Meran and its environs provide the perfect location not only for enthusiastic walkers but also for the E-bike generation. Sabine visited the guesthouse at Ortswies 37 and talked to Irmgard Schnitzer about the many different tours for cyclists in and around Dorf Tirol!

Dorf Tirol – adventure wherever you go!
Irmgard Schnitzer, landlady of the guesthouse at Ortswies 37, has a thorough knowledge of her guests. One thing she has learned over many years as a landlady is that the opportunities for outdoor activities and its mild Alpine-Mediterranean climate make Dorf Tirol near Meran a place that attracts guests over and over again, as she tells me from the outset when I visit her little paradise with my E-bike. While it was previously popular in particular for the countless treks and walks on the south side of the Texel Group, which have their own considerable fan base, a new passion has developed in recent years: discovering the highways and byways of South Tyrol by E-bike.

Always looking ahead
“When the first guests arrived some five years ago with their electric-powered bikes, they were practically exotic”, Irmgard remembers, “but it quickly became clear to me that this was a trend that would catch on!” The wonderful tours, but also “practical” issues like getting to local shops or tourist attractions, can all be done by E-bike in an enjoyable and environmentally friendly way. Mrs Schnitzer and her husband were so delighted by this new idea that they at once went out and bought two top-quality E-bikes for guests without one of their own, or who simply want to try one out for the first time while on holiday. Even today these rental bikes are still very popular, although many guests now bring their own. “And it’s not just seniors either who look forward to exploring the many E-bike tours in the area!” Mrs Schnitzer assures me. I can only agree – I’m now looking forward to getting going on my own E-bike too! :)

 

An electrifying experience
Its hilly location, almost 600 metres above sea level, makes the sunny village of Dorf Tirol an ideal starting point for tours for all tastes. Because, whichever direction you choose, E-bikers will find a programme that offers real highlights. Climbs are no problem with an E-bike: the terrain provides variety, with the towering peaks that stand guard over Meran offering fantastic panoramic vistas.

 



Outstanding cycle paths
To the west the Vinschgau cycle way has numerous combinations of routes, offering both attractions and eateries, while – if your schedule has not gone quite as planned – cyclists can easily put their bikes onto one of the regional trains. South of Meran, on the other hand, there is the Burggrafenamt region and a fully-charged battery should easily get you as far as the regional capital of Bozen. The South Tyrolean Wine Route and the cycle trail along the valley of the River Etsch also provide a panoramic round trip from Merano to Bozen and back along the Wine Route. And, especially on hot days, a tour up the valley of the River Passer is a good choice. Those wishing for something more challenging will find the ideal solution on the numerous minor roads and forest trails around Dorf Tirol. Why not take your E-bike up to the Longfall Hut, 1,100 metres above sea level, to enjoy a typical South Tyrolean snack lunch? I at any rate am more than satisfied with my first mini-tour of Dorf Tirol as it awakens from its winter slumber. :)

 

Biking means relaxing
In Mrs Schnitzer’s view the E-bike boom is a fun way to discover the attractions of this holiday region, with E-bikes also the ideal way to take a quick trip to the spa town of Meran: “The fact that more and more guests are doing without their cars while they stay here can only be a positive development – it protects the environment while helping them to recuperate. Which is ultimately why they come to visit us in Dorf Tirol.“



So what more reason do you need to take a trip through Dorf Tirol with an E-bike and pay a visit to Mrs Schnitzer and her guesthouse at Ortswies 37?! For more details just click here! :)

With heartfelt greetings,

Sabine