Switzerland / North Italy

[Madmac]

Hi there, i am looking at doing a MTB trip to Zermatt (Switzerland) and Northern Italy with friends in September. Anyone got first hand experience to these spots that can share some guidance. I am trying to weigh up between using a tour group option or our own thing. I look forward to hearing some views.

 

Thanks.

[SwissVan]

Sorry I cant help, only been to Zermat to ski.

 

Have a look at the website below, its in english and you will find some info about Zermat under Wallis.

 

 

http://www.swissalpineadventure.com/

 

They are also on facebook, link on the above website.

 

You can also try this link

 

http://www.englishforum.ch/sports-fitness/14194-mountain-bike-mtb-tours-trails-switzerland.html

 

Good luck

[Madmac]

Thanks SwissVan, i will look into this links.

[KingPigeon]

Hi Madmac,

 

I am looking into doing a mtb holiday in Switzerland next June/July, so also trying to find info. We found some cool sites which show three national mtb routes and other regional and local routes, but they dont seem to contain much technical mtbing, more touring.

check out :

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home/interests/excursion-summer/27764/summer-mountain-tips/a-mountain-bike-trail-to-beat-them-all.html

 

http://www.mountainbikeland.ch/en/welcome.cfm

 

We also posted a request for more info on a swiss bike forum so if we get a reply I will post the details here.

 

Dont you think september is too close to winter?

 

cheers!

[Madmac]

Thanks Bwana for your info, i will look into those links.

 

I have asked a few people i know that live near to the alps and they say it starts getting cold more in Oct so beginning of Sep is stil fine.

 

My friend in the UK (who initiated this trip) did a tour in 2005 with a tour group (http://www.otp.co.uk/otp/) and he rates them highly. They are quoting us GBP499 pp which includes 7 nights accommodation, 6 day tour with dedicated tour guide, transfers from Geneva/Zurich to Zermatt. It's very much fun factor stuff, catch ski lifts up and ride down.

 

My brother has done a lot of touring in the alps (not Switzerland though) and he says that there are mountain cabins scattered all over the alps which are very reasonably priced but known more to the locals than tourists. With us also wanting to include Northern Italy (Lake Garda and Dolomites), we want to keep our trip as cheap as possible (within reason) to include as much as we can.

 

Keep the info coming and i will update from our side as things happen.

 

Cheers.

[jagwil]

Hi Madmac,

 

I am looking into doing a mtb holiday in Switzerland next June/July, so also trying to find info. We found some cool sites which show three national mtb routes and other regional and local routes, but they dont seem to contain much technical mtbing, more touring.

check out :

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home/interests/excursion-summer/27764/summer-mountain-tips/a-mountain-bike-trail-to-beat-them-all.html

 

http://www.mountainbikeland.ch/en/welcome.cfm

 

We also posted a request for more info on a swiss bike forum so if we get a reply I will post the details here.

 

Dont you think september is too close to winter?

 

 

 

cheers!

 

 

Try France as well. Morzine is good. Did it in early Sptember.

 

Look here....http://www.endlessride.com/php/morzine.php

Edited May 29, 2011 by jagwil

[gummibear]

Some nice maps on here

 

http://www.bikeswitzerland.com

http://www.bikeshopswitzerland.com

http://www.bikeswitzerlandworld.com

http://www.bikeswitzerlandrentals.com

[Shebeen]

buy a house for 1EUR

mtb nearby

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2021/07/15/these-beautiful-villages-in-italy-will-pay-you-33000-to-move-there/?sh=351d82e4eff9

[Sid the Sloth]

I wonder if amateur cycling counts as a wanted profession... 

[Headshot]

Look up "Trail Addiction" - they are getting going again after some issues with the French authorities and offer enduro style riding using chairlifts in the French Alps - Savoie region. Depends on what you're after but these guys do seem to know all the secret trails in that area...

[Duane_Bosch]

You okes clearly didn't do geography at school. The Calabria region of Italy is so far south that it's almost North Africa

[justinafrika]

5 hours ago, Duane_Bosch said:

You okes clearly didn't do geography at school. The Calabria region of Italy is so far south that it's almost North Africa

Yessir, and home to one of the most brutal and backward branches of la cosa nostra prevalent in every small town and village, Italian rednecks one might say.

Edited July 20, 2021 by justinafrika

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, Duane_Bosch said:

You okes clearly didn't do geography at school. The Calabria region of Italy is so far south that it's almost North Africa

didn't want to start a new thread!

[guidodg]

anything below Florence is pretty much 3rd world…and worse

[Chris_]

4 hours ago, Shebeen said:

didn't want to start a new thread!

This might be a thread resurrection record

[mrcg]

So to summarise and understand correctly, your group intend to MTB in Zermatt for a few days and then do same in Northern Italy (Lake Garda area)?

If so, keeping budget in mind, I would suggest the DIY version, but also depending on how your group is motivated in terms of trails and abilities. Just to clarify, in the mountains, there's only two options: up or down. Nothing in between. So you will find technical somewhere, depending on tracks you choose. Good brakes necessary.

Weather: beginning September and in mountains, is totally unpredictable. Pack snow boots. It could snow. Unlikely, but possible.

Trails: are usually well recorded, signposted and marked. You can ask around, people will help show, guide you once you there. Maybe hit up other mtb'ers.

Same thing in NI. Only draw back, their English is terrible. But you will come right somehow, especially after some intake of the requisite vino. Ask around works well. Also try some of the bike shops for info.

Don't have time now to search out all the links, but I'm sure with some googling talent, you will get there!

Enjoy! And pack your climbing and descending legs and arms!