He's banging on fence posts, Max writes the week before our planned exploration of the Allgäu. I cringe. He's not really doing that? Sure, he had already told me how annoying it was that he felt there were a hundred gates and fences in his way on every tour. Max Schumann is a professional biker and globetrotter. He is used to having to shoulder his bike from time to time, whether on an adventure trip in North Korea or on the home circuit in his adopted home of Allgäu. But as an e-mountainbike newbie, Max is struggling with the weight gain. But does that mean he has to start knocking down fences? "Why?" he replies. He enjoys it and is happy to help. It will take a few more WhatsApps before the situation is clarified: Max isn't tearing down the fences - he's putting them up ...
The thing about the Allgäu is this: Nothing comes easy. In the Allgäu, an exuberant, elongated Ah is guaranteed to be followed by a disillusioned, blunt Oh (and for us bikers, sometimes an Ouch). There's always a catch here. The southernmost tip of Germany cannot be softened or combed into shape. It is rugged, and it is honest. The spectacular alpine landscape brings with it steep climbs and bouldery, bumpy trails. E-mountain bikers who enjoy the many alpine huts must bear in mind that most of them do not have electricity. And those who enjoy the pretty brown cattle will have to come to terms with the pancakes on their calves (and cheeks) and the many fences in the way.
You can download the complete travel article "Germany: Allgäu" from EMTB 4+5/2020 as a PDF in the download area below.
The area guide costs 1.99 euros. Inside you will find the EMTB web code, which will take you to the download of the free GPS data.
- Tour 1 - To the Alpe Gschwenderberg: Tour datesDistance 21.2 km | Uphill 894 m | Ride time net 2:00 h. Demand: difficult riding technique | medium fitness | battery 1 x 500 Wh
- Tour 2 - Grünten, the guardian tour: Tour datesDistance 20.4 km | Uphill 1526 m | Ride time & hike net 3:00 h. Demand: difficult riding technique | medium fitness | battery 1 x 500 Wh
- Tour 3 - Black Ridge: Tour datesDistance 52.6 km | Uphill1293 m | Riding time net 4:00 h. Technology: Riding technique medium | Fitness medium | Battery 1 x 500 Wh
INFO
The Oberallgäu forms a wedge between Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The upstream Hörner and Köpfe between Immenstadt and Sonthofen are particularly suitable for bikers, as are the hills further north.
Refreshments on the mountain & in the valley
- Above the Alpsee lies one of the most beautiful alps in the Allgäu, the Alpe Gschwenderberg. You can get your own drinks from the Brunnenschänke, while snacks, cakes and Kaiserschmarrn pancakes are served. alpegschwenderberg.de
- The boat's owners are bikers and hosts with soul (and a soft spot for the sea). You eat in the restaurant or on the sun terrace, drink at the bar and sleep in 30 (self-built) guest beds. Illerstraße 26, 87544 Bihlerdorf. zumschiff.com
- In the middle of Sonthofen's pedestrian zone, young master baker Lukas Galeta has just realised his dream of opening his own roastery (and café). Beans Café & Rösterei, Hochstraße 9, 87527 Sonthofen. beans-rösterei.de
Overnight stay
- At the Explorer Sport Hotel, the bike has its own locker in the entrance area, where there is also a workbench with tools. explorer-hotels.com
- The Obere Mühle is tucked away at the entrance to the Hintersteiner Tal valley. In addition to the organic cheese dairy and the rustic inn, you can stay overnight in individual holiday flats. obere-muehle.de
Bike-Guiding
Nicki and Vossy from the BPI Bikeschool offer E-MTB courses and tours with a learning effect and guaranteed fun. Blumenstraße 13, 87527 Sonthofen, 0177/5265819. bpi-bikeschool.de
