The cycle route described, which runs from Gais to Kematen, is paved throughout and follows a fairly straight course. For almost the entire length, the path runs alongside the River Ahr across the flat Tauferer plain, with views of the high peaks of the Ahrntal valley.

Accessibility

From the A22 Brenner motorway, take the Brixen exit and follow the Pustertal main road to Bruneck. Continue towards the Ahrntal valley until you reach Gais, where you can park in the sports area by the quarry lake (‘Baggalocke’ – free entry).

Description

From the car park, we follow the wide cycle path towards Sand in Taufers. After passing Bistro Montana and the Gais industrial estate (835 m), we continue along the path further into the valley, always following the course of the Ahr. This wide tributary of the Rienz is ideal for rafting thanks to its calm flow and gentle natural rapids. Passing meadows and fields, the walk continues almost flat along the tarmac cycle path, and we come to several rest areas with benches that invite you to relax in this magnificent natural landscape. Along the river, numerous information boards provide interesting facts about the flora and fauna of the area, particularly the wetlands in the Ahr floodplains. Intact floodplain landscapes form important ecological niches and also serve as natural flood defences. We finally reach the first houses of Uttenheim (839 m) and come to a junction. Here we turn right and then immediately left onto Anton-Zeiller-Straße. From here, the path winds its way through extensive meadows and climbs gently near an abandoned house (846 m). Eventually, we come to a junction on the right from which you can reach the accessible Thara fishing pond. However, we continue straight ahead and follow the cycle path. After a few hundred metres, we pass a wooden bridge on the left, which connects the cycle path with the village of Mühlen in Taufers. Shortly afterwards, we catch sight of the first houses of Kematen and finally arrive at the Brugghof inn (857 m). There is a bus stop here for the Sand in Taufers Citybus. Those wishing to continue can extend the walk to the Reinbach Waterfall (see detailed walking suggestion no. 032). The return to Gais follows the same route.