Summer was a long time coming, but now it seems to be making up for lost time with its record-breaking temperatures. As a cyclist, you can count yourself lucky not to be stuck on sweltering tarmac roads. As a mountain biker, all you have to do is head into the woods and pick out the most exciting bike rides, complete with cool spots for a dip. These are our favourites, guaranteed to keep you cool.
Winkelmoosalm Hut Tour
Two 50-kilometre stretches: it’s best to set aside two days for the hut-to-hut trek in the Chiemgau Alps – unless you simply want to rush straight past the three stunningly situated swimming lakes and all the other highlights. It’s also worth spending the night at the Traunsteiner Hütte (1,160 m), if only because the pleasant temperatures there mean you’re sure to sleep better than in the city. From Ruhpolding, the trail takes you through a fairytale forest, past the Dandl Alm and through the Urschlacher Forest, before the alpine meadows of the Wappach Valley open up. This is where the Lödensee, Mittersee and Weitsee are nestled. You simply have to take a dip in these lovely mountain lakes! Then the route climbs up to the Nattersbergalm and crosses the border into Austria, into the Steinplatten area.
The second day begins at the Winklmoosalm with a short trail, then heads downhill along the forest track – offering stunning views – and soon follows the River Seetraun (do have a dip!) until you turn off at the Chiemgau-Arena towards the Schwarzachenalm. You could now coast back to Ruhpolding, but then you’d miss the Zinnkopf – the locals’ trail area offers plenty of riding fun. Via Maria Eck and Rabenstein, the long loop finally winds its way back to Ruhpolding. Tour description
Switzerland: Trans-Surselva – following the white-water Rhine
The Rhine’s source lies at an altitude of over 2,000 metres on the Swiss Oberalp Pass. Up here, its crystal-clear waters still slumber in Lake Toma before first timidly cascading into the Vorderrhein Valley, then thundering ever more spectacularly through rocky gorges. The two-day trail tour that follows the Rhine to Lake Cauma near Flims Laax feels much the same. Mostly on trails, through the spray of waterfalls, meandering from one rustic hut to the next. You’ll also spend the night in a hut – with a refreshing view of the turquoise meanders of the still-wild Rhine. Click here for details of this fantastic tour!
Ammergau Alps: Two days on the Königsroute
From Neuschwanstein Castle to Linderhof Palace – what sounds a bit like a pensioners’ coach trip turns out to be a real hidden gem for mountain bikers, with its trails and swimming lakes: King Ludwig II was captivated by the Ammergau Alps. It was here that he built his castles and was able to give free rein to his wild ideas. The vast forests surrounding them were meant to be his private hunting grounds – but Ludwig hated hunting. That’s why, even back then, they simply didn’t bother creating a large network of paths. To this day, the Ammergau mountains remain among the most secluded areas of the Northern Alps. As soon as you’ve left the tourist coaches around the castles behind, all you can hear is the birds chirping and the babbling of streams. Fancy a quick dip in the cool water before heading properly into the outback for two days? Around Füssen, you’ll find the Bannwaldsee, Forggensee, Alatsee, Schwansee and the Alpsee. Then it’s off into Ludwig’s forests, along shady forest tracks and short trail sections. With overnight accommodation in the Brunnenkopf houses and, at the end, a lovely trail leading right down to the shores of the beautiful Staffelsee. All the information about the tour
A road trip through the Alps, taking in the lakes
3 countries, 9 lakes, 9 truly superb trail rides – this epic Alpine road trip starts in Lermoos with the legendary Blindsee Trail and takes in all the spots you’ve always wanted to experience as a trail rider, right up to Lake Garda. Not least because they’re all situated by a particularly beautiful lake with camping facilities.
The route and its stops at the lakes
- Lermoos: Blindseetrail (last chance, as the trail is due to be closed soon)
- Nauders: Lake Reschen with cross-border enduro trails
- Upper Engadine: Lake Silvaplana with the Trais Fluors Trail (pictured above)
- Lenzerheide: Lake Haidsee and the bike park with World Cup trails
- Ticino: Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore via the Monte Tamaro Trail
- Domaso: Lake Como with the Crotto Dangri gorge walk (not a proper trail, but lovely and shady!)
- Bergamasque Alps: Lake Iseo and the network of military roads
- Lake Idro with the Monte Breda and/or 136-bend trail
Back in Lermoos, the camper will have clocked up a further 970 kilometres. But in return, it will have wound its way along some of the most beautiful Alpine mountain passes. More information about the trip
Trail tour along the River Saale: From Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld
Rivers are always a source of joy for mountain bikers: it’s not just the water, but also the trails along the banks that often wind their way for many kilometres. This is particularly beautiful along the Saale between Bad Lobenstein and Saalfeld. Here, the river winds its way through the Thuringian slate in a particularly sinuous manner. Even the trails struggle to keep up. That’s why they don’t just stick to the banks, but sometimes climb up to vantage points with stunning views, before heading back down to the Saale on an exciting descent to the next lovely spot for a dip. On the third day, the tour finally ends at the entrance to the Saalfelder Feen-Bike Trails, which were co-designed by downhill ace Nina Hoffmann. Information and GPS data for the tour can be found here
Lake Idro: The hidden gem behind Tremalzo
Even though Lake Garda is a trail-running mecca, it’s worth leaving it behind for a while and heading further inland to the shores of Lake Idris: sure, the lake is much smaller, the restaurants aren’t quite as trendy, and you’ll come across fewer German holidaymakers. But: there’s not only a very pretty campsite here, but also a glamping site right by the lake, and the trails in the surrounding mountains are simply top-notch! On one side is the legendary 136-bend trail; on the other, the almost even more beautiful ridge trail across the crest of Monte Breda – both offering views of the lake. You can also circumnavigate the lake on a rather exciting, challenging trail tour. It’s best to allow three to four days for this, during which you’ll experience the still very unspoilt mountain landscape of northern Italy, complete with its warm hospitality. Information about the trail guide
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
