1st Reintalanger hut
- Length: 32.7 kilometres
- Uphill: 1067 metres in altitude
- Pure journey time: 1:40 hours
- Difficulty: medium
The Reintalanger hut is right on my doorstep, or let's say above my doorstep. It is the Garmisch in-and-out classic from the Moser bible. However, the route through the Reintal is also very popular with hikers - it is the longest, but technically easiest route up to the summit of the Zugspitze. On the last, narrower section in particular, it can therefore get quite crowded, especially at the weekend. It is therefore better to do the tour by bike during the week.
Starting point of the tour: the Olympic ski stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You can park your car here or simply get off the train - the regional railway stops right by the stadium. It's 17 kilometres up to the Reintalangerhütte and the steepest ramps pile up right at the start. But from the Partnachalm, the gravel path flattens out pleasantly and the trees provide beautiful views of the Wetterstein walls. From the material store, the path becomes narrow and more technical after the Bockhütte, but this is a welcome challenge on an e-MTB. The trail now meanders along the Partnach in a high alpine style into the rear Reintal valley. There are some nice places to rest by the river near the hut. It doesn't get much more high alpine and beautiful than this. The descent follows the same route, as the original Moser route was buried in a mudslide a few years ago and has not been restored.
Tip for hot days: Be sure to plan a detour to the Partnachklamm gorge, then enjoy a cool beer at Cuatro Hombres.
2nd Banzai Trail in the Aosta Valley
- Length: 37.7 kilometres
- Uphill: 1673 metres
- Pure travelling time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: medium
The trail from the Invergneux Pass in the Aosta Valley is one of the most spectacular natural flow experiences I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Sure, the climb up to an altitude of 2900 metres is long, but it is rideable on an e-MTB except for a few sections at the end. At the top, you can take a break with a view of the Gran Paradiso before embarking on this epic, gentle, winding and never boring 15-kilometre descent back to Cogne. An experience for which you don't need sophisticated riding technique and which you will never forget. That's a promise!
A stop-off tip for Aosta, by the way: The Place has the very best burgers!
3rd Monte Tibert in the Valle Maira
- Length: 32 kilometres
- Uphill: 1600 metres in altitude
- Journey time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: medium to difficult
My absolute favourite trail in Piedmont: from the Giro d'Italia pass Colle Intersile, a ridge trail winds its way over to Monte Tibert (2647 m), offering a panoramic view. From here, on a clear day, you can see as far as the summit of Monte Viso and, if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon. You then embark on a trail that simply doesn't want to go straight back into the Maira Valley. Again and again, it climbs up small counter-climbs and thus prolongs the downhill fun. But at some point, the wild ups and downs come to an end and you roll into the village of Lottulo, exhausted but highly satisfied with yourself and the world.
Refreshment tip: The cuisine at Pension Ceaglio is rustic and extremely tasty!
4th Tremalzo Pass on Lake Garda
- Length: 70.7 kilometres
- Uphill: 2411 metres in altitude
- Pure travelling time: 5 to 6 hours
- Difficulty: 80 % medium, 20 % difficult
An absolute classic that I tackle at least once a year. Even if the actual trail section isn't that big. But the overall experience is just right on this tour and there are many different variations. The easiest is to get on the shuttle and start at the Rifugio Garda in the direction of the Tremalzo Pass. Ambitious cyclists, on the other hand, can tackle the ascent themselves, but it's not a good idea to crank towards the downhillers on the same route. That's why I find the challenging full-day excursion by boat to Limone quite interesting, but beware: although this route is trail-heavy, uphill it is also a technical puzzle along the physical limits, surrounded by fantastic nature - in other words, a perfect e-MTB tour.
After the legendary Tremalzo Pass road, which definitely makes more sense uphill on an e-MTB than the other way round, a real downhill dream awaits on the way back into the Ledro Valley. First, you balance on a towel-thin, wild trail through the woods below the Boca di Caset, then after a short ascent you reach a forest trail into which expert trail builders have even incorporated a few fun features - a wild forest rollercoaster unlike anything you're used to on Lake Garda. The trail ends in a steep concrete ramp that leads to Lake Ledro. From here, it's a leisurely roll along the old Ponale road back to Riva.
Battery management: Fit cyclists may be able to cope with one large battery, but it's more relaxed with two. Or you can take the charger with you and take a longer break at the Rifugio Passo Nota: you can recharge here.
Refreshment tips: Espresso with a view before things get serious: La Milancesa. At the Rifugio Passo Nota, you can enjoy delicious pasta while your battery recharges. Also good: the Refugio Garda on the Tremalzo Pass. And then an Aperol at the Ponale Alto Belvedere, right on the old Ponale road.
5th Col de Mille in Verbier
- Length: 24.2 kilometres
- Uphill: 895 metres in altitude
- Pure journey time: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: medium to difficult
Epic, long and varied nature trail on the quiet side of the Val de Bagnes. Starting point of the long tour: Le Châble in the Swiss Val de Bagnes. But even if you shorten the ascent by post bus to Moay, the remaining metres in altitude up to the Col de Mille should not be underestimated. At the top, the trail runs along a ridgeline, but you simply have to stop to take in the entire panorama of the famous Valais peaks and Mont Blanc. Downhill, the trail pulls out all the stops without ever getting really mean. You should be able to deal with rocks, scree and, later in the forest, roots. In between, you can take it easy on flowy passages. However, the path has cut deep into the mountain pasture soil in places. It's easy to get stuck with the pedals. There is a section in the forest at the beginning that is constantly wet due to a stream. Brief danger of slipping!
Refreshment tip for after the tour: A cold beer in the Brasserie du Châble! By the way: an overnight stay is not necessary for this length of tour, but the morning atmosphere at the Cabane de Mille (2473 m) is said to be a truly epoch-making experience. Info: cabanedemille.ch
