2. Vipiteno – Bressanone

The stage is long but easy, it winds along the river Isarco/Eisack, now on the right side and now on the left. It passes through Campo di Trens/Freienfeld, arrives at Fortezza/Franzensfeste, then Novacella/Neustift and finally Bressanone/Brixen, one of the richest cities in the history of Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Leaving Vipiteno passing under the Torre delle Dodici, you arrive at the Lent weg (cycle path), which first passes under the Brennero state road, then alongside a small airport; on the left Castel Petra and on the right Castel Tasso. Once you have passed under an overpass, after a canal, you follow the cycle path alongside the Brenner motorway on the right and the Isarco river on the left for a long stretch. You thus arrive under the bridge of the Via Blieger road which descends from Campo di Trens (here the cyclists, having passed the Isarco, turn left, leave the route, pass the hamlet of Stilfes, Fuldres until they cross the motorway). You pass in front of the Town Hall of Campo di Trens and then go up to visit the Sanctuary of Maria di Trens); after the visit, go back and take the thematic bee trail (marked as 2a), which leads out of the village, crosses meadows, enters the wood after a farm house and reaches the agricultural village of Valgenauna. Then take the path marked 2b which, still descending, leads to the state road, which you cross paying attention to traffic. You reach Castel Welfenstein (Castel Guelfo). Bypassing the castle, following a protected path, you reach the bridge over the Isarco. Then take the left cycle path to go up to Campo di Trens. The track follows the irregular course of the foot of high mountains with the railway and the motorway on the left. In Grassstein (Le Cave) there is a providential spring; then Mittewald (Mezzaselva), where it offers refreshment and hospitality. On the cycle path along the state road we find a footbridge that leads into the woods; the track is irregular, dirt, but easy. Return to the state road, after passing under the motorway, follow the cycle-pedestrian path until you cross the Isarco on a small wooden bridge and from there you will soon find the Fortezza station. We recommend a visit to the ArcheoParc. The traces on the rock, beyond the river, demonstrate the presence of a road of great importance already during the Roman Empire. Returning to the station, having crossed the town of Fortezza, take the cycle path back towards Brunico. You arrive at the town of Aica and then take the underpass of the Pusteria road. Following the path n.8 “Val di Riga-Novacella” and after several kilometers you will come across the Abbey of Novacella. Near the aggregate recycling center, take the path that descends into the Val di Riga, which continues along the Isarco. On the left, the Recovery Center for aggregates from the excavation of the Brenner tunnel. You skirt cultivated fields and then go up again on the asphalted section. At Neustift Abbey (Novacella) a careful visit to the church and convent is a must. Leaving the Abbey, take a cycle-pedestrian path (signs for “Tennisbar”). We proceed through vineyards and orchards, following the river as far as the bridge which leads us into Bressanone. After crossing the Isarco, taking the cycle-pedestrian path, you find yourself in front of the Cathedral of Bressanone. The hostel is also nearby.