My top 5 trails: The selection by freeride guide Markus Emprechtinger

Il Semaforo translates as "traffic lights". Unfortunately, it was not possible to find out why this trail avenue on Elba is called that.

Even the ascent to the Cime de Chamoussillon (2158 m) impresses with its landscape.

The descent from the Cime de Chamoussillon then leads over the camel humps of the Terre Noire.

The trail runs for eight kilometres along the Monte Bar in Ticino at this altitude.

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Photo: Markus Emprechtinger

Once a month, we ask a prominent rider for his 5 personal favourite trails. Markus Emprechtinger from Innsbruck may not be a well-known racer, but he is a certified trail guide with the tour operator Flatsucks. It's his job to track down the best trails around the world. That's why we asked him for a brief description of his top 5 European trails.

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Text: Markus Emprechtinger

Il Semaforo

Elba / Tuscany

Elba's unrivalled trail density in relation to the size of the island is no longer a secret. Il Semaforo is a must-do for technically experienced uphillers. From Marciana, the trail climbs steeply over granite slabs, then descends 700 metres back to the sea. Physically demanding, but the tech flow is worth every arm pump.

Cuello de Llauset

Sierra Negra / Pyrenees

Photo: Markus EmprechtingerAs you can see: It's an epic descent in the Spanish Pyrenees. What you can't see: The previous, painful carrying passage up to the Cuello de Llauset (700 metres in altitude).

The trail through the moon-like landscape of the Sierra Negra is a true masterpiece of nature. However, the Cuello de Llauset (2869 m) has to be hard-earned via a long carrying and pushing section (700 m). But then there is high-speed flow at its best on an ingenious surface in the upper section, enduro forest bends in the middle section and a few slickrock sections at the end of the descent. When you roll into the wonderful old town of Benasque, there are a whopping 2000 metres of downhill on the clock.

>> The enduro paradise Zona Zero is also close by!

Cime de Chamoussillon

Entraunes / French Maritime Alps

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Photo: Markus EmprechtingerThe Terre Noire in the French Maritime Alps: the black-sandy camel humps are best taken with a swing.

It is perhaps the best tour in the French Southern Alps: the ascent from Entraunes to the Cime de Chamoussillon is already a poem, but then comes this descent: rough and technical from the summit, then the trail balances over a typical Terre Noire ridge. Here you have to keep your speed up to overcome all the camel humps. Later, in the forest, the trail cuts through the greenery like a knife. You feel like you're on a rollercoaster, but in breathtaking scenery.

Monte Autes

Valle Stura / Piedmont

Photo: Markus EmprechtingerIn Valle Stura, many a trail has been trimmed for 100 per cent enduro fun. Like here on Monte Autes.

The Valle Stura in Piedmont inspires with its solitude, great differences in altitude and, above all, a very active enduro scene in Vinadio. The locals have made this descent on Monte Autes the highlight of the valley. Because just when you think it can't get any better, the sun rises again on this trail, even in the forest: Pure flow, pure enduro - and if you really get into it at the end, the steepness and views down to Vinadio really give you that downhill feeling.

Monte Bar

Ticino / Switzerland

Photo: Markus EmprechtingerMonte Bar (1816 m) on Lake Lugano is still part of the foothills of the Alps in Swiss Ticino. But its panoramic trail is one of the really big ones in the Alps!

I'm a fan of cross-country trails above the tree line - so of course the Monte Bar tour is a must. With a constant view of Lake Lugano, the route continues for eight kilometres, more or less maintaining altitude. Shortly before the Capanna Monte Bar, the descent finally starts and it gets better and better from section to section - if you pay attention to the right turn-offs. And if you're already here, you should take the gondola to Monte Tamaro. Another real trail highlight awaits you there...

Markus Emprechtinger

"Empi" is one of the founders of "Flatsucks", the enduro and trail tour operator from Innsbruck (flatsucks.at). Of course, his top 5 would also include some trails in Tyrol, but unfortunately they are still waiting to be legalised.