Enduro Glacier Express

This year we decided to spend a mini-vacation in Sölden; in Austria, on the border with Italy just after the beautiful Rombo Pass.

But why Solden of all places?

Others simply build bike parks, but they build the BIKE REPUBLIC SÖLDEN.

Founded in 2015, they started one of the most ambitious and individual mountain bike projects in the Alpine region, in terms of variety, welcoming culture, and environmental sustainability.

An entire nation for cyclists, but why? They wanted not only to create a sensational cycling area, but also a complete cycling culture from the valley floor to the mountains, where everyone felt at home.

It doesn't matter where you come from, how you look, or how you sit on your bike; BIKE REPUBLIC is governed by fairness, fun, but most of all by citizens.

Here you get a passport and you also have a voice; RIDERS GOVERN!

We have created three itineraries with the best that Sölden has to offer, without missing a thing.

Day 1: ENDURO GLETSCHER

Distance: 31km - moving time: 3.00 hours - total elevation gain: 1360m - maximum elevation: 2600m - bikeability: 100% - suitable for MTB AM/ENDURO.

Departing from our hotel near the center of Solden, we took the road to the famous Rettenbach glacier, a beautiful and not at all boring asphalt road with regular gradient, around 12%.

Past the toll, the asphalt continues, the view of the glacier will keep us company for the rest of the ascent.

At the silo tower we turn right onto a dirt road. A challenging uphill section leads up the steep ski slope to the Rotkogelhütte, the arrival of the ski lifts.

For today the climb is over so we treat ourselves to a nice lunch with nothing short of stunning views.

We walked two main trails: the 6010 OLLWEITE LINE and the 6028 GAHE LINE.

OLLWEITE LINE (powered by ION): a very varied trail with jumps, fast sections, sections on stones (the legendary Rock Garden); it runs for 7km with an average gradient of 10%, starts at 2,600m and offers sensational views of the glacier and the world of 3000m peaks.

GAHE LINE (powered by ADIDAS and FIVE TEN): a 7.5k long trail with an average gradient of 8%.

The start is still on open terrain, above the forest line; with wide wooden structures and several banks we enter the forest until we reach the village of Sölden.