Saalfelden Leogang has made a very good name for itself in the international bike scene in recent years. In particular, the organisation of the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships in 2012 has brought real momentum. The absolute world elite of mountain bikers meet here time and again for thrilling competitions. Just like in June, when the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup is held as part of the Out-of-Bounds Festival. The sport is the flagship of this bike region, and everyone should benefit from the energy of such major events.
An unrivalled practice terrain has been built here for children and teenagers. But adults can also improve their skills in the Riders Playground. You can approach the long, sometimes challenging descents in the bike park in moderate stages. Trails with very different characters await you there, from easy to extreme. The Asitz gondola lift helps you uphill. This ascent aid is now not only used by freeriders, but also by those who want to do their laps on the mountain. The Asitz is also a base for extended bike tours on the mountain with a large portion of panoramic views.
But even without a lift, the region around Saalfelden Leogang offers a wealth of tour options in all directions. Of course, the Asitz can also be climbed with honest muscle power, both in a sporty and scenic way through the Schwarzleotal valley. At the top, touring bikers then have the choice: either on a fun downhill trail or on the easy route with plenty of panoramic views. It is this variety of options that gives the area the title of "world champion".
Interview Stefan Pühringer, Managing Director Saalfelden Leogang Touristik
BIKE Magazine: Bikepark Leogang is being upgraded again. What's new for 2014?
Stefan Pühringer: Tracks are being laid and optimised at the top. An optimised pump track, a kind of flow line, will be created in the Riders Playground. We are planning a new course design for the dirt jumps and are working on enduro trails and new lines in the long term.
The bike park is just the epicentre. What else does Saalfelden Leogang have to offer?
We appeal to a wide audience with 720 km of bike trails and around 480 km of valley cycle paths for touring cyclists. E-bikers will find even more e-charging stations, including on mountain pastures.
There are also world-class sporting events again this year. What are the highlights?
This will be the most intense bike summer in history with the Downhill World Cup, Fourcross World Championships and 26TRIX as well as BIKE Four Peaks in June and the new "Biketember Festival" with the IXS Downhill Cup, Enduro Series and the Scott Junior Trophy at Ritzensee in Saalfelden.
The best bike trails around Saalfelden Leogang:
Hangman I - Freeride with level
The upper part of the Hangman Trail is a challenging section that offers everything for freeriders and technically experienced touring riders (all-mountain). Natural, winding paths, root steps, Northshores and banked curves follow each other seamlessly. Brave downhillers can turn off onto mighty drops. At the top, the route is initially flat, followed by the most challenging sections. From the halfway point, when the Hangman runs smoothly in troughs through the piste, the ride becomes faster and somewhat easier again. At the very end, a root staircase emphasises the character of the Hangman.
This is how our Sister magazine FREERIDE the Bikepark Leogang rated: Bike park check Leogang
Hangman II - Round thing
The lower part of the Hangman is a great, well-maintained freeride line where you can set your own pace. From the middle station of the Asitz cable car, the route takes you through the forest with generous banked turns and waves. Small kickers are always waiting to be played with for those who dare to make these small jumps. After a short section of forest track, the route continues just as smoothly and casually all the way down into the valley. The great thing about Hangman II is that anyone can have fun and practise here.
Tour tip: Panorama trail tour
29.50 km ● 3:00 h
1303 hm ● 1303 hm
This tour is the perfect way to familiarise yourself with what Leogang Bike Park has to offer. It combines the opportunity to ride great tours with muscle power in and around the bike park and experience the freeride trails, which can also be reached by gondola lift. The tour in the form of an 8 starts at the valley station of the Asitz gondola lift on the cycle path in the direction of Hochfilzen. It soon turns left into the Schwarzleotal valley and initially climbs gently past the show mine. The route then becomes steeper up to the scenic head of the valley, where, after a hairpin bend along the flanks of the mountain, it heads back towards the bike park.
Here you get great views of the Leogang Steinberge mountains again and again until you cross the lower part of Hangman I near the Asitz middle station. And here you have the option of shortening the route, climbing fewer metres in altitude and only riding less technically demanding trail sections. From behind, the last 300 metres of quite steep ascent lead up to the mountain station and the start of the Hangman, which is very crisp in the upper section and can be mastered by experienced freeriders. Further down in section II, it gets much easier. You can stop for refreshments at the Alte Schmiede at the mountain station of the Asitz cable car.
MTB information about Saalfelden Leogang
The precinct: Saalfelden Leogang has the whole range to offer: Panoramic tours of every length plus trails and freeride lines for beginners to professional level. Info: www.saalfelden-leogang.com
Bike hotels: Saalfelden Leogang has a high density of excellent bike hotels with good package deals. Info: www.saalfelden-leogang.com
Bike events: BIKE Four Peaks, start on 4 June, www.bike-fourpeaks.deOut of Bounds from 12 to 15 June with Dirtjump Contest 26Trix and UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup, www.outofbounds.at3rd MTB-Hillclimb on the Asitz on 31 August, Biketember Festival from 19 to 21 September with the final of the Specialized SRAM Enduro Series, final of the IXS European Downhill Cup and Scott Junior Trophy.
Driving technique camps: Here you can find all information about the 2014 camps: www.elements-outdoorsports.at
Bike shops: Sport Mitterer at the valley station in Leogang, www.sportmitterer.atBikepalast Saalfelden at the Interspar roundabout, www.sport2000-simon.at
Tour information: Interactive map with tour tips and GPS download on www.saalfelden-leogang.com
Bike park: All information on prices and operating times, all routes and the "Riders Playground" can be found at www.bikepark-leogang.com
Have you already got to know one of these spots? Then let us know about your experiences in the comments box below.
