While the many racing bikes have to share the main road to Forcola di Livigno with even more numerous cars, mountain bikers are lucky. Parallel to the road, the bike route leads to the customs office at the border away from motorised traffic.

And while mountain bikers used to suffer the same fate as the racing bikers here, they now pedal directly over to the Bernina Pass on a high route, made especially for mountain bikers. What happens now is single trail riding of the best kind – it is so special that the International Mountain Bike Association included the Bernina Express Route in its list of epic trails. The downhill section to Morteratsch is part of this award-winning route. The single trail simply flows. It is rarely steep and gently meanders through the rough countryside.

The background with the Bernina range covered by glaciers is no less attractive. The third stage of the Alpine Bike route ends with these impressive views in St. Moritz – hopefully immediately followed by a dip in cool and lovely Lej da Staz.