Preview: Into The Wold 2025

The Alpine region - as Gabriwa has discovered during various self-experiments - is not necessarily the off-road mecca it could be. Are you allowed to ride in the forest? And if so, at what time? Or maybe only every third Tuesday of the month, provided it's the name day of the governor's brother-in-law? Or something like that.
It's best to always have skis with you - then you can pull the tourist card if necessary.

All the more pleasing when you don't have to worry too much about route planning because others have already taken care of it. The scouts from Into The Wold are locals who know the mountains like the back of their hand. Even on short routes - practically right outside your door - you are presented with the finest treats the region has to offer.
And anyone who has ever been to the Bregenzerwald knows that this is quite a lot. Especially in summer!

If we're already talking about the highlights: Into the Wold is not a cycling marathon in the classical sense. Anyone hoping for a timing chip and leaderboard here will be disappointed. The event is more about adventure, offering a chance to escape everyday life and simply have a really great time on the bike.
The focus is clearly on enjoyment - not the racing spirit.

This is especially evident at the refreshment stations: lovingly managed by local top chefs, who outdo themselves every year with creative ideas for mid-ride snacks. These breaks quickly become the culinary highlight of the tour.

There are many beautiful corners in Austria, but Mellau – with the iconic silhouette of the Kanisfluh in the background, located directly on the Bregenzer Ach – is definitely a particularly idyllic spot.
No wonder, then, that the event's home base is located here. More specifically: The modern village center, a prime example of successful contemporary architecture, was chosen as the heart of the event for good reason.

Anyone looking for accommodation will quickly find something in the region. Numerous regional businesses are listed as partners and offer special packages for participants.

Just a stone's throw from the village center is the Hotel Bären, the Tempel 74 is also located in the village, the Schtubat is about 30 cycling minutes away in Andelsbuch, and the Hotel Rössle in Au – about 20 cycling minutes away – comes highly recommended based on our own experience.

Into The Wold is a mix of bikepacking and coffee ride on gravel – with the advantage that you don’t have to sleep in a tent. Even after much thought, we can’t come up with a better description.
The people are relaxed, and there’s no pressure. You move from one (scenic) highlight to the next (culinary in nature) and roll in between on the finest gravel paths. Occasionally, you’re greeted by short trail sections – but never anything inhumane.

Always amusing: the start. The three routes run parallel for the first few kilometers – and at the latest at the first junction, it becomes clear who can read their GPS device. The racers tend to get tangled up at these critical points.
But as soon as these little dramas are resolved and the pace becomes more relaxed, the initial nervousness also disappears. Just as it should be.

If it still isn’t clear: Into The Wold could be compared to a wellness weekend – just without screaming kids and pee in the water (yes, even in luxury spas – don’t try to tell us otherwise!).

The main focus is on the big ride that takes place on Saturday, but the supporting program already kicks off on Thursday.
Traditionally, a Pump Track Challenge is on the schedule, which you can participate in – but don’t have to. It’s definitely a spectacle when the young (and young at heart) enthusiasts eagerly dive into the paved wave landscape.

In recent years, there have also been themed rides on Fridays: Either an architecture tour or a visit to an alpine pasture with an attached dairy have been options. Talks are, of course, not to be missed – either with Specialized athletes on stage or on topics such as sustainability, with representatives from tourism and industry.
Last year, we also played mini-golf in Dornbirn – a crushing defeat for our Gabriwa, but still an entertaining afternoon.

But it’s not just during the day that there’s plenty on offer – the evenings are lively too. Film screenings, live music, and parties are all part of the program, and naturally, food and drink are well taken care of. The legendary Käsknöpfle are, of course, a must, but – and this makes us particularly happy – vegans will always find suitable options too.

For those who still haven’t had enough on Sunday after all the festivities, the hangover breakfast offers a chance to reminisce about the weekend’s highlights. Maybe a bit sad that the time passed so quickly – but with a backpack full of beautiful memories and the certainty that next year will be even better!

The ticket presale starts on February 28th!

Anyone who registers by March 8th will automatically be entered into a raffle and has the chance to win cool prizes! 

So don’t hesitate – those who wait, rust. Or something like that.