Camping holidays with the MTB
The campsites presented here are real gems. They are not divided into cells and caravan lanes, but are left in their natural state. In other words, you can choose your own pitch and set it up however you like. And: all the pitches are located in the centre of a top mountain bike area. The chance of meeting like-minded people, perhaps even going on a tour together, or being able to chat about routes you have experienced at the barbecue in the evening is great. Of course, this freedom comes at a price, especially as these places also offer a certain amount of luxury such as a swimming pool, private bathroom for hire or wellness facilities. If you are not dependent on holidays, you can get away much more cheaply and also get a place spontaneously. However, you should always reserve a pitch in good time during the holiday season.
The best campsites for mountain bikers
Camping Morteratsch in the Upper Engadine
The idyllic site is located directly on the bubbling Inn, opposite the ice tongue of the Morteratsch glacier. With a camper van or tent, you can find a meadow pitch here under Swiss stone pines, by the river or on the banks of two idyllic lakes. But the best thing is that you are practically staying right on the famous Bernina Trail and can set off cycling straight away. However, you need at least a week to cover the entire 400-kilometre flow country route. If you travel via Garmisch and the Fernpass and stay on the Austrian motorway as far as Landeck on the parallel main road, you can reach the Upper Engadine without paying a toll. There are also wooden barrels and huts for hire on the four-star comfort site.
Prices 2023: Motorhome incl. electricity and person: 37 euros
Open: all year round, info: camping-morteratsch.ch
Tour information: engadin.stmoritz.ch
Camping Hopfensee in the Allgäu Alps
This campsite near Füssen has earned itself five stars. The reason: the site is located directly on the shores of Lake Hopfensee. The Allgäu Alps stretch out to the south. The wellness offer is huge, and the fairytale castles of Ludwig II are not far away either. There are exciting playgrounds, an indoor swimming pool and even a cinema for children. You'll have to put up with the accurate German pitch instructions. Unfortunately, tents are not permitted. As a touring area, the Ammergau Alps offer enough material for weeks.
Info: camping-hopfensee.de
Tour information: fuessen.de
Caravan park Sexten in the Dolomites
As the name suggests, caravans and caravans are mainly parked in this natural area. But there are also pitches for tents. Directly opposite the rock faces of the Sesto Dolomites, this campsite is also unspoilt. You can park your car under trees or in the open, however and wherever you like. There are inexpensive standard pitches. But you can also treat yourself to the luxury of a tree house with a bathtub or book a wellness programme. The surrounding touring area is breathtaking. In the east, the ascent to the Nemeshütte and further up to the Kreuzberg awaits. From up there you get an overview of the wild Dolomites around the Three Peaks. And on the western side of the Pustertal valley, you can immerse yourself directly in these wild rock towers.
Info: caravanparksexten.it
Tour information: pustertal.org
Alpencamping Nenzing in Vorarlberg
The 5-star campsite also calls itself a "wellness oasis", which is pretty apt. The caravans and tents are set up on a panoramic alpine meadow and surrounded by green Vorarlberg mountainsides. At the heart of the site is a wellness temple with indoor pool, pool, spa area, cinema and playgrounds for children.
The touring area begins with gentle mountains on the doorstep of the motorhome and continues via Montafon and Rätikon to the Silvretta group.
Info: alpencamping.at
Tour information: vorarlberg.travel
Isarhorn Nature Camping Park near Mittenwald
The unspoilt campsite is practically at the entrance to the Karwendel, Munich's favourite biking area. On the meadow area on the banks of the young Isar, you can arrive in a motorhome, pitch a tent or rent a small log cabin. There are even tipis and a high ropes course.
Info: camping-isarhorn.de
Tour information: mtb-mittenwald.de and die-mountainbiker.de
Biking with a sea view: MTB destinations by the sea
At the latest, when summer falls through here again, it has to be the sea. There is plenty of sun, mountains and trails beyond the Alps. The Mediterranean islands of Elba, Sardinia, Corsica and Kvar are tempting with sun, beaches and fascinating trail networks. However, there are also a few extra costs lurking on the journey.
Elba - the nearest island
Barely bigger than Stuttgart and with the 1019 metre high Monte Capanne just as high as the Swabian Alb - but still: Elba's trails are about as challenging as those on Lake Garda. The latter is also the reason why more and more bikers are spending their holidays on the small Mediterranean island. Although a World Cup was once held here in 1994, the rough trails were once again overgrown with scrubland. For a few years now, however, more and more paths have been cleared for bikers. Like in the Capoliveri bike park on Monte Calamita. Thanks to signposting, the five routes covering 100 kilometres are easy to find. Although it can get very hot here in summer, there is always a cooling breeze on the mountain. Tip: take plenty of spare inner tubes and drinking water with you on the tour!
Travelling to Piombino by car
Ferry Piombino - Portoferraio, lines: Mobylines and Toremar, journey time: approx. 1 hour, several times a day.
Info: mobylines.de, Toremar: toremar.it
There is also a hydrofoil (journey time 30 minutes), but only for passengers.
Flight to Elba: Silver Air and Sky Work Airlines
Tour information: supertrail-map.com, information about the bike park: capoliveribikepark.it
Camping Capoliveri (9 km away): elbacampingeuropa.it
Information and further accommodation: elbalive.de
Sardinia - the diverse island for bikers
The second largest Italian island after Sicily can really do it all: relaxed tours along the coast, adventurous high mountain tours, trails in secluded bays, even guided island crossings are possible. Due to the long car and ferry journey, the one-hour flight from Germany is often cheaper.
Approach by car: Munich - Livorno: 724 km
Ferry: Livorno - Olbia, journey time: 6.5-8.5 hours (during the day, depending on the weather) e.g. with Mobylines
Flight: e.g. Eurowings, Lufthansa and Ryan Air
Tour information literature: bike-magazin.de
Guided tours: gallurabikepoint.com, sardinien-bike.de
Corsica - the high mountain island for bikers
The French Mediterranean island is considered a roughneck among biking holiday destinations. It consists mainly of high mountains. Its trails are rough, challenging and tend to get lost in prickly thickets. The weather can change quickly and orientation is a challenge thanks to patchy signposting. But that's exactly what adventure bikers with an appreciation for truly wild natural beauty like.
Approach by car: Munich - Livorno 724 km
Ferry: Livorno - Bastia, journey time: 4 hours, e.g. with Mobylines
Tour information: The topographical maps of the Institut géographique national (IGN) are indispensable
Camping sites: campingcorse.com
Info: corsica.fr
Kvar - the Croatian
The island off Split is larger than Elba. Its gravel roads are also rough, but some of them lead through marvellous lavender fields and often end at a beautiful beach. Although the journey to Kvar is longer, it is also much cheaper in terms of petrol.
Approach by car: Munich - Split: via Tauern motorway and Karawanken tunnel: 861 km journey time: 10 hours,
Ferry: The ferry to Stari Grad departs from Split several times a day in 105 minutes.
Info: jadrolinija.hr
Motorway toll 2023: This is what it costs to travel on holiday
Karawanken tunnel (Croatia, Slovenia): 7.40 euros for cars and motorhomes- SloveniaToll via e-transponder in the windscreen: cars and motorhomes: 7 days 15 euros, 1 month 30 euros
- Croatiaapprox. 8 Euro per 100 km
- Austria: 10 days: 9.90 euros, 2 months: 29 euros, 1 year: 96.40 euros.
- Tauern tunnel, Katschberg tunnel together 13,50 Euro
- Czech Republic: 1 month: 18 euros, 10 days: 12.70 euros.
- Switzerland: 10-day vignette: 9.90 euros, annual vignette 41 euros (40 francs)
- Great St Bernard Tunnel: Return journey (within 30 days) car: 50 euros, motorhome: 77.50 euros
- Italy: On average 7 euros per 100 kilometres. Toll calculator and information: autostrade.it
- France: The motorways are operated by different companies and the toll is therefore calculated very differently according to the number of kilometres driven. Tip: It is best to travel on the very well-developed, free country roads!
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
