For trail bikers, Salzburgerland offers flowing berms and waves, steep steps, tight hairpin bends and hidden lines through slippery root fields. After all, more and more bikers are being drawn away from levelled forest roads to more pristine trails - and they all have their own special preferences and individual ideas of the Holy Grail. Whether under your own steam into the remotest corners of the deepest side valleys, or weightlessly up to the summits via cable car: what counts is the unfiltered closeness to nature, the incorruptible power of the mountains - and the trail beneath the studs.
From technically challenging hiking trails to unspoilt trails and wide-ranging high-altitude trails, the range on offer in Salzburgerland is growing year on year. That's why both trail-infected bike cracks and curious beginners will find their happiness in the region's freshly filled treasure troves. The following pages reveal exactly where.
General information about the mountain bike trails in Salzburgerland on www.salzburgerland.com.
Full of bends: Großarltal single trail
Even the journey up to the Grossarl Valley is a scenic adventure in itself. Over millions of years, the waters of the Grossarler Ache have carved deep into the rock and carved out the Liechtenstein Gorge, on the eastern edge of which the main road leads directly into the hanging valley. Once at the top, you are surrounded by mighty mountains. Saukarkopf, Gamskarkogel and Frauenkogel as well as the foothills of the Hohe Tauern National Park bring a smile to the faces of mountain aficionados still sitting in the car.
The bike action finally begins at the foot of the Hochbrand cable car. The 8-seater gondola lift takes us up to the mountain station, more than 900 metres above sea level, in an extremely relaxed manner. As we hoist our bikes off the transport hooks, we are faced with a difficult choice: first trick our electric trial bikes over the obstacle course, take a deep breath and enjoy the view up to the extremely striking Schuhflicker? Or would it be better to head straight for the newly created Grossarltal single trail?
The Grossarl Trail begins within sight, directly below the gondola, and winds its way down into the valley for 3.3 kilometres. Waves, deep berms and small wooden bridges characterise the first few metres to the middle station of the gondola lift. The experienced Alpreif team is responsible for the route. Depending on your choice of speed, beginners and experts alike will find what they are looking for. The middle section is very flowy, if desired fast, and leads through dry coniferous forests on earthy ground.
Small waves invite you to pump and jump, while the flat bends offer plenty of grip. The trail soon continues over lush alpine pastures. Berms and - watch out! - grazing cattle dictate the rhythm. A small waterfall with a permanently installed selfie spot with a wooden frame around it invites you to stop off again in the final few metres before a free-to-use bike wash station announces the end of the Grossarl Trail.
If you still have some energy left in your legs after a few laps of the trail, we recommend the tour up to the Bichlalm at 1731 metres, which is a good 800 metres in altitude. On the opposite side of the mountain, a well-maintained forest road first leads into Elmau and then up to the foot of the Remsteinkopf. Here, in the border area between the Hohe and Niedere Tauern, it is once again the overwhelming mountain panorama that makes the ascent worthwhile, along with the hearty snack.
More about the Grossarltal mountain bike region at www.grossarltal.info.
Wurzelreich in Saalfelden Leogang: Matzalmtrail
Change of scenery. As we surf along the Matzalm Trail in the heart of the traditional bike region of Saalfelden Leogang, which was only extended in late summer 2017, we are increasingly delighted by its natural beauty.
To imitate us, turn off the wide forest motorway onto a highly official trail a good 100 metres below the Asitz mountain station - whether you have pedalled up yourself or taken the gondola. The newly created upper section of this trail begins, well marked by a wooden archway, on flat wooden bridges, before plunging sharply left into the woods for good. Partly damp, but always flowing, the trail winds its way over natural waves and grippy forest floor towards the valley - a feasible task even for the less experienced.
A forest road crossing finally marks the transition to the second section of the route, which is recommended for more experienced bikers. From now on, the technical demands on the bike increase continuously. The density of root fields gradually increases, the steps become higher and the gradient steeper. The first hairpin bends indicate where the journey is heading. In the midst of the downhill chase, the trees repeatedly provide a view of the surrounding alpine pastures and peaks of the Leoganger Steinberge. However, you should consciously take the time to enjoy the panorama.
A short steep slope, then our forearms can take a deep breath. The signs instruct us to follow the gravel track for a few metres before we are once again served up the finest trail. Nature-loving enduro riders get their money's worth here, and we can no longer wipe the broad grins off our faces.
Through the new self-closing gates, we finally reach the secluded Embachalm on gentle alpine pastures. A short ascent later, the path branches off again into a complementary world: wet, dark, tricky. The signposting around the stream crossing advises you to push your bike along the wooden handrail for a reason - the rocks are slippery. Another section of flow trail follows before the Matzalm trail leads into a gravel path. We ride the final metres downhill on side roads down into the valley to the main road.
You have to cycle a few minutes back to the Asitzbahn cable car. In return, the gondola takes a sweat-inducing 950 metres of altitude on the ascent. Time and energy that you can save for another lap of the Matzalmtrail - or one of the dozens of other bike trails on the mountain. Of course, the time saved could also be invested in Kaiserschmarren and a refreshing drink; and even a combination of all of these is possible ...
For more information on the region's bike offer, visit www.saalfelden-leogang.com.
Varied: the whole country
The two new additions are by no means the end of the story in Salzburgerland. In addition to Singletrail Großarltal and Matzalmtrail, five more trails have recently been opened:
Kleinarl, the birthplace of skiing legend Annemarie Moser-Pröll, knows what to do with the Hirschleitentrail another MTB and culinary delicacy. First there is an ascent of almost 700 metres in altitude along forest paths, where the Kleinarlergalm or Kurzeggalm, for example, invite you to take a well-earned break. Strengthened, the trail then calls a good 300 metres in altitude below the two huts.
Initially a wide cart track, soon a meadow path, the Hirschleiten Trail leads weightlessly across alpine pastures. Later, the trail becomes much narrower and the first roots in the forest herald the final key section. If you can't see the ideal line there, you are welcome to scurry around it.
In the shadow of the summit that gives it its name, Dienten also has the Flowtrail Hochkönig has plenty of freshly shaped downhill fun to offer. Starting from the Bürglalmbahn cable car, the signposting first leads over gravelled meeting zones to the deep green reservoir with panoramic views from the Grossglockner to the Steinernes Meer.
The endless berms, jumps and waves of the flow trail begin directly below. 4.2 kilometres await - sometimes with a view, sometimes through the deepest jungle, but always with a big grin on your face. By the way: the trail is easily accessible via gondola as well as via an official uphill.
The Weather cross trail in the Salzburger Saalachtal valley has to be earned - in both directions. First, 1000 metres of asphalt and forest road from Unken past fairy-tale rock formations suck your calf fat, then the natural hiking trail back down to the valley demands the utmost concentration and skill.
Those who feel at home in the middle of S2-S3 terrain will experience pure bliss on the climb. Steep rocky steps, tight hairpin bends, loose scree and blocked traverses will get your hands wet. And the view down and into the Salzburger Saalachtal valley is always worthwhile. Insider tip!
The 830 metre long Bertahof Trail can only be reached by bikers in the Gastein Valley under their own steam. Before you can plunge down the 200 metres, you have to tackle some steep asphalt ramps from both Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein.
Beginner-friendly, fast hairpin bends on earthy terrain soon reward you for your efforts. Around the Tauern railway, the trail dives into the forest, becoming wider and flowy. A few more rocky passages lurk in the finale before the trail ends in the immediate vicinity of the Gastein bathing lake.
Things get even rougher on the revised Pro-Line in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Contrary to what its name suggests, however, freeriders with intermediate skills will also get their money's worth there. Easily accessible via the Reiterkogel cable car, access is via typical bike park forest trails, which are soon interspersed with rocky sections and the odd root. Berms, drops, jumps and tricky stone fields promise 2.3 kilometres of pure action. The upper sections of the route are particularly challenging in terms of riding technique, while further down the trail you can roll through the berms with more speed.
General information about the mountain bike trails in Salzburgerland on www.salzburgerland.com.
