Feelings of happiness: 5 trails you have to ride

Bad-Aibling-Trails (D)

This is where it all started for me: in Bad Aibling near Rosenheim. That's where I caught bike fever! There are five lines here. (1) A table line - it's perfect for beginners. (2) A similarly sized mini-doubleline. It requires more skill because it is very technical. (3) The line called Sneaky Weasel. (4) A pro line (see photo) and (5) my favourite, the Milky Way. I think every mountain biker should be able to do a bit of dirt jumping. That's how you learn to jump, and because the small dirt bike doesn't forgive mistakes, you get a good technique. We have a great community in Bad Aibling and look forward to welcoming visitors. After the session, we like to have a beer together around the campfire. sc-bad-aibling.de

Bikepark Kočevje (SLO)

The Flat Out Days MTB festival in the Kočevje bike park is a revelation. The motto: beers, bikes and big jumps. My favourite trail is the Victoria to Jumpline. A shuttle driver takes you up the mountain, and then it's off down to the Jumpline via trails with countless variations and plenty of speed. The Feststyle line with XXL jumps awaits at the bottom. I don't ride them (yet), but a toned-down form of big doubles, drops and hips (see photo). They look terrifying, but they work well - whether on a big bike or enduro. I'm addicted to these jumps! flatoutdays.com

Blindsee Trail (AUT)

This trail is awesome! You can either pedal up the 700 metres in altitude to the Blindsee Trail on a wide forest road or take the lift. It starts to the right of the Grubigalm. After a short ascent, a fun trail starts. But fun doesn't mean easy, it means challenging and fun. The view of the Blindsee lake is magnificent. You even have to push your bike under a waterfall. How could it be otherwise, the Blindsee Trail ends right by the lake. My rule: no matter what the weather - I jump into the Blindsee!

Punta Chaligne (IT)

I say: this is the best nature trail in the world! It leads from the summit of Punta Chaligne in the Aosta Valley down to the Rifugio. From the summit cross, you have an incredible view of Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa. For the descent, you first follow a ridge on loose scree, then you zigzag into the depths in narrow switchbacks. From the tree line, the nasty mountain path turns into a flow trail. With shuttle (900 m elevation gain), the tour is almost 30 kilometres long (1270 m elevation gain). Pure descent: 2102 metres in depth. Important: Check the weather. aostavalleyfreeride.com

Wexl-Trails (AUT)

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Wexl trails are Europe's answer to the legendary A-Line in Whistler. Rumour has it that one of the shapers rode the whole line brakeless on a BMX at the opening. An indication that the flow is right. You won't find any braking waves here. The jumps are very well coordinated. A drag lift with an ingenious handlebar mount carts the mountain bikers to the top. I managed an incredible 13 rides on the jumpline in one afternoon. I just couldn't stop. In short: put the Wexl trails on your to-do list for 2022. wexltrails.at