Tours

Europe

- La Palma and Madeira offer the warmest conditions in December, with spring-like weather on the coast, little rain and, at times, cool temperatures at higher altitudes.  
- Mediterranean islands such as Mallorca, Sardinia and Elba are generally considered mild, sunny and dry in December; Sicily may be affected by eruptions of Mount Etna.  
- Finale Ligure is closer, well-connected and popular, but in December it is cooler, rainier and more prone to changeable weather than other southern European cycling destinations.

Using up remaining holiday entitlement: Is Finale Ligure really the best place to go in winter?

- Five selected wine cycle routes, from the Moselle to South Tyrol, offer a variety of profiles, ranging from flat riverside routes to undulating leisurely rides.
- Key planning tips: choose stages based on elevation profile rather than kilometres, schedule wine tastings for the end of the day, and book weekends well in advance.
- The Moselle and Wachau are ideal for beginners, the Baden Wine Cycle Route and Styria offer variety and a greater challenge, whilst the South Tyrol route is perfect as a compact day trip.

A selection of cycle routes: The 5 most beautiful cycle routes through wine-growing regions in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol

EUROPE

- Overnight hikes in autumn require mental preparation, but offer benefits such as quiet trails, clear starry skies and stable, mosquito-free conditions.  
- To combat damp and cold, choose your campsite carefully, layer up with merino wool, use a double-walled tent, a suitable sleeping mat and sleeping bag, and have warm drinks and soups to hand.  
- As it gets dark early, a good head torch, a logical packing strategy, making good use of a gas stove and keeping yourself occupied – such as by reading – are particularly important.

Tips for bike packing in autumn: Stepping outside your comfort zone

- In German bike parks, the season ends between 24 October and 30 November, depending on the location, sometimes subject to weather conditions and featuring closing events.
- In Austria, many bike parks close in stages from the end of September to the start of November, often coinciding with festivals and special closing weekends.
- Individual parks, such as Trailpark Harz, are open almost all year round, weather permitting; however, the lifts in some parks remain closed during the winter.

End-of-season events at the bike parks: final runs and massive closing parties

- In 2026, the 1,460 km Taurus Mountain Race will set off from Antalya to Mersin, traversing extremely remote, undeveloped high mountains.  
- Entry is by application only, requiring proof of bikepacking experience, completion of a race manual quiz and a subsequent draw for 100–150 starting places.  
- Strict unsupported rules: exact GPX route, three checkpoints, no support, no drafting (except for teams of two), ‘Leave No Trace’, entry fee approx. €420.

Bikepacking in Turkey: Taurus Mountain Race in October

- From mid-September to early October, a range of MTB, gravel, downhill and bikepacking events take place in the Alps and in Germany.  
- Highlights include the bike festa Südtirol, the iXS European Downhill Cup in Maribor, the ALB-GOLD Trophy and the SALT & LAKE Trail.  
- In October, these are followed by the Saalfelden Leogang Bike Festival, the KustMarathon Zeeland, the Wasgau Bike Marathon, the Enduro National Championships and duathlon events.

2026 Season Finale: The 12 best autumn events for mountain bikers

- Monte Grappa is a historic place of pilgrimage with an ossuary (25,000 fallen soldiers); Sentiero 153 was created in 1917–18 as a military supply route.  
- Sentiero 153: an approximately 8 km exposed zigzag and tunnel trail on a steep cliff face; visually striking; technically mostly S1 with a few S2 sections.  
- Total route: 21.8 km, 344 m elevation gain (via shuttle to the summit), 1,817 m descent; the ride ends at Sacello San Liberale, with the return journey to Borso del Grappa.

Legendary MTB Routes, Part 9: Monte Grappa Sentiero 153

- A solo bikepacking tour across five Canary Islands along the Gran Guanche Trail, characterised by wind, cold, breakdowns, solitude and striking landscapes.  
- Sudden changes in the weather, road closures and equipment issues force detours, abandonments and compromises, but these shape the character of the route and the personal experience.  
- Requirements for the route: good physical fitness, mental strength, weatherproof kit, flexible accommodation arrangements and checking the latest trail and safety information.

Canary Islands Adventure: Christmas on the Gran Guanche Trail

- In the Allgäu High Alps, rangers use drones and thermal imaging cameras to track down illegal campers and campfires; offenders face fines of up to 600 euros.  
- Wild camping is strictly prohibited; the only exceptions are emergency bivouacking in genuine emergencies or staying overnight at officially bookable trekking camps.  
- The reasons for the bans include vandalism, fire hazards, litter and disturbance to wildlife; the ‘Leave No Trace’ code of conduct is recommended.

Allgäu: Rangers use thermal imaging cameras to track down unauthorised campers

- Andi Heckmair’s Transalp ride from Oberstdorf to Lake Garda in 1990 became a legendary pioneering route for mountain bike crossings of the Alps.  
- The seven-day route takes in challenging passes such as the Schrofen Pass, Scaletta Pass, Gavia and the Passo di Campo, parts of which can only be negotiated by pushing the bike.  
- The tour attracted widespread media attention, was later improved in places and is still ridden today for its cult status; Heckmair is now 85.

Legendary MTB routes: The first Transalp – the Heckmair Route

- Three women spend seven days gravel cycling through Finnish Lapland between Ruka, Posio and Syöte on varied gravel and forest trails.
- Accommodation is in wilderness camps, cabins and a teepee, with a sauna, campfires, local food and tranquil lakes as key features.
- The route showcases Finland as a versatile gravel destination, featuring the midnight sun, changeable weather, long stages and a focus on experiencing nature rather than racking up the kilometres.

Bikepacking in Finland: A 7-day gravel adventure in Lapland

- Deichmann and Rutkowski cycled the length and breadth of Europe in 127 days: 24,000 km, 250,000 metres of elevation gain, 27 countries, 9 hours in the saddle every day with no rest days.  
- The route was deliberately chosen to take in minor roads and off-road sections, with the cyclists facing heat, cold, constant rain, supply shortages and detours due to forest fires.  
- Deichmann criticises mass tourism in Romania, holds several world endurance records and is planning to run 30 marathons in 30 days in Baden-Württemberg.

Bikepacking across Europe: Jonas Deichmann is back

The best European tours for bikers | Routes & trails in Europe ✓ Tips and preparation ✓ 

Europe tours by bike | BIKE

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Europe tours by bike | BIKE

Using up remaining holiday entitlement
Is Finale Ligure really the best place to go in winter?

A selection of cycle routes
The 5 most beautiful cycle routes through wine-growing regions in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol

Tips for bike packing in autumn
Stepping outside your comfort zone

End-of-season events at the bike parks
Final runs and massive closing parties

Bikepacking in Turkey
Taurus Mountain Race in October

2026 Season Finale
The 12 best autumn events for mountain bikers

Legendary MTB Routes, Part 9
Monte Grappa Sentiero 153

Canary Islands Adventure
Christmas on the Gran Guanche Trail

Allgäu
Rangers use thermal imaging cameras to track down unauthorised campers

Legendary MTB routes
The first Transalp – the Heckmair Route

Bikepacking in Finland
A 7-day gravel adventure in Lapland

Bikepacking across Europe
Jonas Deichmann is back

Europe tours by bike | BIKE

Using up remaining holiday entitlementIs Finale Ligure really the best place to go in winter?

A selection of cycle routesThe 5 most beautiful cycle routes through wine-growing regions in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol

Tips for bike packing in autumnStepping outside your comfort zone

End-of-season events at the bike parksFinal runs and massive closing parties

Bikepacking in TurkeyTaurus Mountain Race in October

2026 Season FinaleThe 12 best autumn events for mountain bikers

Legendary MTB Routes, Part 9Monte Grappa Sentiero 153

Canary Islands AdventureChristmas on the Gran Guanche Trail

AllgäuRangers use thermal imaging cameras to track down unauthorised campers

Legendary MTB routesThe first Transalp – the Heckmair Route

Bikepacking in FinlandA 7-day gravel adventure in Lapland

Bikepacking across EuropeJonas Deichmann is back

Using up remaining holiday entitlement
Is Finale Ligure really the best place to go in winter?

A selection of cycle routes
The 5 most beautiful cycle routes through wine-growing regions in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol

Tips for bike packing in autumn
Stepping outside your comfort zone

End-of-season events at the bike parks
Final runs and massive closing parties

Bikepacking in Turkey
Taurus Mountain Race in October

2026 Season Finale
The 12 best autumn events for mountain bikers

Legendary MTB Routes, Part 9
Monte Grappa Sentiero 153

Canary Islands Adventure
Christmas on the Gran Guanche Trail

Allgäu
Rangers use thermal imaging cameras to track down unauthorised campers

Legendary MTB routes
The first Transalp – the Heckmair Route

Bikepacking in Finland
A 7-day gravel adventure in Lapland

Bikepacking across Europe
Jonas Deichmann is back