Vinschgau tour to Lake Reschen and Samnaun

Route details

Tour from Trentino through the Vinschgau Valley over the Reschen Pass to the Swiss duty-free zone. Around 209 km with varied Mountain roads and the sunken church tower as a highlight.

This Tourer starts in Trento, the capital of Trentino at an altitude of around 200 meters. Trento is considered the cultural gateway to the south with its historic city center, the Cathedral of San Vigilio and the Castello del Buonconsiglio. The route first heads north through the Adige Valley, past vineyards and orchards, before reaching the Merano basin at Lagundo/Algund.

From Merano, the Vinschgau Valley begins, one of the sunniest regions in the Alps. The route runs on well-maintained roads through the valley, passing historic villages such as Naturns and Schlanders. Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol with fully preserved medieval town walls, is worth a short stop. Churburg Castle in Schluderns is one of the best-preserved castles in the region.

The ascent to the Reschen Pass (1,507 m) is technically easy. The maximum gradient is around 7% on the Italian side. The road leads through a wide valley with long, gentle curves - less a classic Alpine pass than a well-developed connecting route. The central highlight is Lake Reschen near Graun: the Romanesque church tower of Alt-Graun protruding from the water is a reminder of the flooding of the village in 1950, when around 660 hectares of land were sacrificed for the reservoir. The tower can be hiked around at low tide.

On the Austrian side, the Pass summit is near Reschen, where inexpensive Petrol stations are available. From Nauders, the route leads via Pfunds to Samnaun in Switzerland. The approach to Samnaun is much more challenging in terms of driving: 800 Elevation gains with numerous curves, some through narrow, unlit tunnels that lead into 90-degree bends. Caution is advised here - honking when entering a tunnel is advisable.

Samnaun is located in the border triangle of Switzerland, Austria and Italy and is known as a duty-free zone. Fuel prices are significantly cheaper here. The town serves as an ideal starting point for further tours to Mountain passes such as the Silvretta High Alpine Road, Stelvio Pass or Timmelsjoch.

Traffic in the Vinschgau Valley is usually moderate, but can increase on the Reschenpass road in the high season. The road surface is mostly good, with some sections showing signs of age-related wear and tear. The Route is suitable for motorcyclists with some experience, especially because of the tunnel passages near Samnaun.