Tours

Europe

- The Gavia and Mortirolo Passes will be closed to motorised traffic on two days each summer in 2026 and open exclusively to cyclists.  
- Gavia Pass: 2621 m high, only accessible from June to mid-October; two approaches with gradients of up to 16% and newly tarmac roads.  
- Dates 2026: Gavia 5 June and 30 August (9am-1pm), Mortirolo 9 June (8.30am-1pm) and 28 August (8.30am-12pm); participation free of charge, no registration required.

Car-free mountain passes by 2026: the Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes in one go

- A profile of six classic Alpine MTB routes, mostly along historic military tracks, from Eisjöchl via Pasubio to Mont Chaberton and Mezzocorona.  
- Many of the routes are considered particularly gruelling, exposed or technically demanding; some have been temporarily closed or are only accessible to a limited extent.  
- Changes range from closures, diversions and damage caused by mudslides to modernised huts, cable car regulations and planned gondola renovations.

Iconic MTB trails: the ‘lost places’ that mountain bikers once discovered in the Alps

EUROPE

- Cycling road trip from Stavanger to Ålesund: e-MTB tours to Kjerag, Trolltunga, Nigardsbreen and Storhornet, often outside peak tourist season.  
- Norway is a country of diverse landscapes and is cycle-friendly, with changeable weather, slippery granite and high prices.  
- Practical information: best time to visit is June–August; strong ‘everyman’s right’ with specific rules; cashless payments are the norm; strict traffic and toll regulations.

Norway’s Holy Spots: A break from the heat by the fjord

- Due to the drought, water is running short at mountain huts, and disputes over refilling water bottles for free are escalating.
- 10 per cent of the 325 DAV huts are at risk of having to close early this season due to water and energy shortages.
- Climate change is causing springs to run dry, leading to strict water-saving measures and, in some cases, restrictions on electricity use.

Drinking water in the mountains: Is it OK to top up your bottle at the mountain hut?

- Robin Gemperle has won the Trans Continental Race for the second time, covering 4,695 km in 10 days, 8 hours and 55 minutes with just a 7-litre frame bag.  
- From the start in Trondheim to Kalamata, participants are self-sufficient, choose their own route and must factor in checkpoints and ferries.  
- In 2024, 422 riders set off; 128 crossed the finish line on 6 August, whilst 170 withdrew; the fastest woman was once again Sarah Bosslet, completing the race in 12 days, 11 hours and 1 minute.

Transcontinental Race 2026: Robin Gemperle covers 4,695 kilometres in 10 days

- On 29 August 2026, the Stilfserjoch Road will be closed to cars from 8 am to 4 pm and open only to cyclists on all types of bikes.
- The route runs from Prad/Trafoi to the Stilfserjoch (2,758 m) over 24.9 km and 1,846 metres of elevation gain, with no registration required and no timekeeping.
- There will be a cyclists’ festival with music at Franzenshöhe; for the return journey, a circular route via the car-free Umbrail Pass into Switzerland is recommended.

Car-free mountain passes 2026: Stelvio Pass – Queen of the hairpin bends

- Between Sebnitz and Dolní Poustevna, Germany’s first cross-border trail park – comprising 15 trails spanning 31 km – is being developed with EU funding.  
- Planning and construction were hampered, particularly on the German side, by protracted approval processes, whilst in the Czech Republic the trails and infrastructure were completed earlier.  
- The entire trail network is due to be connected from autumn 2026; in addition to the trails, Sebnitz is focusing on infrastructure such as the ‘Welcome Hub’ at SoliVital.

Borderless Trails in the Bohemian Forest: Work is now underway on the German side!

- Careful route planning, choosing the right day to set off and a general understanding of the terrain are crucial for avoiding traffic jams, hazards and the need to change plans in the Alps.
- Packing your rucksack close to your body, quickly resolving any issues, carrying spare parts, sun cream and consistently wearing a helmet all enhance safety and comfort.
- Setting off early reduces the risk of thunderstorms and ensures you have time for breakfast and to reach your accommodation, as breaks, breakdowns and organising the group can take up a lot of time.

MTB season in full swing: 7 mistakes to avoid on a Transalp ride

- Making an emergency call in the mountains is more complicated: 112 across the EU, plus 140 (Austria), 1414 (Switzerland) and the SOS EU ALP app with automatic location tracking.  
- When making an emergency call, the 6 W questions, basic first aid knowledge and an understanding of typical MTB injuries such as fractures, bruises and spinal trauma are essential.  
- If there is no mobile network coverage, use the international distress signal; if a helicopter is approaching, indicate the wind direction and clearly signal with your arm whether help is required.

Calling the mountain rescue service: SOS in the Alps – how does that work again?

- Three two-day tours described here combine Alpine panoramas, overnight stays in huts and starry skies, with varying distances and elevation gains.
- The Kesch, March and Guffert huts offer basic accommodation, limited facilities and, in some cases, technically challenging trails for cyclists.
- GPX data for all three routes is available for download by BIKE subscribers and Premium Digital users on bike-magazin.de in the ‘My Account’ section.

3 MTB hut-to-hut tours in the Alps: Today, we’re heading towards the Milky Way

- The gravel bike community is growing rapidly; it is organised online, avoids traditional package holidays and makes use of supermarkets, petrol stations and outdoor accommodation.
- Three core profiles: Premium Explorers with a high willingness to spend, urban micro-adventurers on short trips, and tech-savvy, self-sufficient bikepackers on long routes.
- Destinations are responding with gravel events and new offerings such as Gravel Carinthia, House of Gravel in Lapland and the 0 to 100 Bike Challenge.

New tour concepts: How the gravel cycling craze is transforming tourism

- As well as kitesurfing, Tarifa offers a growing network of mountain bike trails, created by locals, in the hilly, unspoilt hinterland.  
- The three main routes range from 16.5 to 52.5 km, with 346 to 765 metres of elevation gain, with trail sections accounting for 28–34 per cent of the route and difficulty levels ranging from S0 to S2.  
- The best time to visit for cyclists is during the windy, sometimes rainy months; most visitors travel via Málaga, with accommodation mainly in campervans, hotels and guesthouses.

Tarifa Trail Guide: Surfer’s Paradise – the top 3 routes for mountain bikers

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

Car-free mountain passes by 2026
The Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes in one go

Iconic MTB trails
The ‘lost places’ that mountain bikers once discovered in the Alps

Norway’s Holy Spots
A break from the heat by the fjord

Drinking water in the mountains
Is it OK to top up your bottle at the mountain hut?

Transcontinental Race 2026
Robin Gemperle covers 4,695 kilometres in 10 days

Car-free mountain passes 2026
Stelvio Pass – Queen of the hairpin bends

Borderless Trails in the Bohemian Forest
Work is now underway on the German side!

MTB season in full swing
7 mistakes to avoid on a Transalp ride

Calling the mountain rescue service
SOS in the Alps – how does that work again?

3 MTB hut-to-hut tours in the Alps
Today, we’re heading towards the Milky Way

New tour concepts
How the gravel cycling craze is transforming tourism

Tarifa Trail Guide
Surfer’s Paradise – the top 3 routes for mountain bikers

Europe tours by bike | BIKE

Car-free mountain passes by 2026The Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes in one go

Iconic MTB trailsThe ‘lost places’ that mountain bikers once discovered in the Alps

Norway’s Holy SpotsA break from the heat by the fjord

Drinking water in the mountainsIs it OK to top up your bottle at the mountain hut?

Transcontinental Race 2026Robin Gemperle covers 4,695 kilometres in 10 days

Car-free mountain passes 2026Stelvio Pass – Queen of the hairpin bends

Borderless Trails in the Bohemian ForestWork is now underway on the German side!

MTB season in full swing7 mistakes to avoid on a Transalp ride

Calling the mountain rescue serviceSOS in the Alps – how does that work again?

3 MTB hut-to-hut tours in the AlpsToday, we’re heading towards the Milky Way

New tour conceptsHow the gravel cycling craze is transforming tourism

Tarifa Trail GuideSurfer’s Paradise – the top 3 routes for mountain bikers

Car-free mountain passes by 2026
The Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes in one go

Iconic MTB trails
The ‘lost places’ that mountain bikers once discovered in the Alps

Norway’s Holy Spots
A break from the heat by the fjord

Drinking water in the mountains
Is it OK to top up your bottle at the mountain hut?

Transcontinental Race 2026
Robin Gemperle covers 4,695 kilometres in 10 days

Car-free mountain passes 2026
Stelvio Pass – Queen of the hairpin bends

Borderless Trails in the Bohemian Forest
Work is now underway on the German side!

MTB season in full swing
7 mistakes to avoid on a Transalp ride

Calling the mountain rescue service
SOS in the Alps – how does that work again?

3 MTB hut-to-hut tours in the Alps
Today, we’re heading towards the Milky Way

New tour concepts
How the gravel cycling craze is transforming tourism

Tarifa Trail Guide
Surfer’s Paradise – the top 3 routes for mountain bikers