European Cycling Routes – pedalnorth

Lake Garda Gran Fondo 2026: Climbs Corners and Italian Cycling Magic

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:40 +0000

Cycling at Lake Garda – The Italian Lakes & Mountains

The Route: Fast Flats and Sharp Turns

The 2026 Lake Garda Gran Fondo course was a beautiful loop totalling 140 km with 2,010 m of climbing. Despite the chilly start to the day —a crisp morning that had us all shivering in our gilets — the pace was scorching from the start. People were ready to race, and the riders were taking no prisoners – this was a race, and I needed to be ready and focused.

The First 40 km: This section was almost entirely flat and fast. We flew along the lake front in a massive peloton, tucked in to save every possible watt for the vertical work ahead. It worked as it should, with people moving to take turns and keeping the pace. It was an electric feeling, with the sublime scenery of the lake and mountains all around me. Cycling adventures are days like these and I loved it. Italy is always a special place to ride. However, it’s not a flat country, and there were climbs lying ahead!

The Climbs: Breaking the Spirit

This area of Italy is known as the Lakes and Mountains region for a reason –it has climbs and some of them are tough, yet magnificent. AS cyclists we seek these challenges, and we relish in the pain and suffering and emotions of succeeding. Lake Garda is like this, sitting in a basin of peaks, surrounded by epic scenery and with ribbons of roads that weave their way up and down, twisting into corners and shapes that keep you thinking all day long.

Riding at home, close to Barcelona I am used to climbs, but these add that little Italian magic, and you have to be ready. I knew that I had trained and I was fit. However, the pace of the day adds something, and the mental challenge is equal to the physical.

The course featured four distinct ascents that defined the day’s difficulty:

1. Ascent of Navazzo

The wake-up call came at km 40 in Gargnano. At 7.16 km long with a 6.4% mean slope, it immediately shattered the peloton. Rising to an altitude of 471 m, it provided the first real test for my heavy legs.

2. Ascent of Capovalle

Just as the recovery from Navazzo began, we hit Capovalle at km 56. This 5.8 km climb took us up to the highest point of the day at 900 m altitude. While the average gradient remained a steady 6.4%, the fatigue from my 400 km training week started to settle in deep here.

3. Ascent of Preseglie

A shorter, punchier effort at km 89. Stretching over 2.15 km with a 4.7% slope, it served as a brutal “stinger” to keep the heart rate pinned before the final major push.

4. Ascent of Coste (S. Eusebio)

The final hurdle arrived at km 93. This 6.62 km climb, averaging 4.1%, was a battle of attrition. By this point, the views of the valley were spectacular, but my focus was entirely on the wheel in front of me.

Pure Italian Magic

Despite starting the day deep in a recovery hole, the sheer quality of the organization and the safety measures on the course allowed me to just race. Yes, I was exhausted, but it had been exhilerating and filled with life and passion and emotions. One of those days cycling that we want to remember always. Swooping into corners, the pain of the climbs and the thrill of the descents. Everything had come together and my bike had stayed the course, carrying me through.

I crossed the line exhausted, but thrilled to have managed 10th place in the Female overall and 7th in the 18–39 age group. Finishing in the top ten after such a massive volume of training is a testament to what the body can do when fuelled by Italian passion and world-class scenery.

If you’re looking for a race that combines professional-level organization with some of the most beautiful views in the world, put the Lake Garda Gran Fondo on your 2027 bucket list. Just maybe take a rest day before the start! Will I be back to ride in Italy again, soon? Absolutely I will – and maybe I will see you out on your bike among these sublime mountains and lakes!

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Schattwald and the Tannheim Valley gravel ride – in the Austrian Tyrol

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:18:48 +0000

Tobias Arweiler

Schattwald & the Tannheim Valley

Gravel adventure in the Austrian Tyrol

This tough but beautiful ride of 54 km takes you through magnificent scenery in the Austrian Tyrol, exloring the gravel tracks in the Tannheim Valley of the Austrian mountains. The route takes you up past the Haldensee (lake) and climbs the epic Krinnenspitze for amazing mountain views.

Forests and alpine meadows mix with 14% climbs and descents on this Tyrolean gravel route, requiring good fitness and bike skills. Yet, the rewards are well worth the effort, as yu explore the beauty of the Tannheim Valley and alpine scenery.

Above image by Tobias Arwieler on Unsplash

Route Information

Stats: 54 km 1,675 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay: The Tanheim Valley has numerous options for accommodation at all price points. Likewise, places to eat are easy to locate and the food choices are excellent.

Character: Tough and steep, with a technical descents. Some bike-hiking might be found on the steeper climbs, but take the climbs as a challenge. The trails are excellent gravel. Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride!

Route

The route – albeit seeming reasonable in length, is a tough but rewarding day in the mountains of the Tyrol. Excellent fitness is required, as is the ability to carry out trailside repairs for yourself.

Starting off from Schattwald, the route climbs initially, before dropping you down towards Tannheim.
Haledensee is soon reached, as you skirt this picturesque lake in the mountains.
Then, after 17.9km – at Nesselwangle – a steep series of switchbacks lead you upwards for 4.5 km, before more descending and riding through the trees on excellent tracks that rise and fall randomly.
At 43km you reach the quaint village of Berg, and its wealth of tradiational chalets and farms. The climbing begins once more, as the road takes you into the hills and trees. Tracks wind there way around the valley, before dropping you back onto the valley road at Schattwald where refreshments can be taken if needed, whilst you enjoy the epic views across the valley.

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Cycling Alicante: heat mountains and desert roads

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:54:32 +0000

RIDING ALICANTE

Finding my cycling soul

Travelling is a part of the cycling culture – ultimately, it’s what our bike was designed for. That simple journey from A to B, to which we add our own personality. We’re all unique – like bikes.

Yes, we may look the same: two legs, two wheels, arms, handlebars, a saddle and… well, you get the picture. However, it’s what we don’t see that matters – on the inside, of us and on the bike.
I started my competitive sporting life as a snowboarder, not a cyclist. An horrific accident and serious injury put paid to that, though; which is I why I then took up triathlon, competing at age-group world-level successfully, before cycling took a hold of me and opened up that spirit of exploration that is a part of who I am. I love using my bike to challenge myself, yes; but, also to explore the world in which we live and to feel the warm breeze on my face and the excitement that pumps through my veins.

I guess that I’m like my TIME Scylon: I look one way, but when you turn the pedal, a whole new personality emerges, and it’s more fun-loving than you imagined, with a strength and toughness that defies the image – and yes, fast, because ultimately, I’m still an athlete who loves performance. If I’d had a bike made for me, it would have been the Scylon. It’s become a part of me now; part of my cycling soul, and we’re off to explore Alicante together.

Riding Alicante: Heat, Mountains, and Desert Roads

Alicante in Spain is renowned the world over, as a holiday hotspot. However, are you aware how great the road cycling is in this majestic Spanish resort? Probably not, as too often, the focus of cyclists when travelling to Spain is the Islands, or Girona. However, Alicante has everything to offer, including roads that are less filled with other riders, a quieter feeling and sublime views. It’s nestled amongst coastal mountains, with exceptional roads; which is why I took myself on a cycling trip there, recently.

Yes, Alicante is full of surprises. Everyone knows the beaches, of course. Few people, however, expect the wild, open mountains that lie just a short ride inland. Here, away from the coastal crowds, the land feels more like Texas or the rising hills of Africa than Spain — dry terraces, rocky peaks, and a sky that seems endless. As an easily excited cycling tourist, and with my Scylon accompanying me, I set out to test it and to explore the climbs of Tiger Pass, Puerto de Tudons, Puerto del Collao, and Puerto de Benifallim. It turned into one of the most beautiful and most unforgettable rides I’ve ever done. One of those rides that remain unexpected and treasured, at the forefront of our memories for a long time. That causes the blood to flow faster and our bodies to feel lighter, as our eyes open up to the landscape and our heart feeds on the emotions.

I’m unashamedly a spiritual and emotion athlete. Away from cycling, I’m a designer and also a painter, using color to carry forward the images I create. So yes, when I’m cycling, I totally immerse myself in the landscape. For now, though, it’s time to ride, as me and my bike head off into the Alicante mountains, exploring this beautiful corner of mainland Spain. Yes, it’s time to ride!

Route Information

Stats 66.59 km 1,488 metres

• Start/Finish: The ride started from Alcoy heading towards the Puerto de Tudons
• Difficulty: Challenging

Road Surface: Excellent tarmac

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Lots of places along the way

Character

A long but rewarding route, with climbs and mountain views views, and the sun high in the sky. Road surface conditions are superb.

The route combines inland climbs, fast descents, scenic towns, anddeserted roads, too. The sun beats down at time, so wear sun screen and take on board lots of fluids. Whether you’re chasing fitness, a photo-worthy adventure, or pure road cycling pleasure, this ride offers it all.

Route

Puerto de Tudons (1,025 m)

My day started from Alcoy heading towards the Puerto de Tudons. Around 8 km with a 4% average and at a 7-9% maximum steepness – steady, but brutal in the heat. My bottles turn warm within minutes, and every patch of shade feels like a gift. The bike is looking after things though – light and responsive, pushing me to hold a rhythm even when the heat tried to break me. Once I settled into the heat and the climb, it becomes a route to smile on; with the challenge being a positive one, as the Scylon eats up the distance, keeping me comfortable and focused. I have fluids and nutrition and views, and I have a purpose, as the sun beats down on me. I’m renewing my cycling soul, away from the crowds, and the freedom that rushes through my body as the gentle breeze touches my face, reminds me why we ride!

Tiger Pass – Safari Aitana

After this, I it was time to take on Tiger Pass, near Safari Aitana. The landscape here was raw, exposed and bare, with scrubland stretching out like a cycling safari. The roads are well-laid though, as they continually twist upwards under a blazing sun; the kind that makes the tarmac shimmer like a mirage. It felt wild, different, and slightly surreal — not Europe as most people imagine it. Yes, I had taken on enough fluids, and I was not hallucinating! It was a route that needed focus, and set myself – rider and Scylon as one, as the cranks turned and the views opened up. Before too long, it was done, and it was time for another Alicante cycling challenge.

Puerto del Collao (890 m)

This climb was shorter but nastier. The Collao throws itself upwards in ramps of 13–16%, hitting you straight in the face, like walls. The road looks at you and challenges you, as it rises in threatening, jagged steps, but thankfully with some downhill sections on which to relax.

Ultimately though, as I mentioned earlier – I’m an athlete at heart, and have competed across the world. The road and I challenge each other, as I turn the cranks and remain focused and positive – this is my choice and want to see the summit views.

From the summit, the landscape opens wide and I was rewarded, finally. Beneath me were terraced valleys with olive trees and jagged limestone ridges, stretching far into the haze. It all looked magical and timeless – like a movie with a Spanish guitar playing softly and lyrically in the background – and no, once again I am not hallucinating! I’m immersing myself in the cycling experience, as I explore Spain and explore myself and my cycling limits. Spanish. Views and feelings like this, need to be taken slowly and allowed to wash over you; and, after all, I have TIME on my side!

Puerto de Benifallim (1,020 m)

The final challenge for me was Puerto de Benifallim. It’s a short, steadier climb that winds through a pine forest before breaking into rocky open ground above 1,000 m. The altitude brought a whisper of cooler air, but the sun still pressed hard, testing me physically and mentally.

Surviving the Heat

At 40°C, the fountains in the village squares became my salvation. The brutality of the climb was done for a while, and I didn’t just fill my bottles — I soaked myself completely. Yes, jersey, shorts, head, everything.

It was the only way to keep going! Having competed in triathlon all over the world, I know how heat can affect athletes, and this was something that only a fully dipped and watered head can solve! Each time I left a fountain dripping, the cool water evaporating instantly in the dry air, and it felt like a reset button for the next climb – the next challenge.

Descents Like a Bullet

The reward for every ascent, however, were the epic descents to look forward to. The Scylon is designed to be responsive and light, and it came into its own on the descending. I was able to relax and aim the bike, as I moved by tired body around the bike, in harmony with the curving road. Long, sweeping, and fast, cutting turns through a barren landscape, with nothing but the wind in my ears and on my face. The wheels hummed steadily, and the bike felt like a bullet, holding the line and giving me that much-needed confidence in the corners, as the road twisted and turned like a ribbon, loosely strewn across the mountains.

Epic rides of exploration

What makes Alicante special is the contrast. In one ride, you pass through desert scrub, thick pine forests, rocky ridgelines, and timeless stone villages. It feels like riding through an old Western movie set — only, with your bike as the horse, carrying you across the landscape. No, it’s not the Alps nor the Pyrenees. It’s harsher, hotter, and maybe even more rewarding, emotionally.

Alicante is a place where survival, speed, and scenery collide, and it leaves you with memories that burn long after the ride is done. For me, it was special and it tested me and the bike. Yes, Alicante is a place for TIME travellers! It’s a place that should be on every cyclist’s bucket list, as you explore the variety and exceptional terrain that Spain has to offer for cycling. Too often, people head for the obvious Spanish locations, when you can pause time and find one the best places for cycling in Spain, away from the crowds.

I love my bike – it’s like me. TIME like to be different; to show their uniqueness. They look for excellence in everything – like me. Ultimately, we like to explore our limits – because the resultant feeling is unequalled, and it reminds us of one very important thing – that we’re alive!

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Grindelwald Eiger Gravel Epic Route

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:07:23 +0000

Grindelwald Eiger Gravel Epic Route

An epic adventure off-road in Switzerland

Switzerland is the home of adventure and Grindelwald is at the heart of the action! With epic scenery and some of the best off-road trails for cyclists, it’s a haven for both mountain bikers and gravel bikers alike.

This route takes you on a 3-day adventure around the lower meadows and hills of some epic mountains: the Monch, the Eiger and the Jungfrau and to the beautiful mountain Lake Brienz, before heading back to Grindelwald. The JUngfrau Tourism experts suggest a 3-day trip, and we agree with them.

This epic gravel bike route in the Swiss mountians starts and ends in Grindelwald, at the foot of the iconic Eiger and in the shadow of its historic north face. On the three defined stages, you’ll ride through some of the most amazing mountain scenery in the world and stay in beautiful villages. The route runs entirely along official, well-signposted bike and cycle paths, and by using the GPX files on this page, makes the route navigation esy to follow.

Image courtesy of: Jungfrau Region Click to Visit

Route profiles for each day

Stage 1 Profile

Stage 2 Profile

Stage 3 Profile

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Route Information

On the Jungfrau Region website, you can book this tour and take advantage of their expertise and the following services:

3 nights (Grindelwald, Mürren, Meiringen) in a double room incl. breakfast
3 dinners
3 luggage transfers (Grindelwald-Mürren, Mürren-Meiringen, Meiringen-Grindelwald)
Ticket Glacier Gorge Rosenlaui
GPS tracks for 3 day tours
Bicycle maps and documentation

The suggested season for this gravel bike epic is June to October, when the snow has disappeared from high ground. Visit the Jungfrau Region website for more information CLICK HERE

Stats each day

Day one: Grindelwald to Murren – 30 km, 1200 metres ascent

Day two: Mürren to Meiringen – 60 km, 800 metres ascent

Day three: Meiringen to Grindelwald – 30 km, 1500 metres ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay: The Grindelwald and Jungfrau region are well versed in where to stay and what to do. Simply contact their tourism offices and they’ll give you great advice on where to stay and where to eat. Booking the tour itself, then all will be catered for anyway!

Character: Tough and steep, this is a ride for those with experience in the hills and a god level of fitness. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride!

Route

Day 1

The ride starts in Grindelwald, using cycle route 61 out of the valley and along the black Lütschine to Zweilütschinen. Once here, you change to the Alpine Route 1 to Lauterbrunnen. Arriving at Lauterbrunnen, the second climb begins, as you ride on the signposted bike trail 450 in the direction of Mürren.

From Mittelberg, leave the signposted bike route and ride on an asphalt path along the railway line directly to Mürren. It’s now time to enjoy a car-free, unspoilt panoramic mountain village, sitting at the foot of the Schilthorn and with breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – well worth the gravel grind.

Day 2

Today, you have 60 km to ride and 800 metres of ascending, so it’s aday to take your time and to enjoy the scenery. Of course, you can try to be epic and ride continuously from day one. However, we see that as a foolhardy way of exploring the Alps.

From the village of Mürren, ride back on bike route 450 along small and sometimes steep asphalt and alpine paths via the villages of Gimmelwald to Stechelberg. It’s now time to roll silently into the magical Lauterbrunnen Valley passing by the iconic Trümmelbach Falls. After Lauterbrunnen, you can choose to ride on the right side of the river on forest tracks and easy trails, Alpine Bikeroute 1 (GPS track), or you can ride on the left side of the river and stay on the road.

From Zweilütschinen, bike route 1 leads along the right bank of the Lütschine to Wilderswil and through Interlaken to the northern shore of Lake Brienz. From here, bike trail 451 leads to Brienz on partly paved and partly unpaved paths with constant ups and downs, always with a beautiful view of the deep blue Lake Brienz.

Once in the village of Brienz, it’s a change to the Aare cycle path no. 8 and the final few kilometres of the day , riding quietly along the right bank of the Aare for a much deserved rest and refreshments.

Day 3

Alpine Bike Route No. 1 starts you off today, as we head back to Grindelwald. Along the way, the route cycles past the legendary Reichenbach Falls, before the village of Rosenlaui is reached after a further 400 metres in altitude. If hunger and great food is necessary, then, after a further 100 metres in altitude, the beautiful Chalet Schwarzwaldalp beckons with culinary delights – a place that is taken on the organised ride on the Jungrau website, and a place that we also recommend.

Your route then moves onwards to the highest point of the day, the Grosse Scheidegg, with epic views all around you, before you begin the amazing descent back to Grindelwald, with the mountains standing sentinel all around.

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Day 1

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Day 2

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Day 3

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Exploring Albacete – Spain’s Quiet Cycling Paradise

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:00:47 +0000

Exploring Albacete: Spain’s Quiet Cycling Paradise

Taking Time to Ride New Places

by Nadezhda Pavlova, Editor in Chief

When people talk about cycling in Spain, the same names always come up: Girona, the Pyrenees, maybe the Sierra Nevada. They’re classics for a reason, and popular paces for cyclists the world over. I’ve ridden in each of these amazing places, and felt the warm sun beating down on me, with a cool breeze refreshing my face as I’ve descended the epic climbs that seem to lie in every mountain valley.

However, this summer I found myself pedalling in a place far less famous – and it completely won me over. Albacete, tucked away in Castilla-La Mancha, is an underrated cycling gem that offers stunning scenery, peaceful roads, and a real sense of adventure. It’s a place that quietly exists, seemingly knowing that once you’ve discovered it, you’ll always want to come back for more – and I do.

Cycling Off the Beaten Path

I was there in August, during the peak season, when most tourist hotspots in Spain and elsewhere are overflowing with traffic and long café lines. Not so here. The roads around the small mountain villages were blissfully quiet, the travel affordable, and the hospitality was refreshingly authentic. Instead of queues and crowds, there were olive groves, fig trees hanging heavy with fruit, wild blackberries by the roadside, and even truffles hiding beneath the soil. If I hadn’t been cycling, I would have been foraging and collecting some of this bountiful food and fruit. Yes, it felt like pedalling through a Mediterranean garden with a special pass for the most beautiful areas. My senses felt alive both on and off the bike and I felt alive and ready to explore.

The only downside – and it really was a first-world problem? Finding a decent cappuccino. I learned the hard way that oat or almond milk is much easier to track down than a proper cappuccino with “avena” milk – after a week, I almost quit coffee entirely. Almost… but obviously, not quite!

Rides That Stood Out

One of the most memorable cycling routes took me from Molinicos, climbing up through Puerto de las Crucetillas and over to Peralejo. These are not monster alpine passes, but instead are rolling, gentle climbs through quiet forests, with sweeping views that appear out of nowhere. They lie like ribbons across the Spanish landscape, and the gradients are kind, the tarmac is smooth, and you achieve that wonderfully calm and tranquil feeling of total solitude on the bike – just you, the road, and the whisper of wind through the pines.

Cycle tourism these days is big business, and too many places become filled with too many cyclists, losing that reason why we all headed there in the first place. But here in the gentle, rolling hills of Albacete, I was able to lose myself and to find time to ride and time to rejuvenate my soul.

Another highlight for me, was looping around Embalse de la Fuensanta, a reservoir surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains that stood sentinel and which radiated the sun with the light rock. The turquoise water of the reservoir looked so inviting that we ditched the bikes for a swim – easily one of the most memorable mid-rides stops I’ve ever had.

Seeking Adventure

Not every adventure went perfectly to plan. At one point, convinced we’d found a clever shortcut, we ended up lost. Trust me, this isn’t a regular thing for me – my navigation is usually spot on! However, whilst riding along our not-so-shortcut, after 30 minutes it was clear this was not rideable gravel, and three hours later – sunburnt, dusty, and pushing bikes uphill in 40°C – we admitted defeat! Lesson learned: the long way round is the better option. (You can see the comedy of errors on my Strava route if you’re curious!) I promise you, I won’t send you on the shortcut, if you want to repeat the ride, error free! Although, it may provide you with a real sense of adventure!

Why You Should Go

Albacete might not yet be on the cycling world’s radar, but that’s exactly what makes it special. The landscapes are raw and beautiful, the climbs are friendly but rewarding, and the roads are blissfully free from traffic. Add in warm, welcoming locals and a slower pace of life, and you’ve got the perfect destination for cyclists who want more than just ticking off famous passes.

One aspect of cycling that always appeals to me, is to be able to relax and find myself again. To set myself free as I climb the passes and to feel the wind in my face as I explore the descents and watch the amazing landscapes fly by me at speed – or at a slower pace, where I can press pause and take it all in. Taking time to pause is always good – and riding my Time Scylon in these hills, was just perfect, as the bike and I became one.

If you’re looking for a quieter, more authentic cycling trip in Spain – one where you can ride all day, swim in a reservoir, eat figs straight from the tree, and never once get stuck in a café queue – then put Albacete on your map. Just maybe bring your own coffee beans!

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Bormio 3000 mountain bike route

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:41:42 +0000

Image courtesy of www.bormio.eu/en

Bormio 3000 MTB Route

Italian mountain bike adventure

The Bormio 3000 is not a formal trail centre, rather its a series of trails linked in and around this mountain town, taking you to the top of the mountain slopes and offering you an epic descent back to the valley. From Bormio, you can take the Gondola up to to… or if using an e-bike, enjoy the ascent.

The descent to Santa Caterina is an epic one, for experts only. However, if you have the fitness and skills, then this is ride to savour.

Route Information

Stats: 33 km with an ascent of 2,008 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Bormio is a well practised place for cycling tourists to stay, and has everything. At the top of the pass, you’ll find places to eat, drink and rest before descending

Character: Tough and steep, with technical descents and tricky ascents. We have two options: Santa Caterina start, using the Gondola ascent at Bormio; or a ride from Bormio, climbing the slopes – suitable for e-bikes. The Bormio start is actually longer, and does have the climb as an option.

Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride! This is a mountain ride for expert level mountain bikers only.

Route

This is an expert only route from Bormio,as you ascend the steep and technical trails from the town – or choose the Gondola, wisely. Once at the summit, the track weaves around the rocky landscape, and there is a choice of descents at the 37 km point of the ride. Either descend to Santa Caterina on the more popular route, or take the track to the left and descent to Capella del Sant in the valley, and miss out Santa Caterina.

Once you have descended at speed through the the trees to Capella del Sant, simply follow the road back to Bormio via Sant Antonio and the small villages.

Alternative start

The Bormio 3000 can be started from Santa Caterina, allowing you a a warm up ride, as you take to the road and tracks through the century old conifer trees, on a forest road immersed in the woods, and ride to Bormio itself. However, once you reach Bormio, this second part of the route is technical and tricky, and should only be ridden by expert and experienced riders.

On reaching Bormio, the ski lifts can be taken to get you up the mountain. Yes, there are tracks that e-bikes can utilise. However,a gondola ascent will save time and energy for the epic descent.

Reaching the top of Cima Bianca at a height of 3,000m nothing is predictable – save for an epic technical descent back down to Santa Caterina! Simply follow the GPX track and stay on course, as the rough and technical trail weaves itself down the mountain.

For more useful information about where to stay and what to do locally, visit the Bormio website

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Bormio 3000 – Santa Caterina

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Bormio non-Gondola Route

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Stelvio Pass gravel and mountain bike route – unpaved

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:01:01 +0000

Stelvio Pass off-piste and off-road

An epic Italian mountain adventure

Alex & Teo

We all know the Stelvio Pass, of course we do! However, did you know that there are a series of tracks and unpaved roads that lead to and from this legendary Italian summit, on the border with Switzerland. Yes, once you set off from Bormio, along the aptly named ‘Via Stelvio’, you are set for an epic adventure.

After 3.2 km, the road continues upwards, yes. However, off to the left is a track that leads into the lower trees and mountain tracks. You can either take this as a gravel bike ascent of the Stelvio, or descend it on your gravel bike after climbing the main pass. As an extreme alternative, get dropped off at the summit and ride down this old mountain pass, off-road on a mountaon bike adventure into Bormio! The choice is yours, and we have gpx files for either option. Alex and Teo did a climb of the main pass road recently, alongside the awesome mountain bike descent, whilst travelling through Switzerland and Italy.

Anyway, we’ve mapped out the route for you to share in their adventure – so, off you go!

Route Information

Stats: 46 km 2,000 metres

Rifugio Ristoro Solena also provides a great option for meals and maybe a stay, as you descend towards the Lago de Cancano in the valley.

Character: Tough and steep, with a technical descent. Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride!

Route

The Stelvio Pass is a route that needs no introduction. However. are you aware that old mountain tracks and military roads lead you off-piste and off-road from and to this epic cycling challenge and summit. Yes, from just a few km outside of Bormio, the road is joined by tracks and unpaved roads that can either take you on an epic gravel or mtb ascent, or conversely, an epic gravel bike descent from the Stelvio summit.

From Bormio, follow the masses and take the road to the Stelvio Pass, as it climbs majestically. At the 3.2 km point, if you’re looking to climb the gravel bike ascent, then head off to the left on the signed tracks.
Several signs are on a post here, including a red square with a white painted bike and rider. Descend this and now follow your gpx file carefully.
Alternatively, if you’re ascending the road, just stay on the road and climb… and climb! after 24 km off-road and 18 km on-road, you’ll reach the summit!

Descent route off-road

If you are taking the gravel or mountain bike descent, then the tracks begin just behind the hotel and restaurant Genziana at the summit. Take your time on the inital stages, and take in the epic history of these trails.
The Umbria Pass is crossed by the track on your way down/ up, and once crossed, the tricky descent heads down with awesome scenery all around you.
The higher track is a good surface, but then leads to steep and technical sections. Take care on these and ride/walk to your abilities.

Rifugio Ristoro Solena

As the gravel tracks lead down to the Lago de Cancano, you meet the Rifugio Ristoro Solena, where booking in advance or luck can provide you with a magical nights stay by this beautiful mountain lake, before heading back to the road and into Bormio.

All that’s left now is to eat and replenish your energy, and take in this amazing area of Italy, before planning your next mountain adventure!

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Gravel Ascent

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Cycling Rossfeld Panoramastrasse from Konigssee

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:01:57 +0000

Cycling Rossfeld Panorama Strasse

Bavarian Mountain Pass with Epic Views

Bavaria is one of those well-known but hidden spots for European cycling. We get too wrapped up with the more popular grand tour passes in the Alps, and don’t look wide enough to see the epic beauty of these majestic roads, weaving their way through the mountains.

This ride starts from the beautiful lakeside of Konigssee, allowing you to stay for a few days and do several activities or rides, before heading to the climb, then descending to the town of Berchtesgaden for refreshments. Thankfully, this old mountain town has many worthwhile reasons to visit, despite the unfortunate links within 20th Century history.

There’s then an optional second loop to finish of the day, before returning to the lake for a cool drink and swim.

Route Information

Stats 67 km 1, 800 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

If you’re staying nearby at Salzburg, then there’s lots of options foryou; and, you can then drive to Konigssee and park up by the lakeside, then head off riding. Alternatively, Konigssee itself has numerous accommodation options. Take a look by clicking the link HERE

Refreshments are easy to find along the way, and at the start point. Do however take fluids and snacks with you, too.

Character

This route starts off with a challenging climb, before the gradients get easier and more flowing. Along the way, the views of the mountains are breathtaking and definitely rewarding.

Route

1. Nestled in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden National Park, Konigssee is a breathtaking alpine lake, with the nearby tourist town of Berchtesgaden amply suited for you. This ride starts at the car parking area and tourist point at the northern end of the Lake. A short ride towards Berchtesgaden takes you after 6km to the renowned Bavarian road climb of Rossfeld Panoramastrasse.

2. The climb itself is filled with hairpins and switchnacks that help to break up the toil. It goes on for approximately 12km, with an average gradient of 8.3%. The steepest section is at 19%, but is thankfully short lived.

3. Once summitted, the road descends the hairpins, all the way to the town of Berchtesgaden, where refreshments can be taken, prior to the second loop – a more relaxed ride.

4. Head north out of Berchtesgaden, on Berchtesgaden Strasse, signed towards Bischofswiesen, with a gentle climb.

5. After the 39km point, the cycle path leads off right – at Bischofsweisen, before then turning left and crossing over the route 20 on a road named ‘Loipler Strasse’.

6. At the 40km point, a short but steep climb tests you for a while, before the scenic roads wind their magical way like ribbons around the forested scenery. After 48 km the quiet and narrow roads rejoin a busier road -the highway 305, which takes you back to Berchtesgaden.

7. It’s then simply a case of riding back down to the lake at Konigssee.

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Accommodation in Salzburg

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Riding with Queens – A Weekend at La Reine Women’s Cycling Festival

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:27:21 +0000

Riding with Queens – Gstaad 2025

A Weekend at La Reine Women’s Cycling Festival

When I first rolled into Gstaad, I was running on three hours of sleep, a stiff neck from a 10-hour drive, and nerves from a last-minute wheel change on my bike. Glamorous? Not exactly. But if there’s one thing women in cycling know how to do — it’s show up, no matter what.

I had driven all the way from the Dolomites, picking up my boyfriend in Milan along the way. We arrived in the Swiss Alps late at night. I was exhausted but buzzing with excitement. The event was calling. At 2 a.m., I finally closed my eyes… only to wake at 5 a.m., hoping my new wheel setup would hold up. Luckily, the amazing on-site mechanics came to my rescue and got my TIME Scylon dialed in just in time. And that’s how La Reine began.

The Ride That Felt Like Home

La Reine isn’t your typical granfondo. It’s strictly women, beautifully tough, and utterly inspiring.

This year, more than 500 women lined up for the challenge — a stunning 140 km route with over 3,000 meters of elevation gain through the Alps. The ride itself was gorgeous — alpine climbs, sweeping valleys, and that quiet Swiss magic you can’t quite describe. But what truly made it unforgettable was the energy. We weren’t racing. We were riding together — some fast, some steady, some stopping for photos, some pushing their limits. There was space for everyone, and no need to prove anything. That freedom — to just ride as you are — is powerful.

A Tapestry of Stories on Two Wheels

What struck me most at La Reine wasn’t just the landscape — it was the women. So different, yet so united by a shared love of the ride.

There were women from all walks of life — engineers, mothers, artists, students, doctors and CEOs — each with their own reasons for being there. Some had been riding for decades, others had only recently found cycling through a friend or during lockdown. There were fearless solo travelers who’d crossed borders with panniers and maps, and women who’d never done a mountain climb until that day. Some rode with power and precision, others with joy and curiosity. One woman talked about racing with the strategy of a pro — another told me she just wanted to prove to herself she could finish. Some rode in silence, soaking in the scenery, others chatted, laughed, and sang on the climbs.

It was a reminder that cycling isn’t one type of woman. It’s a canvas for so many voices, stories, and identities. And when we come together — from different cultures, ages, and backgrounds — the result is something incredibly rich and inspiring.

We’re Not “Just Women on Bikes”

We’re often boxed in as niche, or “cute” riders because brands now offer smaller sizes and pastel kits. Yes, we love good design and a saddle that actually fits — but we’re also fierce, competitive, and deeply passionate. It’s not about women trying to ride like men. It’s about women riding like women — and redefining what that looks like. That means power, elegance, resilience, and community.

And right now, we’re in a powerful moment for women’s cycling. Just look at the Tour de France Femmes — it’s not the same distance or duration as the men’s race, and that’s OK. It’s not easier. It’s not harder. It’s different, and equally intense. The strategy, the climbs, the breakaways — it’s a different kind of battle. And it’s beautiful.

Each year, we’re seeing more media coverage, more fans at the roadside, and more young girls dreaming big. That’s how progress looks.

My TIME on the Road

My TIME Scylon carried me through Gstaad’s climbs with precision and confidence. I didn’t overthink the tech that day — I just rode. That’s the magic of a bike that fits your riding style so well: it becomes part of your rhythm. Quietly strong, just like the women around me.

TIME isn’t just a bike brand to me. It’s a partner in this evolving movement.

Why This Matters

La Reine left me humbled and inspired. It reminded me that we need spaces like this — to ride, to connect, to be loud, soft, fast, slow, new, elite… whatever version of us we bring to the road. Women’s cycling is not just growing — it’s evolving. It’s thriving.

And it’s time we all celebrate it! See you on the next summit!

Nadezhda Pavlova

TIME Ambassador & Restless Cyclist

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Cycling passes in the Carezza region of the Dolomites

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:36:35 +0000

Cycling routes in the Dolomites

Three passes near Carezza

There’s something magical about waking up in Carezza, with the Latemar peaks catching the first light and the crisp alpine air inviting you out for a ride. Based at the stunning Alpenrose Hotel, tucked between thick forest trails and high-altitude tarmac, I had the perfect launchpad for exploring three of the Dolomites’ most iconic and character-filled climbs: Passo San Pellegrino, Passo Nigra, and Passo Carezza.

Each pass brought its own rhythm, scenery, and soul—brutal in parts, breathtaking in others. Here’s a deeper dive into each of these unforgettable ascents.

Passo San Pelligrino Profile

Passo Nigra Profile

Passo Carraza Profile

Route(s) Information

Passo San Pellegrino: A Classic Dolomiti Ascent

Distance from Moena: ~10.6

Elevation gain: ~680 m

Average gradient: 6.54%

Max gradient: 14%

Starting in the postcard-pretty village of Moena, the road begins sneaking upward through lush alpine pastures and small hamlets. The surface is smooth and consistent, which helps when you’re grinding through the steeps. The views open up dramatically near the top, revealing grassy ridgelines, grazing cows, and a horizon that seems to stretch across all of Trentino. At the summit (1,918 m), Rifugio Passo San Pellegrino offers not just espresso but soul-soothing silence.

Passo Nigra /Nigerpass: Wild, Winding, and Wickedly Steep

Distance: ~17.99 km

Elevation gain: ~1438 m

Average gradient: 8.00%

Max gradient: 24%

Don’t let its relative anonymity fool you—Passo Nigra (Nigerpass) is one of the Dolomites’ hidden gems for masochists. It starts deceptively tame but quickly veers into “why am I doing this?” territory. The road tightens, the forest thickens, and the gradient punches hard—sections tilt to an outrageous 24%, especially around the 5–7 km mark.

The climb feels enclosed at first, with thick pine and larch canopy providing shade—and a sense of solitude. There’s little traffic, no shops, and only the sound of your breath and shifting gears. As you rise above 1,600 meters, the trees begin to thin, and then it happens: the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) massif appears like a cathedral of rock and light.

Passo Carezza: Gentle, Glorious, and Golden-Hour Perfect

Distance from Vigo di Passo: ~9.3 km

Elevation gain: ~436 m

Average gradient: 4.7%

Max gradient: 11.2%

A mellow but rewarding climb, Passo Carezza winds through forests and alpine meadows with views of the Latemarpeeking through the trees. Mostly steady, with a few sharper ramps early on, it’s ideal for a relaxed spin or golden-hour ride. After the summit, the road opens to reveal Lago di Carezza—a sparkling gem set beneath jagged peaks. Quiet, beautiful, and unforgettable.

This climb isn’t about max heart rate—it’s about soaking in that Dolomiti dolcezza.

Where to Stay: Alpenrose Hotel, Carezza

After long hours in the saddle, Alpenrose Hotel felt like a high-mountain haven. Bike-friendly and beautifully designed, it offered secure bike storage, a spa with sauna and hot tub, and incredible South Tyrolean cuisine to replenish the soul and legs. The rooms overlook the Latemar, and the sunrise from the pool terrace? That alone is worth the trip.

Ride Tips

Best base: Carezza is ideally located for tackling several classic passes with minimal transfers.
When to go: Late June to early September ensures snow-free summits and long daylight hours.

Don’t miss:

• Sunrise at Lago di Carezza
• Golden hour descent from Passo Costalunga (next to Carezza Pass).
• Mid-ride apple strudel in Moena.

Three distinct climbs. One perfect home base. Endless memories written into the tarmac and sky. If you’re chasing Dolomite drama, solitude, and legendary road cycling, Carezza delivers—and its passes will stay with you long after your legs recover.

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Passo Nigra

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Passo San Pelligrino

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Passo Carezza

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