Culinary eBike tour: The Genuss-Radweg Mieming

A shopping tour on foot or by bike in a rural 'supermarket'? You can do just that at Mieminger Plateau. Along the 35 km long, perfectly signposted route Genuss-Radweg are lined up like a string of pearls. A unique opportunity to choose from a wide range of regional foods and delicacies. For me, it's like an XXL supermarket with the most delicious things Tyrol has to offer.

As a 'regular customer' of our Tyrolean farmers, I seized the opportunity and went on a shopping tour with my e-bike and empty rucksack. The tour is a unique blend of scenic beauty and regional delights. It is an extraordinary ride through idyllic villages, flowering meadows and shady forests. Always accompanied, I would even say watched, by the majestic Mieminger Kette and the mountains of the Stubai Alps. Where else can you get that sporty vacation feeling while shopping?

Just like the 'small farm stores' are a big hit: Also open on Sundays, you can pick up the fine farm produce you need, pay for it on a self-billing basis and pay in cash. Card payments are not possible.

So I started my tour at the family Landhotel Stern in Obsteig. Incidentally, eBikes can also be borrowed here. The first stage of the pleasure trail now leads to the district of Gschwent. A ride through airy larch forests and along lush flower meadows. After the almost kitschy-looking chapel in Gschwent, turn right towards Freundsheim. When you see the first houses, take the dirt road that branches off to the left directly into this part of the village, where a small, fine organic farm store called 'Frucht & Wurzel' offers wonderfully fresh vegetables in an old stable vault. Here I filled half of my rucksack with wonderful organic vegetables.

Passing three picturesque ponds, the journey then continues to Barwies in the face of Hohen Munde. Opposite the baroque Church of the village was once home to a political legend of the province of Tyrol, the unforgettable provincial governor Eduard Wallnöfer. Today, a small monument commemorates this gnarled Tyrolean who ruled the province for 24 (!) years.

The journey now continues to Obermieming. There I have 'Steirers Hofladen' and headed for it. My tip: Follow the banks of the Lehnbachs in Obermieming to the bridge that leads to the other side of the stream and from there it's only a few meters to the farm store. The farm store, which is run on a 'trust basis', is a fantastic example of how farm produce can be marketed directly. A huge range of products makes shopping here a real experience. The range extends from pasta to potatoes, bacon, dairy products, cakes, dumplings and fish, as well as the specialty schnapps that are indispensable in Tyrol. In summer, the range is complemented by fresh fruit.

The route continues from Obermieming to Untermieming. Along the way, a real cultural gem awaits hikers and cyclists who love shopping. It is the St. George's Church. A church was built on this site as early as 1071. Why so early, historically interested people will ask themselves. My explanation is simple: the Romans led one of their roads over the Mieminger Plateau. It is highly likely that the road passed close to this little church. And there was never a shortage of temples on main roads.

On the way to my last destination, the 'Dimas Hofladen' i pass the almost monumental parish church 'Mariä Himmelfahrt'. It was first mentioned in a document in 1311 and consecrated in 1430. If the church doors are open, it's worth taking a look inside.

To replenish my supply of excellent Tyrolean bacon, I decided to pay a visit to 'Dimas Hof'. The farm is famous for its delicately smoked, excellent Tyrolean bacon. But before I do, I pass the beautifully situated Mieminger Badesee lake on the way there. On beautiful summer days, it offers a welcome dip in the clear mountain water.

When I arrive at the Dimas farm, I decide on a pancetta. This is because they offer a multi-award-winning, truly genuine Tyrolean bacon smoked on the farm, which I find delicious.

After my twelve-kilometre round trip, I benefit from the fact that I have traveled by public transport. I travel to Mötz to get back home from the station there.

My tips:

• Travel by public transport. You can take your bike on the VVT bus. The advantage: you don't have to return to your car at the end of the tour.
• Download the GPX map of the pleasure cycle route onto your cell phone. This is the most elegant way to find the farms.
• If you are less digitally oriented: there is a very good map with a presentation of all 18 direct marketers along the Genussweg, available at the Mieming tourist office.
• It's best to chooseyour route based on what the various farms have to offer.
• Don't forget yourchange! Because: Card payments are not possible in the self-checkout farm stores.