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June 18
– Arrival
We'll
meet you at the Innsbruck airport for a short transfer to our
hotel near the ‘old town’ of Innsbruck, where we'll assemble our
bikes. A visit to the heart of Innsbruck is recommended after a
brief shake-down ride along the Inns River. We’ll enjoy a
typical Tyrolean meal for our welcome dinner.
June 19
– Sölden - 85km, 2100m (altitude gain) –or—95km, 700m (altitude
gain)
Leaving
Innsbruck (585m) behind us, we ride upstream along the Inns
River to Kematen. Here our route splits, with the climbers'
route going up the Sellraintal valley to the ski station at
Kühtai (2020m). As we leave Innsbruck in the valley below our
senses are filled with the sights and sounds of farming and
grazing land. Gradually we make our way to the high pass at
Kühtai where we pause for a late-morning pastry and café. The
14% descent toward Oetz in the Nedertal valley takes us to the
start of our final climb to Sölden (1362m) along the Otztaler
River, where kayakers play in the riffles and eddies of this
beautiful cascade. Finally we arrive in Sölden where we’ll
relax and enjoy a cool refreshing beverage before our group
dinner.
June 20
– Vitpiteno-Sterzing - 82km, 2500m
Today we
ride over the Timmelsjoch into Italy amid the splendor of the
Ötztaler Alpen and the Stubaier Alpen, towering giants laced in
glaciers and streams. The nearly 1800m drop to Sankt Leonhard
is at once thrilling and breathtakingly beautiful. After lunch
in Sankt Leonhard we ascend the Jaufenpass while basking in the
afternoon sun amid spring wildflowers and grasses. From the
Jaufenpass it’s all downhill into the Isarco Valley; part of the
historical north/south trading route from Innsbruck over the
Brenner Pass to Venice. Our resting place tonight is the small
yet remarkable town of Sterzing, which dates back as far as
1180. Sterzing came to prominence in the 15th and 16th
centuries due to its silver and lead mines; today we are treated
to a wealth of specialty regional products. Dinner tonight will
be a blend of Austria and Italy in flavor and flare—enjoy!!
June 21
– Brixen - 30km, minimal climbing – 94km, 2300m
We
continue down the Isarco Valley to Brixen where not fewer than
66 German emperors together with their armies and knights
traveled. The narrowing of the valley in the southern part has
always represented an obstacle: this explains the reason why
people preferred climbing up Renon and subsequently going down
to Bolzano. Our longer route will leave the Isarco Valley
climbing over the Penser Joch into the Sarntaler Alpen toward
Bozen (Bolzano). From Bozen we retrace the traditional trade
route above the Eisaktal Valley to Brixen (Bressanone).
June 22 -
Brixen
loop rides
Brixen
is close enough to Siusi to allow riders the opportunity to ride
to the base of the Sciliar formation for lunch and return.
There are also several small valleys to explore near Brixen.
June 23 -
Bruneck
- 45km, 1400m or 78km, 2600m
Climbing
out of the Puster Tal into the Lüsener Tal takes us within view
of the Dolomiti massif. The dramatic ascent to Passo delle Erbe
(Würzjoch) 2117m amid towering church spires, trees and
limestone cliffs will inspire as we perspire. The roads are so
remote that they are only open 4-5 months a year during the
warmer summer season. Abundant wildflowers and fresh green
tipped evergreens greet us as we climb and descend the many
tributary valleys feeding the Pienza River. After our final
15% climb over the Passo di Furcia (1789m) we are rewarded with
a thrilling 18% descent into the picture perfect Valdaora-Olang
town center. The Pustertal valley route follows the Drauradweg
along the Pienza River through Brunico to Valdaora-Olang.
June 24 -
Lienz -
80km, 1800m or 64km, 550m
Valdaora-Olang to Lienz-he long route over the Staller Sattel
offers spectacular views and thrilling descents. Perhaps a
light breakfast is in order for the climbing route option, as
the road up into the Antholzer Tal starts with a 12% section
before settling into a steady 7-8% climb to Antholz Mittertal.
From the Antholzer See the road is only open for alternating
one-way traffic on the 4km-10% final climb to the Staller Sattel.
Although June is hardly the prime season for biathalon training;
it is quite possible to encounter members of the Italian
Biathalon team training at their national training center near
Antholz Obertal. The towering peaks of the Tauern National Park
are the backdrop of a stunning 10% descent into the heart of the
Osttirol at Lienz. The shorter route along the ever popular
Drauweg to Toblach is a gentle climb along the Pienza River.
From Toblach we’ll cycle on the Drauradweg along the Drau River
to Lienz. There is an optional climbing route from
Abfaltersbach following the Pustertal Hohenstrasse; the views
are incredible and some of the climbing sections are incredible
too. Either route brings us to our hotel where warm hospitality
awaits our weary bodies.
June 25 -
Lienz
loop rides - 48km, 900m - or - 100km, 1400m - or- flyfishing
and/or hiking
Lienz,
nestled in a basin between the glaciated peaks of the Hohe
Tauren and the stunning Lienzer Dolomiten, is a our base of
exploration and enjoyment for what may prove to be an all too
fleeting day of 'rest'. Whether you choose to circumnavigate
the Lienzer Dolomiten, traverse the shoulder of the Drau River
on the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse, visit the nearby Roman city of
Aguntum or hike in the middle of the Lienzer Dolomiten from
Karlsbad Hut on the banks of Lake Laserz, the long daylight
hours will be perfect for a long day with so many choices. Or
perhaps a quiet day fly-fishing for trout or Graylings on one of
the 10 stretches of river for which our hotel has permits is the
order of the day. In any case, dinner on your own schedule
seems the fitting way to maximize your whims and desires, but be
sure to eat a hearty meal, as we climb our most difficult
challenge on the morrow—the Grossglockner.
June 26 -
Kaprun - 85km, 2900m; optional (Franz Josephs-Höhe Glacier
Road16km, 510m and Edelweiss Peak 5km, 166m)
We again follow in the footsteps of ancient travelers and
merchants as we traverse the Hohe Tauern in the shadows of
Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner at 3798m (12,533ft).
The Hochtor (our route today) of the Celts and Romans was in use
2,000 years before the birth of Christ and served as the third
most popular north/south route through the high mountains of
central Europe. Today the Grossglockner Alpine Highway Company
maintains and operates one of the most stunning alpine roadways
in all of Europe; begun in 1936 as a project to open the beauty
of the Hohe Tauern to all Austrians, it is now annually visited
by nearly one million travelers.
Our
adventure begins as we climb from Lienz and the Drau River over
Iselsberg-Stronach and descend to Winklern. From Winklern we
climb 21km to the skies and the official start of the
Grossglockner Alpine Highway at Heligenblut. Here the road
steepens from the already steep 10% grade as we climb at a
steady 12% grade for the next 8km. The out/back route to Franz
Josef Höhe at the glacial base of the Grossglockner offers
perhaps the most awe inspiring views of the high peaks of the
Austrian Alps—a must see stop. From the Franz Josef Höhe we
traverse in the shadow of peaks great and small before beginning
our rim searing descent to Bruck an der Grossglocknerstrasse.
From
Bruck the mellow route skirts the shores of the Zeller See
(lake) as we cycle through pastures and orchards to our quiet
destination of Maria Alm am Steinernen. The climbers route has
a reprieve as we follow the Pienzgauradweg downstream to
Taxenbach, where the route climbs above the river valley to a
stunning overlook before plummeting to the river crossing the
marks the beginning of our final climb of the day. The nearly
600m climb will feel like a gentle cool down after the daunting
effort climbing over the Grossglockner, but the scenery remains
spectacular as we reach the Filzensattel and our final 15%
descent to our resting place in MariaAlm am Steinernen Meer.
June 27 - Berchtesgaden - 82k, 900m - or - 117k, 2600m
We leave the Grossglockner behind as we ride around the
ZellerSee on the Tauenradweg to Saalfelden. We then ride along
the Saalach amid spring flowers set against snow covered peaks.
After a wonderful valley ride to warm our tired legs from
yesterday’s ride we leave Austria as we cross over Hirschbichl
Joch at a mere 1183m in elevation into Germany, but do not let
the lower elevation lull you into reverie yet. The Hirschbichl
is the gateway to the Berchtesgaden Nationalpark and there is a
reason this pass marks the border between the two countries;
it’s very steep climbing (23-30%) on a narrow road closed to
public cars.
June 28 -
loop rides
Berchtesgaden was closed off from most of the world for
centuries because the residents were essentially slaves to the
land owners. As a result true cottage industries developed as a
means for earning income from selling crafts to traveling
merchants. Most notable are the brightly colored wooden boxes
made by hand even today. The town museum depicts the lives of
the slave workers. The nearby salt mines are definitely worth a
visit. Perhaps the phrase, 'back to the salt mines' derived
from the hardworking people of Berchtesgaden. The nearby
Eagle’s Nest affords spectacular vistas of the surrounding
lands. And if you have the legs for a short steep climb the
Rossfeld-Hohenring-Strasse offers scenic views from all angles.
June 29 -
St
Johann - 92k, 1700m
Today we
climb through mountain pastures along lakes and streams to the
beautifully situated town of Sankt Johann in Tirol. Leaving
Berchtesgaden we ride through a natural resources reserve on a
tiny road with little traffic to Ramsau, where we retrace our
route through the Berchtesgaden Nationalpark after a pleasant
stop for café and pastries on the shores of the Hintersee. From
Weissbach we ride along the Saalach river amid lush pastures and
towering mountains to the town of Lofer. A short climb along
the Strub river to the Pillerseetal brings us to Sankt Ulrich
where we’ll lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch it is a
short and pleasant ride on to Sankt Johann for cold beers in the
town square.
June 30 - St Johann loop rides
This is
the site of the Masters World Championships, so the area is
accustomed to seeing cyclists on the roadways. The world's
course is a fun 35k loop with several options for additional
rides. And the short train ride to Kitzbuhel brings us to
another world that beckons our indulgence with sweets from the
mountains. Kitzbuhel is also home of the world’s most fearsome
skiing downhill course—the Hahnenkamm.
July 1 - Zell am Ziller -
120k,
1800m
The bike
route from St Johann to Kitzbuhel is very nice with great views
of the Hahnenkamm and Kitzbuheler Horn. From Kitzbuhel to Pass
Thurn is a bit busy, but the descent to Mittersill is fast and
thrilling. The Tauernradweg side roads are paved and quiet from
to Neukirchen, where we join the Gerlosstrasse to view the
Krimmler Wasserfalle. The roadway begins climbing in earnest
from the Krimmler
Wasserfalle as we climb 600m in the next 6km to the Pinzgauhohe,
but be sure to look over your shoulder as you climb or you will
miss stunning views of the Zillertaler Alpen.
July 2 - Innsbruck -
65k,
500m—or—95k, 2100m
The Inn River valley is first and foremost the main east/west
trading route between Bavaria and Tirol. Our riding options are
numerous, but two routes are of particular interest. The modern
valley route along the Ziller and Inn rivers offers numerous
views of hillside castles and villages. Perhaps one of the best
examples of 13th century castles is Castle Tratzberg,
which may have derived its name from an ancient term rafters
used to describe the dangerous portion of the river where the
castle is perched—tratzte. The hour long tour is fascinating
for cultural and historic reasons, so stop and learn from the
carvings and paintings housed in the castle.
The
climbers' route offers a rare adventure high into the grazing
lands of the Zillertal. On a road so narrow that cows look
askance at visitors on wheels and hillsides so steep you wonder
how the cows stay on their feet we get a first hand view of life
in the Tirolean Alpine region. A place where you may see young
skiers after work on the family farm training with poles as they
run uphill to dizzying heights.
At the
end of the day we’ll rejoin in Innsbruck for our farewell dinner
and the telling of tales from the hills of the Tirol.
July 3 - Departure.
Van transportation is provided to the Innsbruck Airport for your
departure flights
COST $2900.00 per person based on Double Occupancy
$500.00 Single room supplement
INCLUDES:
·2-4 star Hotel Accommodations
·Breakfast daily (except arrival
day)
·Dinner daily (except one night and arrival/departure days)
·Airport transfers from/to Innsbruck airport
·Bike mechanic and van
support with cellular phone
·Ground transportation for all passengers, luggage & bikes
·Regional map plus detailed daily route maps & cue sheets
NOT INCLUDED:
·International airfare
·Tips, gratuities, laundry, telephone, & items of a personal
nature.
·Lunches and alcoholic beverages (a supplemental fee will be
charged for those who want wine with dinner, and can be prepaid
before departure)
PRE-TRIP PLANNING
Our informative 'Tour Guide' booklet will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit
of $500.00, due by March 1, containing information on what to bring, how to pack your bike for flying, equipment list, and changing currencies. All participants must possess a current passport.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Erickson Cycle Tours strongly recommends purchasing insurance for trip cancellation, injury, illness & loss of effects. A traveler’s insurance brochure will be included with your confirmation letter.
AIRFARE
We offer the services of
our travel agent, Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical,
expedient air reservations, and we are happy to assist with pre-
and post-tour accommodations. Please contact Shannon or
Steven for flight information:
800.443.9216 or shannon@mind.net |
