The Alps, the Dolomites, the Sella Ronda. Romeo & Juliet, Garda, the World Champs. Verona, Innsbruck, Munich. Italy, Austria, Germany. Groads. Yes. Our Trans Alps Gravel Bike tour is happening this summer, and you’re invited. Gravel Bike Trans Alps Tour Stages This is an incredible new itinerary rolling out in July 2019 linking Munich in […]
The Alps, the Dolomites, the Sella Ronda. Romeo & Juliet, Garda, the World Champs. Verona, Innsbruck, Munich. Italy, Austria, Germany. Groads. Yes. Our Trans Alps Gravel Bike tour is happening this summer, and you’re invited.
Gravel Bike Trans Alps Tour Stages
This is an incredible new itinerary rolling out in July 2019 linking Munich in the north to Verona in the south, via the cities of Innsbruck (host to the 2018 Cycling World Championships), Bolzano & Trento and straddling the Alps. Designed & tested by Joan Calvera Porta of CycloCat the route links bike paths & gravel roads on a journey through changing landscapes and spectacular scenery.
Stage 1: Munich to Bad Tolz, 60 km, 418 m
The gravel bike Trans Alps Tour starts in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Located to the north of the Bavarian Alps & on the banks of the River Isar the city makes a grand start to the ride. Spin south towards the mountains through woodland, trails & traffic free roads. The River Isar runs from Munich with our path to Bad Tolz, the first stop on the route. Bad Tolz is the gateway to the Alps!
Route Highlight: Munich
Stage 2: Bad Tolz to Innsbruck, 109 km, 864 m
From Bad Tolz the scenery starts to change dramatically as the route enters Austria & the Alps. The route passes through the town on Lenggries, runs across the Sylvenstein Lake and on into Austria. The road reaches 1,000 m altitude at the town of Maurach before a steep descent meets the River Eno, which carves a flat route to Innsbruck.
Route Highlight: Sylvenstein Lake
- At the Austrian frontier is the spectacular Sylvenstein Dam, a reservoir which provides flood protection & maintains a steady flow of water to Bad Tolz in the valley below. Ride around and across the damn before leaving the River Isar and crossing the Austrian border.
Route Highlight: Innsbruck
- The Austrian city of Innsbruck made a name for itself when it hosted the road cycling world championships in September 2018. The high mountains of Tirol served as a spectacular battleground where Spaniard Alejandro Valverde and Dutch woman Anna van der Breggen emerged victorious.
- Innsbruck is the captial of the Tyrol region and is located in the broad valley between high mountains, the Hafelekarspitze, (2,334 metres) to the north, and the Patscherkofel (2,246 m) and Serles (2,718 m) to the south.
Stage 3: Innsbruck to Klausen, 68 km, 351 m
30 kms south of Innsbruck lies the Brenner pass. The Brenner Railway provides transport for the first part of the day, taking riders safely past a busy section of road. Brenner station is at 1,371 m altitude – the highest point reached on the Italian & Austrian rail networks. At the pass is the Italian border & the gravel road begins again with a glorious descent through Italy.
Drop through Colle Isarco & a myriad of Italian villages to our resting place in Klausen, conveniently located at the base of the route to the Italian Dolomites.
Route Highlight: Brenner Pass
- The Brenner Pass connects northern & southern Europe. Dairy cattle graze in alpine pastures throughout the summer in valleys beneath the pass and on the mountains above it. At lower altitudes, farmers log pine trees, plant crops and harvest hay for winter fodder.
Stage 4: The Sella Ronda Gravel, 53 km, 2,200 m
It was impossible to resist adding a day to explore the iconic Sella Ronda route away from the usual holiday traffic. Our route combines sections of the classic road route with off-road sections which provide a unique and gorgeous perspective on this well-ridden route. It’s today that riders need their climbing legs with altitudes reaching over 2,200 m.
Route Highlight: The Sella Ronda
- Guidebooks of the Dolomites region are graced with images of the stunning Sella Ronda mountain range. The Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi and Passo Sella make up this iconic cycling route. The loop passes through the ski town (and summer cycling hub) of Corvara in Badia, itself synonymous with the annual Maratona del Dolomiti Granfondo.
Stage 5: Klausen to Trento, 100 km, 550 m
After a day in the Dolomites it’s time to head south again, this time to the Italian city of Trento. The route follows the gently descending valley through Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol. Bolzano is considered as a bridge between the North and South due to the three spoken languages in South Tyrol – Italian, German, and Ladin, and the confluence of Italian and German-Austrian culture.
Route Highlight: Trento
- Trento is located on the Adige River in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtiroll. Formerly part of Austria and Austria-Hungary, it was annexed by Italy in 1919. With almost 120,000 inhabitants, Trento is the third largest city in the Alps and second largest in the Tyrol.
- Trento is an educational, scientific, financial and political centre. Soak up the picturesque Medieval and Renaissance historic centre & make sure to take a look at the ancient Trento Cathedral and the Castello del Buonconsiglio.
- Trento was awarded the title of Alpine Town of the Year 2004.
Stage 6: Trento to Verona, 124 km, 809 m
The final stage is also the longest stage. Continue south on a flat trail through the town of Rovereto. Detour up a gentle climb to see the spectacular Lake Garda. Retrace and follow the trail to the heart of Verona, a city made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Route Highlight: Lake Garda
- The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located on the edge of the Dolomites and is an exquisite destination for holiday-makers throughout the year. Francis of Assisi founded a monastery on one of the Lake’s islands in 1220. Now travellers around the world enjoy peace, tranquility and a touch of luxury at the lake.
Route Highlight: Verona
- Roman architecture, Opera & Shakespeare make for a glamourous city to host the grand finale of our Trans Alps gravel adventure!
What Gravel Bike For The Trans Alps Tour?
To best enjoy the Trans Alps gravel tour we recommend a gravel bike (no surprises there!) – something fast enough on paved sections & super comfortable on gravel. Try the Italian Basso Palta to truly pay homage to the route.
Trans Alp Gravel Bike Tours – Secure Your Place
We’re really excited about this new tour of the Trans Alps on gravel bikes and the interest we’re receiving about this tour is phenomenal but what’s not to love about it? Gravel, bikes and the Alps – perfect! If you’re interested in securing a place on the tour then give us a call now on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online for more info.
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