Text: Markus Irschara
1st Herrnsteig
San Vigilio / Plan de Corones
My favourite trail is the Herrnsteig (7.45 km / 1255 tm), which I started with at Kronplatz. I put everything I like about mountain biking into it: roots, stones, berms, jumps and a few drops. And the best part: we garnished it with various detours to the right and left of the main line, as well as seven other trails. Sometimes flowy, sometimes rooty, sometimes physically demanding and then chilled out again. And what I love: it only takes me 20 minutes to get from my home to my favourite trail combo, Uschi and Richard-Anton.
Info: The bike park at Kronplatz has a total of 19 trails (on the Olang side of Velosolutions) and can be reached from all sides of the mountain with a total of five cable cars. From Reischach, Percha, Olang, Furkelpass and from St. Vigil in Enneberg. Season: 17.5.-9.11.25, day ticket: 52 euros, Info: kronplatz.com
These trail icons inspired me for my work at Kronplatz...
2. Holy Hansen
South Tyrol / Vinschgau Valley
Even before I started building trails full-time myself, I was often out and about in the Vinschgau Valley with my wife Michi. The Holy Hansen really made a lasting impression on me back then. To get so much flow and variety (S0 to S3) over a length of 9 kilometres and around 1000 metres in depth is amazing. I also think that the Holy Hansen was one of the very first trails in South Tyrol to be specially adapted for mountain bikers.
Info: mountainbiker.it
3. Asian Adonis
Canada / North Vancouver
In 2015, my wife and I went mountain biking in Canada and met the two locals Lee Lau and Sharon Bader. They took us on the Asian Adonis. An enduro trail that they were able to build themselves with the support of two bike shops behind their house on Mount Seymour. How awesome is that, please? Laying a kilometre-long trail in the mountain just the way you like it - from then on it was clear: I wanted that too!
Info: mtbproject.com
4th Rupert Trail
British Columbia / Squamish
On our trip to Canada ten years ago, we naturally also visited the Canadian bike mecca of Squamish. Of this super spot, I particularly remember the "Rupert". Another trail that pulls out all the stops over a total length of one kilometre. Roots and rocky passages, then flow, rocks, bends - and again and again you have to push up short, crisp climbs before you get to the next fun section. At the end, there are some wooden structures and impressive rock slabs. I'd never ridden anything like this before.
Info: exploresquamish.com
5. top of the world
British Columbia / Whistler
Which trail builder hasn't been to Whistler to inspect the most famous lines in the world? The descent from the highest point on Whistler Mountain (2181 m) is a must: the trail starts in the high alpine at the back of the mountain and then carves its way through a rather stubborn rocky desert. It almost circles the summit and the view is gigantic. You feel like you're on the roof of the world. Later, the trail dives into the forest. First with flow curves, then "natural" rooty or paved with stones, with a few waves and over short wooden bridges. The most fascinating thing for me is how perfectly this trail blends into the terrain.
Info: whistlerblackcomb.com
Markus Irschara, better known as "Makke"
Before Makke was allowed to carve the legendary "Herrnsteig" trail into the flanks of the Kronplatz, he had to travel with his downhill bike to the neighbouring valleys, if not halfway around the world. Today, a total of 8 trails bear his signature curves on St. Vigil's local mountain.
Which trails are still on your bucket list?
I absolutely have to visit the US bike town of Bentonville, and the 7Stanes in Scotland are also at the top of my list. - Markus Irschara
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
