And a Hotel Review of Tannenhof
By Adrian Cuevas
Back In February Miri and I decided to take a little break and go just south of Germany into the Austrian state of Tyrol, inspired by an article in Rouleur magazine. They recommended this area for cycling, and we thought it could be a good idea to check it out and see what all the hype was about.
We drove from Nuremberg to the border, which took about three hours. Our plan was simple: arrive to the suggested hotel, Tannenhof, and from there explore the surroundings for the next two days.
Springtime photos contributed by Katja Berthold
The best time to visit Tyrol for cycling is from late spring to early fall. We visited in February, but we were lucky with temperatures of about 10 degrees celsius during the day. Plus, that meant we could also squeeze in some snowboarding. Regardless of the season, as soon as you arrive at Tannenhof you can feel the cycling vibe come alive with retro bikes and jerseys hanging everywhere.
Day 1 : Snow Day & Dinner
Tyrol is located in the Alps, but the mountains here are not as high compared to some other ski areas. The local ski resort is relatively small at a maximum altitude of 1,900m in elevation -- perfect for a quick fix or for beginners. The number of trails were a bit limited, but the views were nice and the crowds minimal.
After a day in the snow, we decided to go out for a nice dinner. The town of Reutte has a few good restaurants, and Füssen (Germany) offers more options just 20 minutes away by car. We decided to follow the hotel's recommendation and ended up back at the foot of the mountain at Senner Land. I can definitely recommend the schnitzel!
Day 2: Cycling & Spa
And now for the moment I was waiting for: exploring the area by bike. The hotel owner Victoria and her partner Thomas are big cycling enthusiasts with plenty of tips and advice to share. They even offer mountain, gravel, and e-bike rentals. It was a lot of fun to talk with them and I felt their passion not only for cycling but also for Tyrol itself.
I rented a steel gravel bike, and followed one of their suggested tours towards the lakes on the border between Germany and Austria. The ride was a hybrid of road and gravel. I crossed a couple of mountains and found myself next to some lakes with beautiful views of various castles along the way. It might not be the Dolomites, or the French Alps, but you still get punchy uphills and beautiful scenery. I loved it.
Once back at the hotel, Miri and I thought it would be nice to have some down time and decided to go to the spa. This spa offers lots of nice options, and a big outdoor pool facing the alps, the perfect way to finish the evening before going for dinner. Tannenhof also has their own spa if you fancy keeping it in-house, just remember to reserve ahead of time.
Day 3: Short Hike
Before driving back home, we had time for one last adventure, and took a little hike straight out the door. The hotel sits at the trailhead to multiple hikes, so we didn't have to walk far to find a beautiful frozen lake, some snowy paths, and breathtaking views of the valley. A short loop and we were back at the hotel ready to go.
Springtime photos contributed by Katja Berthold
So do I recommend this little corner of Tyrol? Absolutely. It's a good spot for multiple activities, year-round, and I was very happy to be able to ski, cycle, and hike while there. I’m looking forward to returning just for the cycling, as there are several valleys to explore, the rolling hills keep things interesting, the roads are not crowded with cars, and the gravel options are endless.
The fact that there is a cycling hotel that understands the needs of the sport is a bonus, and definitely adds value to the whole experience. The rooms are intentionally designed to keep the sleeping area separate, leaving plenty of space to cook, eat, and chill. And the best part is that it's relatively close to Nuremberg.
One other restaurant tip: Joyce has bowls and other tasty, relatively healthy options.
If you visit Tannenhof, mention SALA to receive a 5% discount on breakfast.
Happy trails!
