Do gravel cyclists enjoy endless rides? No problem in Nauders: from here, you can easily cycle from Tyrol to South Tyrol and back to Nauders via Switzerland in a single day. All against a backdrop of alpine pastures, the Ortler range and lakes. There should also be plenty of ‘lost places’ in an old smugglers’ border region like this one. Kilometres of gravel and alpine paths wind their way past these spots. And the people of Nauders know a thing or two about events too: a stage stop on the Transalp, an enduro race, father-and-son and women’s events – so far, every event in the region has been a success.
And now it’s the turn of gravel riders to have their own highlight of the year in the region. Please mark the following dates in red: 25–27 September 2026 – Golden Days in Nauders.
On this particular autumn weekend, the larch trees are already turning yellow. This lends the Expo grounds – complete with a campfire area for an evening get-together – an extra special golden glow. During the day, visitors can take the test bikes and accessories from various exhibitors out onto the alpine terrain. However, the centrepiece of this September weekend will be two events specifically tailored to gravel bikes:
Nauders: Gravel Giro and Gravel Enduro
The “Golden Days Gravel Giro” will be a community ride with no timekeeping, modelled on an RTF (riding tour). There are three routes to choose from, each offering views of Lake Reschen, the alpine pastures and King Ortler. The only question is which prime vantage point you’d like to fight for. The easiest route is 50 kilometres long and climbs 1,200 to 1,500 metres in altitude. The medium route covers just under 70 kilometres with an elevation gain of around 2,000 to 2,500 metres, whilst the long route, at 100 kilometres and an elevation gain of around 3,500 metres, will really test your fitness reserves.
The legendary root-strewn trails of Nauders won’t, of course, be incorporated into the Giro circuits. But it would obviously be a shame to leave them out entirely. So the locals have also come up with a sort of relay race for Sunday: the “Golden Days Gravelenduro”. To take part in this fun event, as a gravel cyclist you’ll need one tiny little accessory: an enduro rider who knows Nauders as well as possible.
The Gravel Enduro is set to be a team relay: The gravel biker pedals uphill along the gravel hairpin bends with the baton and hands it over to their enduro rider waiting at the top, who then races back down to Nauders on one of the legendary 3-Country Enduro Trails. The whole thing is timed – the fastest team wins.
So there’ll be plenty to talk about in the evenings round the campfire or at the party with live music on Saturday. Especially as this event brings together two cycling disciplines that complement each other perfectly and can only learn from one another.
Event details: nauders.com/goldendays
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
