TIROL’S BIGGEST GRAVEL Mecca FOR GRAVEL LOVERS
For all those who love a bit of adventure and dust and who like to go beyond (their) limits, this is highly recommended. In the new Gravel.Tirol cycling region, you leave the beaten track and head into the outback. The partnership between the four tourist regions of Lechtal, the Reutte Nature Park Region, Tannheimer Tal and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena in the Außerfern region of Tyrol brings a lot of variety under the wide wheels. And with that, the largest gravel area in the westernmost state of Austria is right in front of the wheels. The region currently offers a selection of 18 varied tours with more than 22,000 meters of elevation gain and a total of 1,000 km of gravel fun.
Four gravel regions in one go
The Tyrolean Außerfern is very diverse. Each of the four regions has its own unique character. Far from the hustle and bustle, the alpine landscape of the Tyrolean Lech Valley enchants with crystal clear mountain lakes, wide gravel banks and vast woodlands. The region of the Reutte nature park is unspoiled and makes you feel at one with nature. Characterized by the second largest lake in Tyrol, the Plansee, and the Lech, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, the region is the hub for tours in the surrounding regions of Gravel.Tyrol. The nature in the Tannheimer Tal, the Tyrolean high valley between the Allgäu Alps and the Tannheimer Gruppe, which opens up in three directions, is also unspoiled and wild. Last but not least, the views and destinations in the challenging and wild Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena are always directed upwards – towards the imposing Zugspitze. Where normally only mountain bikers can let off steam, gravel adventurers can now also enjoy the countless gravel paths.
Everything a real gravel region can offer
With a mix of gravel roads, dirt paths and little-used asphalt routes, the extensive network of paths is a delight for the gravel biker. With long, mostly moderate climbs and descents, these paths are perfect for organizing training rides for anyone with a decent basic level of fitness. You can ride across the Lechtal and Ammergau Alps, around the Tannheim mountains and the Zugspitze to the challenging Berwangtal circuit. On the quiet tours along lakes and across alpine meadows, you will certainly give the photo opportunities a prominent place in your ride, but the gravel tour around the Thaneller, the exploration of the Allgäuer Kalkalpen, tours around the Tiroler Lech and the 5-6 hour Tannheimer Tal valley circuit are tough rides. However, don’t forget that you are riding on gravel high in the mountains and off the beaten track, surrounded by an impressive Alpine panorama. Enjoy the moment and make memories!
From challenging to panoramic, Gravel.Tirol has something for every gravel biker. Interactive tour maps and gravel bike rental stations make the young cycling region a new destination for the bucket list.
Photos: © Andreas Vigl
