Travelling through Salzburg's Lungau region on a bike with Chris is always great fun. With every turn of the cranks as you follow the passionate amateur racer, you can feel the joy he takes in biking. And this, as he lets you know time and again, comes not only from sporting ambition, but also from his love of his homeland, which has so much to offer. He simply enjoys being out there and his enthusiasm for the region is infectious. Asking him if he would like to go on a tour again is a rhetorical question. "Of course! When are you coming?" is more likely to be the answer.
Beautiful! This time we set off from his home town of Tamsweg, from the pretty market square of the district town, which is a convenient hub for bike tours in a wide valley basin at an altitude of 1000 metres. Valleys run in all directions, with small hilltops, large hills and real mountains towering between them.
Today it's the turn of the Lessach and Göriachtal valleys. In between, at the foot of the 2300 metre high Gumma, the meadows of the Granglitzalm nestle against the flanks of the summit above the tree line. The tour is not too difficult, so there is enough air and time to chat in peace. The local is just bubbling over: There are great opportunities here and there, there's another beautiful spot, and there's a rewarding trail back there.
Chris is on hand to advise the tourism association with his knowledge. Even though he only recently moved here from St. Margarethen, ten kilometres away, he knows almost every route. The radius of a biker of his calibre is not limited here in Salzburger Lungau. Even if he has to admit that he hasn't been to the Wildbachhütte for a long time. On impulse, he even wanted to extend the tour a little in the morning, add the Prebersee, which had already been praised in advance at the last meeting, or another variant. Perhaps because the 1000 metres in altitude were not enough for him? But much more likely because he would like to show what his homeland has to offer. Next time.
Chris Zaller, Bikelocal from the Lungau region
"The Lungau region in the heart of the Nockberge mountains has everything to offer, from imposing rocky peaks to grassy mountains. This diversity means that we have every kind of single trail - from flowing to blocked. You can choose from easy to very difficult ascents. And when you reach the summit, you will be overwhelmed by the panorama. All the more reason to stop off at a rustic hut with regional specialities and Lungau hospitality!"
Mountain bike hut tours in Lungau
Branntweinerhütte - at the Aineck
The terrace of the Branntweinerhütte offers magnificent views over the Mur Valley at an altitude of 1800 metres. It is located above St. Margarethen and is well worth a detour on the Aineck circuit. Info: www.branntweinerhuette.com
Pritz hut - on the Katschberg
Quaint and quiet hut in a valley incision at 1600 metres on the Katschberg, which is a worthwhile rest stop with a cosy terrace along the Gontal route. Info: www.pritzhuette.com
Grangler hut - in the Weißpriachtal
At 1350 metres above sea level, the hut is surrounded by lush alpine meadows on the quietly flowing Longa river. Tip: the homemade black pudding gröstl with roasted onions and Lungauer Eachtling. Cycle to the hut on the Hinterlahn route. All tour descriptions for even more huts: lungau.intermaps.com
Tour tip: Granglitzalm tour
32.45 km ● 3:15 h
1001 hm ● 1001 hm
This particularly scenic tour starts on the market square in Tamsweg and initially leads along the gravel cycle path along the Taurach to Wölting, from where it climbs slightly uphill on the little-used road to the pretty village of Lessach. Here the ascent begins, initially on tarmac, then steadily and moderately steeply on a well-maintained forest path to the Maxenalm. Now things get exciting in terms of riding technique and scenery, as a few bumpy cart tracks with steeper climbs and even steeper descents await you across the alpine pasture area past the Wildbachhütte to the wide alpine pasture area of the Granglitzalm.
Up here, the view to the south is also gigantic, and the Wildbachhütte invites you to chill out in an ideal spot with a large sun terrace. After the Granglitzalm, enchantingly situated but unfortunately without a restaurant, the path is a little bumpy at first, but later well-maintained again down to Hintergöriach and further along the road to Vordergöriach. The route continues along forest and meadow paths via Vorderlasa to Wölting and finally back to the market square in Tamsweg on the approach route. There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments in Tamsweg, but there are also a few inns in the quiet villages along the last few kilometres.
MTB information about the Lungau
The precinct Salzburger Lungau is located in Austria's largest biosphere reserve in the south-east of Salzburgerland. Its character is characterised by the alternating high alpine mountain world of the Tauern in the west and the gentler grass and forest mountains towards Styria in the east. Bikers are offered a wide and varied area with many route options. You can really push yourself in the mountains or enjoy the landscape in a less strenuous way in the valleys. Rustic huts await thirsty and hungry bikers everywhere.
Tour information New from summer 2014: a bike tour linking the valleys and a standardised signposted route network with a length of 500 km. Current tour information at www.lungau.at
Bike events Tour de Mur, 29-31 May, www.tour-de-mur.atLungauer Bikerallye Tamsweg, 15 August, www.tamsweg.info
Bike shops Bikers can find a list of bike shops in the region with sales, service and hire on the page www.lungau.at
E-bike The "highest e-bike region" offers around 100 charging stations and 50 hire stations, which also hire out
also hire out e-mountain bikes. Everything about the extra power at www.lungau.at
LungauCard Clever savings card for many free and discounted holiday experiences in the region. Info: card.lungau.at
Have you already got to know one of these spots? Then let us know about your experiences in the comments box below.
