Admittedly, Nauders is not exactly around the corner and is difficult or almost impossible to reach by public transport. Having your own motorised vehicle is therefore a must. But the journey - which takes around an hour and a half from Innsbruck - to the upper Inn Valley is well worth it. The route towards the Reschen Pass is long, but wildly romantic. Next time, I plan an extra half hour's drive and take a closer look at the martial military building that was built into the rock in the gorge just before Nauders.
First of all: If you want to savour the 3-country enduro to the full, you should do without the double bridge and pack your enduro or all-mountain bike. But pure downhillers will also get their money's worth here if they choose routes that don't have any transfer sections, such as on the Mutzkopf. I myself opted for an all-mountain bike and made the perfect choice.
Nauders offers 30 trails, which are accessed by four different mountain lifts. The variety of trails is huge and ranges from really fun beginner trails to tough challenges for experienced bikers. My tip is to tackle the whole thing as a circuit. The car park at the Schönebenbahn cable car is the perfect starting point. The day ticket, which is valid for all cable cars, is available at the valley station.
From the Schöneben mountain station, the trail of the same name takes you downhill at a rapid pace. In wet conditions, the numerous roots make this a challenging descent, which is laid out naturally in the forest next to the ski piste. But the flow sets in after just a few metres. Once you have completed a good third of the descent, you have the opportunity to turn left in the direction of travel towards the 3-country trail. However, this means a moderate 30-minute uphill over the transfer passage. I strongly recommend a pit stop at the Reschenhütte, which is located directly on the trail and compensates for the effort with a magnificent view and regional delicacies.
The 3-country trail starts just a few minutes after the hut. Unfortunately, just as I was at the start, fog rolled in and robbed me of my view of the Italian-Swiss-Austrian mountains. But not so bad, because there was no time to admire the landscape on the trail anyway. The first highlight is the long wooden footbridge passage that leads over an extensive upland moor. The wooden path allows for quite a bit of speed and winds gently up and down through the moor - a particularly flowy trail. This is followed by a somewhat more challenging section through the high forest, which leads directly to a tranquil mountain lake. The final section is one of the most entertaining forest trails I've ever ridden in Tyrol. Root carpets that are so wide that they allow for at least 15 different lines, each one better than the last. And the best thing about the 3-Länder-Trail - apart from the surreal fact that you can ride across the territory of three countries at once: it ends where the Mutzkopf trails begin.
There are four trails to choose from on the Mutzkopf: The Elven Trail is the most challenging, but easily manageable for experienced riders. Kreuzmoos Trail, Green Trail and Oberer Gerry Trail are moderately difficult. The Upper Gerry Trail in particular offers pure riding fun and impresses with its natural design without artificial structures. The terrain has been optimally utilised and downhillers also get their money's worth on the Mutzkopf. The ascent is by double chairlift, assisted by helpful staff.
A planned circuit around Lake Reschen failed at the Mutzkopf, as the trails were ridden several times. In order to still include the Bergkastel station, the route led via the Gerry Trail to the valley station on the other side. Caution: The signposting is sometimes patchy, but the gondola lift on the opposite slope serves as a guide. A short pedalling passage along the main road leads to the valley station. The shortcut across the meadow should be avoided as it is dangerous and illegal.
At the Bergkastel mountain station, the large terrace of the restaurant invites you to take a break. Nauders lies at an altitude of almost 1,400 metres and the mountain station is already at the tree line. In the afternoon, the sun pampers this slope, ideal for the end of a day's biking. A short uphill section leads from the restaurant to the start of the Plamort Trail. A new trail starting directly at the mountain station is already being planned.
The Plamort Trail leads across the eponymous high plateau, crosses the Austrian-Italian border and runs past historic anti-tank barriers and bunkers. Historians and trail lovers alike will get their money's worth here. The view of Lake Reschen is spectacular and the trail offers pure riding fun. It ends in the village of Reschen, from where the cycle path along Lake Reschen leads to the valley station of the Schöneben cable car in just a few minutes.
If you still have time and energy, you can take the Schönebenbahn cable car uphill again and cross to the Haideralm. The most challenging trail in the region awaits you there. The Haideralm trail stretches over 3.2 kilometres and demands the highest level of bike control. Numerous new trails have also been created on the South Tyrolean side that are waiting to be discovered.
It is important to keep an eye on the operating times of the lifts so that you don't end up at the wrong end of the area. Although it is possible to return to the car along the lake, every metre on tarmac is a loss of riding fun in view of the trails available.
Nauders is a tourist region and offers a wide range of accommodation. There are designated bike hotels in the town that are specially catered to the needs of cycling guests. A list of all bike accommodation in Nauders and Tyrol as a whole is available online.
For those who prefer a more individualised option, there are also camping facilities in Nauders. Nauders offers a wide range of bike hire and guiding services. There are four providers on site who offer everything from bike hire to professional guides. This service is available seven days a week during the summer season. Further information can be found on the website.
Perfect, natural trails in the midst of breathtakingly beautiful high mountain scenery - I fell head over heels in love with Nauders and chose it as my favourite spot in Tyrol. Perhaps not the best announcement in episode 1 of the location check series, but I like to be positively surprised. Personally, what appeals to me most about the 3-country enduro is the feeling of having the mountain to myself without having to sacrifice great trail infrastructure. The vast area and the incredible variety of trails make it possible.
