Get into the pedals! The cycling paradise of South Tyrol has a lot to offer in terms of bike tours, both for beginners and for the more experienced.
Difficulty: easy
Suitable for: beginners, families with older children and Reinhold Messner fans.
From St. Michael over the Great Montiggl Lake to Frangart leads this almost 20 kilometer long tour, which can be easily mastered in 2.5 hours. At the Kreuzweg near St. Michael, the route initially leads harmlessly on asphalt through the Lavason Valley, before the surface becomes quite bumpy in the forest and on the way to the Great and Small Montiggl Lakes. After this somewhat demanding stage, level forest paths give you the opportunity to listen to the birds singing. Via Schreckbichl the route leads to the Kaiserberg; on the way down there are ramps for brave bikers. Highlight: On the way to Frangart is Sigmundskron Castle with the exciting Messner Mountain Museum, in Frangart a bike path leads back to the starting point of St. Michael.
Difficulty: medium
Suitable for: gourmets, nature lovers and families with older children.
Grandiose views of the Dolomites and the vastness of the largest high alpine pasture in Europe make mountain bike tours on the Alpe di Siusi unforgettable. With a 600 kilometers bike route at two altitudes, the most important question is where to start. Highlight: a beautiful overview of the alp, sporting challenge and culinary reward promises the 22.5-kilometer-long hut tour - 825 meters of altitude ensure that the pastries don't set. The route leads from the starting point Compatsch past huts around the alp and via Saltria back to the starting point. The second descent of the tour is very stony and requires skill. Further highlight: the fantastic view below Lang- and Plattkofel.
Difficulty: difficult
Suitable for: conditioned border crossers without any form of fear of heights.
From Schlinig in the Upper Vinschgau, it takes seven hours and 70 kilometers to go via the Sesvenna Hut down into the Uina Gorge and to Scoul, Münstertal and Laatsch. With a good 2000 meters of altitude, this tour isn't for beginners! Highlight: the descent into the Uinaschlucht is overwhelming - pushing is strongly recommended. From here it goes uphill, which means new challenges. Over beautiful Swiss alpine pastures it rises to 2200 meters, before the Pass da Costainas goes downhill into the Val Müstair. Back in Italy, you take the bike path back to Laatsch. If you also want to go to Austria, you cycle from Mals and Schlinig through the Uina Gorge, through Nauders in Austria and then over the Reschen Pass back to Mals.
Experienced mountain bikers can fully indulge in the thrill of depth and controlled curves on the Tibet Trail in the Ortler area. The starting point is the top of the Stelvio Pass at 2758 meters above sea level (accessible by post bus); here, you'll find the Tibet Hut, to which the trail owes its name. From there, the trail descends in numerous hairpin bends to the idyllic Trafoi, which is nevertheless 1200 meters below. To reach it unscathed, mountain bikers must master rear wheel shifting and should have sufficient fitness.
Over 7.5 kilometers, the Herrnsteig at Kronplatz in Pustertal winds its way down to Reischach and overcomes an impressive 1255 meters in altitude. Two more challenging branches offer variety on the moderately difficult descent.
