BIKE Transalp 2023: Stage 2 of the anniversary route to follow
16 per cent trail share! No wonder, because the second stage of the BIKE Transalp 2023 today swings from one superbike area to the next in the border triangle - from the Reschen Pass to Livigno. Although rocking is perhaps not the right word, because just under 100 kilometres and a whopping 3080 metres in altitude are of course also a challenge for your strength account.
That's why it's best to pace yourself on the route from the Upper Vinschgau Valley over to Val Müstair and then through the famous Val Mora to the treeless high mountains of Livigno. If you don't want to rush through the route at racing speed, but instead take it easy later on at touring pace, it's best to take it easy for the first 50 kilometres, as the technical highlights are mainly concentrated in the last half of the stage.
From the shores of Lake Reschen, the route initially rolls flat into the Upper Vinschgau Valley until the first crisp short climbs open up on the sunny slopes of the valley. Your gaze sweeps downwards over the apple orchards of the Venosta Valley, while at the top it is repeatedly caught by the Ortler. Once you reach the Förchboden, the route shoots down to Mals and Laatsch, turns off into the old smugglers' valley of Val Müstair and crosses the border into Switzerland. You crank up 1300 metres in altitude in one go up to the Döss Radond pass (2235 m). But after 55 kilometres, the fun trail part of the stage begins up here: the route takes you into the famous high valley of Val Mora. Narrow paths lead on to the shores of Lago di San Giacomo di Fraele. However, shortly afterwards the route branches off again to the south into Val Pettini. The steep ascent through this dramatic rocky notch is once again hard on the legs, but culminates in the rideable trail up to Passo Trela (2319 m). Once you have reached this highest point of the stage, the path tips over into the Livigno valley: Bends and high mountain flow at its very best spread out in front of you here - for eight kilometres!
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There are no climbing aids along the route, but touring cyclists can make the stage easier by heading straight for the ice cream parlour after the fun trail down to Livigno. For racers, on the other hand, the last 13 kilometres are a must: a kind of lap of honour around the town, which is rewarded with an extra trail to the Ponte Lungo.
The second stage starts in the film set of the Netflix series "Curon" and climbs up the Swiss Val Müstair. The reason why there are so many trails winding through the high mountain flanks here in the border triangle towards Livigno: There used to be a lot of smugglers travelling here. - Marc Schneider, route manager of the BIKE Transalp
Transalp stage 2: The route to follow
As a normal Alpine crosser, you certainly wouldn't cram a 3000 metre altitude stage into your legs on the second day. Especially not with a heavy touring rucksack. There wouldn't be much time left for a cosy rest stop either. So here are two ways to make the stage from Graun to Livigno as easy as possible: you can save 500 metres in altitude by simply cycling down the Vinschgau cycle path from Graun to Mals and turning off straight into Val Müstair. Even if the detour to the other side of the Vinschgau valley offers some really beautiful Ortler panoramas.
Or, as already mentioned, you can skip the lap of honour around Livigno at the end and roll straight into the pedestrian zone of the duty-free main ridge town. The 13-kilometre extra loop around the town is particularly painful because Livigno itself is already at an altitude of 1816 metres and the air is therefore noticeably thinner.
Abbreviations/variants
If you roll down the cycle path from Lake Reschen into the Vinschgau Valley, you will reach the route in Laatsch and save yourself the first mountain, but you will be rewarded with a creamy panorama with views across the valley to the Ortler. From Lago San Giacomo di Fraele, the Transalp route leads over the Passo Trela and through the Val Torto to Livigno. It is slightly shorter but also has fewer trails over the Passo Alpisella, which is reached right at the western tip of the lake. The race route makes a lap of honour around Livigno. Here everyone can decide whether they want to add it on.
BIKE Transalp stage 2 as a short trip
The Swiss Postbus (postbus.ch) takes around two and a half hours from Livigno back to Lake Reschen - with 2 to 3 changes. There is no guarantee that you will be able to take your bike with you, so we recommend booking in advance. A taxi is quicker and easier and can be worthwhile for a small group, e.g. book here: taxiexpress.it or taxilivigno.eu.
The 2nd stage as part of a round trip (2 to 4 days)
The routes of the National Park Marathon starting in Zernez (bike-marathon.com) offer various options to get from Livigno to the Inn Valley on day 2, for example to Zernez or even as far as Scuol. All routes are available for GPS download. There are two options from the Inn Valley back to Lake Reschen on day 3. The more spectacular one leads over the Val d'Uina to the Schlinig Pass. Here, the bike has to be pushed up for a short time along the daring path carved into the rock. Finally, the route leads past the Sesvenna hut, which is very popular with transalpine bikers, down into the Vinschgau Valley and along the cycle path up to Lake Reschen. The second variant follows the Inn out of the valley to Sclamischot and climbs the Norberthöhe near Nauders in the forest. Now it's worth taking a lift ticket to let off some steam on the trails between Nauders and Lake Reschen.
Don't miss it!
Despite the perfect tourist infrastructure in summer and winter, Livigno is still a farming village with an Alpine cooperative that markets its own products. The centre has its own "Alpe di Livigno" shop with cheese from cows and goats and the typical bresaola, an air-dried beef ham. Also worthwhile: a week's biking holiday in the run-up to the Transalp. The mountain air and the extensive trail network offer perfect training conditions! General information and accommodation can be found at livigno.eu.
Ropeways
There is no lift to use along the route. But if you fancy a few extra trails in Livigno, the best thing to do is treat yourself to a lift ticket for one of the two world-famous bike parks. Info: mottolino.com and carosello3000.com
Refreshment tips on the 2nd Bike Transalp stage
There are also three different culinary regions to discover on this stage: South Tyrolean specialities in the cafés of Mals and Laatsch, organic Grisons specialities along the Swiss valleys of Val Müstair and Val Mora. Italian specialities are served again at the end, but now with pizza and pasta in the Lombardy style.
BIKE Transalp 2023: Registration
Are you still thinking about switching from tour to race mode? The 25th BIKE Transalp takes place from 9 - 15 July 2023 and costs from 1299 euros per person (U23 riders 1099 euros) for the basic package including race organisation, luggage and bike service, stage catering, medical care and much more. All details about the race, information and registration: bike-transalp.de
Download GPS data
For all those who would like to ride the 25th BIKE Transalp as a tour, we offer the GPS data for download. Now here the GPX tracks the entire BIKE Transalp 2023 (stage 1-7) download free of charge >>
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
