It was always a great end to the season, the Testival. With an expo in the old town of Brixen, the latest generation of test bikes, lots of trail fun on the Plose and mostly golden autumn weather. We don't know exactly what led to the cancellation of this event after 13 years. The fact is: the local Plose mountain with its cable car, views of the Geisler peaks and eternal descents in all directions is still there. And nowhere else is there such a high density of dedicated bike hoteliers and mountain huts with panoramic views of the Dolomites.
3 tours that are always worth a trip to Bressanone/Brixen
1. the Plose Trail circuit
29.5 km / 604 m elevation gain / 1549 tm
From Bressanone's old town centre, the route takes you along the idyllic Eisack river up to the Plose valley station. The cable car helps to save 900 metres in altitude and at the top there are three different trail options to choose from, which you can change on the way to the Palmschloss. Fun with bends and roots towards the end, which only ends after 1549 metres of descent, just before Brixen's old town alleyways.
2nd Spinges Plateau
26.0 km / 802 m elevation gain
Fewer trails, but panoramic views and culture: the tour leads from Brixen northwards through the vineyards and past the Neustift monastery up to the Spinger Kreuz. To this day, it is an important symbol of the Tyrolean fight for freedom in the 18th century and a spectacular viewpoint of the Eisack, Puster and Gader valleys. Well, and what's more, behind it you enter a really fun, moderately difficult trail.
3rd hut tour from Bruneck to Brixen
Two days of trails, Dolomite cinema and an overnight stay in a hut that you won't forget in a hurry: the Rodeneck mountain pastures with their 2194 metre high Astjoch rise between the two South Tyrolean towns. Up there, not only a magnificent view without trees awaits, but also the former downhill hero "Denim Destroyer", who offers beds for overnight stays and first-class cuisine in the Starkenfeldhütte.
Events that are worth a bike trip to South Tyrol
Val d'Ega: Rosadira Bike Days
Lake Carezza, Catinaccio and Latemar: the scenery could hardly be more beautiful. But at this event, the hoteliers and bike guides in Welschnofen, Deutschnofen and Obereggen want to make the trip an absolutely unforgettable experience for their guests: All three villages will be organising joint tours at different ability levels, with workshops for mechanics, riding technique training and live music. When the Rosengarten and Latemar mountains turn red in the evening light, which is called Enrosadira in the Dolomites, it becomes truly magical.
- Date: 11-15 June 2025
- Info: eggental.com/rosadira
30 years Steineggerhof!
He is considered a pioneer in the region when it comes to excellent bike hotels: Kurt Resch from Steineggerhof in Steinegg. As an enthusiastic mountain biker, he recognised early on that you have to offer your biking guests more than just a garage and a washing station in the garden:
It's about the whole experience - from the tour to dinner. - Kurt Resch, owner of the Steineggerhof
The 2025 anniversary offers: an E-MTB week at the Steineggerhof from 950 euros (from 5 April to 3 November) or a Supertrail Camp with E-MTB expert Stefan Schlie. Date: 4-11 May, price: 1360 euros. Info: steineggerhof.com
More bike hotel addresses in South Tyrol
The Südtirol Bikehotels platform has redesigned its website and made it clearer. For a better overview in terms of availability and price-performance comparison: bikehotels.it
Kaltern: EMTB Trailcamp 2025
4 trail days at Lake Kaltern, where spring has already warmed up the 2000 metre high Mendelkamm. At the start: the brand new E-MTB test bikes from Simplon, Karen Eller and Holger Meyer as guides, as well as test editor Adrian Kaether from BIKE magazine.
- Date: 7 - 10 April 2025
- Price: 599 Euro
- Info and registration for the EMTB trail camp
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
