Gravel biking around the Zugspitze

Yes, he has almost stopped riding his road bike. And that after more than 30 years. Gerald Pickert, owner of the bike centre in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, discovered gravel bikes years ago. Not just as a dealer. Especially for himself. "The region around the Zugspitze is a unique gravel area," he says. And when he wanted to savour it, his racing bike would sometimes let him down. "You liked lying in the mud or carrying your bike a bit." Now he knows the advantages of the gravel bike. "It's fun to be sporty on any surface." His favourite route: from Garmisch to Plansee and back again. On unpaved paths along the Loisach via Herrgottschrofen and Griesen. "Spectacularly fast" on a gravel bike - that racing bike feeling on gravel.

Confident on trails

The gravel bike was created in the USA in 2012 - a racing bike converted into a cross bike to enable you to ride as confidently on unpaved routes as on the road. The geometry of the bike allows a more upright riding position, reducing the strain on the back and making it easier to sit in the saddle for hours on end. The wheelbase is wider, which ensures a smoother ride and greater stability. At the heart of the bike, however, are the tyres. The tyres on road bikes are slim at 23 or 25 millimetres, with little or no tread (slick). Gravel bike tyres have up to 55 millimetres, their tread is suitable for off-road use, which significantly increases traction.

Overall, gravel bikes are more comfortable and safer to ride, can cope with easy terrain and trails, but still retain some of the manoeuvrability and efficiency of a road bike. The gravel bike is just as suitable for sporty riding as it is for longer tours, even those lasting several days, also because the design allows luggage to be carried on the bike. And all of this away from roads. Over forest and gravel paths, along mountain slopes, around lakes or following the course of rivers. All this nature, of which there is so much around the Zugspitze.

It is therefore no wonder that gravel biking is booming in the region and enjoying great popularity among locals and visitors alike. The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena has responded to this and joined forces with the Lechtal, Reutte Nature Park Region and Tannheimer Tal tourism associations to form "Gravel.Tirol" in 2019. The programme includes 18 gravel bike routes with over 1,000 kilometres of trails and 22,000 metres of elevation gain.

Gravel biking - more than just a trend

The infrastructure of the unpaved paths has been organised and signposted. New connecting paths have also been created. This means that routes can be flexibly extended or shortened. There are also numerous accommodation partners specialising in cyclists as well as dealers and workshops. "Gravel biking is no longer just a trend", says Sandra Schneider, Gravel.Tirol project manager. "It is firmly established." Even older people are practising this form of cycling - thanks to the e-gravel bikes that are now available.

EU-funded

On the German side, the Zugspitz Region holiday destination has joined forces with Pfaffenwinkel and initiated a project as part of the EU's "LEADER" funding programme for rural development. It develops sustainable and season-independent cycle tourism offers and utilises the diverse potential and offers of the respective region. Under the motto "Experience nature and culture by bike", eleven gravel routes have been created alongside many other tours, promising plenty of fun and action for cycling enthusiasts.

"Gravel biking is a market that needs to be catered for," says Martina Nyvlt, Tourism Manager Zugspitz Region. "The demand is constantly increasing." Because the nature around the Zugspitze offers ideal conditions. Not forgetting the region's healing climate, which is particularly beneficial when combined with exercise and sport.

Selected routes for gravel biking

1. the classic: Zugspitz tour

Difficult gravel tour around the Zugspitze massif and the Wetterstein mountains. Stops are Garmisch, Partnachklamm, Elmau, Ferchenbach and Ferchensee, Lautersee, Mittenwald, Leutascher Klamm, Gaistal, Igelsee, Ehrwald and then along the Loisach back to Garmisch. Climbs, descents, forest and gravel paths alternate with speed sections on roads and cycle paths. An exciting tour with everything that alpine nature has to offer. Of course, it is also possible to start in Ehrwald, as a tour around the Zugspitze.

2. Plansee tour

Picturesque gravel tour through the Graswang valley to the Plansee lake and the unspoilt Niedernachtal valley. Start in Oberammergau, stops are Linderhof Castle, Ammerwald Alm and Plansee (swimming break!). Back through the Niedernachtal valley to Griesen, then steeply uphill to Rotmoos. From there back to Linderhof and Oberammergau.

3. Berwanger-Tal-Runde

A medium-difficulty and varied gravel tour. From Bichlbach through the Berwanger and Namloser Tal, then downstream along the wild Lech - with the imposing Lechtal Alps in view - to Weißenbach. From here via Klausenwald back to Bichlbach. The tour offers crisp climbs and descents as well as exciting gravel passages.

4. to the source of the Isar

Easy circular tour with great panoramic views through the wild Karwendel and Hinterautal valleys to the sources of the Isar. Start in Mittenwald, from there through the Riedboden to Scharnitz. Now follow the Hinterautal into the Karwendel, along the Isar to its sources. The end point is the Kastenalm (refreshment stop!). Follow the same route back to Mittenwald.

5. around the Daniel

Beautiful, moderately difficult circular tour around the striking Daniel peak. Start is in Ehrwald, from here towards Garmisch to the Neidernachtal valley, along there to the Plan and Heiterwanger See lakes. Then in the direction of Bichlbach back to Ehrwald. Lots of nature and gravel experiences - lakes, forests and mainly gravel paths.

"Listen up" benches

Cycling is more than just sport. It also has a mental component when a certain flow sets in on a long roll through the terrain. Moments of relaxation, which Garmisch-Partenkirchen supports with the "Listen" benches. Where you can sit down, look at nature, change your perspective and find inner balance.

There are three benches around Garmisch-Partenkirchen: on the Hammersbach footpath below the Kreuzeck, at the Burgi playground in Burgrain and near Gstoag on the way to Mittenwald. All of them have a QR code which, when scanned with a mobile phone, leads to audio files with information on mental health or regional specialities. And all of them can be reached on shorter cycle tours - for example, the "Mind Balance Tour", which combines exercise, a healing climate and relaxation.