Tours to enjoy: We have picked out the following 10 MTB areas because they offer mountain bikers a comprehensive package of tours, trails, panoramas and service:
1. KARWENDEL: THE START OF AN ADVENTURE
From the north, the Karwendel looks like a fortress: craggy rocks rising vertically from the ground. But this impression is deceptive, as its east-west valleys are mostly characterised by flat, ascending gravel paths, while the imposing rock faces stand guard to the right and left. Perfect for beginners! However, if you turn off the main paths, you will wind your way to adventurous summit regions made up of gravelly cirques, ridges and rock towers. Here, not only do the paths become much rougher, but the air is also thinner: 125 Karwendel peaks rise above the 2,000 metre mark. Germans and Austrians agree that the wild and original character of their shared mountain range must be preserved and have placed the Karwendel under nature protection. The best starting point for all tours is Mittenwald.
The absolute classic tour: From Mittenwald around the Karwendel peaks. The tour leads on easy gravel paths via the Larchet alm to the Karwendelhaus (1,771 m), down to the Kleiner Ahornboden and via the Fereinalm back to Mittenwald (68 km/1,838 m).
Literature: Moser Guide No. 2: "Karwendel, Wetterstein, Werdenfels, Achensee", Delius Klasing Verlag, price: 29.90 euros.
Maps: Compass map no. 26 "Karwendelgebirge".
Info: FVA Mittenwald, Tel. 08823/33981, www.mtb-mittenwald.de and Tourism Marketing Consulting GbRmbH www.karwendel-urlaub.de
2. ALLGÄU: PICTURE BOOK THRILLER
The Allgäu is associated with the ringing of cowbells in lush meadows, pointed peaks on the horizon and gravel paths that gently rise and fall through the idyllic landscape. If that's what you're looking for, you'll find unlimited touring options here. But the Allgäu can also be different. Trails and footbridges lead through wild gorges and climb steep ramps at panoramic heights. Some mountain railways lift mountain bikers over to the next valley in just a few minutes. The best starting points for tours: Immenstadt, Sonthofen, Oberstdorf and Füssen - where the BIKE Transalp Challenge starts this year in July. You can really let off steam in the Bikepark Hindelang!
The absolute classic tour: From Oberstdorf to Kleinwalsertal (17.3 km/630 metres in altitude). The tour combines all the highlights that the Allgäu has to offer: a very steep ascent to the Söllereck, a rustic stop at the Schrattenwangalpe, a panoramic high-altitude trail in the Kleinwalsertal and back to Oberstdorf on the trails of the Breitachklamm gorge.
Literature: Moser-Guide No. 6 "Allgäu", Delius Klasing Verlag, price: 29.80 euros or BIKE 7/05: "The 10 most beautiful tours of the Allgäu".
Maps: Compass map "Allgäu Alps and Kleinwalsertal".
Info: FVA Oberstdorf, Tel. 08322/7000, www.oberstdorf.de and FVA Füssen, Tel. 08362/93850, www.fuessen.de (GPS tour download)
3. SLOVENIA: LAND OF ADVENTURE
The Slovenian flag flies over the south-eastern foothills of the Alps - the Julian Alps. Dramatic rocky giants tower here, reflected in crystal-clear lakes or lapped by white water. Those who come here are not only looking for unspoilt nature, but also for the most beautiful tours on the map. Although there are 150 kilometres of signposted routes around Kranjska Gora and 1,300 kilometres around Crna, the most beautiful single trails can only be found on an imprecise map. There are hardly any useful tour descriptions. But for real adventure fans, that's exactly the attraction of the Slovenian Alps!
The absolute classic tour: From Kranjska Gora into the Triglav National Park, over the Vrsic Pass (1,611 m) and onwards along the trails along the Soca to Most (150 km/approx. 4,000 m/4 stages).
Literature: Report Soca-Tour plus three tours, BIKE 6/04.
Maps: Mountain hiking maps Slovenia (1:50 000), No. 1 and 2 "Julian Alps" (East and West) available on the Internet: www.mapfox.net
Info: FVA in Munich, Tel. 089/29161202, www.mtbslovenia.net
4. ENGADIN: HIGH VALLEY
Swiss touring fun in two stages: The Inn has carved a bed into the Engadin mountains over 80 kilometres. In the Upper Engadine, it leaves plenty of space for tours through larch forests to the glacier ice of the Bernina Group. In the Lower Engadine, it runs wild through narrow gorges. The paths here are steeper and more adventurous. Finding the most beautiful tours here is no problem at all: the maps are very accurate, there are even single trail maps and many routes are signposted.
The absolute classic tour: Val d'Uina. If you want to experience the spectacular gorge on a day tour rather than on a transalpine tour, you need to be in good physical condition (68.3 km/2,309 metres in altitude). www.scuol.ch, www.trail.ch
Literature: Bike-Explorer "Unterengadin" and "Graubünden": CD-Rom roadbooks to print out, from 15 euros, www.bike-explorer.ch
Maps: Swisstopo maps (1:50 000), trail maps: www.singletrailmap.ch
Info: Graubünden holidays, tel. 0041/81/2542424, www.engadin.ch
5. NAUDERS: SMUGGLERS' TRAILS
The absolute classic tour: to the border triangle (32 km/1,255 metres in altitude). As a reward for two climbs, the tour offers fabulous views of Lake Reschen and the white Ortler giants. Plus: a beautiful gravel and an exciting trail downhill to the Grünsee lake (BIKE 9/96).
Literature: Mountain Bike Guide "Nauders, Reschenpass", Esterbauer, 16.90 euros.
Maps: Compass map no. 42 "Landeck, Nauders, Samnaun group".
Info: FVA Nauders, Tel. 0043/5473/87220, www.nauders.info
6. DOLOMITES: STEEP SPLENDOUR
No matter in which valley of the Dolomites you set up your base camp: you will be thrilled by the panoramic tours around the pale, legendary and historic rock faces. But only if you are prepared to climb steep ramps. You should also be able to cope well with bumpy descents. This is the only way to really enjoy the Dolomite panorama by bike. Caution: high risk of addiction!
The absolute classic tour: Alpe di Siusi, Forcella Ambrizzola, Fanes, Val Venegia... It's hard to say which is the top tour. The best thing to do is to take the Dolomites special from BIKE 9/05 with you on a road trip!
Literature: "Traumtouren Dolomiten Süd", Uli Stanciu, Delius Klasing Verlag, 28 euros. "Mountainbike in the Dolomites of Agordo", 20 euros, www.mountainbike-dolomiten.de. "Bike-Tracks Dolomites", Pietsch Verlag, 14.95 euros.
Maps: Compass or Tabacchi maps at a scale of 1:50 000.
Info:
www.dolomiten.net , biken.suedtirol.com
7. VAL DI SUSA: THE CURVES OF THE WESTERN ALPS
Italy's Piedmont is full of wonderful tours, but the Val di Susa is so varied that we have difficulty choosing the right category. Countless (military) pistes wind their way past the 2,000 metre mark and open up views of the four-thousand metre peaks of the Western Alps. Some tours are even dead ends - they end directly at the glacier ice. If you come here, you need to be in good shape and in the mood for adventure due to the thin mountain air, as the area along the Italian-French border is rather lonely.
The absolute classic tour: The tour to Mont Jafferau (57 km/1 812 metres of ascent). The long ascent is sweetened by a winding tunnel (1 km) and finally ends at the summit fort (2,805 m) with a 360-degree panorama. The return to Val di Susa is via marvellous trail bends!
Literature: BIKE 10/04 (spot guide) and "Mountain Bike in Val Susa", Giorgio Schmitz, published by Mulatero Editore (only in Italian, but the routes can be easily transferred to the map).
Maps: IGC map "Valli di Susa" (Chisone e Germanasca), 1:50 000.
Info: Tourist Office Oulx, tel. 0039/0122/831596.
8. TICINO: PURE SUNSHINE
Ticino is the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland. In fact, everything here is a little reminiscent of its neighbour to the south: situated on the southern side of the Alps, a Mediterranean breeze blows here all year round, there are countless bathing lakes, high alpine but also gentle mountains and no forest motorways. The wider paths are mostly unspoilt and the trails are magnificent, permitted and extremely scenic. Our favourite area: the mountains between Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore.
The absolute classic tour: The Val Colla loop (34 km/1 262 metres in altitude). It starts in Bidogno, north of Lugano, and climbs up to Piandanazzo. An altitude trail then swings along the Val Colla for ten kilometres. Info: www.bike-gps.de
Literature: Bike Explorer "Ticino", Gerd Schierle, www.bike-explorer.ch , 35 euros.
Maps: Swiss Singletrail Map 16 "Ticino", www.singletrailmap.ch
Info: www.schweiz-tessin.com 9th KITZBÜHELER ALPEN: ON THE SAFE TOUR
Gentle green mountains in the Central Alps: the region around Kitzbühel and Kirchberg is perfect for a family excursion. However, these climbs should not be underestimated. The Kitz-Alp bike marathon, for example, is one of the toughest in its class. If you want, you can try your hand at the competition route, but the most technical sections are closed to normal touring traffic. Incidentally, you don't have to worry about getting hungry in the Kitzbühel mountains: Hardly any other region offers so many inviting huts and mountain pastures.
The absolute classic tour: The six routes on the Hahnenkamm (1,670 m). If you're not taking the famous Streif descent, you'll arrive safely in the valley with intermediate skiing technique. If you prefer, you can also use the lift.
Literature: BIKE 2/96 and "175 Mountain Bike Tours Tiroler Unterland", Edition Loewenzahn, 19 Euro.
Maps: Compass map no. 29 "Kitzbühel Alps".
10. CARINTHIA: BIKING AND SWIMMING
Like Ticino, Carinthia is a country that basks in the sun on the southern side of the Alps. The large lake district in the centre of the Austrian state, which is framed by exciting mountain ranges, is a perfect match: In the north, the Hohe Tauern keep the bad weather clouds at bay and the Nockberge mountains beckon with signposted trails. In the east, the Julian Alps greet you from Slovenia and in the south, the trails climb up to the rock faces of the Karawanken and Carnic Alps. And the tourist office has favourable accommodation offers especially for families.
The absolute classic tour: with this diverse area, it's hard to choose. The best option is to follow the routes of the Carinthian Lakes Biking Tour (complete 854 km/20,313 metres in altitude). It tours all the mountains and each stage ends at a bathing lake. Info: BIKE 8/04 and www.kaernten-seen-biking.at.
Literature: Kompass Bike Guide "Kärntner Seen Biking" with interactive CD-Rom (maps, tour descriptions and information).
Maps: Brand new: Carinthian cycling and mountain bike map "Kärntner Nockberge" and various Carinthian maps from Kompass (www.kompass.at).
Info: www.kaernten.at
THE TOP SPOTS WITH GUIDE
ALLGÄU
Allgäu-Bike: Guided day tours from Füssen for 55 euros per person and riding technique courses.
Info:
www.allgaeu-bike.de
Allgäu-Bikers: Guided tours and riding technique courses in the Allgäu and Oberallgäu.
Info: www.allgaeu-bikers.de
Radsport-Heckmair: Either cycle through the Allgäu with the Transalp Pope himself or with one of his expert guides.
Info: www.heckmair.de
Oberallgäu: With the Allgäu-Walser Card, holidaymakers in the region receive various discounts, including guided bike tours.
Info: Sonthofen Tourist Service, Tel. 08321/8004540
Cycle tours Allgäu: Pleasure tours (also two days).
Info:
www.radtouren-allgaeu.de
2-wheel friends: Guided tours (also Transalp-Challenge-Route 2006) in the Königswinkel.
Info: www.2radfreun.de
ENGADIN
Aventura: Day and pure downhill tours in the Engadin.
Info: www.aventura.de
Frischi Bike School: Guided tours with top racer Thomas Frischknecht.
Info: www.frischibikeschool.ch
Mountain trails: From St. Moritz to the Zugspitze in 6 days.
Info:
www.mountaintrails.ch
Pedros Bikeshop: Bike weekends in the Engadin.
Info: www.cannondalestore.com
Yoyo-Bike: Two days of touring for connoisseurs.
Info:
www.yoyobike.ch
NAUDERS
Hotel Central: Hotelier Harry Ploner goes on tour himself.
Info:
www.hotel-central.at and www.bike-holidays.com
DOLOMITES
From the day tour to the great Dolomites tour, the offer is huge. For example at
Alpine event, www.alpenevent.de
Alpsbiketours, www.alpsbiketours.de
Alpstours, www.alpstours.net
Bike Alpine, www.bikealpin.de
Jester Tours, www.jester-tours.com
No Limits, www.no-limits-sportreisen.de
Outback, www.outback-team.de
Tour culture, www.tourkultur.ch
TESSIN
Bike-Explorer: Top of Ticino - 4-day round trip.
Info:
www.bike-explorer.ch
KITZBÜHEL ALPS
Bike-Academy: Guided tours and riding technique.
Info:
www.bikeacademy.at
Downloads:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
