If there is one biking region that has managed to steal fans away from Lake Garda, it is the Vinschgau Valley. Hundreds of weekend bikers now branch off the Brenner motorway a few exits earlier to make a pilgrimage to the Valley of Apples behind Merano. And of course they don't come for the apples, but for the now legendary trails.
It all started in 2008 with the discovery of the Monte Sole trail on the Sonnenberg. Freerider Holger Meyer had stumbled across this trail at the time and presented it in BIKE as a "super trail". Long, challenging in places, but not as rocky as the trails on Lake Garda - and even with a lift! The rush was huge shortly afterwards and the locals were surprised: "Yes, if that's the case? They would have plenty more of these trails...
Since then, there has been a gold-rush atmosphere in the long valley between Meran and the Reschen Pass. To the right, on the Sonnenberg, dusty, dry paths with great views wind their way down into the valley and on the opposite side of the valley, kilometres of lush forest trails wind down the Nördersberg. These are practically the valley's home trails. Thanks to the cable car, chairlift and shuttle buses, you can ride them several times a day.
The Vinschgau Cross is worthwhile for a multi-day ride. Here you follow the trails that glide horizontally over the valley towards the Reschen Pass at a panoramic altitude.
But that's not all. The Venosta Valley is surrounded by the Stelvio National Park, the Texel Group and King Ortler. Famous high Alpine classics such as Eisjöchl, Madritschjoch and Goldseeweg are practically within rolling distance.
What's new in the Venosta Valley in 2016?
"There's a lot on offer! A MTB-only map will be available for the region from Merano to Lasa and here in Laces we are currently building a new trail down from the Tarres Alp. We are also renovating the Monte Sole Trail. It will be given so-called "bypasses" to make it less difficult in places. Incidentally, we have set up a new company for this work: the Traildoctors. They will take care of the trail maintenance around Latsch in future. Oh yes, and my hotel guests can book me as a freeride guide. Free of charge, of course. Anyone who wants to can also try their hand at the single trail world record." (Martin Pirhofer, hotelier of the Jagdhof and bike guide of the first hour in Latsch)
The entire to-do list for mountain bikers in Val Venosta/Vinschgau
The legendary freeride trails in Val Venosta/Vinschgau
Dust-dry trails await on the Sonnenberg, in the forest also partly through narrow trees. Roots and slightly blocked sections in places (maximum S2)
- Monte Sole Trail (Sunny Benny): 7.8 km/1237 m altitude difference with St. Martin cable car in Latsch
- Tschilli Trail: 7.8 km/1045 m altitude difference in Latsch)
- Propain Trail: 18.3 km/730 metres in altitude with very tight, sometimes exposed bends inSchlanders
Nördersberg: Lush, shady forest floor. If it gets too hot on the Sonnenberg, simply switch to this side of the valley. Here a chairlift shuttles you up to the Tarscher Alm.
- Tarscher Alm: 4 wins 13 trail6.5 km/1050 m downhill in Latsch
- Holy Hansen Trail: 15.8 km/830 m altitude difference in Silandro/Schlanders
- Fontana Trail: from the Marzoner Alm 30 km/1100 m altitude difference on partly built hollow paths
- Göflaner Schartl Trail: Silandro
Vinschgau-Cross: 92 km and 4590 m elevation gain/3 stages/Roadbook and GPS data for the Vinschgau-Cross
High mountain trail classic of the Vinschgau Valley
Madritschjoch Trail (3123 m): The highest pass in the Eastern Alps that can be ridden by bike - in theory. In practice, you have to be really ambitious if you want to pedal up the rough and steep gravel ramp yourself. It's better to take the bus to the cable car to Sulden and then take the cable car up to the Schaubachhütte. The remaining 500 metres in altitude to the pass are hard enough. From the top, a total of 2440 metres of descent rattle through your speedometer, "only" 850 of which are on real, often bumpy singletrack.
Goldsee Trail (37 km/630 metres altitude/2480 tm): One of the longest and most legendary Alpine trails of all. From the Dreisprachenspitze (2841 m, above Stilfserjoch), the trail cuts down the mountain flank into the valley with plenty of flow and little gradient (but exposed in places). From the Furkelhütte, however, there are root carpets. Important: The trail to the Furkelhütte may not be ridden from 10 am to 4 pm. Last trail entry at the Dreisprachenspitze is therefore at 8.30 am at the latest.
Tibet Trail (10.7 km/1350 metres altitude): Starting point at the Tibet hut on the Stilfserjoch. With a view of the icy flanks of King Ortler, you should already have experience of hairpin bends on crumbly, high alpine terrain.
Information for mountain bikers in Val Venosta/Vinschgau
Location The 70-kilometre-long Vinschgau Valley stretches from west to east along the Adige River, from the Reschen Pass down to the Merano basin. The valley owes its mild climate to the Ötztal Alps, the Texel Group and the Ortler massif. They shield the valley from bad weather fronts from the north and south. This is also the reason why the bike season starts here in March and doesn't end until November. Please note: The Stelvio Pass road will not be open until mid-May at the earliest. However, you can still expect snow fields on the trails until June!
Journey The quickest way by car is via the Brenner motorway to the Bolzano Sud exit. Then take the MeBo motorway (toll-free) to Merano and follow the signs to the Venosta Valley. Alternatively, take the Reschen Pass into the Vinschgau Valley (toll-free).
By train: There are good ICE connections to Bolzano/Bozen, then change to the Venosta Valley railway. To transport your bike, put it in a bag or look out for the designated bike transport on the trains. Info: www.bahn.de and www.vinschgauerbahn.it
Cable car shuttle: The cable car in St. Martin shuttles bikers in the morning until 9.30 am and in the afternoon from 3 pm. Price per ascent incl. bike: 13 euros.
Tarsch-Tarscher Alm chairlift per ascent incl. bike: 15 euros. In operation: 14.5.-25.10.16, Info: www.bergbahnen-latsch.com
Bike infrastructure Guided tours, schools, shuttles:
www.vinschgau.net
www.bikehotels.it
www.vinschgaubike.com
www.bikereldorado.com
www.oetzi-bike-academy.com
www.bikeshuttle.it
www.freeride-vinschgau.com
Maps and tour information
- Supertrail Maps "Vinschgau East" and "Vinschgau North", 1:50000, 16.95 euros each
- "Vinschgau Trails!" by Ralf Glaser and Matze Gruber. The latest trail information between Reschenpass and Meran. Price: 29.80 euros, www.trails.de
- Digital map compass "South Tyrol", 29.95 euros
- GPS tours: www.vinschgaubike.com, www.bikereldorado.com, www.sentres.com, www.trails.de
- Book: "Mountainbiken im Vinschgau", Siegi Weisenhorn, Tappeiner-Verlag, 50 tours with 3D maps and GPS tracks, 19.90 euros, www.trailsucht.org
- "Südtirolbike map: Mountainbike Vinschgau", Tappeiner-Verlag, 1:50000, price: 8.50 euros. Tabaccho No. 43-45, scale 1:25000, price 9.90 euros each
Events
3-5 June Trailtrophy in Latsch, Info: www.trailtrophy.eu
Accommodation/BIKE tips
Vitalpina Hotel Waldhof****
Holidays that do you good. That's what Peter, the boss at the Vitalpina Hotel Waldhof in Parcines, promises. How does he keep his promise? With a great sense of humour, an always open ear for his guests, excellent cuisine and alpine wellness. And bike expertise? That's not neglected either. Peter is never at a loss for a good tip and relies on the professional touring and technical programmes offered by the Ötzi Bikeacademy.
www.hotelwaldhof.it
Tel. +39 0473 968088
Design Hotel Tyrol****
Susanne and Boris: The two of them are a real dream team. She, a true ray of sunshine with an exceptionally good eye for design and guest care, he, a technology geek and a bike pro through and through. Together they run the Design Hotel Tyrol**** in Parcines/Partschins. A true Garden of Eden in the centre of an up-and-coming bike region.
www.tyrol-hotel.it
Tel. 0039/0473/967654
Further accommodation, tours and information can be found at www.bikehotels.it.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
