Freedom on two wheels
As the air gets milder and the days get longer, it’s really hard to resist the urge to go cycling. If you want to get close to nature on two wheels, you'll find destinations in all directions in the following places.
Bleibe Menzenschwand
The Black Forest is always the perfect place for a change of perspective. From a challenging summit adventure to a fast-paced downhill ride in the bike park to a relaxed ride through the vineyards. Menzenschwand (photo: © Matthias Schmid) is just as quirky, idiosyncratic and varied as the mountain climbs in the region. In typical Black Forest style, its pointed roof stretches right down to the ground, turning the house with its six levels into a little adventure. Numerous mountain bike tours can be started directly from the village. And if your legs are heavy in the evening, the sauna is even more fun.
Gut Pohnstorf
Visitors to the stately Gut Pohnstorf [Pohnstorf estate; photo: © Andrea Ruester] in Mecklenburg Switzerland feel like they have been transported back in time and would love to hop on a nostalgic bike while wearing a big straw hat and white summer clothes and set off on a picnic. The current owners, of the estate (women’s power is emphasised here down to the smallest detail!) support projects of this kind with a modern, in-house bike and e-bike rental service. After all, the bicycle was the driving force behind women’s emancipation back in the 19th century.
Hôtel des Horlogers
When you enter the Hôtel des Horlogers (photo: © Christophe Voisin), you first find yourself in a forest. Trees growing from the ceiling, lights reminiscent of rocks, deliberate bumps in the floor and lots of wood. The history of the region already indicates that the clocks tick differently in this avant-garde hotel. A bit like Alice in Wonderland, only with exquisite Swiss quality. The beautiful Jura is also predestined for gravel biking. Whether it’s tours to the mountain huts of the Grand Risoud, tours around Lac de Joux or if you are looking for an e-bike – the hotel never goes into a flat spin, but always provides relaxed assistance.
Giassa 10
Cyclists like to travel light and get by with wonderfully little ballast. The Giassa 10 (photo: © Jürg Fraefel) in Graubünden is the perfect base for this. The listed Walser house has been left largely in its original state and, in addition to its mountain setting, scores points for its minimalist design and authentic charm. From the panelled walls to the soapstone stove. Wake up to the clear mountain air in the morning and cycle through the Surselva or Tujetsch valleys, up the Lukmanier or Oberalp Passes or to the Maighelshütte.
Kokon
If you want to go high, it’s best to start higher up. Like in the Leutasch high valley in Tyrol. A variety of trails through meadows and forests, along the turquoise-blue Leutascher Ache, small torrents and mountain lakes, challenging summit tours and plenty of downhill flow trails in the Katzenkopf bike park await you here at 1,200 metres. Afterwards, it’s best to follow your own flow and wrap yourself up in a cosy place to relax – such as the colourful Kokon [cocoon; photo: © Lisa Medina-Walzl] with its modern interpretation of Stuben [traditional parlours] and the play of light from dancing butterflies.
Fuchsegg Eco Lodge
There are almost as many bike tours around the Fuchsegg Eco Lodge (photo: © Günter Standl) as there are dewdrops in the morning, according to the website of the thoroughly nature-loving hotel. If you need a bit of support from time to time to explore all the routes in Vorarlberg, you can take the bike bus or the mountain railway. Afterwards, the architecturally simple hotel with its calming atmosphere provides clarity and renewed vigour. If you need a little more time to recharge your batteries, simply hire an e-bike from the barn.
Porcignano
For vintage racing bike fans, the annual L’Eroica in autumn is a real festival. On white gravel roads, the “strade bianche”, you ride through the Chianti region of Tuscany on historical vehicles and enjoy culinary delights along the way. Villa Porcignano (photo: © Antonio Carloni) offers suitable accommodation. Surrounded by a sculpture garden with a pool, the summer house of the artist Leo Lionni was once a meeting place for an international intellectual scene. A flair that still wafts through the thick stone walls of the ornate house today.
Maison Hiltiti
Gérardmer in Lorraine is part of the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park and is considered the largest open-air health resort in the Vosges. The minimalist Maison Hiltiti (photo: © Jonathan Mauloubier) also floats in the landscape in a matching airy manner. Three structures arranged on a wooded slope. A house made of wood, inside and out, with unusual views and impressions, sometimes straightforward and sober, then again round and warm. Like the landscape of the region, through which many hundreds of kilometres of the most beautiful cycle paths meander. After all, you are cycling here in the wake of the legendary Tour de France. So, don’t forget your yellow jersey!
Spoor.62
No cycle tour without a hearty breakfast. Especially when it consists of the lovingly prepared delicacies of your hostess Irma at Spoor.62 (photo: © Arne Jennard). Best enjoyed on the terrace in the middle of nature. The railway station building in West Flanders, which was once the starting point for the Parisian haute vive [high society] on their way to Belgian summer resorts, has been transformed into an elegantly cosy bed & breakfast and the old Pullman train tracks have been converted into a cycle path, “De Groene 62” cycling route, on which you can explore the “Ommeland” [Surrounding Lands]. In the spirit of national legend Eddy Merckx, one of the most successful professional cyclists of all time. Bicycles, road maps and the best tips are available directly from Irma.
Baix de S’Era
If you want to prepare for the cycling season as early as possible, it’s hard to avoid the cycling Mecca of Mallorca. The mild temperatures here start as early as the end of January, when the almond blossom bathes the whole island in a white-pink glow. All the better if there is a stylish, relaxed place to set off and retreat to like the Finca Baix de S’Era (photo: © Marian Broz). Far away from mass tourism, at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains, it is an ideal starting point for racing cyclists. You can cycle uphill and downhill on lonely country roads and dirt tracks to small villages in the centre of the island or on classic routes along the coast.
Text / Compilation: Julia Hauch
Cover picture: Zoltan Tasi / Unsplash
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