Bike Hotels of South Tyrol in the Dolomites
We rode in South Tyrol in 2012 (Pinkbike 4 -part story here) and had a great time. We wanted to come back to see other areas and spend more time. The South Tyroleans have the biking experience figured out. Basically a collection of hotels have set up infrastructure (guides, bike storage, trail information etc) and collaborated to establish a consistent customer experience. They’ve done so via their Bike Hotels concept.
This time we stayed in Rabla at the Design Hotel Tyrol near Merano, we checked out the Testivale (a bike festival) at Brixen, staying at the Bike Hotel Jonathan and explored another area closer to Austria, Val Aurina, staying at the Bike Hotel Linderhof. The bike hotels are run by families who also bike, there are many trails in these areas and having a guide is the most effecient way to link up the goods.
Halfling and the Merano 2000
From Rabla we are picked up by bike shuttle provided by the good guides of the Otzi Bike Academy. Then we are driven to the small village of Hafling Dorf at about 1300m where we start our ride. From Halfing Dorf we climbed to Wurzer Alm and continue on to the Stoanernen Mandlen (the Stone Men) on a mix of first double track then single track on a tech challenging climb.
After a photo op at this stunningly beautiful location surrounded by Dolomites and mountain views we descend on fun double track through fields and rolling terrain to a hut called Möltner Kaser (1806 m) to eat KaiserSchmarm and drink beer.
Following this pleasantly indulgent lunch break in typical South Tyrolean sun we broke off our subalpine food coma-induced to ride technical challenging single track where the roots and drops made us recall our North Shore bike handling. Then we were back to Wurzer Alm and a final climb to Hafling Dorf. Our guides from Otzi bike were Klaus (the owner), fast Freddy. Boris from the Hotel Design Tyrol also joined us for the day showing his fast freeride steez.
Bike Hotels know how to shuttle! We start our ride at 1325m
At the Wurzer Alm there are some Hafling horses! So cute, they don’t care about the bikes at all.
Nice climb with nice views.
At this intersection we head up to the Stoanernen Mandlen
Which was cool. Since 1540 they’ve stood here around the cross to guard the “Great Reisch”
Now they just watch mountain bikers and hikers
Double track descent through the field of horses
More views
Riding down to Moltner Kaser
For Beer
and Kaiser Schmarrm
Our Rose bikes wait patiently by
Until we head down the single track carefully passing hikers
And wait for Boris to fix his two flats!
Finishing the last downhill
Overview map of where we rode
Birgitte, Martin and Radek serve us well at the Design Hotel as did Klinton, GJ, Jessika and all the other wonderful staff!
The pool is a nice feature after a long day of riding
They also have a reading room, weight room and spa
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