The 2,568-metre-high Passo di Fundres is a prestigious and scenic destination for extreme mountain bikers
Image gallery: MTB tour to the Passo di Fundres
On this bright late summer day, we decide on an MTB tour to the Passo di Fundres, a stage on numerous Alpine crossings. We start at the Vipiteno railway station and follow the state road into the Val di Vizze. The route goes gently uphill for 13.5 kilometres - make sure to bypass the tunnel near Fossa Tures on the right! In Fossa Tures itself, we turn right onto a forest track where the Passo di Fundres is already signposted. Now, the real challenge begins!
Immediately after the bridge, the gravel track leads mercilessly steep upwards, offering no respite for five kilometres. Once we reach the tree line, the view opens up to the Fundres Mountains in the Zillertal Alps. We reach the Malga di Montegrande pasture at an altitude of 1,920 metres, where the path becomes slightly flatter. Opposite, we can see the winding road to the Passo della Chiave, another popular mountain pass for cyclists on the other side of the valley.
For us, the route continues relentlessly steep towards the Passo di Fundres. Soon, the trail forces even the toughest riders out of the saddle and becomes completely unrideable. Everyone must tackle the final metres of elevation and hairpins on foot. At the Passo di Fundres, also known as Pfunderer Joch, a massive snowfield awaits us, alongside a unique panorama featuring the Cima Felbe, Cima Grava, Punta Bianca, and surrounding peaks.
After a long break in the alpine heights - the pass is 2,568 metres high - we head towards Fundres. At first, another section of pushing our bikes awaits us. The rest of the descent is a dream for singletrack riders, and mostly rideable for less extreme bikers, except for a few sections. As soon as the Weitenberg Mountain Hut comes into view, another pushing section begins.
From the managed mountain hut, we ride along a forest road towards the Dun Gorge and Fundres, without any further uphill climbs. We then continue on asphalt further down the valley to Vandoies di Sotto. From there, we return to Vipiteno, our starting point, following the Val Pusteria Cycle Path to Fortezza, and then the Upper Valle Isarco Cycle Path to Vipiteno.
Author: BS
Experienced: September 2009
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- Vipiteno (930 m a.s.l.) or each other village between Vandoies and Vipiteno
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- Overall time:
- 10:00 h
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- Total route length:
- 85,5 km
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- Altitude:
- from 717 m to 2.568 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +2537 m | -2537 m
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- Route:
- Vipiteno - Val di Vizze valley - Fossa Tures - Montegrande pasture - Passo di Fundres - Weitenberg Hut - Fundres - Vandoies di Sotto - Rio di Pusteria - Fortezza - Vipiteno
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- Signposts:
- "Pfunderer Joch", no. 17A, 19
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- Destination:
- Passo di Fundres (2,568 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- Weitenberg Hut (June to September), bars and coffee shops in the single villages
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- MTB tour to the Passo di Fundres
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- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the cycling time only, not including breaks. An extremely challenging, extremely beautiful ride with magnificent views and a fantastic single-track descent for extreme cyclists. It's easy to find your way. Check the conditions, as snowfall cannot be ruled out even in summer due to the altitude up to 2,568 m above sea level!
We highly recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this tour.
