🇩🇪 🇮🇹 Munich to Venice by Bike: 600km Across the Dolomites in 7 Days

Cycling from Munich to Venice is more than just a cross-border bike tour—it’s an epic ride through alpine passes, mountain villages, ancient railway tunnels, and ultimately, a jaw-dropping descent into one of the world’s most iconic cities.

In this article, we’ll share our 7-day, 600km bikepacking journey from Munich to Venice via the Dolomites, including rain, snow, sweaty climbs, sleepy towns, and one unforgettable arrival across the Venetian lagoon.

📍 Route Overview

• Start: Munich, Germany

• Finish: Venice, Italy

• Distance: ~600 km

• Duration: 7 days

• Terrain: Paved roads, gravel paths, alpine passes

• Highlights: Brenner Pass, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites tunnels, Mestre, Venice

🏔️ Day 1–2: Munich to the Brenner Pass – Rain, Forests, and a Taste of Pain

Leaving Munich, we quickly joined quiet country roads and bike paths that meander south into the Bavarian foothills. The air was crisp, the forests deep, and the Alps began to rise steadily in the distance.

By Day 2, as we approached the Brenner Pass—the border between Germany and Italy—cold rain turned to sleet, and our fingers numbed on the handlebars. The temperature dropped below 4°C. Snow still lingered near the summit, despite it being summer. This wasn’t the dreamy alpine ride we expected, but it was unforgettable.

Still, there was something magic about crossing the Brenner col by bike. It’s a historic trading route, and now, we were part of its legacy—soaked, shivering, and smiling.

🚂 Day 3–4: Abandoned Rail Tunnels and Alpine Villages

One of the route’s hidden gems lies beyond the Brenner: converted railway tunnels that now form part of the Ciclopista del Sole. These old train tracks snake through steep valleys, offering gentle gradients, dramatic views, and long, cool tunnels—perfect on a sunny day.

We passed through postcard-perfect South Tyrolean villages:

• Vipiteno (Sterzing), with its medieval tower

• Bressanone (Brixen), where we enjoyed apple strudel and espresso

• Dobbiaco (Toblach), a peaceful town surrounded by meadows

These villages are a mix of Austrian and Italian culture, with signs in both languages and food that combines strudel with spaghetti.

🏞️ Day 5: Into the Dolomites and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo

We entered the heart of the Dolomites on Day 5, riding toward the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Towering limestone spires carved by ice and time, they’re one of the most iconic sights in Italy.

Climbing here is no joke. The gradients are real, and your legs will remember every switchback. But the reward? Unreal panoramas and a deep silence broken only by cowbells and wind.

If you ride one mountain range in your life, let it be the Dolomites.

⛷️ Day 6: Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Descent Toward the Plains

We stopped overnight in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the glamorous winter resort that’s just as stunning in summer. Even out of ski season, the town buzzes with hikers, cyclists, and climbers. The architecture is classic alpine-chic, and the local food—polenta, speck, and hearty pasta—hit the spot.

From here, the ride descended gradually toward Veneto’s lowlands, where alpine roads gave way to vineyards, flatlands, and warm breezes.

🏙️ Day 7: Mestre and the Grand Finale – Venice by Bike

The final stretch was both the least scenic and the most dramatic.

We spent the last night in Mestre, the industrial twin of Venice. Cheap, grey, and slightly grim—but convenient and bike-accessible. No gondolas here, just concrete and commuter traffic. Still, it was only a short morning ride away from one of the greatest travel moments of our lives.

Crossing the long bridge into Venice felt surreal. Cars and bikes are banned in the city itself, so we parked at Piazzale Roma and continued on foot.

Suddenly, the noise faded. We were inside a living painting.

🎭 Arrival in Venice: Gondolas, Stones, Churches, and Gelato

No photo can prepare you for the magic of Venice. Wandering through stone alleys and along shimmering canals, we were overwhelmed by beauty at every corner.

• Gondolas glided by silently

• Churches hid priceless art

• Locals sipped spritz in shady piazzas

• Fresh seafood and cicchetti filled the air with delicious smells

From sweating on the Brenner to strolling past San Marco Basilica—it felt like we’d crossed not just a continent, but several centuries.

🏁 Conclusion: A Ride Worth Every Pedal Stroke

The bike tour from Munich to Venice is the ultimate mix of challenge and reward. You’ll face cold mountain passes, unpredictable weather, and aching legs—but you’ll also experience:

• Hidden alpine towns

• Legendary Dolomite peaks

• Italy’s dual personality: rugged and romantic

• The breathtaking entrance into Venice by bike

This route isn’t just scenic—it’s symbolic. You start in the efficiency of Munich and end in the chaos and charm of Venice. And in between? You ride your story, one flag, one tunnel, one village at a time.

🚲 Add a Patch, Tell the Story

If you’ve ridden from Germany to Italy, across the Dolomites, through Cortina, into Venice, you’ve earned those flags. Add a Germany, Italy, or even Dolomites series patch to your setup and carry the memory with you.

Because every journey deserves to be remembered—and shared.

Ride far. Ride patched. Ride your story.
— The Cyclopatch Team