BIKE Transalp 2023: Stage 4 of the anniversary route to follow
Through the Stelvio National Park and straight on into the Adamello Nature Park: the fourth stage of the BIKE Transalp 2023 with one hundred kilometres remains scenically exciting. However, the route between Bormio and Malè in Val di Sole also has plenty to keep your legs busy.
The queen stage of the 25th BIKE Transalp climbs 1600 metres in altitude almost in one go right at the start through Valfurva and up to the Gavia Pass. At the end on tarmac loops that hurt in places, but also entertain with plenty of views of the surrounding Ortler peaks. The Gavia summit is reached at 2621 metres, which is also the highest point of the anniversary Transalp.
Now it's downhill on the steep south side towards Ponte di Legno. Initially on tarmac, then the Gallo Trail branches off to the right towards Lago Nero. Riding technique specialists will celebrate this natural mountain trail with its sporty gradient and all its key sections. Others will have to push from time to time on the 700 metres of descent through the Valle delle Messi.
Shortly after Sant'Apollonia, the second long climb of the day awaits. It's best to manage your strength well on this 800 metre ascent: first you climb steeply up to the restored old mountain village of Case di Viso, then the gravel serpentines in the meadow slope pile up to an altitude of almost 2,400 metres.
The view of the Adamello group is magnificent during the slog, especially where the Alta Via Camuna branches off: This high alpine dream trail now winds above the trees for almost seven kilometres around the mountain flanks of the Cima Bleis, crossing the border to the Adamello Nature Park with ever-growing glacier views.
At 1883 metres, you reach the Tonale Pass, the border with Trentino. The remaining 40 kilometres through the upper Val di Sole are mostly downhill. But not on the valley cycle path, but through the forests at the foot of the Cima Presanella. Towards the end of the stage, the route picks up another 200 metres in altitude behind Almazzago and a few short ramps. Nothing dramatic, but after this long day in the saddle including a kilometre-long descent, you have to find your stride again. But the celebratory mood will be all the greater after this royal stage at the church square in Malè!
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Info stage 4 to follow - from Bormio to Malè
If you're riding the Transalp without a ticking stopwatch on your back, this stage is a great way to save energy. From Bormio, you can take the Bormio 2000 gondola up to Cima Bianca and enjoy a bird's eye view of Valfurva. The subsequent descent joins the Transalp route halfway up - 600 metres of altitude saved.
The route continues gently up and down on the gravel road to Santa Caterina. The racers now tackle the 800 metres of the asphalt Gavia hairpin bends. Everyone else can save themselves half of the legendary Giro d'Italia ascent by taking the gondola up to Sunny Valley. This allows you to enjoy an additional seven kilometres of high mountain trail (450 metres with a counter-climb) and only turn onto the pass road at Ponte dell'Alpe.
This leaves only two kilometres and 300 metres in altitude to the top of the pass (2621 m). This saves a total of 1050 metres in altitude. The unused energy can now be put into the second, technically challenging half of the stage. Tip: In Val di Sole, you also pass the bike park in Daolasa with its infamous World Cup downhill. Fancy a detour?
Marc Schneider, route manager of the BIKE Transalp:
The scenery between Bormio and Malè is spectacular: the Ortler massif and the Adamello group with their glacier peaks shake hands, with two long pass climbs in between, each of which rewards you with spectacular trails on the south side.
Cable car
You can buy a lift ticket for the three-gondola tour in Bormio and then take the Bormio 2000 and later the gondola to Sunny Valley in Santa Caterina. Please note: The latter takes a lunch break from 13:15 to 14:00. Price incl. bike: 28 euros.
Refreshment tips
Sunny Valley (when using the lift), the Rifugio A. Berni (2541 m), 2 km below the Gavia Pass and at the Tonale Pass. Also: Baita Velon in Val Vermigliana and in the villages in Val di Sole.
Stage destination Malè
The village of Malè lies between the Stelvio National Park and the Adamello Brenta Nature Park and is the administrative centre of the Val di Sole and home to the first Italian ESA astronaut.
Abbreviations & variants
The stage from Bormio to Malè takes the shortest route over the mountains, so you can't really take a shortcut. If you don't feel up to the challenging trail from the Gavia Pass, you can stay on the road until it rejoins the route in Sant'Appolonia. In Val di Sole, you can also stay on the cycle path at the end and skip the last hilly sections in the forest.
The stage as a short trip
If you want to return the same day, you will need a taxi. The Val di Sole tourist board lists a number of taxi companies throughout the valley.
The stage as part of a circular tour
If then the right way! This stage could be part of a large Ortler tour that would be on the scale of the entire Transalp. The rough route would look like this: From Malè over the Rabbijoch into the Ultental Valley. From the Ulten Valley over the Vigiljoch and the Naturnser Alm down to Naturns. Play with the trail variants in the Vinschgau Valley between Naturns, Laatsch and Prad. From Prad to the Stilfserjoch and over the Bocchetta di Forcola down to Bormio.
Or for adventurers: in very stable weather conditions via Sulden and the 3123 metre high Madritschjoch to Santa Caterina Valfurva and Bormio. This is an epic tour that can hold a candle to any Transalp in terms of adventure factor. It takes patience to fine-tune the route to suit your own wishes. An exact route suggestion would go beyond the scope here.
Don't miss - Cycling & Events
Val di Sole is a World Cup destination with tradition. From 29 June to 2 July 2023, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will be held here in the cross country (XCO), short track (XCC) and downhill (DHI) disciplines. The Transalp route runs right past the stadium in Comezzadura. A track check with a visit to the World Cup, that would be something.
A Cyclo Cross World Cup will also be held in Vermiglio on 10 December 2023.
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
