Mountain bike trails

The tour to the Laurin Hut combines intensive fitness training uphill with glorious Dolomite panoramas from the the balcony seats of the Alpe di Siusi and more challenging riding technique downhill.

The tour begins in the centre of Castelrotto immediately next to the tower. You can warm up in the first few kilometres of a lightly trafficked side road to Tiosels. Shortly after Tiosels you join the road leading to Val Gardena. It is best to cover the next five kilometres as far as the Passo Pinei as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is no alternative to the main road here for bikers. From Passo Pinei you go downhill for a short time before climbing a narrow side road leading to Bulla. The beautiful old gravel road that leads directly to the road in Bulla again by-passes the recently built tunnel.

Now for something a bit steeper, but still pleasant to ride, you pedal up over Monte Piz to the Alpe di Siusi. Follow the road for a short distance in the direction of Compaccio, then past Hotel Steger Dellai turn off onto the gravel alternative leading to the Alpenhotel Pano­rama. Already on this section, views of the Denti di Terrarossa, the first foothills of the Catinaccio in the south and the Sciliar will inspire you.

The uphill marathon is finished once you reach the Alpenhotel Panorama. For more than 17 kilometres you have gone almost solely uphill, climbing a good 1,100m in altitude. Up here three fantastic refreshment facilities court the favour of thirsty and hungry bikers: the Alpenho­tel Panorama with its unforgettable 360° panoramic view, the original and unspoilt Laurin hut with its perfect view of the Sciliar, or the Spitzbühel that soars above the valley like an eagle's eyrie and from where the Sciliar seems to be close enough to touch.

In any event, you will need some refreshment, because on reaching the car park at Spitzbühel the tour changes its character decisively. If up until now fitness has mainly been needed, now riding technique is called for. The trail leading to Gstatsch is challenging. It is narrow, calls for technique, as it was a former cart path in parts. Take care: when it is wet or raining it can be very slippery. From Gstatsch  the downhill fun goes on. A narrow, lonely trail circles down in the direction of Bagni di Razzes. Only after crossing the Frommer stream do you come across civilisation again in the form of a gravel road.

Small side roads, partially closed to traffic, lead finally via Bagni di Razzes and above Siusi to San Cos­tantino and back to Castelrotto.

back