The GPS data for the three e-MTB tours in Val Venosta/Vinschgau can be found below in the download area.
"Martin and I would actually be bosom buddies if it weren't for the difference in height," says Kurt Resch, 173 centimetres, about his relationship with the 2-metre man next to him. He goes by the name Martin Pirhofer and has a reputation as a mountain bike great - and not just thanks to his physical appearance. Piri, as he is usually called, was one of the driving forces in the Vinschgau Valley when it came to establishing MTB trails. He is also someone who is never at a loss for an answer, so he doesn't let his colleague have the last word: "Kurt, half a metre is no problem with my saggy bum."
You can tell that the two men are not twins. However, you soon realise that they are closely connected in spirit when you go on tour with them. Both are around 50 years old. Both are bike hoteliers in South Tyrol. And both strongly suspect that they primarily run a hotel in order to legitimise their daily bike excursions. They both nod. "We're closed for a few weeks in winter, and that's the worst time of the year for me," says Martin. "Terrible!" Kurt shakes his head. It's the same for him.
Kurt Resch lives in Steinegg, not far from Bolzano, and has just spent a few days visiting Latsch in Vinschgau. What brought the bosom friends together and welded them together is, on the one hand, their cycling fanaticism. But also their drive as bike pioneers in South Tyrol. Over the last 15 years, Piri has played a decisive role in shaping the dense network of trails that criss-cross the slopes of the Venosta Valley on both sides. Above all, the fact that there is a harmonious combination of riding and hiking here.
"Basically, it's a matter of communication," he says. "Back then, we thought to ourselves: before biking is banned, we have to come up with a trail concept that allows people to ride side by side." The result was the trail tolerance signage, which has since set a precedent throughout South Tyrol (and beyond): Alternative trails have been created in narrow places and, of course, routes that are reserved exclusively for hikers and bikers. The professionals from Traildoctors have been commissioned to maintain the trails around Latsch.
A MTB paradise in other words. Surely you could switch to pleasure mode and lead a leisurely biker's existence? Not an option for Mr Pirhofer. If there's one thing he can't do, it's stand still. So it's a good thing that this new, exciting thing rolled up and grabbed him - and really grabbed him: the big man from Latsch is now a fanatical e-mountain biker. Just like his bosom friend Kurt, the filigree technician: "The developments that have taken place in recent years are simply enormous. With a hub motor, you didn't have a chance to ride technically. Today it's incredible fun both uphill and downhill." Piri nods: "What has happened is huge, but a lot more will happen. It has to. I only want to see four-piston brakes on my guests. Or a higher engine position for more clearance on tricky uphill sections over roots or stones."
This brings us to the topic of trails and the question of why the Venosta Valley is an ideal e-MTB destination. The valley, which stretches over 80 kilometres from Lake Reschen down to Merano, is a safe sunbathing area: rainfall in Silandro in 2016: 543 millimetres. In Palermo: 740 millimetres. Piri is convinced that this must be due to the people, whom the Lord God - for good reason - particularly loves. Meteorologists, on the other hand, believe it must be due to the insularity of the Venosta Valley, surrounded by mighty mountain ranges that tower like bouncers and deny the clouds access.
The valley is therefore poor in precipitation and rich in trails at the same time. The latter is actually down to the people. The people of Val Venosta have always been good trail blazers. There are the old smugglers' trails high up in the mountains to Switzerland or the even older Waalwege (irrigation channels) along the irrigation canals. Or the routes through the forest that farmers used to haul their wood down the slopes. "We looked for these paths, opened them up again and reactivated them for biking," says Piri.
While other regions are busy shaping flow trails, the routes in Val Venosta/Vinschgau are largely of natural origin. Many of them now enjoy legendary status: the Tibet and Goldsee trails on the Stilfser Joch, Monte Sole and Tschilli on the sunny side of Latsch, or Propain and Holy Hansen around Schlanders. They range from the high alpine spectacle 2500 metres in altitude down to the warm Gusto regions and are all on the bucket list of freeride-loving bikers. In their shadow, however, there are countless other trails that wind their way through the slopes, sometimes fluffy and soft, sometimes technically rough.
And all this equipment is available to e-MTB riders - "and much more", says Piri. There is another reason why he wants to promote e-MTBs in Val Venosta/Vinschgau: he wants to reduce the number of shuttles. There is hardly any lift assistance in Val Venosta/Vinschgau. The unspoilt landscape is pleasing to the eye and touring cyclists are in heaven, but Piri believes that they are on the decline. "The powerhouses who want to gain metres in altitude are becoming fewer and fewer. It's our own fault. How many gravel-riding traditionalists have we converted to trail lovers? Now it's much more about going downhill. 500 metres in altitude is enough, but there can't be enough downhill metres." So we shuttled.
"Our aim is to get 20 per cent of people off the shuttle and onto e-MTBs and to equalise everything in general. E-MTB riders can ride routes that you would never tackle on a bike." Like the Annaberg tour on the sunny side of the valley, which we are currently tackling. "It's the kind of tour you never do on a bike." Why? "You'll see," says Piri with a grin. A short time later, we see it: we are looking into a wall of ascent, a brutal 23 per cent gradient. No wonder we don't meet a biker soul. Without support, our thighs are in danger of bursting. As an alternative, an asphalt road leads around the outside - with the E-MTB, we enjoy riding on the steep gravel and trail variant. We pedal straight up the beautiful slopes, work up a sweat and go into raptures at the view of the expanse of the valley.
However, the joy of riding and watching comes to a head some time later on the descent. In the upper section, the Tschilli Trail is still a rough and rugged rodeo ride. But slowly the jolting and shaking subsides and it becomes more chilled. And when we finally circle out of the forest, the Annaberg soil spreads out before us. The trail undulates through the postcard idyll of the soft alpine meadows. It just has to be: We stop to soak up the scenery. What are the uphill options to enjoy this experience? Shuttle, cable car (only before 8.30 a.m. and from 3 p.m.), biker sweat partly on tarmac - or e-MTB touring fun.
"That's the thing," Piri emphasises. "With the e-MTB, you can get to corners where you wouldn't normally ride - or you can rediscover tours that have disappeared from the biker radar in the meantime." After a break, he adds: "The huts here are quite high up. The Marzoner Alm, for example, is super beautiful, the trails from there are perfect, but it's still 1000 metres in altitude from Latsch. My guests hardly wanted to ride that. Now we do the tour on an e-MTB, including the small Freiberger Mahd Alm and a fantastic trail in between."
Kurt grins. "I'm riding routes again that I used to ride 20 years ago, when I was still young and highly motivated." Even more motivated? We frown. Kurt is a machine, both technically and physically. But Piri, of course, takes the same line that his bosom buddy has so beautifully laid out for him: "Yes, look at him. The E-MTB was his last chance." He grins like a two-metre chubby boy, sits up quickly and pulls away even faster. The smaller rascal doesn't hesitate for long and speeds off after him. The two bike pioneers in an E-MTB frenzy.
These tours can be found in the Venosta Valley area guide (GPS data):
1st Göflaner Schartl (44.7 km, 2439 m elevation gain, 4.5-5 hours, 2x500 Wh battery)
2nd Two Alps Tour (29.3 km, 1380 m elevation gain, 3 hours / 1x500 Wh battery)
3rd Annaberg circuit with Tschilli trail (18 km, 811 m elevation gain, 1.5-2 hours, 1x500 Wh battery)
There is also information on three other dream tours in South Tyrol:
1st Masarè Tour Eggental (48 km, 1810 m elevation gain, 4 hours, 2x500 Wh battery)
2nd Speikboden in the Tauferer Ahrntal valley (50 km, 2300 m elevation gain, 4-5 hours, 2x500 Wh battery)
3rd Markinkele in Alta Pusteria (33 km, 1350 m elevation gain, 2.5-3 hours, 1x500 Wh battery
THREE TOURS IN THE VINSCHGAU VALLEY
1st Schartlkamm tour
Tour dates
Distance 44.7 km
Uphill 2439 hm
Path 12.2 km
Journey time 4,5-5 h
Technology
Driving technique heavy
Condition heavy
Battery 2 x 500 Wh
The Schartlkamm tour is a varied trail adventure for all those who are technically adept and have a good level of fitness. First, you take the shuttle from Latsch to the Martelltal valley to the Premstlhof farm at 1520 metres. Right from the start, the route is steep, initially on tarmac to the Radundhof and then no less steeply on the Saugwies forest path. You pedal uphill for over 700 metres in altitude - including a few short pushing passages - to the first avalanche barrier below the Göflaner Schartl. If you've been thanking your motor so far, you'll have to work up a sweat now: The e-MTB has to be shouldered. You should be sure-footed for trail number 3 (partly secured with rope) up to the Schartl. After around 20 minutes, at just under 2,400 metres, you are treated to a magnificent panorama - and a seemingly endless (technical) trail dream all the way down to the valley. Over the ridge, the trail rocks over granite rock towards Haslhof and on to the first junction, Kreuzjöchl. A little further on, trail number 1 on the right leads to Holy Hansen. The young trail legend has a 7-kilometre flow ride in store, spiced up with tricky passages, hairpin bends and steps. The no less fun Aigen trail continues to Morter and, after a short final climb via the ruins of the Ober- and Unter-Montani castles, casually back to Latsch.
2nd Two Alps Tour
Tour dates
Distance 29.3 km
Uphill 1380 hm
Path 5.6 km
Journey time 3 h
Technology
Driving technique medium
Condition medium
Battery 1 x 500 Wh
From Latsch, the route takes you past the campsite and uphill on a narrow cart track. You soon end up on one of the beautiful, gentle Waalwege (watch out for hikers). They are maintained and lovingly cared for by the local pensioners. You come to Tartsch and ride down into the village for a short distance before the route climbs steadily uphill on gravel in hairpin bends through the forest. After around 1100 metres in altitude, turn left to the small, rustic Freiberger-Mahd hut, which is located on a wide, open meadow. The hut landlord Walter serves simple, good food. The route continues on a fun trail until you reach the gravel road again, which leads to the Marzoner Alm - the charging stop for rider and vehicle (don't forget your charger). The Marzoner Alm is covered in a sea of flowers and is known for its excellent cuisine (so many locals also come to eat here). The descent leads directly below the alpine pasture through a gate onto a beautiful trail with only a few rough sections. It crosses the gravel road again and again, but is well signposted. Eventually you reach tarmac and have the choice of joining the easier Lupo Trail or the more challenging Fontana Trail. The Fontana is interspersed with steps and tight bends in places, but is great fun for technical riders.
3rd Annaberg circuit with Tschilli trail
Tour dates
Distance 18 km
Uphill 811 hm
Trail 4.4 km
Journey time 1,5-2 h
Technology
Driving technique medium
Condition light
Battery 1 x 500 Wh
From Latsch you cycle idyllically along the water until you change to the other side of the mountain in Goldrain: to the sunny side of the valley. You pedal uphill through apple orchards, first on tarmac, then on gravel. Even before you reach Annenberg Castle, there are a few ramps in the way - and it all comes to a head. Really steep stretches of up to 23 per cent make the tour unattractive for mountain bikers - they are just right for e-MTBs. If you want to challenge yourself, you can push your thighs to the max in Eco mode. Then you immerse yourself in a fragrant forest. It covers the ground with its soft needles, which crackle softly under the wheels. To the left and right, you can now see the exits and entrances to the trails that criss-cross the slope here. Before the Ratschillhof farm (the namesake of the Tschilli Trail), the path briefly turns into tarmac. You should definitely stop here for a bite to eat: Landlady Heidi serves equally large and very tasty portions, from pasta to countless variations of dumplings and Kaiserschmarrn pancakes. Now you can start the Tschilli Trail directly from the farm. However, this part is extremely rough and bumpy. If you want to avoid this challenging section, take the road back for a short while and then take the alternative start, which is also technical but manageable at first. If you just want to enjoy the flow, you should start one bend below instead. From here onwards, the Tschilli offers riding fun at its best. At first, it winds gently through the forest before shooting across the open meadows of the Annaberger Böden. Even if you just want to take it easy on this perfect trail, you have to slow down and soak up the magnificent views. Don't worry: there is still plenty of top chilli trail material waiting for you all the way down into the valley.
VINSCHGAU INFO
Gusto in the valley: Adam and Eve had a nice time in Eden? Maybe, but in Val Venosta/Vinschgau there are plenty of trails, crema, mountain pastures and high spirits in addition to the sun and apples - and the queue is at most at the ice cream parlour.
Travelling by car
From Germany via the Brenner motorway to Bozen-Süd and on via Meran. Or alternatively via Landeck and the Reschen Pass.
Take the ICE train to Bolzano and from there the Venosta Valley railway to the valley (www.bahn.de and www.vinschgauerbahn.it)
Best time to travel
With the weakening winter, the Venosta Valley is almost a year-round destination. It is definitely a great place to bike from early March until well into November. What makes the climate so mild: The Ötztal Alps, Texel Group and Ortler massif shield the valley from bad weather fronts.
Accommodation
- Martin "Piri" Pirhofer's hunting lodge is located in Latsch and offers excellent food as well as e-MTB hire and guiding. www.jagdhof.com
- The flats of the "Kuntrawant brothers" in Prad are casually furnished in a modern style and fully equipped. www.johann.it
- Further hotels specialising in (e-)mountain bikers can be found at www.bikehotels.it and www.bike-holidays.com
- All accommodation and general information about the Venosta Valley at www.vinschgau.net
Cabins
The culinary standards are generally very high at the numerous mountain huts in Val Venosta/Vinschgau - including the mountain huts on the tours described here: Ratschillhof, Freiberger Mahd and Marzoner Alm.
DREAM TOURS IN SOUTH TYROL
Let's tell it like it is: South Tyrol is one big spectacle. Picturesque little towns against a mighty mountain backdrop, countless castles and the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. And in this scenery, three locals present their favourite e-MTB tours.
1st Masarè Tour Eggental
Tour dates
Distance 48 km
Uphill 1810 hm
Journey time 4 h
Technology
Driving technique heavy
Condition high
Battery 2 x 500 Wh
The e-MTB can show off all its advantages on this tour. From Steinegg, you start off harmlessly on tarmac and gravel, but soon you're heading uphill on a challenging root trail. You can ride around it, but for me this is exactly where the E-MTB appeal lies. The trail is perfect for discovering what is possible uphill with assistance.
If you want to develop technically, you can make a real push here. But I don't want to put anyone off. If you want, you can simply avoid it, ride uphill easily and enjoy the amazing view of the Schlern and Rosengarten at the Niger Pass. Below it, you cross on a fun trail. The Masaré hut is reached via a concreted ramp with a 25 per cent gradient. It's not really rideable without assistance, but with an e-MTB you can pull up with confidence. The hut is beautifully exposed, directly below the Rosengarten. However, the location is not the only reason why you should stop here. It is also an important refuelling stop: for the battery (don't forget the charger) and the rider. The food is really excellent, especially the (sweet) dumplings. The landlady is also very nice.
The descent is first on a steep trail before you land on the Carezza Trail, which offers a casual flow all the way to Welschnofen. And there is also a lot of trail again back to the starting point.
Kurt Resch, Bike hotelier Steineggerhof:
The 51-year-old likes uphill hairpin bends and mountain hut stops. His native Val d'Ega has plenty of both. On the Masaré tour, he has already trained the South Tyrolean Alpine Club and Italian DH champion Veronica Widmann in all things e-MTB.
2nd Speikboden in the Tauferer Ahrntal valley
Tour dates
Distance 50 km
Uphill 2300 hm
Journey time 4-5 h
Technology
Driving technique heavy
Condition medium
Battery 2 x 500 Wh
That sounds like a harsh judgement, but I was always a bit behind the times. At least when it came to bike developments. Always a little conservative, always a little retro. I sat on a hardtail for ages ... I also had my prejudices about e-MTBs, but I guide a lot, I'm generally a curious person and naturally want to see what can be developed for and with my guests. And then I got hooked, like so many others.
One of the most beautiful tours in the Kronplatz region takes on another dimension with the E-MTB. It leads from our front door in Gais on trails to Speikboden in the Tauferer Ahrntal. Here, bikers usually take the cable car, but of course you ride an e-MTB. From the mountain station, the route climbs a further 400 metres in various ways. With a motor, you don't have to work your legs as hard on the steep sections, and even the narrow paths are mostly rideable for good uphillers. However, you won't be spared a few short pushing passages on any of the variants.
If you really want to know (and stop for a bite to eat), sweat your way up to the Sonnklarhütte. From here, take the cobbled path to the summit of the Sonnklar-Nock with its stunning 360-degree view and continue south past man-sized cairns. Here the trail is initially quite challenging (up to S3), but then super flowy (maximum S2). At a fork in the road, the route then continues up and down to the Pietersteiner Alm and along a forest path to the Weizgruberalm. You can indulge in endless culinary delights here. My highlight: bacon dumplings with chanterelle sauce. The descent to Mühlen is 90 per cent on trails. You have the choice between trail 28a, which offers the finest technical challenges, or the flowier variant via trail 28b. If you are not yet tired in Mühlwald, you can swap the road for the hiking trail under the climbing garden and over Sand in Taufers Castle. It's definitely worth it.
Agnes Innerhofer, Head of Bike-Hotel Innerhofer:
Together with her twin sister Edith, she turned her parents' hotel into a bike hotel two decades ago and has been guiding her guests into the mountains every day ever since - always with a beaming face and increasingly often on an e-MTB.
3rd Markinkele around Alta Pusteria
Tour dates
Distance 33 km
Uphill 1350 hm
Journey time 2,5-3 h
Technology
Driving technique medium
Condition medium
Battery 1 x 500 Wh
The Markinkele (2545 m) is the southernmost peak of the Villgratner mountains and a stage of the well-known Stoneman Trail. I was up there countless times as a child. Back then, I always went on foot with my grandad or uncle, as they owned a mountain hut here. The marvellous sunsets are etched in my memory. Just like this sensational view with the Sesto sundial, one of the centrepieces of the Dolomites. You can see into East Tyrol, Lienz down in the valley, Großglockner and Großvenediger on the horizon. Turn around briefly and there is the Rieserferner group with its rough, grey gradations.
As an e-MTB tour, it is one of the most complete tours for me. The starting point is Dobbiaco. With a motor, you can safely avoid the tarmac road and take the shortcuts. The ascent is tough, steep and rocky - but very cool. You almost have to compliment the military, who built the paths during the First World War. You wind your way up to the border ridge. Here you should definitely go all the way to the top (or even walk the last few metres) and look north. You will often see chamois grazing in the meadows below. Depending on the battery status, you can still see old, half-ruined military buildings to the left and right of the border ridge. The descent is on a very varied single trail to the Steinbergalm: The descent is not particularly technical (S1/S2), so you can always keep an eye on the landscape. The route is generally almost too good for high speeds. And then there comes a point where the Three Peaks are suddenly right in front of you. Sensational! On the way back to the starting point, you can stop off at the Silvesteralm at 1800 metres.
Harald Wisthaler, Photographer:
The Dolomites man from San Candido has discovered and learnt to appreciate the E-MTB as a photographer: with support, the ascent with heavy photo equipment is finally no longer a torture. And he gains precious minutes of sleep for sunrise shoots.
