When it comes to Tirol's best places for mountain biking, Sölden is right at the top of the list. Indeed, this resort at the end of the Ötztal Valley has even created its own "state" for bikers: the Bike Republic Sölden. Visitors who purchase a MTB ticket receive a stamp book in the form of a passport. Meetings of the Republic's "citizens" are held at regular intervals. Decisions are taken on a democratic basis. And, last but not least, it has recently introduced its own national holiday in September. Plenty of good reasons to take citizenship of the Bike Republic Sölden!
Like all good states, the Bike Republic receives regular investment to keep its infrastructure in good working order. Every year there are new singletrails, flowlines and enduro routes. New for 2019 is for example the Ollweite Line, which starts at 2,658 metres above sea level and at seven kilometres in length is the longest trail of its kind in Sölden. Another major innovation has been the step to connect the Gaislachkogel and the Giggijoch mountains to create the "Hin & Heä" bike area. The well-maintained lines and pumptracks near the cable cars in Sölden offer riders the chance to practise their technique before putting these skills to good use on the many natural trails, enduro routes and mountain bike tracks which criss-cross this state within a state.
