BIKE Transalp 2023: The anniversary route to follow - info stage 1
Whether the Anniversary route of the 25th BIKE Transalp from Nauders in the border triangle to Riva del Garda will go down in history? It certainly has what it takes, as the seven daily stages with a total of 469.97 kilometres and 17,527 metres of altitude gain lead through extremely trail-rich Alpine areas such as Nauders, Livigno, Bormio, Valle del Chiese, Ledro Valley and Lake Garda.
The third stage from Livigno to Bormio will be the leader in terms of riding fun with a total of 36 per cent trail content. But the other stages also include famous descents such as Plamort and Schöneben, Passo Trela, Trepalle, Passo Gavia, Alta Via Camuna (top highlight!), and at the very end, the Bocca di Trat and Novina-Trail challenge you all the way to the finish line at Lake Garda.
The anniversary edition of the BIKE Transalp is not short on festive scenery either: the route starts with a view of the Ortler and continues on the second day into the Val Mora high valley and then through the main ridge peaks of Livigno. Then the Queen's stage with the Gavia Pass (2621 m) and behind it the magnificent view of the Adamello Group.
The route then climbs up the Brenta Dolomites and then descends from the west via Tremalzo and Lake Ledro to Riva. There will be no long valley rollers this year. But there will be some short to medium-length stretches. These will also challenge the pros, who will once again be at the start in large numbers due to the UCI points on offer.
More articles about our BIKE Transalp 2023:
Info stage 1: Nauders - Graun
Only eleven kilometres and 180 metres in altitude separate the two stage towns of Nauders and Graun on Lake Reschen - if you take the Via Claudia Transalp route for beginners. But this is the BIKE Transalp, so route manager Marc Schneider has of course maximised the route on the mountain flanks for the first stage. With a whopping 2209 metres in altitude! That hurts a lot more in the legs, but you can enjoy the view of King Ortler and the celebrated enduro trails in the border triangle to the full.
We start with a 1000 metre ascent to Bergkastel, where the trail entrance to the Plamort plateau awaits. Its iconic armoured barriers and views of the Ortler are known the world over. The subsequent long descent ends after 20 kilometres on the northern shore of Lake Reschen. Once again, you could continue on the Via Claudia to Graun in a relaxed manner. But the race route adds another 1000 metre climb over the Rescheer Alm on the other side of the valley. The reward: another seven kilometres of trail descent!
"The special thing about the three-country enduro trails in Nauders is that they are maintained but not levelled. Riders can feel this above all on the rooty character of the Upper and Lower Spin trails. But this stage gets 5 points for its landscape alone." Marc Schneider, route manager of the BIKE Transalp
Transalp stage 1: The route to follow
If you want to ride the anniversary route on your own in holiday mode, you can of course make it a little easier. This is possible on stage 1, from Nauders to Graun: Nauders is located on the border between Tyrol and South Tyrol, where the three-country enduro trails are at home. In other words: there are plenty of lifts.
You can make good use of two of them on this stage. One is the Bergkastel cable car up to the Plamort plateau, which saves around 900 metres in altitude. Or you can take the Schöneben cable car on the western shore of Lake Reschen and save yourself 900 metres in altitude. If you're not in the mood for rooty trails on the first day, you can simply cycle along the Via Claudia to Graun (4 km) after the Plamort descent in Reschen.
Tip for trail lovers: At the Bergkastel summit station, take the Zirmbahn and extend the downhill fun by six kilometres of flow trail! This way, you can start this Transalp with a pure freeride day with almost no metres in altitude.
Ropeways
Bergkastel cable car, open: 26.5 - 8.10.2023, daily from 9 -16:30, single ride incl. bike: 10 euros.
Schöneben railway, open 26.5 - 8.10.2023, daily 9 am - 4.30 pm
By the way: Bike park fans with a Gravity Card ride these lifts for free!
Refreshment tips
There are several places to stop for refreshments along the route. The two most beautiful ones:
- Panoramarestaurant Bergkastel (2200 m) at the top station of the cable car with deckchair terrace and beautiful view and
- Rescher Alm (2000 m) on the gravel ascent to the Schöneben trail (km 28) with sun terrace and view of Lake Reschen.
Stage destination Graun
The small village lies on the shores of Lake Reschen, right next to the postcard motif with the Romanesque Church towerwhich has been jutting out of the lake since it was flooded in 1950.
Abbreviations & variants
With the support of the Ropeways (see above) everyone can interpret this stage as they wish. The cycle path from Nauders via Reschen to Graun always offers a shortcut. A worthwhile option for confident trail riders: From the Panzersperre on the Plamort plateau, the Bunkertrail and then the Etschquellentrail lead down to Reschen. This is the crisp variant for anyone who enjoys steep root passages and rough rock.
The stage as a short trip
With the cycle path over the Reschen Pass back to Nauders, this stage can easily be turned into a round trip (in the form of an 8) for one day. Extra effort: a maximum of half an hour of easy coasting.
The stage as part of a round trip (2 to 4 days)
Of course, you can let off steam for several days between Lake Reschen and Nauders, so just stay there. This "all-in" combo combines everything that biking is all about in two days: rocking trails, destroying metres in altitude and marvelling at the magnificent landscape.
Day 1 = Transalp stage 1. Day 2 (around 2000 metres in altitude) leads from Lake Reschen via Burgeis into the Schlinig valley and up to the Sesvenna hut. From here, the route continues over the Schlinig saddle into the legendary Val d'Uina. The path carved into the rock face is a sight to behold, even if you have to push the short downhill section.
The rocky path is wide enough to walk safely, but there is no handrail. After the descent into Switzerland, you follow the winding path along the Inn in the direction of flow to Sclamischot. Here a forest path leads up to the green border at Losschrofen and over the Norbertshöhe down to Nauders.
Don't miss it!
You can't miss it, the sunken church tower of Graun, the region's landmark. This mystical "pointer finger" of history deserves a pause on the shore and take the time to read a few lines about how it came to be that only a relic of the old village of Graun still protrudes from the lake: www.vinschgau.net/de/reschenpass/kultur-kunst/sehenswuerdigkeiten/turm-im-see.html
Cycling & Events
The region organises one of the most popular enduro races. Trail riders with racing genes and adrenaline in their blood are looking forward to the 3-Country Enduro Race from 25 to 27 August 2023.
BIKE Transalp 2023: Registration
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: https://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
