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8 of Europe's most challenging mountain bike trails
From Norwegian peaks to Slovenia’s winding cross-country slog, Europe boasts some of the most challenging MTB trails in the world
When it comes to testing MTB routes, it’s hard to beat the vast expanse of Europe. Whether you’re tackling mountain passes in Slovenia, bombing down from snow-capped peaks to icy fjords in Norway, or balancing on a knife-edge in Austria, these trails will provide some of the most memorable MTB experiences of your life. That is, if you can make it through them.
Some are remote, some require a taxing multi-day effort, and some simply take in some of the most dramatic scenery the continent has to offer. All will challenge you in new and interesting ways, pushing your cycling to the next level. Time to mount up.
1. Mefjellet – Norway
Located about 6km from the Valldal valley, the Norwegian mountain Mefjellet makes for an imposing challenge. With the turquoise waters of the fjord below, you’ll battle up 1,100 metres of rock and packed earth to the top of the glacier-carved ridge line. The view from the top - taking in the surrounding snow-capped peaks makes it all worthwhile. Once you’ve caught your breath, take the single track downhill and into the woodlands where the landscape changes once again. And while the ride is a challenge at the best of times, it’s highly inadvisable to attempt in amidst the snow and ice of the Norwegian winter.
2. Graubünden – Switzerland
Located in the east of Switzerland, the Graubünden region attracts the best MTB riders from across the globe. The area is packed with fantastic and challenging trails, but it’s the annual Swiss Epic, held in the Canton of Grisons, that is the area’s biggest draw. This five-day stage race takes in 350km of undulating trail, following the jagged mountain skyline with 12,000m of climbing. While the route changes every year, there’s no reason why non-competitors can’t follow last year’s route for a trail run that will take your breath away in more ways than one.
3. Alpe d’Huez – France
Mountain bikers race at The Megavalanche
© Dominic Yard
Alpe d’Huez is infamous in the MTB community, becoming near synonymous with sweeping descents over vast moorland, slippery, shimmering glaciers and sharp rocky singletracks. In short, everything you could ever want from an MTB trail can be found high on this plateau above Bourg d’Oisans. The focus here is undeniably on physically challenging natural lines that will test any rider. But the real draw is the famous Megavalanche which drops from the Pic Blanc into the valley 2,500 metres below.
4. Galitzenklamm Gorge – Austria
Renowned as a climbing and waterspouts destination, Austria’s Galitzenklamm Gorge also offers some of the country’s most difficult MTB trails. Radwanderung, in particular is the perfect foil for danger-seekers. A particularly narrow trail, with parts often little wider than a foot, it will require all of your powers of concentration to keep your two wheels firmly on the path – and out of the rushing water below. Explore at your own risk.
5. Strada delle 52 Gallerie – Northern Italy
Built as a military mule road during WW1, this winding route through across the Pasubio massif winds through a total of 52 tunnels carved out of the hillside. Beginning at 1,216 metres at Bocchetta Campiglia, you’re fighting an uphill battle from the start, with the route covering a total of 6.6km. At its narrowest, the path is just 2.2 m wide. The mountainous route is complete with spires, canyons, sheer rock faces, and the challenging Tunnel 20, which is carved out of a rock tower and corkscrews around itself to facilitate the climb. Just watch out for the occasional hiker.
6. Les Arcs – France
The bike park at Les Arcs isn’t renowned as one of the Alps’ best centres, but that doesn’t matter. Instead, head out into the near-infinite network of unmarked singletrack winding through the woods. As well as roots, rocks and snow, the difficult thing here is being able to find a trail at all. If you don’t hire a guide you may find yourself spending hours searching for a trailhead. If that sounds too difficult, stick to the trail off the Lac des Moutons, for everything from technical and exposed sections to fast-rolling gravel, cumulating in a 1,200-metre single track descent into the village of Beaupraz. Just don’t lose your balance.
7. The Trans-Slovenia 01 – Slovenia
Not to be confused with the Trans-Slovenia 02, the 01 is surely one of the most epic cross-country MTB routes in Europe. Beginning near the Vršič mountain pass, you’ll push your way across the Julian Alps, follow alongside the Soča river, and take in the secluded villages of the Goriška Brda region over a seven-day, self-guided tour. With 10,100m worth of climb over its 384km length, the tour is a challenge for even the most accomplished rider, although, if you want to take it a bit slower, there are a number of scenic stop-offs, along with the option to take in some wine tasting, too.
8. Laugavegur Route – Iceland
Why hike when you can cycle, right? Covering 86.5km, this singletrack route takes in some of Iceland’s most epic scenery, i.e. glaciated mountain vistas, bubbling geysers and black lava fields. With 2,308 metres of ascent, you’ll hit low points of just 41m, and top out at 1,062 with a maximum gradient of 71%. Along the way you’ll tackle water crossings with and without bridges, pass through stinking geothermal mud flats, and power your way up canyons. If that isn’t drastic enough for you, the last day’s push to Skogafoss will see you travel between two glaciers and over the cooling slopes of a live volcano. Not one for the faint-hearted.
