Bicycle tour across the Alps from Lake Constance to Lake Garda (November 2024)

Take part in an unusual tour over the Alps in late autumn! It’s a week of sunshine without one drop of rain!
In the video you can watch all the essential parts of my ride and enjoy the surrounding landscape. There are no oral explanations, but some text is included.
But by bike across the Alps in November?
Is that really possible? Actually, no. Almost all alpine passes or roads are closed (Silbertal, Silvretta High Alpine Road, Umbrail Pass, Stelvio Pass, Gavia Pass, etc.).
But somehow it worked!
However, when biking so late in the year there is little infrastructure ( many hotels and restaurants closed ) and of course there is the cold . Thus you need significantly more luggage than in summer. That is why the mountain bike stayed at home; I didn’t want to carry a backpack weighing15 kilos!
I was lucky. At the beginning of November 2024 the weatherforecast promised a few days of fine weather in the mountains.
So on we go !
Day 1:
First by train to Lindau at Lake Constance. From there – in the afternoon – on my trekking bike quickly along the Rhine to Gaschurn, which I reach at the very last daylight.
Day 2:
Shortly after Gaschurn there is a steep ascent (900 hm with mostly15-20% gradient) up to the Kops Reservoir. That is why racing bikes or gravel bikes are not really your best choice. Then over the Zeinisjoch with great views back down to Galtür and Landeck.
Day 3:
The plan was to ride in the Inn Valley up to Martina, and then through the forest up to Nauders. In reality, the cycle path was closed after Altfinstermünz, but there was an alternative route up to the Reschen Bundesstrasse (state road) which was conveniently closed to car traffic. I would never have thought that the ride on a state road could be so relaxing! And so it happened that I was very soon in Nauders and from there continued on the cycle path at Lake Reschen and on to Burgeis.
Day 4:
A long descent into the Adige Valley and there through endless orchards on a perfect cycle path to Merano, past Bolzano and finally to Tramin.
Day 5:
The last day on the way to Lake Garda had even several highlights to offer. First the Via Paganella with a magnificent panorama, then the Brenta mountains and the beautiful Lago di Molveno, the panoramic trail to Ranzo and finally the ingenious descent to Lago di Toblino.
Day 6:
At the end of the video there are some impressions of Lake Garda in November.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:21 Day 1: Lindau to Gaschurn
04:38 Day 2: From Gaschurn to Landeck
14:48 Day 3: From Landeck to Burgusio
29:04 Day 4: From Burgusio to Termeno
39:52 Day 5: From Termeno to Torbole
57:45 Day 6: Impressions of Lake Garda
59:55 Day 7: Farewell and return journey

and music:

00:02 Greaser by Track Tribe
02:02 A Good Deal for Today by MusicLFiles
04:48 Working Hard with Desire and Hope by MusicLFiles
06:44 Digital Beatscapes – full version by MusicLFiles
09:02 Chord Guitar 001 by Sascha Ende
11:46 The March of the Hope by MusicLFiles
14:46 Campfire by Frank Schroeter
17:50 Modern Trailer by Rafael Krux
20:16 Journey of the Brave by Sascha Ende
22:49 Farm by Alexander Nakarada
25:40 Floorblaster by Sascha Ende
29:02 Adventure Metal Version by Alexander Nakarada
34:08 Dance of Neon Lights by Winniethemoog
35:28 Musik An Welt (instrumental) by Sascha Ende
39:52 Romantic Contemplative Nature by MusicLFiles
41:58 Emotional Ballad by Alexander Nakarada
44:39 Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
47:16 Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
52:14 Rocking Day by Frank Schroeter
55:25 Indian Walk by Nico Staf
57:45 Warm Emotions by Rafael Krux