European Cultural Axis - From the Danube across the Alps to the Adriatic and the Po
Via Claudia Augusta
In 15 BC, the Romans moved north along the paths of the Etruscans, Raetians and Celts and began to develop them into the first trans-European road across the Alps, which was completed in 45/46 AD under Emperor Claudius. The four to eight metre wide gravel road led from the Adriatic port of Altinum near Venice or the river port of Hostilia on the Po south of Verona across the Alps to the Rhaetian provincial capital of Augsburg and the fort of Burghöfe near the Danube. The important north-south connection shaped and continues to shape times, people and their cultures.
Today, the ancient cultural and trade route of the Roman Empire is coming alive again. It leads through romantic Bavaria, over the mountain valleys and Alpine passes of Tyrol to the land of the Dolce Vita and the sea.
Alpine crossing
The Via Claudia Augusta cycle route is the easiest Alpine crossing for touring cyclists. It leads through small towns and villages where you encounter contemporary life on the Via Claudia Augusta. Its diversity has quickly made it the most popular non-river cycle route for Germans abroad. Shuttles over all passes and a comfortable return bus make the cycling experience perfect. In the future, luggage service from host to host will be added.
The long-distance hiking route in the footsteps of the Romans allows you to experience the Via Claudia Augusta the way most Romans did - on foot. It leads alternately through magnificent cultural and natural landscapes, past hundreds of testimonies of eventful history. Gather countless impressions, enjoy the magnificent panoramas, discover our roots and find ourselves in the process - that is hiking along the Via Claudia Augusta.
The Via Claudia Augusta makes it possible to experience:
- history, people and their cultures that have shaped the Roman road over 2,000 years until today;
- lively little towns and pretty villages where you encounter evidence of history and present-day life along the Via Claudia Augusta;
- wonderful natural and cultural landscapes and numerous sights.
Sections: Bavarian Lech - Tyrolean Außerfern and Oberland - Adige Valley to Trento - Trento to Altino near Venice - Trento to Ostiglia on the Po.
Theme: History, regions, cultures, nature and landscapes, culinary delights
Start / Finish: Donauwörth - Altino near Venice or Donauwörth - Ostiglia am Po
Length: approx. 700 km each
Holiday regions: Donau-Ries, Donauwörth, Augsburg, Augsburg and Wittelsbacherland, Landsberg am Lech, Ammersee-Lech, Schongau, Pfaffenwinkel, Lechbruck am See, Rosshaupten, Rieden am Forggensee, Füssen, Schwangau, Reutte Nature Park Region, Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena, Imst Holiday Region, TirolWest, Nauders, Tyrolean Oberland, Kaunertal, Vischgau cultural region with Schlanders and Laas, Meraner Land with the garden village of Algund and the panoramic village of Marling, South Tyrol's south with Kaltern am See and Leifers-Branzoll-Pfatten, Piana Rotaliana, Dolomiti Prealpi, AltaMarca, Quarto D'Altino and the Venice Lagoon, Rovereto Vallagarina, Ostiglia on the River Po.
Nature, art and cuisine
The new itinerary allows you to travel by car, camper, bus, ... to travel along the only Roman imperial road across the Alps. It leads over picturesque country roads and mountain passes, on the most exciting routes through the cities, through the most worth seeing local centres and directly past numerous sights. For camping enthusiasts, campsites await along the entire route.
After an eventful day, delicacies from the kitchen and cellar beckon. A list of hosts who have adapted to the Via Claudia Augusta travellers under the motto "2,000 years of hospitality" can be found on www.viaclaudia.org. In some of them you can even experience Roman cuisine again.
Types of travel
Easiest Alpine crossing for cyclists
Shuttle over the passes and a comfortable return bus make for perfect enjoyment.
Long-distance hiking route in the footsteps of the Romans
Even the Romans travelled on foot. Experience, discover and find yourself.
The Roman Imperial Road for car, camper, bus, ...
Over picturesque country roads and mountain passes, on the most exciting routes through the towns, through the most worth seeing local centres and directly past numerous sights. Campsites along the entire route.
Impressions
Route guidance with parking space information
This information is a service offer from ALPINE in cooperation with FERIENSTRASSEN.INFO 
ARGE Hospitality Via Claudia Augusta
A - 06521 Flow 89
VIA CLAUDIA AUGUSTA
