Rougher, wilder, more genuine - the back is often more exciting than the front. This is also the case on Piz Scalottas, which we tackle today from Thusis. Instead of taking the chairlift from Lenzerheide up the front side, we choose the long, arduous ascent on the back side, from Thusis. We are rewarded with secluded paths, pretty villages and spectacular views, such as the exposed Schyn Gorge. In the sweat of our brow, we fight our way to the front, where lifts, hikers and many a building site await us. We therefore decide to quickly cover the last few meters to the summit and tackle the descent.

The first few meters are rough, the trail is washed out and eroded - but that's the reason why we chose this side of the mountain: We wanted to try our luck off the beaten track. And that's exactly what we find: at Terziel at the latest, the trail picks up a lot of speed and we shoot towards the valley. Back in Thusis, we're delighted: we've got to know a busy mountain from a completely different perspective - and have fed our adventure piggy bank with some precious memories.

Detailed tour reportage in Ride 02/2019, available at newsstands from April 11 or in the Ride online shop.

Tour info & GPS: www.ride.ch/touren/scalottas

Book a complete package at herbert.bike/scalottas

Trail Tales is presented by Ride Magazine, GraubündenBIKE and Giant-Liv. As well as supported by Endura, Evoc and Giro.

Produced by: filme-von-draussen.ch
Music: "She says yeah" by Flash Fluharty