A "Transalp" or also called "Alpencross" means crossing the Alps by bike. The term is mostly used in connection with a MTB tour that is driven from north to south. These tours usually last between 4 - 10 days, depending on the route chosen.
The first transalp with a mountain bike led from Oberstdorf to Lake Garda in 1989 and was planned and carried out by the Allgäu mountain guide Andreas Heckmair. This first alpine crossing is still today under the name Heckmair route known.
Routes
Depending on the type of bike, the cyclist has different options.
Touring cyclists prefer routes with a flat pass on the main Alpine ridge, such as the Via Claudia Augusta from Donauwörth to Venice or the Transalp from Munich to Lake Garda over the Brenner.
Mountain bikers usually use the well-developed hiking network of the. Routes like the Heckmair Route, the Joe Route or the Albrecht Route tried to take into account as much nature as possible in their planning. Bike paths and road passes will be avoided as much as possible.
The racing cyclists want to collect as many vertical meters as possible on the route and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. Toll roads are very popular because there are usually fewer motorcyclists and motorists on the road.
MTB routes
- Heckmair route - first MTB route in 1989 from Oberstdorf to Lake Garda
Passports
"Touring bike passes"
- Fernpass on the Via Claudia Augusta - information in the bike travel wiki
- Reschenpass on the Via Claudia Augusta - information in the bike travel wiki
"MTB Passes"
- Pfitscher Joch - Information in the bike travel wiki
"Road bike passes"
Web links
- www.transalp-veranstalter.de - List of providers of Transalp tours
- www.quaeldich.de - Page with an extensive pass encyclopedia for road cyclists
- www.transalp.info - private page with route presentation
