Mountainbike tour to Merano 2000, Moschwaldalm and Santa Caterina

Easy mountain bike tour with one short pushing section and some wonderful downhill sections near Avelengo.

We start our bycicle tour at the Piazza Fontana square in Maia Alta and cycle towards Scena up into the Val di Nova until we reach the valley station of the new Merano 2000 cable car. An altitude difference of about 350 metres and the strong sun exposure make of this first section the most exhausting of the whole tour.

We take the cable car up to the mountain station of Merano 2000. After a nice cup of coffee at the Piffinger restaurant the downhill fun begins! Cycling down to Falzeben (trail no. 18 and 14) until we reach the valley station of the funicular, we follow trail no. 51, a forest road, which leads down to the Sinigo stream. From here we have to cycle upwards. The last section to the Moschwaldalm mountain hut is paved but very steep and slippery. We are forced to push our bicycles for some minutes.

Arrived at the Moschwaldalm mountain hut at 1,750 metres asl we look forward to a tasty lunch. On trail no. 15 (forest road) we reach Avelengo di Sopra (the last section is asphalted, trail no 13). Cycling back to Merano on the asphalted road, we pass the hamlet Santa Caterina, where we decide to visit the small romantic church. The last section down to Merano leads through several tunnels. Attention: Cyclists have to wear reflective vests!

Author: AT

When you plan to do this mountain bike tour, please inform yourselves on the conditions of the tracks!

Starting point: Merano, Piazza Fontana (Maia Alta)
Trail route: Maia Alta - Val di Nova - Merano 2000 - Falzeben - Moschwald mountain hut - Avelengo - Santa Caterina - Maia Alta
Cycling time: approx. 2 hours, approx. 4 hours with cable car and rests included
Length: approx. 25.6 km
Ascent: 590 metres of altitude (300 metres from Merano to the valley station of the cable car Merano 2000, 290 metres to Avelengo)
Descent: 1,940 metres af altitude
Altitudes: 380 - 1,970 metres asl
Level of difficulty: easy (most sections lead downhill, one short pushing section)
Track surface: forest roads (gravel), asphalt
Experienced in: May 2011
More information: tourist board Avelengo, tel. +39 0473 279 457