If you're up for it, you could start your bike holiday in Salzburger Land in an unusual way
start: Instead of travelling via the motorway or mountain passes, cross the border from Germany to Austria on a narrow smuggler's path that forces its way through a steep gorge. The Staubfall, a 200 metre high, thundering waterfall, marks the border crossing on the way from Ruhpolding in Germany to Unken in Austria.
Through the waterfall across the border
There could hardly be a more spectacular way to start a journey. The water roars into the abyss with a deafening noise, making any conversation impossible. The path along the rock face is only a few centimetres wide and secured with handrails - the wet steps would otherwise be an invitation to the weary. The path disappears behind the cascading masses of water as if behind a curtain and reappears on the other side - in the neighbouring country. Now just shoulder the bike over the last narrow wooden bridges and you can ride down into the Saalachtal valley on a technical singletrail, with the promise of Salzburg on the horizon.
Out of the kitchen and into bike gear
For us, however, the walk behind the waterfall is only an intermediate destination on our tour through the Salzburger Saalachtal. We preferred the more leisurely option and travelled by car to the expansive Auental valley near the German border, framed by the Chiemgau Alps. The advantage is obvious: from our base camp, the Hotel Friedlwirt in Unken, you can combine the mountains, which are perfect for leisurely tours, with highlights such as a detour to the Staubfall. From family tours to bike and hike - everything is possible in the Saalachtal. Another advantage is that we can rely on the expert advice of a local, the hotel manager, when planning our programme for the day. Bernhard Flatscher, who serves us cheese dumplings in his rustic parlour the evening we arrive, turns out to be an enthusiastic biker the next day who knows the mountains around Unken like no other.
You can read more here: to the complete Saalachtal story
Mountain biking in the Salzburger Saalachtal - the most important information
Info & Booking:
Tourist Office Salzburger Saalachtal
A-5090 Lofer No. 310
T: +43 6588 8321 0
info@lofer.com
www.lofer.com
Overnight stay
In the Salzburger Saalachtal there are bike-specialised businesses with dedicated hosts who are happy to provide support and tips for tours. The guiding team at the Bike-Gasthof Friedlwirt is the basic bike centre in the Salzburger Saalachtal. The outdoor specialists with their white-water and climbing activities make it possible to experience nature in a very special way.
Guided MTB tours:
Bikegasthof Friedlwirt
Monika and Bernhard Flatscher (Certified MTB Guides)
5091 Unken
T: +43 6589 4265
info@friedlwirt.at
www.friedlwirt.at
Bike shops:
Martins Bike Shop
5091 Unken
T: +43 6589 4265
info@martins-bikeshop.at
www.martins-bikeshop.at
Albert Krimbacher
+43 6588 83180
info@fachmarkt.co
www.fachmarkt.co
Lifts:
Almenwelt Lofer
Steinplatte Waidring
Tip: Saalachtal Card
With the Salzburger Saalachtal Card you get free admission to the swimming pools, free entry to the Almenwelt Lofer, you can visit the impressive Saalachtal forces of nature, the Seisenbergklamm gorge and the Vorderkaserklamm gorge, and you get numerous other discounts.
