Gain metres in altitude: The 7 longest and most beautiful climbs in the Alps

You can find these toughness tours in this article:

• Madritschjoch, 3123 m: Highest bike pass in the Eastern Alps
• Eisjöchl, 2879 m: 2400 vertical metres in one go
• Tremalzo Pass, 1863 m: the Lago crowning glory without a shuttle
• Fimber Pass 2450 metres altitude: Epic borderline experience
• Tende Pass, 1871 m: Cult returns in the Maritime Alps
• Mont Chaberton: the highest rideable pass in the Alps
• Schrofenpass 1688 m: The Heckmair Transalp nut

Plus: Tip - how to succeed in the altitude orgy

1 - Madritschjoch, 3123 m: Highest bike pass in the Eastern Alps

You could call this ordeal a meeting of kings, as Ortler, Zebrù, Cevedale and Königsspitze look on while you fight your way up from Prad (900 m) in Vinschgau to the 3123 metre high pass. However, most bikers reach the Schaubachhütte hut by shuttle and cable car and celebrate themselves when they manage the last steep
500 metres in the saddle!

>> Further article: Italy: Panorama tour Madritschjoch <<

2 - Eisjöchl, 2879 m: 2400 vertical metres in one go

Five hours of climbing: only very fit Alpine crossers include the 2400 metres in altitude in their MTB route. However, the never-ending and very steep hairpin bends on cobblestones towards the end are a little less painful to conquer from Naturns.

>> Our BIKE Mission 3000 up to the Eisjöchl was also about mental and physical strength <<

3 - Tremalzo Pass, 1863 m: the Lago crowning glory without a shuttle

The Lago classic: Since the shuttles have led to a lot of oncoming traffic, we can only recommend the ascent from Vesio via Corna Vecchia and Passo Nota to the famous 1863 metre Tremalzo tunnel. Or: get up early and get to the top before the first shuttle: 1900 metres of ascent in a breathtaking MTB tour around our favourite lake.

>> Read also: Lake Garda: MTB classic Tremalzo <<

4 - Fimber Pass 2450 metres altitude: Epic borderline experience

People have been using this 2608 metre high passage from Paznaun to Engadin for 2500 years. Its ascent begins in Ischgl, climbs over the Greitspitze (1500 metres in altitude) and balances on the ridge path over the Zeblasjoch. The Heidelbergerhütte is the best place to spend the night and tackle the remaining trail serpentines (350 metres in altitude) early in order to experience the sunrise at the pass!

>> Further article: Tour guide Ischgl <<

5 - Tende Pass, 1871 m: Cult returns in the Maritime Alps

Napoleon once had the ladder of 48 narrow gravel bends laid in the Maritime Alps between Italy and France. Although the pass itself is only 1871 metres high, the last eight kilometres alone have 800 metres of altitude difference to contend with. The French south side was closed after rockfalls, but is due to reopen this year!

>> Read also: 5 MTB super tours for the long weekend <<

6 - Mont Chaberton, 3136 m: the highest rideable pass in the Alps

You have to be made for the King of the Cottian Alps, otherwise you will despair on its steep, coarse gravel hairpin bends. There are also places where the track is so crumbled that it can only be felt as a hint in the slope. But at the top, 3136 metres above sea level, you are amazed by its crown of eight battle towers. Info: 1855 metres altitude/14 km.

>> Read also: E-MTB Supertrail Mont Chaberton <<

7 - Schrofenpass 1688 m: The Heckmair Transalp nut

Anyone setting off from Oberstdorf on Andi Heckmair's trail for a Transalp,
will be served the toughest nut to crack on the very first stage: A steep path carved into the rock and secured with aluminium ladders leads over the 1688-metre-high Schrofenpass in the Allgäu Alps, which requires a head for heights.

>>Find more articles here: Transalp: The original route from 1990, Can you conquer the Heckmair route on an e-MTB? <<

How to succeed in the altitude orgy

Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor:

Performance and weight count on the mountain. I therefore recommend carrying light luggage for long climbs. Mentally, the mantra 'I have time' helps me personally. If you set off early, you don't need to stress and now in summer you have plenty of time until the last light of day. Knowing that I have enough food and drink with me also calms my mind immensely.

Petra Zeller, Maxxis BIKE Transalp Team:

Petra reports on her social media channels about her preparations for the BIKE Transalp 2023 from 9 to 15 July. Your tip for long climbs:

If I set myself the goal of climbing 3000 metres in one go, it's difficult to achieve, so I prefer to work my way up from stone to stone. I simply set myself small goals until I reach the top. A view of the landscape recharges my batteries.

>> Read also: The top 10 Alpine trails to follow, The 10 most beautiful MTB summit tours <<