BIKE Women’s Camp 2026: Four days of trail riding bliss at Lake Molveno

​As soon as we arrived at Lake Molveno, it was clear: these were going to be four very special days. Forty-five female mountain bikers from all over Europe – from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy – came together to experience the trails in the Dolomiti Paganella Bike Park. Right from the moment we first met, there was an incredibly relaxed, cheerful and exuberant atmosphere. No matter what our riding ability or language – our enthusiasm for cycling brought us together straight away.

The weather was almost too good to us. The sun beat down from the sky every single day; it was exceptionally hot and the trails were bone-dry. Whilst this made for challenging conditions, it also gave the descents that typical summer feel, with a little cloud of dust rising from behind every bend. The mood amongst the participants was great, and the relaxed atmosphere made the camp an unforgettable experience.

Top Gun – the new trail at the Dolomiti Paganella Bike Park

I was particularly keen to see what trails were on offer. The network of trails has been steadily expanding over the past few years. A new trail was added for the 2026 season – with the new Top Gun Trail Another varied route awaits experienced female riders, which also connects to the Fai Zone. Together with the existing trails, the region now offers something to suit every skill level. Whether it was flowing bends, technical natural sections or fast banked turns – every group found their own personal highlights. Thanks to the experienced guides, every participant was able to ride at her own pace whilst improving her riding technique.

Test to your heart’s content! Products to try

​​Another highlight of the Women’s Camp was the large Exhibition focusing on mountain bike equipment. Here, participants were not only able to view the latest products, but also to test them out straight away on the trails – an ideal opportunity to get to know the kit in real-world conditions.

Manufacturer Pivot had brought along a large number of bikes for people to try out. Anyone who wanted to could test the latest mountain bikes – both with and without motors – and try them out straight away on the trails. This provided a rare opportunity to compare different bike designs under real-world conditions and to discuss technology, geometry and specifications with the exhibitors. For many, this was the perfect chance to perhaps even discover their next dream bike.

At Evoc The latest rucksacks, hip bags and protective gear were available to borrow. Whether for a long ride or a challenging trail descent – the various models could be used all day long. This made it easy to quickly work out which size, fit and features best suited your own needs.

Also Alpina had brought along its latest range of helmets and cycling glasses in various designs. The participants were able to try on different models and test them straight away on the trails. With the high summer temperatures, it became clear just how important good helmet ventilation and a perfect-fitting pair of glasses are for comfort and safety on long days out cycling.

There were also fascinating insights at the stand of Swallow. There, the team presented its current range of tyres and clearly explained which tyre is suitable for which surface and how to put together the optimal tyre setup. Support with converting to tubeless tyres was also in particularly high demand. Many participants took the opportunity to have their bikes converted on the spot and received valuable tips on tyre pressure, sealant and puncture protection.

With RaphRox This year also saw a young start-up represented at Women Camp for the first time. Founder Rafaela Franke designs mountain bike clothing specifically tailored to women’s needs – functional, well thought-out and with a modern design. A small collection was available to try on at the event and test out on the trails. The chance to chat personally with the founder made the stand particularly engaging and showed just how much passion can be found in a young company. She revealed to us in an interview what makes her collection so special.

The manufacturers also contributed a small gift for the goodie bag, which included the official Vaude camp T-shirt and a pair of Sox camp socks.

DIY: Engaging DIY workshops

Another highlight was the practical Technical workshops, led by two experienced female mechanics. Instead of dry theory, they got straight to work on the bikes – and that’s exactly what went down a treat with the participants. Step by step, Vally, a bicycle mechatronics technician, explained at the stand of Hunt Wheel the key techniques that can make all the difference on a ride. How do I repair a broken chain whilst out on a ride? Which multi-tool or chain tool should I carry in my rucksack for this? What should I do if a tubeless tyre has a puncture, and how do I repair it using a tubeless plug kit?

In her workshop, bike maintenance expert Julia Schäfer demonstrated how to adjust the suspension to suit your own body weight and why correctly setting up the fork and shock absorber ensures greater safety, comfort and riding enjoyment. It was particularly great that every participant was able to try out the individual steps for themselves and apply them straight away to their own bikes. As a result, many took home not only new trail experiences, but also significantly greater confidence in carrying out minor repairs and setting up their own bikes.

​Repair & Upcycling with Patagonia

In addition to the technical workshops, the Women Camp also sent a strong message about sustainability. The company Patagonia was on site with its Worn-Wear trailer, offering participants a free repair service for damaged technical clothing. Whether it was a torn jacket, a broken zip or damaged cycling shorts – many took the opportunity to have their favourite items repaired rather than replacing them. The service was extremely well received on every day of the event and impressively demonstrated just how easy it is to practise sustainability in outdoor sports.

Things got particularly creative during the upcycling workshop that followed. Using several sewing machines and a bit of skill, the participants transformed discarded functional materials into personalised tool pouches for multi-tools, tubeless plugs or spare inner tubes. Under expert guidance, the participants sewed their own little one-of-a-kind pouches and clearly had a lot of fun doing so. At the end, everyone proudly presented the pouch they had designed themselves – a practical memento of the camp and, at the same time, a lovely example of how something new and useful can be created from what might otherwise be considered waste.

The perfect way to unwind: yoga by the lake

The morning sessions provided the perfect balance Yoga sessions. After the intense days of trail riding, it was lovely to stretch our muscles whilst enjoying the view of Lake Molveno and start the day in a relaxed manner. These peaceful moments provided a welcome contrast to the action-packed hours on the bike and were appreciated by many participants as an integral part of everyday life at the camp.

As in previous years, the stand of Ringana It’s very popular for its natural cosmetics and dietary supplements. Here, the female cyclists were able to get ready for a day on the trails with some sun cream and an energy drink.

Good food & la dolce vita

Spending time together was just as important as the cycling itself. It was hard to beat the Lunch break at Rifugio la Roda on Cima Paganella. In glorious sunshine, with views stretching all the way to Lake Garda, the female cyclists enjoyed polenta and apple strudel. At the Pizza and Pasta Party with a wine tasting In the evening, all the participants sat together, shared their experiences, laughed about the best moments of the day and were already making plans for the next tours. New friendships often formed after just the first few kilometres together, making the camp far more than just a cycling event.

BIKE Women’s Camp: a special weekend

In the end, one thing in particular stood out: four days packed with trail fun, inspiring encounters and an atmosphere in which everyone felt welcome. With 45 participants from all over Europe, the BIKE Women Camp 2026 was certainly on a manageable scale, but that was precisely what made it so personal. The mix of first-class trails, professional workshops, high-quality test bikes, yoga, sustainable initiatives, Italian cuisine and a real sense of community made this weekend an all-round success. Anyone who’s been there will quickly understand why so many participants come back year after year.

​For the past nine years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the BIKE Women Camp in the Dolomiti Paganella cycling region as project manager – and yet it still feels like the highlight of my season every single time. Four days packed with trail fun, yoga by the lake, Trentino cuisine and wine, and unforgettable moments bring together female cyclists from all over the world, of all ages and abilities, creating a truly special atmosphere. With our fantastic team of female guides, enthusiastic industry partners and a region that gets even more exciting every year with new trails, the camp is, for me, one of the absolute highlights of my cycling summer. And best of all: in 2027 we’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary – naturally with a party that’s set to be just as legendary as the trails and the camp!
Karen Eller, The Lawnmowers

For more information about the BIKE Women’s Camp and the new date for 2027, visit https://event.delius-klasing.de/bike-women-camp