Italy · Alps
Hotel to hotel across the Alps. The Stelvio Pass awaits.
About this tour
The classic alpine crossing on gravel — eight days from Füssen in Bavaria over the spine of the Alps, linking gravel roads, forest paths and old military routes through four countries, from the first climb out of Füssen to the final descent to Riva del Garda on Lake Garda.
The last kilometres roll down through the Sarca gorge. The valley narrows, the mountains close in — and then suddenly it opens.
Lake Garda appears ahead. Wider than expected. Still. Blue. Cliffs drop straight into the water.
The air changes first: warmer, almost Mediterranean. Olive trees replace the pine. You ride all the way to the lakeside and celebrate the end of the adventure with the water beside you.
The Alps are behind you.
Route overview
380–440 km · 8,000–10,000 m total · Füssen, Germany → Riva del Garda, Italy
What you get
Alpine passes, high forestry roads and valley tracks on both sides of one of Europe's great mountain crossings.
Seven nights in South Tyrolean and Lombard hotels — from valley-floor townhouses to hillside mountain hotels.
The last kilometres descend through the Sarca gorge. The mountains close in — then open to Lake Garda. The crossing is complete.
Day by day
Individual arrival in Füssen, with a warm-up ride into the lake country at the northern foot of the Alps. Mandatory welcome meeting at 18:30; optional group dinner afterwards.
Cycle paths, forest roads, gravel and quiet asphalt. Long rideable climbs, big views, and the varied terrain where the gravel bike earns its keep.
Gravel, forest road and cycle path, building steadily to a clean climb up to Nauders and the three-country corner of Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
High-alpine mood and the iconic view over Reschensee, then a long descent into South Tyrol. The Explorer route adds the Stelvio Pass before rolling into Merano.
The day is yours: thermal baths, café culture, good food, or an optional local ride with the guides. Legs recover, head clears.
South through Trentino — valley passages, vineyards and alpine road sections linked by gravel, forest roads and quiet connections.
Through the Brenta area towards Lake Garda — long connected stretches and varied surfaces. The crossing is complete at the Riva del Garda waterfront.
A chartered bus with bike trailer leaves in the morning. Optional early descent to the lake shore for one last kilometre.
How we ride
Follow the guide across the passes and long descents. The support vehicle is positioned at key points, navigation and logistics are handled — you focus on the riding.
Load the day's route and set off when you're ready — you control the breaks and stops. The crew is positioned along the route and meets you at the hotel each evening.
Every tour is run in English — guiding, daily briefings, route notes and all documents are in English.
What's included
Common questions
The Adventure route suits riders comfortable with 3–4 hours in the saddle over consecutive days — you don't need to race, but you should be at home on a gravel bike in hilly terrain. The Explorer route asks more: 5–6 hour days, up to ~2,000 m of climbing per stage, and the confidence to navigate loose gravel independently.
A gravel bike (mechanical or e-assist), or a light MTB with suitable tyres and gearing. Road bikes and hybrids are not suitable. Minimum 38 mm tyres (wider is better), tubeless strongly recommended for the alpine passes, and a low gear of around 0.9 for the steeper climbs. Have it freshly serviced before you travel.
Both — a guide leads the group each day, and GPS files (Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot) are provided so you can ride at your own pace. Most riders mix the two. The support vehicle follows the route either way.
The support vehicle carries tools, spares and a spare bike, and the guides help with repairs — you only pay for parts. Explorer riders should be able to handle a puncture or chain issue themselves, as they may be further from the vehicle.
Most of our riders are 45–65. Sensible daily distances, a genuine rest day mid-tour, the daily Adventure/Explorer choice and the option of the support vehicle mean you can calibrate it to how you feel. Cycling fitness and multi-day experience matter more than age.
Yes — many riders come solo. Groups are up to 10 per guide and typically international. Accommodation is a shared double room by default; a single-room supplement is available.
Before you go
Fly to Munich (MUC) — direct services from many European cities. The tour starts in Füssen, about 1.5 hours from Munich by train. On the final day a transfer brings the group to Riva del Garda, and return flights work well from Verona (VRN), Munich or Milan Bergamo. Long-term parking is available about 1 km from the start hotel — around €40 for the week.
Bring a gravel bike (mechanical or e-assist) or a light MTB with suitable tyres and gearing — road bikes and hybrids aren't suitable. Minimum 38 mm tyres (40–45 mm better), tubeless strongly recommended, and a low gear around 0.9 for the steeper climbs. Have it freshly serviced before you travel and carry a spare tube. Rental can be arranged through a local partner — ask when you book.
Comprehensive travel and accident insurance — including medical cover and repatriation — is required and not included. Take out cover that includes cycling before you travel; ask us if you'd like a recommendation.
Temperatures swing from 5–25°C in a single day between valley stages and high passes. A lightweight packable waterproof is essential, with arm warmers, a light thermal and gloves worth carrying every stage. High alpine stages can change fast even in summer — and sunscreen at altitude matters more than most people expect.
Challenging — endurance. This tour is graded Explore & Adventure. You don't need to race, but you should be comfortable riding back-to-back days on mixed terrain. A good benchmark is 70–80 km with 1,000–1,200 m of climbing with energy to spare. See our levels page, or get in touch if you're unsure.
When to go
| Dates | Availability | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||
| 22 – 29 Aug 2026 | Open | From €2,695 |
| 2027 | ||
| 26 Jun – 3 Jul 2027 | Open | From €2,695 |
| 21 – 28 Aug 2027 | Open | From €2,695 |
Per person, shared room. Single supplement on request. A deposit secures your place; the balance is due 60 days before departure.
Private & group tours
A cycling club, a group of friends or colleagues — we can arrange a private departure on dates that suit you, same route and same support, just your own group. We also run fully custom private tours for smaller groups.
Also worth considering
Stay in the loop
New routes, trip reports and quiet-season departure alerts — before anyone else. No spam, just the good gravel.
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