The Ten of the most beautiful freeride areas for mountain bikers beyond the bike parks. It's not all downhill here - counter-climbs are the order of the day. Other freeride MTB areas are characterised by particularly adventurous MTB trails that you first have to find on the map.
1. ISCHGL: SILVRETTA MOUNTAINBIKE ARENA
In Ischgl, the mayor himself likes to be in the saddle. You can tell: the bike arena offers an excellent network of trails and tours. Highlight: the Fimber Pass Trail, one of the most beautiful trails in the Alps! Who shuttles? Seven gondolas and chairlifts. Cost with the Silvretta Card, e.g. for three days: 32 euros. Info: Very good tour map, lifts and accommodation: www.ischgl.com
2. FINALE LIGURE: TRAILS WITH A SEA VIEW
Locals set off with pickaxes and shovels and got the trail network in the hinterland in shape for bikers. Since then, more and more freeriders have been dusting down the 100 kilometres of single trails, which repeatedly offer views of the sea. Now also with a tour book! Who shuttles? The shuttle bus from Associazione Sportiva "Finale Ligure Freeride". Price per day with guide: 25 euros. Info: Shuttle, guides, tour book, accommodation: www.finaleligurefreeride.com
3. PORTES DU SOLEIL: THE SHUTTLE MECCA
Europe's No. 1 lift swing: south of Lake Geneva, there are not only an incredible number of trails, but also lift facilities. 23 lifts are available - a French-Swiss freeride dream that has not yet been fully realised in a fortnight! Who shuttles? 23 lifts for a day ticket at a price of 33 Swiss francs. Info: lifts, trail info, events and accommodation: www.bikepark.ch
4. LA GRAVE: STEEP WALL CURVES
First discovered in 2005 for MTB freeriders in summer: the (no longer) virgin trails in the French Alps of La Grave. Good skiers and snowboarders know the spot as an insider tip. But they would never have thought that the steep flanks of the four-thousand-metre peaks are also home to trail bends. Only for experts with a head for heights MTB area La Grave from BIKE 2/06! Who shuttles? A gondola (only to the middle station) and a taxi, tel. 0033/6795/34567. Info: lift, weather and accommodation: www.lagrave-lameije.com and www.la-grave.com
5. INNSBRUCK: SECRET SPOT
The tinkerers are at home in Innsbruck's Nordkette. The locals keep a low profile with tour tips and don't want to give anything away. But anyone who can read the map knows what is hidden behind the many red (trail) lines in the high mountains ... Who shuttles? The Hungerburg cable car to the middle station and the Muttereralmbahn. Info: www.bikecity-innsbruck.com
6. ALLEGHE: DOLOMITI PARK
No other place in the Dolomites has as much heart for MTB freeriders as Alleghe. Beneath the cliffs of the Civetta, mountain bikers have free access to the cable car, fantastic views of the Dolomites, a swimming lake and various trail options from Monte Fertazza. Who shuttles? A cable car to Monte Fertazza and Silvano (bike guesthouse) with shuttle pick-up, tel. 0039/0437/523527. Info: accommodation and area info: www.dolomiti.org/de/alleghe
7. LAKE GARDA: TOP BY NATURE
First there were the challenging MTB trails, then the Moser guides and, for a few years now, the shuttle service. Many ascents are gentle and can therefore also be managed with a freerider, but the shuttle bus saves energy. Who shuttles? Various shuttle buses at www.gardatrentinonline.it and the cable car in Malcesine, www.visitmalcesine.com Info: Accommodation and area info: www.gardatrentinonline.it
8. LEOGANG/SAALBACH: BIKEPARK EXPERIENCES
Two highly sought-after bike park locations that are linked by an extensive extra trail network and the Five Gondola Tour. Both regions are fighting to open up even more trails for mountain bikers. Who shuttles? Five gondolas, https://bikepark.saalfelden-leogang.com/de and www.bike-n-soul.at Info: Accommodation and area info: www.saalbach.com and www.saalfelden-leogang.com
9. BOLZANO/MERANO: TRAILS ABOVE THE CITY
The capital and the second largest city in South Tyrol have something in common: they are surrounded by mountains, to which several small cable cars take you up. You then descend back to the city on BIke trails (up to 1700 metres in altitude!). Who shuttles? In Bolzano: 3 cable cars, per ride: 3-6 euros plus bike transport (7 euros) In Merano: 5 cable cars, per ride 3-6 euros (plus bike transport 7 euros). Info: Accommodation and area info: www.bolzano-bozen.it , www.merano-suedtirol.it
10. LENZERHEIDE: FOLLOW THE RED ARROWS
The "Bike-Attack" freeride race kicked things off, and today the Graubünden holiday resort on the Rothorn has become a freeride magnet for mountain bikers. Many beautiful bike routes and trails are well signposted. Who shuttles? Two cable cars (Rothorn and Alp Stätz). Info: Accommodation and area info: https://arosalenzerheide.swiss/de
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Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
