SPICED WITH NATURE TRAILS The rear Ötztal has long been an insider tip, but with the opening of the TEÄRE Flow-Line in Sölden in 2015, the BIKE REPUBLIC was officially proclaimed - and it grew rapidly: it now comprises 15 nature trails and nine shaped lines (three of which are over five kilometres long).
A 22-strong team takes care of maintenance and further development. There are traditional tours for fitness bikers, courses for kids, signposted enduro routes and trails of all levels of difficulty. There is also an exemplary infrastructure, ranging from bike transport by bus through the entire valley to modern facilities for bikes at the lifts.
The clever nation concept welcomes "bikers of all origins, sizes and riding levels" as citizens. And so you can see the little ones with balance bikes on the pump track and both flow and freeriders on the wide network of trails. Including bike celebrities: from Wyn Masters to Hannah Barnes and Martin Söderström to Connor McFarlane, the international top riders make the pilgrimage to the BIKE REPUBLIC - and of course so do we.
SÖLDEN: THE TOP 5 ROUTES
TEÄRE (ZAAHE) LINE
The TEÄRE Line marked the start of the BIKE REPUBLIC and is now regarded as one of the most exemplary surf trails in the Alps: an impressive wooden snail takes over the start, then it's almost six kilometres over 130 bends to the pump track in the valley. Those who are willing and able can turn off the TEÄRE onto the ZAAHE, the most challenging line in the REPUBLIC, with plenty of air time.
LEITERBERG NATURE TRAIL
The Leiterberg Trail draws the northern border of the REPUBLIC. It starts at an altitude of 2090 metres in Hochsölden and winds its way through the trees to the Leiteralm. Three reasons for a stopover on the sun terrace: the Kaiserschmarrn pancakes, the view and the challenging route ahead. It gets rougher from here. The bends get tighter, roots start to pile up. After 4.6 kilometres and 550 metres of descent, it's a relaxed ride back to the Giggijochbahn.
DIFFICULTY
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OLLWEITE LINE
The OLLWEITE is the highlight of the BIKE REPUBLIC: at the start, you are at an altitude of 2666 metres with the Rettenbach Glacier right in front of you. Riding through the line would be almost too much of a shame given the view and would also put a strain on your muscles and lungs: The line is seven kilometres long, offers endless twists and turns, countless rollers and shakes things up quite a bit over the rocky Rock Garden.
DIFFICULTY
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GAHE LINE
The new GAHE at the Gaislachkoglbahn is a relaxed, fun line where you can really let it rip. However, at 7.6 kilometres, it is even longer than the OLLWEITE and also connects the HARBE with the LETTN line. All in all, this is a fitness test with a total of 12 kilometres and 923 metres of depth.
DIFFICULTY
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NENE NATURE TRAIL
From the Gaislachkogl middle station you walk a few metres southwards to the Nene and thus towards solitude. The Ötztal locals call Nene the grandfather - so it is an old path that has been travelled for generations. In the upper section it leads beautifully along the open slope, with a direct view of the three thousand metre peaks. The trail becomes technically demanding - narrow, rocky and above all rooty - as soon as it enters the forest. At the end, it flows smoothly into the easy BROATE Line and ends in the Rollin pump track.
BLACK
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TWO-WHEEL NATION SÖLDEN
What makes a bike destination a BIKE REPUBLIC?
TRAVEL PASS
With the mountain railway ticket, you receive your passport in the BIKE REPUBLIC. You can use it to collect visas at the stamping points along the lines and trails and secure goodies - a clever incentive to get around the REPUBLIC.
RIGHT TO VOTE
The REPUBLIC's concept is "Riders Rule!" - and this is meant quite literally: on the bank holidays at the beginning of September, a citizens' assembly is held at which the bikers can vote on the future of their nation.
LANGUAGE
The toughest challenge of the BIKE REPUBLIC? The names of the trails and lines. What the Ötztal names mean is one thing (Teäre = stubborn, Ohn = down, Gahe = fast etc.), the other is the pronunciation. As a rule: gurgle every letter out of your throat hard and clear.
AREA
The opening of the Langeggbahn cable car in 2018 was a decisive bridge-building event across the Republic: it allows you to take a relaxed "there & back" shuttle between north and south, the Gaislachkogl and Giggijochbahn cable cars. It also leads to the start of the OLLWEITE, probably the most spectacular line in the REPUBLIC, at an altitude of 2666 metres.
MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION ABOUT SÖLDEN
ARRIVAL
Sölden is located at an altitude of 1377 metres in the rear Ötztal valley in Tyrol. The journey from Stuttgart (via A8/A7 and Fernpass) takes around four hours, from Munich (via A95 and Fernpass, A95 and Seefeld or A8 and Inntal motorway) 2.5 hours. If you are travelling by train, you can take the Ötztal bus from the train station at the entrance to the valley to Sölden free of charge.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All accommodation - from bike hotels and guesthouses to campsites - can be found at: bikerepublic.soelden.com/accommodation
REFRESHMENTS ON THE MOUNTAIN AND IN THE VALLEY
Twelve mountain huts are scattered throughout the BIKE REPUBLIC area. From the Goldegg Alm (www.bratkartoffelhuette.at) in the far south on the Nene Trail, to the Leiterbergalm (www.sunny-soelden.com/de/leiterbergalm) in the north. On the lift-free, so-called "quiet side" are the Kleble and Stallwiesalm (www.stallwiesalm.at).
Another hut highlight is the Rotkogelhütte (www.rotkogel.com) at an altitude of 2666 metres at the start of the OLLWEITE Line, the legendary Gampe Thaya (gampethaya.riml.com) in the heart of the BIKE REPUBLIC and the Sonnblick Hut (www.sonnblick.riml.com) directly on the new GAHE Line.
In the valley, bikers like to swing off at the Bäckelarwirt, opposite the pump track at the Gaislachkogl cable car. Here you can enjoy regional beer and BIKE REPUBLIC pizza from the Sicilian pizzaiolo with roast beef from Ötztal beef, rocket and Parmesan shavings. www.baeckelarwirt-soelden.at
BIKE SCHOOLS
At RideOn, enduro riders and beginners alike can book courses and camps. From tours in high alpine terrain to riding technique courses in the REPUBLIC and even kids' courses from the age of three. www.rideon-soelden.com
The team from the Morandell Freeride Centre also runs enduro and cross-country tours and offers beginner programmes. www.freeride-center.at
The third bike school in Sölden offers a daily programme with family tours and workshops in three levels. www.hike-bike.at
PUMP TRACKS & BIKE WASH
There are two pump tracks in Sölden: Rollin at the Gaislachkoglbahn valley station and Sunny on the other side of the river, a little further north in the village. You can wash your bike at Rollin and at the Giggijoch and Gaislachkogl valley stations.
EVENTS
Bike opening 7 - 10 June 2019 Sölden opens its trails with a lavish programme and a big party. In addition to camps and tours for all levels, Danny MacAskill and his "foster son" Fabio Wibmer will be showing off their tricks. And with the legendary scavenger hunt organised by lawnmowers Karen Eller and Holger Meyer, the most fun enduro event on the bike scene also takes place on the opening weekend.
Rob J Youth Camp 18-24 August 2019 Rob J's camps for young people aged between eleven and 16 are already legendary. Together with a team of professional riders, he has put together a seven-day weekly programme that will help the young bikers progress enormously. There is not only freeride and trail action, but also technique and movement training, tricks and tips - and an extensive supporting programme. www.premiumbikecamps.com/jugendcamp-soelden
Bank holidays 6-8 September 2019 The BIKE REPUBLIC celebrates its own bank holidays with the return of the Trail Master Challenge: camps and rides with professionals, lots of culinary delights, a kids' programme and a citizens' assembly where bikers can vote on the future of the REPUBLIC.
BERGBAHNEN
The day ticket costs 39 euros for adults (children born 2005-2011) 21 euros, young people (born 2000-2004) 32 euros. Multi-day and half-day tickets (from 11.30 a.m.) are also available.
GENERAL INFORMATION
All information about the routes, bike shops, accommodation and refreshment stops, events and prices can be found here: bikerepublic.soelden.com
