The most beautiful camping sites with trail access
For BIKE intern Paul Weinbrenner, there is only one true campsite: the cable car car park directly in front of the bike park. You can't sleep any closer to the trail. Although sleeping is relative, because you don't get to anyway due to the parties of your fellow campers. Washing is also out of the question if the queue for the shower is long or the facility closes half an hour after the lift closes. No matter, the sweaty protectors, the opened mountain cheese and the recently leaked olive oil smell.
It will probably be a few more years before Paul no longer wants to camp barefoot on tarmac in the morning, but rather on dewy grass and stretch out with a view of the Morteratsch glacier. For all those who would already like a little more luxury, on the following pages we present campsites in top bike spots that are real gems in terms of panorama, proximity to the trail, facilities, flair and even wellness centres.
The best base camps for bikers:
South Tyrol: Caravan Park Sexten
This campsite is something like an open-air wellness hotel, a cabriolet version of luxury accommodation. Nestled in a side notch of the Pustertal Valley - the Dolomites with the Three Peaks to the west, the trail mountain Helm to the east - bikers can expect an exciting biking area (photo at the top) and a place to sleep with tree houses plus five-star sanitary facilities.
Info: In addition to the camping pitches, there are tree houses to rent (389 euros per night). Also: climbing hall, swimming area and supermarket
Pitch pricesDaily rate for 2 people from 40 euros. The luxury version with its own bathhouse and whirlpool costs 175 euros per night (6 people). www.caravanparksexten.it
Allgäu: Camping Brunnen
Underfloor heating in the sanitary facilities, barrier-free dog showers and drinking water from the water revitalisation system - it's fair to ask whether this is still camping. But you can also simply accept this luxury and enjoy the surrounding area: the site is located on the crystal-clear Forggensee lake with a view of Neuschwanstein Castle and the East Allgäu Alps behind it. The latter are home to a network of tours with plenty of panoramic views, turquoise-coloured mountain lakes, alpine trails and rustic huts for refreshments. You can expect a lot of hikers around the castles, behind them you have a clear path.
InfoWell-booked five-star campsite directly on the shores of Lake Forggensee with restaurant, mini-market, wellness centre and bike hire.
Pitch pricesTent from 9.50 euros, camper van from 10.50 euros plus 12 euros per person incl. tax, www.camping-brunnen.de
Saxony: See-Camping Zittau
From the campsite at Lake Olbersdorf, Germany's smallest low mountain range still looks quite inconspicuous. But once you start winding up the forest roads into the almost 800 metre high Zittau Mountains, the Moab rocks sprout from the ground. Then it's not long before the signs are in Czech. Even closer to Zittau is the Polish border along the Neisse. A three-country tour is therefore a must. Just like the final dip in the lake after the tour. The campsite is family-run with great attention to detail.
InfoSpacious, flat camp site with free choice of pitches, bakery, toilet block and herb garden.
Pitch pricesCamping caravan from 7 euros, tent 5.50 euros, per person 7.50 euros per day. Camping cabins are also available for hire, price: 25 euros plus 7.50 per person per day. www.seecamping-zittau.com
Valais: Camping Arolla
It sits enthroned at the head of the Val d'Hérens at an altitude of 1950 metres, making it the highest camp site in the Alps. The famous Haute Route from Zermatt to Chamonix passes by its grassy terraces, which is why serious mountaineers in particular roll out their insulating mats here. In other words: headlamps are switched off at 8 pm. However, bikers like to get up early, as this quiet corner of the Valais Alps is home to epic high mountain rides and some top-class super trails, such as The Brazilian and the Portail de Fully. The Postbus helps you back to camp in the evening.
Info: Simply equipped, small campsite just before the mountain village of Arolla for tents and campers. Services: Washing machine, bread for sale. Only for a short season due to the altitude: 15 June - 15 September.
Pitch pricesSmall tent 7.50 euros, motorhome from 11 euros. For hire: spacious cocoon tents for 2-4 people from 94 euros per night, www.camping-arolla.com
Bressanone: Camping Löwenhof
The location is what makes this campsite so perfect: less than ten minutes from the Brenner motorway, this green, idyllic oasis with pool is located in the town of Brixen. You can stroll over to the adjoining four-star hotel for breakfast, go to the neighbouring pizzeria in the evening and cycle two kilometres to the town's historic cathedral square for an ice cream. Behind it, the cable car to the trail paradise on the Plose awaits: with bike park lines designed by Canadians and a parade view of the nearby Geisler peaks. But other classic Dolomite tours are also just a day's ride away.
InfoSmall meadow campground with pool, grocery shop, sanitary facilities, pizzeria and optional hotel service (breakfast)
Pitch pricesPitch from 37 euros including passenger fees (1-6 persons) and Brixen-Card, www.loewenhof.it
Finale Ligure: Camping Tahiti
Most campers who come to Finale for the trails head for the Finale Freeride Outdoor Village. Although the site is located next to the motorway, it is clean and the shuttle buses start here. Camping Tahiti, on the other hand, is located in the centre of Finale Ligure, which makes it easier to stroll around the town in the evening. The pitches on the terraces are also larger and each has its own washbasin. There is also an excellent espresso bar and a very tasty wood-fired pizza! Oh, and as for the shuttle bus: you can easily cycle there from here in ten minutes.
Info: Despite its central location, the 20,000 square metre, family-run campsite is located quiet and close to nature. In addition to the 90 pitches, there are also wooden bungalows to rent.
Pitch pricesMotorhome with two people from 33 euros per day. www.campingtahitifinaleligure.it
Engadin: Camping Morteratsch
There is no better campsite for mountain bikers: you pitch your tent or campervan somewhere in the sparse Swiss stone pine forest or directly on the banks of the Montebello stream, look out over the white peaks of the Bernina and hear the sound of the waterfalls nearby. At night, you light a campfire and gaze up at a flawless starry sky. It sounds and feels like Canada, because the site is located at 1860 metres, halfway up the Bernina Pass and therefore in the middle of the Upper Engadin flowcountry trail network. In other words, you'll be busy here for days trying to surf all the epic trails through the high mountains.
InfoFour-star campsite with caravan, wooden house, sleeping barrel and private bathrooms for hire. Also sauna, restaurant and shuttle bus to Pontresina.
Pitch pricesMotorhome 16 euros, tent 9 euros, per person 13 euros. www.camping-morteratsch.ch
Alta Badia: Camping Sass Dlacia
Climbers have long loved this quiet spot on the edge of the mountain forest of San Cassiano/St. Kassian because there are over 200 climbing routes in the immediate vicinity. But perhaps also because brunch and pizza are so good here. Or because of the Natura wellness centre. All camping amenities that naturally appeal to bikers too. Especially as the surrounding touring scenery demands a good level of fitness. The Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park is hard to beat in terms of scenery, but it does have some deep gravelled ramps.
InfoCampsite at an altitude of 1670 metres with lodges, cabins and rooms for rent. Also: sauna, restaurant, barbecue areas, washing and drying room.
Pitch pricesTent from 13 euros, camper van from 18 euros. www.campingsassdlacia.it
Simply sleep differently
No motorhome and no suitable tent to hand? There are now various options for spending the night next to the trails in an unusual way.
1st Cloefhänger
The Saarland has countless signposted trails to offer, but no high alpine peaks. Nevertheless, you can now feel like a climbing alpinist on the edge of the Saar's steep slopes - with an overnight stay in a free-swinging hammock with a view of the famous Saar loop. Every Saturday from June to September in Orscholz with barbecue evening. Price: 119 euros. www.cloefhaenger.com
2nd Sölden: Camp & Ride
Okay, at this Sunlight event you do need a campervan to be part of this biker group around Oli Dorn and Guido Tschugg. But: these campervans are already here! Brand new, they are available for test overnight stays at the bike park car park in Sölden. It goes without saying that you need to have a love of bike park trails and be able to drink for this event. Date: 8-10 July 2022; www.sunlight.de
3 Innsbruck: on safari
Wooden houses on stilts in the forest, safari lodge tents in the clearing: Tyrol's provincial capital still has a little way to go when it comes to trail clearance, but when it comes to exotic camping accommodation, no one can beat them. The five-star holiday paradise is located on the western shore of Lake Natterer See. Rental price for a safari tent: from 119 euros per night. Further information: www.natterersee.com
4th night in the wine barrel
The Black Forest is not exactly considered a legal trail paradise due to the two-metre rule. But there are exceptional regions. Like Sasbachwalden with its Schaeffler MTB Arena, for example. Here, a fine network of trails is nurtured, maintained and signposted, group rides are organised and bike events are held. If you want, you can even help build the trails. Information and dates: www.bikesport-sasbachwalden.de. And for overnight stays, you can rent a furnished 8000 litre wine barrel high above the Rhine plain. Info and prices: www.schlafen-im-weinfass.de
5. wild camping in the forest
Officially, wild camping is of course prohibited in Germany and Europe. With the exception of Scandinavia and the Baltic states, where everyman's right applies and you can simply leave your camper anywhere at night. However, more and more regions in Germany are offering secret camping spots that can be booked for 10 euros and then sent to your mobile phone as GPS coordinates. You will find a fire pit and a toilet block on site, and you bring your own sleeping gear. www.naturparkschwarzwald.de and www.trekking-pfalz.de
