MTB tour Passo di Fundres

The rewarding destination of this difficult MTB tour is the Passo di Fundres (Pfunderer Joch), a popular bicycle passage between the Val di Vizze and Val di Fundres valleys. We start at the Vipiteno train station (930 m a.s.l.) towards the Val di Vizze and follow the state road to Fossa di Tures at 1,380 m (bypass the tunnel on the right side!). Afterwards we branch off on the right - the gravel path towards the Passo di Fundres pass is well-maintained, but the first 5 km long ascent is really steep and unrelenting. At 1,900 m the path gets flatter and we reach the Grossbergalmen mountain huts offering a wonderful view.

On the opposite side of the valley we see the serpentines of the Col della Chiave saddle (Schlüsseljoch), another dream route for mountain bikers. After crossing a mountain stream the path gets narrower and steeper again. On the last section there's no way to ride the bike, we have to push it up to the pass covered also in late summer by a snow field. The view opens up on the Cima Felbe and Cima Grava mountains, Mt. Punta Bianca and other mighty peaks in the surroundings.

After a well-deserved break we start the descent into the Val di Fundres valley - first we have to push the bike, but most of the remaining distance to the Malga Monte Largo mountain hut (Weitenbergalm) is a dream for every singletrack enthusiast. After a stop at this rest point we continue our downhill ride on a forest path (take care of hikers!) into the Val di Fundres valley and further on to Vandoies from where we turn back to our starting point in Vipiteno along the cycle track (or by train).

Please note: extreme MTB tour with an amazing panoramic view - the Passo di Fundres is known as one of the most beautiful MTB passes of the Alps and is a popular stage of several Alpine crossings. The tour is only recommended to experienced mountain bikers with stamina! The orientation is absolutely trouble-free in case of fine weather, but snow can fall at 2,568 m also in high summer.

Author: BS