Biking

Anyone planning a cycling holiday must definitely take in the Stelvio Pass. The 2,000 m high section from Prad is in fact a holiday destination in itself. Apart from that, the Ortles region has a lot to offer cyclists as an ideal touring area, both as a comfortable warming-up exercise across the floor of the valley and also as a tour around the different passes for the more demanding riders. As a special tip, we can recommend the tour from Prad across the Madritsch Pass into the Martell valley. Even for experienced cyclists, this is a long day including all degrees of difficulty.

Mountainbiking: some hints

Madritschjoch the highest transalp crossing

The trip starts in Prad along the classic route to the Stilfser Joch. At Gomagoi you turn left in the direction of Sulden. In Sulden many bikers take the cable car up to the Schaubach hut. From there you follow the ski slope up to the Maditsch hut. Even in summer the last meters leading up to the Madritsch Joch are not always clear of snow. A good sportive condition is as important as good ability to cycle. Once you reached the Madritschjoch you leave the impressive mountains Kings’s peak “Königspitze” and Ortler behind and descend the Martell valley to the Zufall hut. From the car park below the Zufall hut you can go downhill to Goldrain on an asphalted street.

Length of the tour: 73km
Height difference: 2500m
Duration: approximately 7 hours.
Starting point: Prad 920 m
Highest point: Maditschjoch 3217 m
Information: precondition is a good sportive condition, this is a technically challenging tour with sections where you have to carry or push the bike.

Bike tour to the Stilfser Joch

It is unnecessary to introduce the classical trip up to the Stilfser Joch. The 48 turns up to the Joch will be kept in memory by everyone who mastered them. We recommend to take a break in the cosy Tibet hut. The approach to the Joch is not too difficult because of the relatively modest slope. Nevertheless the 25km ascend in the mountain air must not be underestimated. A good sportive condition is an absolute must. Once we reached the pass we turn in direction of the Umbrail pass, cross the Swiss border and descend downhill to St. Maria. Behind the Italian border we can either take the bicycle lane or the main road back to Prad.

Length: 60km
Height difference: 2000m
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Starting point: Prad 920 m
Highest point: Stilfser Joch 2750 m
Information: precondition is good sportive condition. The road is asphalted with partly gravel sections.

Stilfser Joch, Gold-lake track “Goldseesteig” to the Furkel hut

Whoever rides up to the Stilfser Joch with his mountain bike is often laughed at by bikers with a racing bike because of the broad tires and the wrong transmissions. However with your mountain bike you are perfectly equipped for the superb trail to the Furkel hut. The trail starts north of the Stilfser Joch along the north slope down to the Furkel hut.

Length: 60km
Height difference: 2000m
Duration: 4:30 hours
Starting point: Prad 920 m
Highest point: three language peak ("Dreisprachenspitze") 2850m
Information: good sportive condition is required. First you follow the military trail which becomes more and more narrow. The last part is a challenge for your breaks and gears. From the Furkel hut you can descend the ski slope to Trafoi.

More information about mountain bike tours can be found at: