Road to Lisbon – bikepacking the Alps, Pyrenees and Picos de Europa

Starting from my homedoor was a weird feeling. Following my well known home trails in the beginning didn't feel like I was going on a big trip. Since I mainly wanted to spend time in the mountains, I started with that right from day one on. I passed the Walchensee and headed into the Karwendel, one of… read more

In the morning of day two I climbed my first peak of the trip: the 2408m high Erlspitze. After a technical downhill trail I reached the Inn river and followed it westways until I found a farmer house close to Landeck, where I could get a cheap room for the night.

On day three I already got the first glimps of what it can be like to cross the Alps in October. Clouds hanging deep and rain. But a lot worse: first snow of the year was predicted in higher altitude. To avoid getting stuck in the snow already on day three I had to change my idea to go over the Schluppiner… read more

On day 4 it snowed down to 1200m, so I took a forced break for the first time. My options to go into the wild mountains were pretty limited these days. In order to still go high up, I chose to ride over the famous 2750m high Stilfserjoch. With temperatures around minus 10 degree on top that was a good… read more

After the Stilfserjoch I decided to make some distance for the first time and rode 120km to the beautiful lake Como. For many transalps this is the final goal, for me only a very little milestone on a long journey.

Half a day relaxing at the lake and then I headed into the mountains again. From the lake I could already tell, that I would have to fight through thick fog, but since I was sleeping on a mountainpass, I was hoping to eventually be able to enjoy a nice sunrise the next morning.

My plan paid off: I climbed a 2300m high peak for sunrise and was rewarded with a stunning scenery above the clouds. After sunrise I found great single trails down on the other side, bringing me to the next classic: Lago Maggiore. Short Pizza break for 18Euros (Switzerland prices are horrible :D ) and… read more

Via the Simplonpass I reach the swizz Valais, a mountain area that I wanted to visit since a very long time full of 4000m high peaks. To make the most out of this area I have my friend Benni joining me for the next three days to go as high up as possible.

Together with my friend Benni we leave the beaten tracks and choose a remote route high up through the valais. We want to follow parts of the mountainbike race "Grand Raid" and camp out above 2600m in minus 10 dagree cold nights.

On day 11 we woke up in the middle of mountain paradise. Over night we got a nice 5cm layer of fresh snow, which made the landscape even more beautiful. Beeing the only humans out there is always a special feeling, which I can't get enough of. This day we made it over a 2800m pass and climbed a 3100m… read more





Benni and I follow the Grand Raid for another half day before we leave the Valais and cycle to lake Geneva and finish in Lausanne (Benni's home). Absolutely spectacular 3 days in the Valais - can't wait to come back here.

Episode one documents the first 12 days and shows a… read more

I spend 5 days in Lausanne with my friend Benni and published the first Episode from here. On day 18 it was time to move on, following the lake Geneva. My goal for the next days was to add some more days in the french Alps before heading towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Riding towards Annecy, where I wanted to head into the mountains again for three days.

Screening the map, I found a promising remote valley, that I wanted to cross. Since I couldn't find any information about wether it's possible by bike, I just left and gave it a shot. On day 20 I went up to sleep under the stars again and to bring myself in position to try the pass the next day.

A beautiful day in solitude of the mountains. Waking up in the middle of nature is always special. Nights are really cold, but the amazing fall colors make it worth. And luckily no fall weather, but lots of sunshine during the days. I climbed the pass in a tough hike a bike section to have breakfast… read more

On day 22 I woke up on a 15km long ridge, which turned out to be an absolute dream for mountainbiking. Perfect weather with 18 degrees made it just another incredible day. In the afternoon I rolled down the mountains, passed Grenoble and finally finished the chapter of the Alps. From now on, I wanted… read more

It was still 350km to the sea, but since there were no more mountains along the river Rhone, I wanted to get it down quickly and decided to pull it off in two long days. End of October and I still had 25 degrees - amazing.





Always a fantastic feeling to reach a big milestone. With 176km this day was my longest one on this journey. But with the plan of a few days recovery at a friends place in Montpellier, it was worth the effort.

Episode two covers the entire french alps and gives insights about… read more

I stayed four days in Montpellier, finished editing Episode two and then brought myself in position for my personal highlight part: Crossing the entire Pyrenees.

At the first of november I finally arrived at the bottom of the Pyrenees. Everything was set to emerse myself in some of the wildest mountains of Europe. It's a long way up from sealevel into serious mountains. By the time, I still didn't have a route to follow and wanted to plan it day by day. First step: pass through Andorra.