Sella Ronda, Dolomites (Italy) - Photo above
"The Dolomites are amazing - and so is the lift structure. My record is eleven lifts in one day to complete the circuit around the Sella massif. It's also possible to get back to the starting point with just five different lifts. Depending on your fitness and desire. The landscape is breathtaking. Sometimes it's on built trails, sometimes on natural trails. But: all on trails! Super cool. If you want to be shown the delicacies, it's best to hire a guide, e.g. from Hotel Linder in Wolkenstein. Please note: the lifts allegedly do not transport bikers with full-face helmets." sellaronda-mtb.com
San Vigilio (Italy)
"The Kronplatz in South Tyrol is home to some real trail gems. For example, the trail down to St. Vigil. At the beginning, a gentle bike park trail takes you on berms to the Furcia Pass. This is followed by a gravel section towards St. Vigil, and you have to climb another 600 metres in altitude. First a nasty crank, then a push - but you'll be rewarded with a cream descent: singletrack on soft forest soil! Super flowy. Sometimes exposed, so your nerves are on edge, but always smooth. Super!" kronplatz.com
Eberbach Trail (Germany)
"It doesn't always have to be the Alps! There's also fun trail fun in Kloster Eberbach in the local recreation area near Wiesbaden. Cycle up a few hundred metres in altitude, have a quick coffee at the hut and then hit the trail! Nice G-outs, berms, high-speed sections and even the odd small jump. Fun, but short (approx. 300 metres). Apparently there are also other trails here and a 75-kilometre loop, but I don't know it yet." gpsies.com
Flying Carpet (Morocco)
"Okay, the trail isn't just round the corner. It's in the High Atlas in Morocco. The paths were once trampled into the mountain by goats. The trail is almost endless. It starts at around 2500 metres and goes up and down in enduro style. Despite the altitude, the trail is not rugged, but smooth on loamy ground. I particularly remember the descents in the small canyons. It feels like riding on a magic carpet." atlas-sports.com
Los Franceses Trail (Spain)
"There are lots of great trails on La Palma - but the top-to-bottom Los Franceses is my favourite. It starts just below the Roque de los Muchachos volcano at 2425 metres. From here, the trail leads through all vegetation zones down to the sea. Ancient cobblestones, tight bends, deep steps, fast passages, sand, pine forests, jungle landscapes - a descent could hardly be more varied. Super! Ideally, the shuttle driver will be waiting at the bottom with a cold beer." lapalmafreeride.com
