With its own nation for bikers, Sölden is once again a pioneer. Bikers have a say here and should feel at home regardless of origin, appearance and riding ability. Our highlight in the young, wild republic is a perfect mix of built trails and natural trails: the Leiterberg trails. To get there, we take the Giggijochbahn cable car up to just under 2,300 metres. The Giggijoch and Gaislachkogel lif ts open up the mountain above Sölden and serve as a feeder to the mostly built trails.

There are more natural trails on the other side of the valley, which can only be reached by pedalling. But the effort pays off! Since the Bike Republic was founded, numerous new trails have been created here, all of which take their names from the Ötztal accent.

We take the Harbe Line into the centre of Hochsölden and turn off here onto the Leiterberg Trail:

• Shared trail - easily used by bikers and hikers alike
• the first part is an absolute panoramic trail with incredible views of the Ötztal Alps
• pleasantly flowy along the contour lines up to the Leiteralm
• second section of the trail through the forest
• over partly very steep terrain with roots, rocks & steps
• down into the valley to Sölden

At the Leiteralm, we fortify ourselves and get an overview of the nation of which we have now obviously become members. Then it's off to the second section into the forest, where we cross the forest road a total of six times. This is a good opportunity for less experienced riders to easily bypass individual sections.

This second section is one of the hand-built natural trails in the Bike Republic - in addition to the machine-built lines, such as the Teäre Line. In order to build as gently and sustainably as possible, a special guideline for ecological trail construction was developed here. This is how contemporary mountain bike growth works. The Bike Republic also organises a whole host of high-calibre MTB events. The single trail scavenger hunt is the cult event where you can

• in teams of 2
• choose the trail routes yourself,
• find the checkpoints and
• and fulfil tricky missions.
• Tactical skills, good orientation and good humour are required.

But the "MTB National Day" also brings the citizens of the bike nation together once again at the end of the season. We, on the other hand, are on the last few metres of our trail fun: at the end, it gets flowier again and we cross along the slope towards Leite. After a few counter-climbs, we happily reach Sölden. And now we are once again spoilt for choice:

• Do we want to pedal ourselves? Or take the cable car to the summit?
• Do we want to ride natural trails or do we prefer shaped lines?
• Do we want to be out and about in the forest or would we prefer high alpine terrain?

The Bike Republic Sölden really is the nation for everyone who loves biking.