The tour is best started in Naturns. From here, take the Vinschgerbahn to Schluderns. From Schluderns, you should ideally take a shuttle up through the Matsch Valley to the Glieshof farm at the end of the road. If you still want to master the ascent under your own steam, start the tour from Schluderns along the cycle path through the Matsch Valley with its breathtaking panorama. From the Glieshof itself, the route then continues to the Matscheralm and a little into the valley floor to the Einsiedelei, where the valley station of the material cable car is located. Massive rock faces are already rising up to the left and right, giving bike adventurers hope and trepidation as to what lies ahead - it's going to be quite something! From the hermitage, the trail leads up to the Oberetteshütte (2670 meters above sea level). Here you can enjoy excellent food and overnight accommodation if you want to ride the route as a two-day tour. From the Oberetteshütte, there are still around 400 meters to climb to the Bildstöckljoch. This is, of course, only a carrying ascent and makes your heart beat faster, firstly because of the altitude (up to 3000 meters above sea level) and secondly because of the effort. Once you reach the pass itself, you realize where you have ended up. You are in the middle of a mountain paradise and glaciated conditions with views down to the Schnalstal Valley and northwards to the Hintereisferner.

The downhill trail fun can now begin. From the Bildstöckljoch, a huge trail descent leads down to Kurzras. However, it should be noted that the bike has to be pushed in parts in the upper section; only excellent bike artists and exceptional talents can ride here. The trail becomes increasingly flowy and in Kurzras it's time to take a deep breath. Nevertheless, you take the 7a hiking trail to the Vernagt reservoir. There is still no end (to the trail) in sight from the Vernagt reservoir. We are still a good 1970 meters above sea level. We then continue around the lake on the 15er trail and all the trail cut-offs out to Karthaus. In Karthaus itself, you briefly have to take the somewhat unspectacular main road of the Schnalstal Valley before continuing towards Katharinaberg and taking the Katharina circular hiking trail, which rides to Patleit and Unterstell Hof. At Unterstell Hof (1300 meters above sea level), there are still plenty of metres of elevation gain to the valley floor at 580 meters above sea level. So full concentration and on you go. The trails meander along the south side down to Naturns and finally look back on a trail descent with 2600 meters of altitude that could not be more spectacular.

Conclusion: An absolute must if you are in Vinschgau and you like to ride high alpine trails. However, the weather should be stable, your concentration high, your motivation above average and your riding technique not too old. And always remember not to forget the stunning mountain panorama and to take plenty of breaks - after all, there are almost 38 kilometers of single trails in total.