Active holidays: Mountain biking in Europe
Mountain bike trails are really hard work, but they reward you with feelings of happiness and some fantastic nature adventures. Let's introduce you to 10 routes that have it all.
Lake Garda, Italy
Lake Garda offers trails for all levels of difficulty, making it a dream destination for many mountain bikers. Especially because of the descents! There are many downhill, free-ride and endurance routes to choose from. You can bike up or use the bike shuttles that take the bikers to the start of the trails or take a cable car from Malcesine to the local mountain, Monte Baldo (1760 meters/5774 ft).
Alpe d'Huez, France
The steep ascent to the Alpe d'Huez (1860 meters/6102 ft) is a Tour de France classic. Mountain bikers come here for a sensational descent, the "Mega Valanche" trail. For this, the cable car takes you a little higher, to 3330 meters (10,925 ft), to the Pic Blanc. Then the trail leads across the steep mountain ridges down to Allemond. It is said to be one of the longest descents in the world.
Bonifacio, Corsica
For outdoor fans, Corsica in the Mediterranean is a dream destination. High mountains, steep cliffs, dense forests — nature here is extremely beautiful — and it is extremely hot. Even easier trails become tortuous. Around Bonifacio, for example, there are old farm tracks along the steep coast. No shade at all. The only thing that helps is to leave early and dive into one of the bays later.
Stelvio National Park, Italy
It is one of the most popular regions for high altitude tours. At 2,760 meters (9,055 ft), the Stelvio is the highest mountain pass in Italy, with dozens of serpentine bends. If you dare, turn onto one of the old military trails, which are now used as bike trails. They lead over scree fields, through high valleys and past mountain lakes. One of the most famous is the Goldsee Trail.
Timmelsjoch, Austria
Mountain passes are seasonal routes, most of which are only open between June and October due to the weather. It is therefore always a big day when the word is: the road's open! At last, riding curves again — this applies to mountain bikers as well as racing cyclists and motorcyclists. A popular stop for breaks is the Pass Museum, Austria's highest museum: 2,509 meters (8,232 ft) above sea level.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
One of the busiest routes in the Alps is the high alpine road Großglockner. Cyclists are well advised to arrive before 9 am or after 3 pm. A special highlight in the not exactly sparse landscape are the 143 meters of altitude difference from Fuscher Törl to Edelweissspitze (2571 meters/8435 ft). At the top, it's a wow moment: the view of 300 three-thousand-meter peaks and the Glockner massif.
Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, Italy
Five hours of cycling, 1450 meters (4757 feet) difference in altitude. The Fanes-Sennes-Braies circuit in South Tyrol is only for very experienced mountain bikers with lots of stamina and technical skills. After the first stage to the Fanes hut (2060 meters/6758 ft) it soon becomes so steep that even the pros push. And it's just as steep going down. There are descents with 21 percent gradients.
Gran Canaria, Spain
Most Gran Canaria vacationers head for the beaches. The mountain bikers, however, prefer the hilly interior. Away from the tourist paths, the route leads over scree fields, barren mountain ridges, through lush green nature parks and remote mountain villages. If you want, you can also circumnavigate the island. This takes about 5 days.
Island
Fancy four seasons in one day? You can. Nowhere are mountain bikers more exposed to changing weather conditions than on Iceland. Ancient sheep trails or remote trekking trails take you through the natural wonder of Iceland. Past glaciers, steaming crevasses, thundering waterfalls. A landscape that is awe inspiring.
Scotland
Trails of varying degrees of difficulty lead from coast to coast on which you can experience the whole range of Scottish landscapes: green hills as far as the eye can see, lonely lochs (lakes), rugged rock formations and lots of castles. Here the weather is very changeable. A visit to a whisky distillery is a tempting way to finish a strenuous day. First the single trails — then the single malt.