Mountain biking in the Tyrolean Alps - 1

There are more than 100 adventurous biking routes in the Tyrolean Alps, which unfortunately cannot be summarized in just one article. They range from easy to very difficult, very flat to very steep routes. In this first section of our “TYROLEAN ALPS ON MOUNTAIN BIKE” article series, we introduced you to the first 12 most interesting mountain bike routes in the Tyrolean Alps.

1-    The Plamort Trail

On the route from Nauders in the direction of Italy, the new valley station of the Bergkastelbahn is on the left. We take the cable car to the Bergkastel mountain station at an altitude of 2172m. Mountain bikers call this route the Plamort Trail, but it actually consists of 4 sections: Almtrail, Plamort Trail, Bunker Trail and Etsch Trail and leads from the mountain station across the border to Reschen am Reschensee.

At the mountain station you cannot miss the large overview board with the wooden church towers. We follow the signs from the Almtrail, take the flowery feeder road, past the Stieralm to the Plamort plateau. Here we start with the Plamort Trail. We continue on a short up and down path over the meadow trail through the tank barriers to the Austrian-Italian border. Then we follow the signs and come to the historic bunkers. This is where the 2nd begins.Section, the Bunker Trail, which takes us to the main connection towards Reschen. We rush the first few meters up a fast and flat trail across the beautiful alpine meadows. Then there is steep terrain that continues down into the valley over roots and loose ground. We take fast, flowery cross-country rides through the forest and along the slope to the start of the Etsch Trail (3.Section). We wind our way along the route on countless, sometimes steep and narrow curves, which continues stony and loose through the forest. This part requires a certain driving skill. The last part of this alternating ride is very challenging and has individual difficulties up to level S3. After we approx.After experiencing 680 meters of pure downhill fun, the route ends in Reschen.

You can use several options for the way back. You can get to the valley station of the Schönebenbahn along Lake Reschen in just a few minutes. Then you take the train up and over the Upper Schöneben Trail over the Reschner Alm and over the beautiful 3-country Enduro Trail back to Nauders, to the Mutzkopf. If you no longer have any muscle strength, you can cycle from Reschen along the beautiful cycle path in the valley “Via Claudia Augusta” to the starting point in Tyrol.

2-    The Blindsee Trail

From Lermoos we take the Grubigsteinbahn to the mountain station. We follow the forest road to Route 861 or the Grubigalmtrail to the Grubigalm and turn right onto the Blindseetrail. Alternatively, with enough power of your own, you can do it in approx.2 hours. Cycle up to the Grubigalm on the mountain bike routes 804 and 860.

After we get on the trail, there is a short climb opposite and we continue on a wide section to the stream crossing. Now here comes a technical section that is quite demanding. You should think carefully about which lines you choose, because deep boulders always collect in the gullies. The unique view of Blindsee comes as a reward for the effort on this part. At the waterfall we reach the key point and we recommend pushing your bike. Then comes the short part on the forest path and we turn left onto the trail. We continue briefly along the forest road and then turn left onto the technically demanding trail in the direction of Blindsee. At the first fork you turn sharply to the right, then continue on the beautiful bank trail to follow the Blindsee to the parking lot. We continue past the Loisach springs to Biberwier and then over the Wachtersteig back to Lermoos.

3-    The Leiterberg Trail

We can easily reach the 2284m via the Giggijochbahn. Height After the biking start from the mountain station, we come downhill over the Harbe Line into the center of Hochsölden. A little below the town, the Leiterberg Trail branches off to the left in the upcoming sharp right-hand bend. This single trail is moderately steep and flowing and takes us along the mountain ridge to the Leiterberg Alm. Here we have a path in front of us that is used by hikers and bikers together. After our short ride on the forest path, the trail fun begins here. We cross the Haimbach and follow the route to the rustic Leiterberg Alm. We should definitely stop at the cozy snack station, because there is a stretch ahead of us for which we need refreshment.

Past the Edelweißhütte, below the alpine pasture, we follow a short stretch on the forest path. Soon the Leiterberg trail, which was created especially for bikers, branches off again into the forest and becomes very demanding. Stones, roots, steps and tight curves are typical for this section and professional cyclists can hone their riding technique. Due to the numerous crossings of the forest road, beginners should always avoid the passages. On the last part to Lochlehn and Leite we take an easy and flowing path. As soon as we arrive at the end of the Leiterbergtrail, we take the Lettn Line into the valley to the Giggijoch valley station. You can combine this trail with the Schölder Tour and create a challenging bike tour.

4-    The Arzler Alm Trail

The entrance to the trail is at the intersection of the Arzler Alm forest path. You can reach the Rumer Alm from the center of Innsbruck in around 30 to 45 minutes. You can get to the Hungerburg district either by taking the Hungerburgbahn from the Congress station in 10 minutes. can be reached or with line J of the IVB bus in 20 minutes. From the parking lot of the Innsbruck Nordkette cable car, we continue along the forest road on mountain bike route 5017, following the signs towards Arzler Alm. At the next fork we turn left and the path takes us to the trail start on 1.080m.

The Hungerburg can alternatively be reached independently by bike, on the way from the Mühlau district. We come from the center, cycle along the Inn cycle path in a westerly direction, past the Löwenhaus station to the covered pedestrian bridge. We then cross it and take the forest path on the opposite side of the road to the Alpenzoo station. From Judenbühel opposite, the route leads along the forest path to the intersection, where we turn left and continue to the trailhead on the signposted mountain bike route to Hungerburg.

300m. The trail entrance is located east of the Arzler Alm. The difference we are now at is almost 400 meters in altitude. We now enjoy 3km on constant changes in inclination, some jumps and steep curves. It's absolute trail fun for a long time, but we can always avoid it. Here the forest road now crosses the trail and we begin the second section. Professionals can test themselves on the jump line, which can, however, be avoided using the “chicken line”. After a journey that takes around 15 minutes. lasts, the trail takes us on a new mountain bike route that leads from Mühlau to Hungerburg. Here we can then drive back to the city.

Tip: You should stop at the Arzler Alm, which gave the trail its name, and enjoy the wonderful view of the city here enjoy. There are also delicacies here that are served according to grandmother's recipes.

5-    The Fleckalm Trail

We take the Fleckalmbahn in Klausen comfortably to the mountain station, which is at 1797m. above sea level. After we get to the top, we follow the signs to the trail start, where we have to cover the first few meters of altitude on the forest road.

The route initially leads along the edge of the piste through the root-filled forest and we cross the ski piste via the forest path after a short transfer route. The brown trail ribbon now leads us through the lush green of the alpine meadows and we drive past some fun residents and smaller tables. Then the forest path leads into a dense forest path, where we then drive down several curves on the steep forest paths, on many rooty forest slopes. After we pass the Berggasthof Fleckalm, we can look forward to the flows again. Here you have variety on the fast berms and on smaller jumps. We then drive past the edge of the forest, across beautiful alpine meadows and then back through the forest back to the Fleckalmbahn at the valley station.

6-    The Inn Cycle Path Trail

Across the Kajetans Bridge from the Swiss border, we drive through the lush meadows to the town of Pfund. Then continue over the sloping, varied valley floor through the town of Tösens, Ried and Prutz to Landeck. Now across the meadows and through the districts to Perjen, Zams and Schönwies to the southern side of Imst. Then directly through the Imst Gorge past the entrance to the Ötztal, to Stams and Telfs. We continue to drive close to the Inn, past small towns to Zirl and follow the river directly to the state capital Innsbruck. Now on the left side of the bank, downstream to Hall, then over the footbridge to the right side from the Inn to Volders. The route then takes us across vegetable fields and through the residential areas of Wattens and Schwaz on the riverside paths and side streets down along the river. We continue to stay close to the river to Jenbach, to Strass, to Brixlegg, to Kramsach and past Rattenberg to Radfeld. Then we drive across the meadows to Kundl and Wörgl. We follow the Inn to Kirchbichl and partly through the beautiful floodplain landscapes to Kufstein and to the German border near Erl.

7-    Pfunds-Kobleralm-Gstalda-Pfunds Trail

You can bike around Pfunds in good air since Pfunds has been a member of the Climate Alliance of Austria since 1996. When it comes to protecting the future and environment of future generations in the Alpine habitat, the people of Pfunds can be extremely creative. Pfunds even became the national winner among municipalities up to 10th in the international competition “CO2 – The Half”.000 inhabitants. Afterwards, the "PFUNDS energy project" was shown at Expo 2000 and, in line with this, many sub-projects and initiatives were started with the common goal of conserving energy responsibly.

The bikers should also conserve these and their own resources when they set off on the tour on route 753 "Pfunds-Kobleralm-Gstalda-Pfunds". Because this permanent, around 8km. The long climb takes us first to the Kobleralm, which is open in July and August. Here we drive past the Vorder- and Hinterkobl settlements and enjoy the view until we are lured to the exit. The path takes us over the mountain meadow paths to the hamlet of Gstalda, then on to the Spisserstraße to the village of Noggls, then over the Kajetans Bridge to the customs houses and to route 749, from Pfunds to Tschingls - from St.Ulrich to Pfunds. You can also take this route from Spiss, but the distance is 27.5km. amounts

8-    The bike swing stage 1: Nauders – Pfunds Trail

Even if few trail-savvy mountain bikers get their money's worth, Stage 1 makes trail riders' hearts beat faster. Here you can avoid very difficult trails on the gravel roads. Nauders is the starting point from which you can make short detours to Italy and Switzerland.

The route to the bike swing starts at the Bergkastelbahn in Nauders, where we are almost 2.200m. reach sea level. We drive over the historic raised moor “Plamort” through the anti-tank barriers and along the bunkers we cross the border into Italy. A stop at the popular “photo rock” with a view over Lake Reschen is definitely worth it. If you want to go fast right from the start, you can turn onto trail 1A and ride the section of the 3-country enduro trail to the town of Reschen.

But if you prefer the relaxed option, drive along the gravel road to the lakeside restaurant “Mein Dörfl” next to the lakeshore in Reschen. Both variants then branch off again and the climb of the day awaits us. It initially goes steeply on the asphalt road, then shortly after the Falliert Chapel it leads pleasantly uphill until it then leads uphill to the Reschenalm refreshment stop. After Einkerh we continue to Norbertshöhe, which gives us two options for a trail variant.

We encounter the first trail variant at Grünsee, where we drive along the lakeshore and then race down, a little more challenging, down to the Black Lake. The classic variant, however, starts from Grünsee, on the gravel road to the Black Lake, where you meet up with the trail riders again. Together we then ride along the forest road for a bit until the trail bikers can rush into the valley on the Elven Trail. In contrast, the classics circle the Mutzkopf mountain on the gravel road. At the valley station of the lift the two paths come together again.

We drive on a short climb on the asphalt road to Norbertshöhe, then follow a descent on the fast trail down to Martinsbruck, in Switzerland. But if you don't want to ride a flowing trail, roll down on the asphalt to Martinsbruck. From here we follow the Inn, on the Inn cycle path.

Watch out! The information about the route lengths and especially the altitude information are given in rounded numbers and should be understood as guidelines. This data was recorded using high-quality GPS devices and processed using professional software. Nevertheless, deviations may occur due to environmental influences and technological differences.

9-    The bike swing stage 2: Pfunds-Landeck Trail

On this stage we have the highest point of the entire route at the finish and we also have to meet some conditions. Because here we will head uphill from the Inn Valley twice. For the first time to the sunny Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis plateau at the Schönjochbahn in Fiss and then to the Fließ at Via Claudia Augusta. Depending on your wishes, you can do the descents on gravel or on trails.

The route runs along the Inntal cycle path until just before Tösens, then we cycle quite steeply uphill on the gravel and asphalt in serpentines to the sunny plateau in Serfaus. Once there, continue to the valley station of the Schönjochbahn in Fiss. Near the mountain station of Fisser Joch we drive downhill in a northerly direction on gravel. At the Schöngampalm we come to the gravel, which mostly leads slightly downhill until we finally arrive in Obladis. The route then meanders over the Asterhöfe, first on gravel, then on asphalt down into the valley. If you still have enough time and would rather ride another trail, don't go to Prutz, but from Ladis take the Sonnenbahn back to Fiss and cycle up again with the Schönjochbahn. On the signposted “Frommestrail” you then drive back to Obladis via the Frommeskreuz and the Frommes Alp.

In the Inn Valley, along the Inn cycle path, you change the bank side three more times before the serpentines lead up to the river. From there the route follows the old Roman road Via Claudia Augusta and then turns downhill on serpentines through a forest to Landeck, to the stage destination.

10-  R8 via Claudia Augusta Trail

From Füssen we first cross the border, then through the towns of Unterpinswang and Oberpinswang. We then drive on the short climb from the Kniepass through Pflach and on to the main town of the Reutte district. Now we go up along the old Klausenweg, past Hist, the interesting Ehrenberg ruins. On the cycle path we enter the "Zwischentoren" and cycle through the towns of Heiterwang and Bichlbach into the Lermooser Basin. Then continue along the Loisach and the historic “Prügelweg” to Biberwier, to the end point of the 1st route.stage

Along the Weißensee we drive from Biberwier on the historic "Römerweg" and on the forest paths over the Fern Pass, past Fernsteinsee Castle to Nassereith.

CAUTION! Between the Fernpass and the Fernsteinsee there are steep and gravel descents. Fall protection is not always present. The approximately 2km. A long sliding route is marked up to Fernsteinsee Castle. We drive along the scenic Gurgltal to Imst, then along the Inntal cycle path through the towns of Ried and Schönwies, past the Kronburg castle ridge via Zams to Landeck. From Landeck we drive along the Inn to Prutz. At the height of Ried you get a wonderful view of the beautiful terraced land of Ladis, the Fiss and the Serfaus. Through the “climate alliance community” Pfunds we choose the less traffic route via the customs office at the Swiss border, from the Kajetans Bridge. Break and accommodation possible in Nauders. We then continue the path towards Reschenhöhen.

11-  The Etsch cycle route on the Claudia Augusta Trail

The slightly downhill, 80km. The long Etsch cycle path is particularly popular among moderate bikers. Along the ancient Roman road Via Claudia Augusta, the route is mostly flat and downhill. The very good cycle path network in Vinschgau makes it possible for us to ride relaxed on good surfaces, which means either gravel or asphalt and rolled. You also have the option of renting bikes at some train stations and leaving them somewhere else so that you don't have to carry your own bike with you and can simplify or shorten the tour with the Vinschgerbahn if you wish.

We start at Lake Reschen and the cycle path runs past the tower in the lake, along the shore of Lake Haider, over the Burgeis with its view of Mals with the 7 Romanesque churches, through the small medieval town of Glurns. Now it continues flatly via Prad to the entrance gate of the Stelvio National Park, through the town of Laas, downhill to Göflan and across the orchards to Laces. From here the route takes us past Kastelbell Castle and along the early Christian Proculus Church in Naturns and ends in Meran.

12-  Donauwörth – Venice via Claudia Augusta Trail

On the historical Via Claudia Augusta route we experience Tyrol following in the footsteps of the Romans. Surrounded by a magnificent landscape, accompanied by ancient beauties, the old Roman road takes us in three stages and 130km. through the “Land in the Mountains”, which was once the most important connection between northern Italy and southern Germany. On this route you will also be treated to a historical treat, as more than 30 innkeepers serve ancient Roman dishes based on their own recipes.

About2000 years ago, the Romans built the first real road between the Adriatic and Augsburg in 60 years. This made it possible to provide military supplies to the troops of Emperor Claudius and facilitate the movement of goods. On the 130km. Today you can enjoy the attractive sides of Tyrol by bike on a long tour.

On three different cycle path stages you reach the Fernpass from Füssen, continue to Landeck and Nauders to the Reschenpass. These two passes can also be completed with a shuttle. Here you have a wonderful view of the beautiful natural landscape along the entire Via Claudia Augusta. On this route you visit interesting cultural cities and museums. You can fortify yourself in one of the many inns with ancient Roman delicacies and on the culinary cycle path there are great combinations of fantastic experiences in the great outdoors and delicious recipes for individual travelers.

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