Vinschgau ontdekken

A enjoyable racing bike side trip through the Lower Engadine and the "Oberes Gericht"

The Sulden glacier ski area is situated between 1,900 to 3,250 m above sea level and is considered to be South Tyrol's most snow-secure ski area - here you can ski for six whole months! Beginners can enjoy easy descents in an impressive location on the 'Kanzel' amidst 14 three-thousand-metre peaks and the Stilfserjoch National Park. There are more challenging slopes in the 'Schöntauf' area, especially on the 'Gran Zebru' slope, and those who love powder snow descents will find their bliss here. Or perhaps you’re keen to embark on a ski tour to one of the many peaks? Skiers will need good stamina for the 'König Ortler Circuit', which extends over all three mountains of the ski area, as well as for the eleven-kilometre-long valley ski run. At the 'Yeti Club', children will receive first-class supervision. Guests can also meet real yaks from mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner next to the 'Messner Mountain Museum Ortles'.

At the glacier skiing area in the rustic Schnalstal valley, slopes start at up to 3,200 m elevation. From September to May, the long ski season is also popular with international skiing and cross-country skiing professionals for high-altitude training. In just minutes, the highest-climbing cable car in South Tyrol takes visitors from the village of Maso Corto/Kurzras to the snow-secure slopes, where there are pistes for all skill levels. Almost half of these are black! The "Teufelsegg", for instance, is notorious, while the new slalom training course "Leo Gurschler" with a gradient of up to 60% and the "Schmuggler" ski run into the valley are both challenging. Schnalstal valley is also known as a fantastic ski touring region: Many of the surrounding 3000-m peaks can be reached without long climbs. Finally, the demanding "Ötzi Glacier Tour" takes visitors to the Tisenjoch, the discovery site of the famous iceman, or you can start the "Ötztaler Runde" circuit.

Start at the visitor center culturamartell in Trattla and take the Val Martello path until Ganda and then towards Stallwies. Turn right above the Premstl inn and follow the road towards Radund. Take the forest road towards "Platzer Mahd". Continue on the forest road and enjoy the nature passing by mighty larches and lush mountain meadows. We warmly recommend you to stop at the Stallwies mountain inn that awaits you with excellent South Tyrolean cuisine. Return on the same route and don’t forget to make a detour to the "Suachbichl" viewpoint.

The Adige cycling Trail runs along the ancient Roman road Via Claudia Augusta, in some parts flat in others downhill. The excellent network of cycle paths in the Vinschgau Valley allows for relaxed cycling on good surfaces, either asphalted or gravelled and rolled. The Adige Cycling Tour is particularly popular for moderate cyclists. There are different stations where it is possible to rent bicycles and return them in some other stations. So there is no need to bring your own bike. Simplify the tour and jump with the bike on the Vinschger Train at any time.

Little exploration tour along Martello’s Strawberry Trail and the valley floor:
Start at Val Martello’s pivot, the Trattla sports and leisure center with the culturamartell visitor center and the South Tyrolean Strawberry World for an e-bike tour on the traces of Europe’s highest strawberry cultivation area with its tasty berries. You can explore part of the South Tyrol Strawberry Trail with its information points by (e-)bike.

The Schöneben - Haideralm ski area is the largest ski area in the province’s west and invites to experience winter’s many facets. The slopes of the Haideralm ski area can be accessed directly from the village of San Valentino/St. Valentin leading up to 2,200 m above sea level. Ways to get moving are equally as diverse: switch to a paraglider or take advantage of the reliable conditions at the Haidersee and Reschensee lakes where the famous ‘Vinschgau wind’ reliably powers ice sailors and kiters. On the wide slopes of the Schöneben ski area, featuring views of the Reschensee lake, families and leisure-minded skiers can carve their tracks. At the same time, freestylers practice at the ‘Butter Boxes’ and Funslopes of the award-winning snow park. The mythical atmosphere at the Reschensee lake with its sunken church tower also attracts many hikers in winter. Cross-country skiers can take advantage of an attractive network of trails around the ski area. The 'Dreiländerloipe (three-country cross-country skiing trail)' is particularly popular. You can also explore the three-country region of South Tyrol, Tyrol and Engadine on a snowshoe hike.

Bicycle route from Mals via Taufers to Müstair in Switzerland

The starting-point for the Wolf Trail is just below the Schartegg parking lot. The wooded trail isn’t technically demanding (S1) and it leads from the Nörderberg mountain to Tabland, with various possible entry points.

Matscher Raubritter Mountain Bike Tour

 

This trail is a good MTB connection between Göflan/Covelano near Schlanders/Silandro and Morter near Latsch/Laces, runs around the Aigen farm, and offers pure flow.

This wonderful tour starts in Reschen on the cycle path towards Graun. Shortly before the gravel cycle path along the Reschensee lake meets the narrowed section and the cycle and footpath leading above the lake, turn left onto the main road crossing the Arlund farm to Klopair. Here begins the first ascent. Before taking the Almweg 5A towards Plamort, cycle on asphalt until just before the meadows and farms of Klopair and then steer towards Grauner Berg. Follow the trail with great views and panoramas past the Grauner Kopf Alm (2,215 m) to the Rossbodenalm alpine pasture, a shepherd's alpine pasture, at 2,364 m. With a gradient of up 18%, ascent on gravel and grass from the alpine pasture and get an amazing view of Resia Lake. Downhill, trail lovers can either take the same forest road as the ascent or return to Graun via trail no. 5.
Trail no. 5 is technically demanding (trail S1-S2) past the panoramic resting place next to the small chapel to Graun. After a cozy stop for refreshments, it's a leisurely ride back along the lake to Reschen. This tour is also often taken as a bike & hike tour, with a hike to the Klopairer Spitze (2,914 m - approx. two hours walk).

Very challenging top class high-mountain tour with shuttle to the Stelvio Pass.

Alta Rezia refers to the area between Stelvio Pass, Umbrail Pass, Bormio and the Münstetalr Valley. For those who wish to discover the incredible high-Aalpine landscape by mountain bike, this is the ideal tour. The starting point is on the Stelvio Pass or Umbrail Pass (2,490m). From there, the route leads across a trail with few passages where you have to push your bike, to the Bocchetta di Forcola (2,768 m) and further to the Bocchetta di Pedenolo (Sentiero della Pace [Freedom Trail]), to walk across a breathtaking old military road, down to Lago Cancano lake (1,880 m) and Lago San Giacomo lake (requires head for heights). Everywhere evidence can be found of the savage trench warfare at the Ortler front. The descent should only be attempted by bikers who do not have a fear of heights. Alternatively, the descent can be made via the Valle Forcola Valley. Shortly behind Lago San Giacomo lake, we turn off to the Val Mora Valley (1,930m). We cross the beautiful Val Mora up to the Passo Döss Radond Pass (2,235m). From the pass, in the direction of Santa Maria in Val Müstair Valley via the gravel road with short options to take a shortcut, and from there further via the cycle path to Malles/Mals.

Recommendation: Clothing suitable for high-Alpine conditions and a local guide.

The bike skills park in Tarres is ideal for learning the right technique for the wonderful bike tours and single trails in the Laces-Martello vacation area. Here you will learn to correctly assess and master bends, steps, bridges, ramps, humps and many other obstacles so that you are well prepared to ride the trails.

Get started the tour from any accessible point on the lake. The loop is exactly 5 km long and is suitable for children, families and adults as a leisurely bike tour. The path always runs directly along the shore of Haidersee lake and is mainly gravelled, with very little asphalt. The highlight is the footbridge between the fisherman's houses and the west side and the constantly accompanying view of the Ortler group.

Note: The bikes need to be pushed along the walkway.

Discover numerous sights and museums of Upper Vinschgau by bike.

The new Barbarossa trail at Laces’ Monte Tramontana guarantees pure trail fun for everyone (S2). The uphill starts in Laces and requires good physical condition due to challenging climbs and a difference in altitude of 1300m. Alternatively, you can take the chairlift to comfortably reach Malga di Tarres (Laces – valley station of the chair lift: difference in altitude of 600m).

Having arrived at Malga di Tarres, you can enjoy a wonderful view and look forward to the flowing descent on the new Barbarossa Trail that owes its name to “trail builder and doctor” Gabriel Tappeiner. This trail with a length of 4.5 km and a difference in altitude of 600 m winds through the dense forest and lets cyclists’ hearts beat faster thanks to beautiful cross passages and different curves.

The Fontana Trail starts just below the Schartegg parking lot. The first section is a wooded trail and isn't technically demanding (S1), following the same route as the Wolf Trail. However, as from the Wolf Trail/Fountain Trail intersection the path becomes more challenging (S2). Closer to the valley the trail gradually increases in difficulty (S3). The trail has various points of access.

The roller coaster ride motivates riders of all ages and promotes the improvement of your bike skills. Speed can be built without pedalling by cleverly unloading high and low before and after the waves as well as using a dynamic turn techniques. Loose in the hips. Hold the handlebars with tension.

One of the top trails in Laces – very flowing at the beginning with more demanding passages towards the end of the trail.

Start at the Malga di Laces mountain hut and take the forest road towards Töbrunn. Take trail no. 4 at the wayside and cross after 1km. There is a short, steep passage before you follow the beautiful, flowing forest floor trail until the forest road. Cross it and continue on the flowing trail passing by the eponymous Roatbrunn (red fountain). After a short stretch on the Malga di Tarres forest road you get to the next section which meets the Malga di Tarres trail after some 800m. Cross the moss-green forest on slightly washed out passages, easy steps and super forest floor trails. Towards the end the trail becomes more demanding until you get to the Ramini irrigation channel path.

Technical difficulty: S3

The Bike Highline Meran/o links up with the pastures on the Nörderberg mountain, permitting cyclists to cross it at an altitude of 1,450 – 1,900 m, from the west to the east and vice versa. One reaches the Bike Highline Meran/o through various Uphills, or by utilizing either the Aschbach cableway or the shuttle service. From the Bike Highline Meran/o there are various single and forest trails returning back down into the valley. The stretch between the Tablanderalm and Mauslochalm mountain pastures is technically challenging All other routes are generally accessible & do not present complications.

Watles in the Obervinschgau valley is one of the sunniest ski areas in the province’s west and features wide, mostly moderately difficult slopes especially suitable for families. Little ones can play in the 'Bubo' ski kindergarten while freeriders carve new tracks on the new Skicross slope. Then there’s the legendary valley ski run, which leads through the spruce forest, and the picturesque, floodlit natural toboggan track. Both are considered can’t-miss highlights! Due to the ski area’s location in the middle of the Sesvenna mountain chain, snowshoe hikers and ski tourers can undertake challenging high-Alpine tours into the mountains. Alternatively, a separate ski touring slope leads from the valley station up to the Watlesspitze at 2,550 m above sea level. In the Nordic Ski Sports Centre Schlinig, international professionals and cross-country skiing fans meet for classic cross-country skiing or skating up to the Schliniger Alm Alpine pasture.

Starting in Reschen and heading north across the border to Nauders, we follow the state roads through the Inn valley towards Prutz. Here we turn right in the village and follow the road up to the Kaunerberg. From here we follow the high road in the direction of Wenns, which takes us further and continues to Imst. From Imst we follow the state road up to the Ötztaler Höhe, where we turn right and follow the course of the Ötztal. Arriving in Sölden, the climb up to the Timmelsjoch slowly begins. After the magnificent view, we descend into the Passeier Valley, towards Merano and via the Vinschgerstraße back to Reschen.

The Goldsee Lake Trail from the Stilfserjoch ridge at 2,757 m to the Furkelhütte mountain hut (2,153 m, possible refreshment stop) is the classic mountain bike tour in the Val Venosta/Vinschgau valley. The trail, originally constructed as part of the glacier front in the First World War, is open daily for bikers until 9am and after 4pm. In order to spare bikers the ascent via 48 hair-pin bends, a shuttle service is offered up to the Stilfserjoch ridge.

You can already look forward to the delicious menu before your start: The cozy Lyfi mountain hut awaits you with homemade yoghurt with strawberries and traditional dishes from Val Venosta after an ascent of 1300 meters in altitude on beautiful gravel paths and asphalt road. Start at Val Martello’s Trattla sports and leisure center with the culturamartell visitor center and take the road through the wonderful berry valley. Turn right after 300m to reach Martello’s valley path which takes you along the Plima river. The first 400 meters in altitude take you along the babbling river and some strawberry fields in the partially already narrower valley. Having passed Café Hölderle and Restaurant Hotel Waldheim you reach the Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria alla Fonderia.
Continue on the road that has become famous due to Giro d’Italia 2014 with some turns and straight road sections through a wonderful landscape characterized by hay barns, lush meadows and berry fields. Pass by the summer and winter biathlon center until you reach the mighty dam wall. Push your bike across the 83m-high dam wall of Lake Gioveretto and continue along the lake shore. Then you take the asphalt road again to proceed with the last 450 meters in altitude. After a few turns turn right in the left-hand turn with wonderful mountain panorama before the parking in Alta Val Martello and take the forest road towards the Lyfi mountain hut. You reach your worthwhile destination after a few short ups and downs.

Trafoi is located at the foot of the 'King Ortler', the highest mountain in South Tyrol. Starting directly from the tranquil village centre of Trafoi, the lift transports guests up to the slopes on which skiing legend Gustav Thöni once perfected his technique. At the kindergarten of the 'Gustav Thöni' ski school on the 'Kirchhang' slope, children can practice for a skiing career, while adults make tracks on the sportier slopes of the small but fine Trafoi ski area. The best view of the Ortler range is from the Furkelhütte mountain hut at 2,250 m above sea level. This area is actually an important historical site: from here daredevil and chamois hunter 'Pseyrer Josele' was the first to successfully ascend the Ortler in 1804. Snowshoe hikers will find plenty of peace, quiet and untouched nature in the middle of the Stilfserjoch National Park, while adventurers can glide through fresh powder snow in the Ortles region all the way to spring.

The tour from the Ofenpass over the Pass Gallo through the Mora Valley is an exceptional mountain bike tour in the border region of Graubünden with the Veltlin.

The Bergkastel trail leads from the Stieralm downhill to the junction of the cycle path (Bergkastel valley station). The trail is a natural single trail with short pedalling sections. The trail is equipped with north shores, doubles and occasional tables. In parts, you reach the natural forest floor. At the bottom, a cycle path leads back to the Bergkastel valley station.

The 3 Country Trail is the classical of our 3 Country Enduro Trail. The starting point of this scenic delight is Italy. We continue through Austria, passing picturesque mountain lakes until we finally find ourselves in Switzerland. 

Easy tour once around the valley floor between Prad am Stilfserjoch and the medieval city of Glurns.