MTB tour to the Passo di Fundres

On this fine day in late summer we decide to do a MTB tour to the Passo di Fundres mountain ridge. With this proviso: this tour can not be managed without preparation and excellent stamina!
Our starting point is the train station of Vipiteno (930 m a.s.l.) from where we cycle into the Val di Vizze, lightly upwards. The tunnel should be gone round on the right! In Fossa Tures (1,380 m a.s.l., 13.5 km) we turn right to a forest road, the Passo di Fundres is already signposted.

Here the party is over! Immediately after the bridge the gravel path proceeds merciless upwards for more than 5 km. The timber line is reached and the panoramic view over the surrounding alpine world is fantastic. We reach the Malga di Monte Grande mountain hut at 1,920 m asl. where the path gets a bit "flatter" and we can take a short breath. On the opposite we see the serpentine road to the Col della Chiave mountain ridge, also a popular bike transition on the other side of the valley. We carry on, again merciless steep towards the Passo di Fundres, which comes into focus slowly now. After crossing a creek the drivable part of the path is over and we have to wheel our bikes. The last metres in altitude have to be managed by foot. On top of the Passo di Fundres (Pfunderer Joch) a huge snowfield awaits us, the amazing panoramic view on Cima Felbe, Punta Bianca, Cima Grava and other mountains lets us forget the extreme ascent soon.

After an extensive break and the obligatory photo shooting we start towards Fundres – first we have to wheel again, the rest of the descent is a dream for all singletrail-bikers and also ridable for less extreme bikers. As soon as the Malga Monte Largo can be seen, the last section to wheel starts again. Arrived at the mountain hut we take a break, from there we then follow a forest road towards Dun/Fundres and on an asphalt road out of the valley until Vandoies, at the entrance of the Valle di Fundres. From here you can again reach your starting point. Extremely difficult, extremely beautiful! The Passo di Fundres is considered as one of the most beautiful MTB mountain ridges in the Alps, it is part of the TransAlp and numerous crossings of the Alps. This tour is only suited for bikers in best condition! Fantastic panoramic views, gorgeous singletrail-tracks for extreme bikers. Easy orientation. Attention: check conditions, due to the altitude (2,568 m a.s.l.) snowfall also in summer possible!

Author: BS