The Alps are truly rugged and spectacular. Snow can be a problem on many Alpine routes over 2,000m but most of these should be clear by early June. Passes over 2,400m should be possible in good weather by early July with passes over 2700m by August. These are approximate and are based on average weather conditions for the time of year. It is also important to note that North and East facing slopes will hold the snow much later than those exposed to the sun. Always try to choose a clear fine day for your route and avoid higher routes after fresh snow. Beware of rivers rising after heavy rain. Any route over 2,000m may prove dangerous if attempted in bad weather.

If you are NEW to this sort of cycling it is strongly advised that you try some easy routes before attempting any of the harder ones.

Local weather forecasts can often be obtained at tourist information offices. Always be prepared for the worst weather even if it looks like a clear fine day. Carry plenty of water to guard against dehydration and it is a good idea to carry a couple of spare meals with you if you are camping. The food may come in very handy!

Please note that some restrictions on the use of bikes may have been introduced since these notes were compiled - particularly in National Parks - you are advised to check beforehand.

Maps

Michelin 74, 77, 81 and 84 for French Alps; 217, 218 and 219 for Swiss/N.Italian

IGN available in 1:25 000, 1:50 000 (some areas) and 1:100 000

Italian TCI 1:200 000 maps are available but have less detail than the corresponding Michelin maps.

The F&B (Freytag & Berndt) 1:50 000 maps cover Western Austria and the Dolomites. Sheets of the Dolomites are preceded with the letter S.

Pass/Col

Height (m)

Route start-finish

km

Path or Rough Road

Time (hrs)

V.A.D.

Maps LDS 100,000

Maps
Michelin 200,000

Passo Fiscalino

2528

Lake Misurina
S.Giuseppe Moso

17

path/r.r.

14

S

S3

Sudtirol
14C,15C

Zeinis Joch

1842

Partenen-Galtur

8

path

3

E

37

8-5E

Plansee

(1003)

Heiterwang-Griesen

17.5

path/r.r.

2

E

34

8-9B,10B

Ehrwalder Alm

1585

Ehrwald-Leutasch

17.5

r.r.

3

E

34

8-10B,11B

Hochalm sattel

1803

Scharnitz-Risstal

32

r.r.

5

E

34

8-13B

Plums sattel

1649

Hinterriss-Pertisau

16

path/r.r.

3

M

31

8-14B

Aschenbrenner Hutte

1465

Achental-Landl

27

r.r.

4

E

31

7-4B,5B

Hinterberg

-

Hinterthiersee

32

r.r.

5

E

31

7-5B,6B

Stripsenjoch

1577

Kufstein-Kirchdorf

14.5

path/r.r.

5

M

30

7-7B,8B

Geisel jock

2292

Rieder-Vorderlanersbach

24

r.r.

5

E

15

8-15C or 7,4D

Pfitscher joch

2251

Ginzling-San Giacomo

14.5

path/r.r.

4

M

15

8-15D,14E

Berger Torl

2651

Kals-Heiligenblut

13

path/r.r.

6

D

12

6-5B or 7, 10E

Klammljoch

2298

Rain in Taufers-Erlsbach

21

r.r.

4

E

12 or 15

Sudtirol-13A,14A

Gerlos old road

1507

Wald-Gerlos

8

r.r.

2

E

15

7-6D,7D

Eisjochl

2895

Plan-Certosa

22.5

path/r.r.

7

M,D

52

Sudtirol-7B

Cima di Plose

2486

(Monte Telegrafo)- (Karersee)

6.5+6.5

r.r.

2+1

E

16

Sudtirol 11B

Passo di Poma

2340

Longiaru-Pizzago

11

path/r.r.

7

M

16

Sudtirol 11C

Mahlknecht Joch

2188

Siusi-Campitello di Fossa

13

r.r.

3

E

16

Sudtirol-10C

Passo di Pampeago

1996

Tesero-Lago di Carezza

11

path/r.r.

3

E

16

Sudtirol-10D

Passo di Lusia

2056

Moena-Paneveggio

14.5

r.r.

4

E

16

Sudtirol-11D

Passo di Costazza

2174

Rolle pass (alternative)

11

r.r.

3

E

16

Sudtirol-11E

Passo di Limo

2172

San Vigilo-S.S.51

16

r.r.

3

E

17

Sudtirol-13C

Passo di Tadega

2157

Valparola rd.-Valle di Fanes

8+

path/r.r.

3

D

17

Sudtirol-12C

Prato Piazza

1993

Carbonin-Vallone

14.5

r.r.

3

E

17

Sudtirol-14C

Monte Piano

2324

Hilltop

6.5+6.5

path/r.r.

2+1

E

17

Sudtirol-14C

Forcola Val Sorda

2256

Ponte delle Stue
Refuge Refavaie

22

path/r.r.

12

D

S7

Sudtirol-14C

Cima di Lavaredo

2454

Lago di Landro s.s.

13

path/r.r.

5

M

17

Sudtirol-14C

The routes are marked with a rating system called V.A.D. = Very Approximate Difficulty.

E = Easy, anything from a short rideable rough section between metalled roads to fairly long paths needing some wheeling. (sometimes hard work)
M = Moderate, often hard work, possibly occasional lifting
D = Difficult, usually hard work, sometimes involving short carries
S = Severe, much carrying, sometimes double carrying (bike, then luggage)
VS = Very severe, like severe but more so, scrambling may be involved

Times given in these guides do not allow for stops. They are often based on very little experience, so we will be glad to hear from you if you have used any of these routes.

Abbreviations:

m = height in metres
km = distance in kilometres (approximate)
path/r.r. = path or rough road
hrs = time taken to complete the route in hours (see above)
V.A.D. = Very Approximate Difficulty (see above)

The following are publishers of maps:

F&B = Freytag & Berndt
Mair = Mairs Geographischer Verlag (Austria/Germany mainly)
LDS = Landeskarte der Schweiz (Swiss 1:100,000, 1:50,000, 1:25,000)
Michelin = France/Switzerland at 1:200,000, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany at 1:400,000
IGN = Institut Geographique National