The MTB itineraries in Austria in the Salzburg mountains are among the most beautiful in Europe, an area very close to Italy and yet still little known to our public. In the valley of Saalbach Hinterglemm There are 400 km of slopes and trails to do enduro, downhill, but also trails suitable for beginners and families with children. With dedicated infrastructure and excellent services for those who love to explore the mountains with the mountain bike and also with the e-bike: cable cars, rental shops, bike schools, routes of all kinds and difficulties. A type of MTB Eldorado, frequented by flow enthusiasts.
In addition to this, it is a place for a relaxing holiday in nature, with the possibility of doing trekking e walks in the mountains, swimming in rivers and lakes, outdoor sports and relaxation facilities (sa, swimming pools, farms, huts). We have been there and we will tell you why it is worth going if you like mountain biking.
MTB itineraries in Austria in summer: why go to the Salzburg mountains
Not only walks, trekking and one of the most beautiful adventure parks in the world (Hochseil Park, we talk about it here). Among the many places in the Alps well equipped for those who love mountain bike excursions, the Saalbach-Hinterglemm valley, in the Salzburg is one of the best, if not the best in absolute terms. You see it as soon as you arrive: the preferred means of transport here is the MTB and the percentage of mountain bike elettriche It really impressed us when it was out there.
There is a massive tourism of people, both groups of friends and familieswho come here bringing their bikes from home, but many others rely on the rental companies in the valley, who make available at affordable prices (from 25 euros per day) quality e-MTB, also for children, with all the necessary equipment (for rent or to buy). And the 8 charging stations positioned in strategic points at the top of the cable cars.
The area is dotted with bike wash services. But above all the valley is a paradise for bike lovers at all levels, with 400km of bike trails, for all levels, on 4 mountains served by 4 gondola lifts. Plus the Leogang bike park and a series of asphalted roads equipped with cycle paths for transfers or for visiting the Alpine valley even with cycle touring bicycles, electric or otherwise.
MTB routes in the Saalbach Valley
I am 7 i trail created specifically for bikes in the Saalbach-Hinterglemm valley: 4 for downhill and 3 for uphill. Between the two there are 400 km of more or less winding and challenging trails that from the easternmost of Asitz to the westernmost of Hochalm connect the entire valley up to the Troler-Runde in the northor the Kitzbühel area.
They are perfectly traced and indicated slopes, with artificial sections in some sections for guaranteed fun. Difficulty levels fluctuate easy to medium, making the valley suitable for an active holiday for both experts and families who want to start having fun with mountain bikes. With the possibility of stopping further 40 cabins where to quench your thirst and eat local products.
Departing from Saalbach there are 5 tracks, three reds and two blacks: from the Panorama ring, 14.9 km long and 670 metres of altitude difference, to the Hennerleiter Runde, 30.3 km long and 1170 metres of altitude difference.
Leaving da Hinterglemm instead they are found 10 mountain bike trails, 3 blue, 4 red and 3 black. The easiest is the Bergstadl with 10.9 km and 500 meters of altitude difference, up to the Tiroler Runde, a fantastic circuit that crosses between the two valleys with several passages on the Saalach river, for 69.8 km and 2490 meters of altitude difference.
Here we talk about the best 10 MTB routes in the valley.
Cable cars for bikes
The starting points for downhill from the mountains of the valley are reached by cable cars. Their iconic name is ‘Gondola’ (Gondelbahn) and they have dedicated space to bring bikes.
We tried the ones departing from Hinterglemm: la Reiterkogelwhich leads to an easy track also suitable for children, and the Westgipfelhutt, which rises up to 2096 meters. From there a path of medium difficulty starts which descends through the forest and the mountain meadows, passing by a lake (you can stop for a dip) and returning down to the station. But you can continue further, crossing the many paths that branch off from the main one.
First you can take them flow lessons in the various bike rentals, or enroll in real mountain bike, enduro, downhill schools.
Here is all the information on the gondola lift services for bikes.
E-bike in Austria
We were talking about the electric bicycles. There are tons of them in circulation and everyone uses them, from the most serious riders to children. Here e-mtb is a cult and a culture. Each shop sells or rents the best electric bikes on the market, both front and full, as well as specific downhill ones.
The arrival stations of the gondolas have battery charging points and bike washing facilities (mud reigns supreme here). And if you’re planning on taking a long route, even over several days, the rent-a-bikes will supply you with additional battery pack to put in your backpack.
Here is information on e-bike services in Saalbach.
Itinerari Big 5 Bike Challenge e Big 10
All these infrastructures can be exploited by riders in a single day in a sort of race against themselves, the Big 5 Bike ChallengeThat is, to touch the peaks of 5 mountains in the Saalbach-Hinterglemm valley using the gondolas. An extra-large tour based on adrenaline-filled downhill and fun and suitable for everyone.
It is a totally out of the ordinary day trip: you travel along 65 km and 5 thousand meters vertically, but of these only 500 meters uphill: the rest by doing downhill and using the very comfortable cable cars in the area where you load the vehicle. Then, if you want to take detours, extend the route, do parts on your own uphill or downhill, you’re free.
If you are more trained, you like to mix enduro and downhill and you have 2 days available, you can do the Big 10 Bike Challengethe same thing but double: 10 peaks, 10 cable cars, 140 km of route and 10 thousand meters of altitude difference in descent. The tour starts on the easy Panorama Trail of Kohlmaisbahn and ends on the Reiterkogel, pedalling on black trails suitable for experts.
>> READ ALSO: How much does an electric bike consume?
MTB schools and easy slopes in Saalbach-Hinterglemm
The valley is a mecca for experienced riders, with a number of summer events such as the Glmemride Bike Festival in Julywhich gathers many enthusiasts. But it is also an ideal place for those who decide to take a relaxing holiday in the Alps and try your hand at mountain biking, even for the first time. For this reason the citizens have schools and bike rental shops that also provide guide alpine mountain bike lessons to accompany individuals and families on excursions, teaching them how to control the two wheels on dirt mountain roads.
If you are not an expert and want to try, we recommend that you rely on one of these guides. Starting from the blue slopes and then going up to the red and black slopes, and respecting them an order of difficulty of the paths developed by local experts: Monti Trail, Panorama, Blue Line, Hacklberg, X Line, Bergstadl.
The website of the Saalbach tourist office provides downloadable interactive maps with mountain bike routes.
Leogang Bike Park
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is also part of the circuito GraVity, which collects the 20 Best Bike Parks in Europe. There is a card that gives access to everyone (most in Austria).
In the area there is the Leogang bike park, with various trails for all types of riders.
>> READ ALSO: MTB Front or Full: the differences
How to get to Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Il better way to get to Saalbach for a truly relaxing holiday is the trainThe town is located in the Saalbach-Interglemm valley, in the Zell Am See district of Salzburg. There is a OBB night train leaving from Milan Central at 20.40 and arrive in Salzburg in the morning: you can get off in Schwarzach at 5.18am and then take a bus, taxi or local train to the Saalbach Valley.
If you prefer the plane, you can land at Salzburg o Munich (more frequent flights).
Saalbach can also be reached from Salzburg by 1h15 by train to Zell Am See and then by bus. If you are staying in Saalbach or Hinterglemm there is a service pullman very comfortable commuting in the valley.
You can get there by car from Italy in about 7 hours of travel, passing through Brenner and Kitzbühel, or going up from Udine-Lienz.
>> READ ALSO: 4 reasons to take children on an adventure in nature
Where to sleep in the Saalbach Valley
The Saalbach-Hinterglemm valley is little frequented by Italians, so it is one more opportunity to discover it and tell it to friends cycling enthusiasts. There are many accommodation facilities, generally good quality hotels in well-kept buildings with plenty of amenities.
Most also offer attractions for children, horseback riding, small spas and excellent cuisine (the spaetzle, yogurt and desserts are not to be missed).
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2024-07-01 07:42:26
#MTB #routes #Austria #summer #mountains #Salzburg
