READY TO GET DUSTY AND DIRTY?
- 26/02/2024
These are tours to our liking!
Especially for all those cyclists among us who like a little adventure and dust, this is an ideal cycling destination. And for those who like to go beyond (their) borders. Because in the new region Gravel.Tirol you can leave the beaten track and venture into the outback. In the wild, romantic and challenging backcountry of the Alps of Austria’s third largest province, you are away from everything and everyone and completely at one with nature. The partnership of the four tourist regions of Lechtal, Reutte Nature Park Region, Tannheimer Tal and the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena in Tyrolean Außerfern brings plenty of variety under the wide wheels. The region runs generously along the German-Bavarian border from the Zugspitze to Lech, Füssen and Oberjoch and currently offers a selection of 18 varied tours. Just over 22,000 altimeters and 1,000 km of gravel fun in total. From challenging to panoramic.
"More than 22,000 altimeters and 1,000 km of gravel fun"
Mountains, valleys, passes, lakes: a region made for gravel biking
The gravel tours lead along the border through an impressive panorama of the Ammergau to the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps. The wild alpine landscape invites to be discovered. The mix of the impressive nature of the Tyrolean Außerfern, the traditional Tyrolean way of life and the well-developed trails make the new region an absolute top gravel destination in the Alps. Gravel seems to be the natural currency of choice here. That’s because Tyrolean Außerfern is scenically diverse. It is just kitschy beautiful on tours past lakes and alpine pastures, fresh and open on the six-hour valley circuit and adrenaline-filled on the pass crossings in the Tannheimer Tal.
One family – four characters
Each of the four regions has its very own character under the bike helmet and brings with it decades of cycling experience. Far away from the hustle and bustle, the alpine landscape of the Tyrolean Lechtal enchants with crystal-clear mountain lakes, wide gravel banks and vast forest areas. Customs and traditions play an important role between the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps. But enjoyment, both in the stomach and in the saddle, is not neglected here either. In the Reutte Nature Park region, things are original and close to nature. Characterized by Tyrol’s second largest lake, Plansee, and the Lech River, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, the region is the hub for tours in the Alps.
Nature in the Tannheimer Tal, the Tyrolean high valley between the Allgäu Alps and the Tannheimer Gruppe, which opens in three directions, is also pristine and wild. Known for years as a top destination for cycling tourists and riders, the valley has also been called the “most beautiful high valley in Europe.” Here you cycle among idyllic alpine meadows and steep mountain peaks.
Last but not least are the views and tough trails in the challenging and wildly romantic Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena. Here the gaze is always upward to the imposing Zugspitze. Where normally normally only mountain bikers indulge themselves, now gravel adventurers also make gravel paths unsafe. There you can enjoy the flow experience with the wind in your face and the sun as a faithful companion by your side. Always with the imposing Zugspitze in sight!
Lots of gravel in the Außerfern
When gravel biking in Gravel.Tirol you not only push boundaries, you literally do it: In the Tannheimer Tal, for example, the Vilstalrunde takes you over almost 35 km of asphalt and gravel paths all the way to neighboring Germany, Bavaria to be exact. Along the Vils, the route takes gravel bikers through the Vilstal, along the northern side of the Vilsschlucht over the Kappler Berg and through the Engetal back to the starting point in Grän. And, of course, Germany’s largest mountain, the Zugspitze, is also featured on one or two of the tours.
Our conclusion:
There could hardly be a better way to get to know the four border-crossing tourist regions of the Tyrolean Außerfern in one go than on the new Gravel. Tirol routes.
Are you ready to get dusty & dirty?
More info on this cycling destination and Bikehotels
Fotos: © s´FotoStudio by Dominik Somweber
