Alpe d’Huez, Mortirolo, Passo Giau, Col du Tourmalet, the Stelvio – cycling is obsessed with major passes, but are they really the ultimate to-dos on your bike? More often than not these mythical climbs are overrun in the high season, transformed into an outdoor adventure park for the masses. So why not take a break from cycling convention? We headed to South Tyrol’s Sarentino Valley to see what life on two wheels can be like away from the tourist traps.
You missed part 1 and 2? Head to Sarentino Valley, a forgotten road riding paradise? Part 2 / Sarentino Valley – A forgotten road riding paradise? Part 1
Michelin-starred dining, hellish downfalls, schnapps in mountain huts and devilishly tight lycra: we couldn’t have predicted the storyboard of our trip to the Sarentino Valley. In fact, so much happened in our short time there that we’ve split this story into bitesize chunks and spread it over several pages. Below you will find the last part of our photostory.
Snowball fights
Some things are easily explained – others less so.
Hellish rain
Mountains can be downright spiteful. Fortunately it wasn’t freezing cold this time, just a bit of a splash! Rock’n’Roll!
Adieu Sarn Valley, Ciao Sarentino!
While the Sarn Valley is still unlikely to rival the road riding paradises of Mallorca and Alta Badia, it has all the ingredients that make it a great destination for a relaxing, outdoorsy family holiday in a really unspoiled part of South Tyrol. Far removed from your regular tourist fare, the residents of the Sarn Valley go about their business in a distinctively charming manner, with thriving traditions that are becoming something of a rarity in other more frequented spots. Ciao Sarentino, see you soon!
We’d like to give a huge thanks to locals Jürgen Pixner, Armin Gross, the Höllriegl family, Claudio Camin, as well as Katharina Gluderer and Walter Perkmann for all their help while we were in the area! Thank you.
You missed part 1 and 2? Head to Sarentino Valley, a forgotten road riding paradise? Part 2 / Sarentino Valley – A forgotten road riding paradise? Part 1
For more information on the valley head to: sarntal.com and for more info on riding in South Tyrol: suedtirol.info
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Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Klaus Kneist, Noah Haxel, Robin Schmitt
