Epic Bikepark Tour Through 3 Countries

Two Hamburg riders on a southbound mission: Alina (@alina.fihlon) and Daniel (@itsdanmtb) traded the North Sea for the Mediterranean and the Alster for the Alps in their CLIFF 4×4. Their adventure led them through Italy, Spain, and Austria, to bikeparks and bays, watching the stars and enjoying (literally) majestic views.

We spent three weeks on the road in our CLIFF 4×4, chasing new trails, soaking up nature, and breathing in both the Mediterranean and the alpine air. Our plan was intentionally loose – we mostly just followed the good weather. In fact, our very first stop required a quick pivot: we’d originally aimed for the Dolomites, but thick rain clouds sent us in a different direction.

Instead, we headed to beautiful Sanremo on the Ligurian Riviera di Ponente. We spent a relaxed day in the city: wandering through the Old Town with the flower market and the grand casino, the narrow alleys and the elegant streets. We let the day wind down perfectly – with a prime spot right by the sea.

Camping spot: We camped front row at Villaggio dei Fiori with an crazy view of the Ligurian coast, falling asleep to the sound of waves.

Bikepark 1: La Fenasosa, Spain

Next came a serious road trip along the beautiful Côte d’Azur coastal route and then down to Alicante, Spain. Our first bikepark stop was La Fenasosa on private land within the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park. There are no lifts here, instead you shuttle with old military jeeps. While some trails can be pretty gnarly, there’s something for everyone: flow lines, jump lines, downhill, enduro, and freeride. It’s truly one of Spain’s most renowned bikeparks, and we easily filled four action-packed days here.

The landscape is quintessential Mediterranean, dotted with stone and cork oaks, pine trees, cypress trees, and fragrant rosemary bushes. There is a lunch offer right in the park with everyone – visitors and locals alike – gathering to eat. It’s a really cool vibe.

Camping spot: There re designated camping spots right within the park, though advance booking is essential.

Bikepark 2: Paganella, Italy

Our next destination: Paganella! We drove through France and the Mont Blanc region to Trentino, ready to explore the bikepark for three days. The location is sensational with a stunning lake and the Brenta Dolomites right in front of you. Plus, the infrastructure for bikers is perfect. The park itself is divided into three zones, all seamlessly connected by trails:

Molveno Zone: there are two lifts that drop you into short, playful, and fun descents, all with spectacular lake views.

Andalo Zone, the Flow Hot Spot: 11 trails combine for 62 kilometers of riding. It can get technical in parts, but it’s primarily a paradise of perfectly sculpted berms, tables, and Northshore features. The “Willy Wonka” trail is already a legend!

Fai Zone: We spent most of our time here as the trails are an absolute blast – especially if you love rugged yet playful riding, complete with jumps, gaps, and some seriously rocky sections.

When it comes to food, particularly in Molveno, you’re spoiled with delicious options everywhere. And up on the Fai mountain, you can grab fantastic pizzas right by the lift!

Camping spot: Camping Beach Lake of Molveno is situated right on the lake, offering beautiful views and direct access to the water – but it’s pretty pricy.

CLIFF 590 4×4

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Bike Park 3: Leogang, Austria

From Trentino, we headed through the scenic Tyrolean countryside to Leogang for the UCI World Cup weekend. Our goal was to ride its legendary trails and soak up the atmosphere of the event. Founded in 2001, Leogang was Austria’s first bikepark and is truly iconic. The Cross Country and Downhill races spanned four days, and experiencing the crowds, the professional race teams, and the buzzing event village was super unique.

Camping spot: All official campsites in the area are usually fully booked months in advance for the event, so you really need to plan ahead. A hidden gem is the small, private Camperplatzl Leogang. It has just five pitches, is quiet, offers great alpine views and provides everything you need: electricity, water, waste disposal, Wi-Fi, and well-maintained bathrooms.

Majestic Finale: Wilder Kaiser, Austria

It was a short drive to our final stop in Going in the Wilder Kaiser – Kaiser means emperor and it’s mountain range divided in the “wilder” one and its gentler counterpart, the Zahmer Kaiser. The area is known for being home of “Der Bergdoktor”, a popular TV show, but also boasts many natural trails. After the action-driven days in Leogang, it was the perfect chilled-out finale. We spent our days biking, hiking, and swimming, all set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of the towering limestone cliffs.

These last days were a fantastic contrast with less developed infrastructure, and just what we needed. Mountain biking around Scheffau is raw with natural trails and technically challenging alpine tracks. Around the Schießling, there are flowy, sometimes rocky sections that require some uphill pedaling and a bit of pushing or carrying to reach. It’s not mainstream, but it’s incredibly rewarding for anyone seeking quiet, nature-focused routes. There are also some forest roads near Going that are great for building into shorter trail loops.

Camping Spot: Campingplatz Franzlhof is located in Söll, right on the edge of the forest next to the Franzlhof hotel. The views of the Kitzbühel Alps, including the Hohe Salve, and the majestic Kaiser Mountains are incredible.