The operators dredged the routes into a dreamlike postcard landscape: green Alpine meadows, Alpine peaks, the tinkling of cowbells - the whole programme. We love Austria! The infrastructure couldn't be better either: Bike hire, riding technique school, bike wash, catering, a friendly team and a fast chairlift - it's all there! At 300 metres in altitude, the park may not be big, but it's fun.
The routes
The Bikepark Brandnertal has three main routes to offer: a blue flow line, a red jumpline and a black stunt line. The 3.5 kilometre long blue route is ideal for park novices, children and families. It is easy to ride: a crushed sand course with small jumps and lots of curve changes. The red jumpline is only slightly more difficult, i.e. rather light red and therefore also easy to ride. Although there are more jumps (around 25 and lots of banked turns), the jumps are mostly flat tables that can be rolled over. Only a few generate real airtime. The wooden bridges are rather unspectacular, you just roll on wood. There's more to it here. This route probably meets the tastes of most weekend freeriders, but we missed highlights such as optional drops, boner logs or jumps that really fire. As close as the blue and red trails are in terms of riding level, the gap to the black trail is just as wide. It is described as a downhill trail, but in our eyes it is more of a deep black stunt track. The name says it all: "Tschack Norris" requires Chuck's courage and skill. The trail starts with three large doubles and leads over roots into the forest. This is followed by gaps, step-ups, a 3-metre gap, nasty, hanging root carpets and more jumps until you reach a jump line with really big doubles. All the stunts are well-built but challenging. Recently, some of the doubles have been converted into tables and a chicken line has also been set up as a bypass - however, this line is only aimed at park experts. Great: the drop battery at the valley station - this is where all the trails end. There are drops from 1 to 4 metres high with wide, steep landings. New trail variants have been announced for the new season - this will increase the variety.
INFO
Routes 3
Lift Chairlift
Start of the season 5 May
Opening hours 9.00 - 17.00 hrs
Day ticket 31 Euro
Bike hire Yes
Driving technique school Yes
Info phone +43 - 5522 - 25409
e-mail info@bikepark-brandnertal.at
Info www.bikepark-brandnertal.at
Distances
Stuttgart 3 hours
Munich 3 hours
Frankfurt 4.5 hours
Berlin 7 hours
Innsbruck 2 hours
Basel 3 hours
CHARACTER
Freeride 2 out of 4 points
Slopestyle 2 out of 4 points
Downhill 3 out of 4 points
DIFFICULTY
Beginners 4 out of 4 points
Advanced 2 out of 4 points
Expert 4 out of 4 points
CONCLUSIONFun park with a blue and red trail that is particularly suitable for beginners and intermediates. As the black trail is very difficult, the range of trails remains manageable.
FREERIDE judgement 7.5 out of 10 points
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
