Classic Garmisch - Lake Garda
7- 12 participants
4000 Hm
4 Stages
Description
Garmisch - Lake Garda
Facts
This gravel bike route leads from Grainau at the Zugspitze in four stages over the Reschenpass to Lake Garda. With about 4,000 meters of altitude and 360 kilometers, this Transalp is a very good start for gravel bikers to get an appetite for alpine tours.
Requirements
Ideal Transalp beginner tour mainly on marked cycling routes. The stages are, although not technically difficult, a challenge for the condition. A good basic endurance is a prerequisite for this tour.
Highlights
For landscape fans: Zugspitze massif and Reschenpass, the apple orchards of Vinschgau, the Brenta Dolomites and "last but not least" Lago di Garda. For cult(o)urists: the romantic Fernstein Castle, the medieval Glurns and the Mediterranean Merano. For gourmets: A culinary journey from bacon, cheese and Schlutzkrapfen to delicious antipasti, pasta, tiramisu and cappuccino.
Route
From Grainau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we head through the Loisach Valley to Tyrol, where we meet the famous Via Claudia Augusta long-distance bike path in Ehrwald. On the old Roman road we reach the Inn valley via the Fernpass and follow it to a short detour into the Swiss Engadine. In Nauders we already feel the warm wind of the Southern Alps and soon reach the highest point of the route at the Reschenpass. At the Reschensee we reach the Vinschgau and cycle through the famous South Tyrolean apple orchards to the Alpine-Mediterranean Merano. The cultural landscape becomes more varied as we follow the South Tyrolean Wine Road to Lake Kaltern and finally reach Trento. To finish the tour, part of the Giro classic awaits us over Monte Bondone into Val dei Laghi. Through the spectacular rocky landscape in the Valle del Sarca we reach Lake Garda.
Details & stages
Monday
Arrival
Tuesday
Stage 1 - From Grainau to Prutz: approx. 90 km; approx. 1100 hm
From the Zugspitze village of Grainau, we enter the Loisach Valley, which winds its way between the mighty pale gray rocks of the Zugspitze massif and the Ammer Mountains with their deep green flanks of dense coniferous forests all the way to Tyrol. In Ehrwald we meet the Via Claudia Augusta. The old Roman path leads us along a beautiful panoramic route off the road over the Fernpass into the Inn Valley. Wonderful forest paths and fragrant pine forests await us on the way through the Gurgltal valley to Imst. Following the wild waters of the Inn upstream, we finally reach today's stage destination Prutz at the entrance to the Kaunertal valley via Landeck.
Wednesday
Stage 2 - From Prutz to Goldrain: approx. 95 km; approx. 1150 hm
Thursday
Stage 3 - From Goldrain to Lake Kaltern: approx. 80 km; approx. 550 hm
Friday
Stage 4 - From Lake Kaltern to Lake Garda: approx. 95 km; approx. 1150 hm
The final stage begins with a long flat warm-up. Following the Adige Valley on beautifully laid out bike paths, we arrive in Trento, the capital of the province of Trentino-Alto Adige. We should not miss a detour to the center with its numerous Gothic and Renaissance buildings, the cathedral and the Neptune fountains. An espresso or small snack will motivate you for the last steep climb of the tour. Following the tracks of the Giro d'Italia, we cross the Garda mountains with stunning views towards Monte Bondone and reach the Valle dei Laghi. Picturesque lakes and huge limestone cliffs characterize the last kilometers through the Sarca Valley to Lake Garda, where we seal our gravel tour with a jump into the cool waters.
Saturday
Departure
Services, dates and prices
Arrival
Self-drive to Grainau near Garmisch.
Services
5 x half board in double room in good and well-kept hotels/pensions, partly with sauna and pool
tour guidance (guide)
luggage transfer
Return transfer
Online picture service.
tour guidance (guide)
luggage transfer
Return transfer
Online picture service.