 km
  Elevation difference: approx. 650 m

• Ofen Pass/Three Countries Giro

  Following the Adige Valley cycle path, you ride towards the Reschen Pass as far as Laatsch, where you turn left into the Münstertal Valley towards the Swiss border. Passing through typical Graubünden villages, the road steadily climbs towards the Ofen Pass. Once at the summit, we are at 2149 m above sea level and have covered 34 km. From here, we can either return the same way or continue the tour towards Zernez and downhill through the Inn Valley via Scuol to Martina, before climbing again over the Norbertshöhe to the Reschen Pass and from there back to Prad.

  Route Prad - Ofen Pass (CH) - Zernez - Scuol - Martina - Nauders (A) - Reschen Pass (I) - Prad approx. 143 km
  Elevation difference: Prad - Ofen Pass: 1234 m / Total tour: 2100 m

• Martell Valley

  Following the “Vinschgau cycling highway”, the route heads down towards Merano as far as Goldrain (650 m), where you turn right into the Martell Valley. This 22 km route with gradients of up to 14% is also known as a stage destination of the Giro d'Italia. At the end of the paved accessible road, we reach an altitude of 2051 metres above sea level.

  Route Prad - Schlanders - Goldrain - Martell Valley - Enzian Hut and back approx. 80 km
  Elevation difference: approx. 1700 m

• Sulden

  Following the Stelvio Pass road, the route heads about 7 km further into the valley to Gomagoi, where you turn left and continue towards Sulden. With some sections reaching gradients of 16%, the road is slightly steeper than the Stelvio Pass, but with a total distance of approx. 18 km to the end of the valley, it is not quite as long.

  Route Prad - Sulden and back approx. 30 km
  Elevation difference: approx. 1100 m