Fully booked! Guided Alpine crossings are almost sold out at the beginning of the summer. But you can also cross the mountains without a guide. And even save money in the process.
The cost of a Transalp with everything, e.g. Garmisch-Gardasee
A guided, medium-difficulty classic tour from Garmisch to Lake Garda with 390 kilometres and 7500 metres of altitude difference in 6 stages costs between 799 and 899 euros including half board, luggage transport, support vehicle and return transfer. Lunch and drinks are extra (approx. 150 euros). This adds up to around 1000 euros.
Alternative 1: "Self-guided tour" with the Transalp organiser
This means you get all the services of a guided tour, just without a guide. Instead, a GPS device tells you where to go. This means you can organise your own stages and don't have to keep up with a group. The disadvantage of this option is that you are usually still tied to the guided groups, if only because of the luggage transport. You will therefore usually meet up with the others at your accommodation in the evening at the latest. The self-guided tours also hardly differ from the guided tours in terms of price. The cost of a Garmisch-Gardasee route is between 765 and 849 euros (excluding lunch and drinks).
Provider
Alpstours (individual tours also possible), www.alpstours.eu
Mountain biking for 4 people 793 euros, interactive tour/cost planner on homepage, www.bergbiken.de
Bike Alpin incl. 3 x HP 849 euros (GPS loaner 59 euros), www.bikealpin.de
Biking Adventures 7 days from 769 euros incl. 4 x half board, www.biking-adventures.de
Mountain bike tours www.mountainbike-tours.eu
Top Mountain Tours 7 days (Via Claudia), price: 765 euros www.top-mountain-tours.de
Airstream www.mtb-fahrtwind.de, Joko-Biketours www.joko-biketours.de and Ulpbike www.ulptours.de also offer customised tours for groups.
Alternative 2: Organise your own Transalp tour
If you have already ridden a guided Transalp or have gained alpine experience on longer day tours, you might even dare to embark on a self-tailored alpine adventure. This would be the cheapest option with the greatest possible freedom in terms of dates, route and stage organisation. Did you know? Alpine Club members pay significantly less at the huts. And you don't even have to do without professional luggage transport. Here are the best addresses for planning your route:
Tour portals on the Internet
www.bike-gps.com
The most professional portal for self-made routes. With road book, altitude profiles and GPS. Costs: 0.3 cent per km.
www.gpsies.com
Free GPS data, but who trusts a route for which there are "no comments"?
www.transalp.info
The GPS data for Andreas Albrecht's routes (9.80 euros).
www.transalp-shuttle.com
No GPS device and no idea what a track is? Here you can hire devices with a preloaded route and digital topo maps. Hire fee from 35 euros per week.
Individual luggage transport
Don't fancy a heavy rucksack? If you are staying overnight in the valley, you can book a taxi to the next accommodation for your luggage (price negotiable). There are also providers who specialise in luggage shuttles:
www.mountainbike-tours.eu
1-4 pieces of luggage: 110 Euro per day
4-8 pieces of luggage: 120 Euro per day
www.bergbiken.de
With remaining places (dates with discount), otherwise click on route in digital map and check prices: e.g. Garmisch - Lake Garda, 6 stages: 33 euros/day and person
www.bike-shuttle.it Prices on request
www.bikeshuttle.at Prices on request with remaining space exchange
www.bike-n-ride.de 20 Euro/day and person (incl. spare parts store and breakdown service!)
Individual return transfer
Of course you can get on the train in Rovereto, but in Italy only the night services have a bike compartment. Special shuttle services are more convenient and cheaper:
www.bikeshuttle.it from Riva to Garmisch: 80 Euro
www.bikeshuttle.at Prices on request, with remaining space exchange
www.bike-n-ride.de Lake Garda - Garmisch: 85 Euro
www.transalp-shuttle.com Transfer of your own vehicle from Garmisch to Riva: 170 euros
www.no-limits-sportreisen.de Daily shuttle from Lake Garda: 98 euros, group discounts available for groups of five or more people
www.joko-biketours.de Prices and dates on request
Plan your own Transalp and save 500 euros
Route (e.g. from www.bike-gps.com): 11,70 Euro
Overnight stay in huts/guest houses per day with half board: approx. 6 x 35 Euro = 210,00 Euro
Catering Lunch break: 6 x 25 Euro = 150,00 Euro
Return transfer by train/shuttle: 85,00 Euro
Total costs: 456.70 Euro
With luggage transport
Individual luggage transport: 6 x 33 euros = 198.00 euros
Would you still prefer a guided tour? The complete list of all guided routes, including prices, services, dates and organiser addresses can be found at HERE If you're not looking for the peak season, you're sure to find a free spot.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
