Schienerberg
In the far south-west of the republic, the Schienerberg between Lake Constance and the Swiss border. An elongated mountain ridge, just over 700 metres high and covered in mixed forest, which makes extensive tours possible. Near Bankholzen, ten kilometres south of Radolfzell, there is also a small, lovingly equipped bike park. Its three runs are maintained by club members, who charge a family-friendly 5 euros for a day ticket or 12 euros for the whole week. There is no lift, but you can shuttle to the trail entrance in your own car. However, only the blue descent is really suitable for beginners. Full-face helmets and protectors are compulsory for the other two trails, which are full of obstacles.
- Adventure factor: 5 out of 6 stars
- Claim: 5 out of 6 stars
Bikepark Schienerberg
The bike park is open all year round. Events and riding technique course dates can be found at bikeparkschienerberg.de
Tours: You can find lots of trail tours in the tour portals under the keywords "Hegau" and "Radolfzell".
Otherwise still exciting: Bathing holidays at Lake Constance, the Rhine Falls (Europe's largest waterfall on the Swiss side) and swimming on the Rhine through Basel's old town (approx. 1.5 hours away).
Leutasch in Tyrol
All new at the Katzenkopf: Leutasch, on the south side of the Zugspitze, will celebrate the opening of a new bike park this summer, which is specially designed for families, beginners and children. The chairlift shuttles to the start of three different trails, there will be a large practice area and an 800 metre long uphill trail. The Katzenkopf will also be one of four locations of the Young Guns Bike Union, which offers training courses, holiday programmes and events for young downhillers. In addition, a bike school will organise day courses and holiday camps.
>> Further Tyrol information: The 7 best MTB spots in East Tyrol
- Adventure factor: 4 out of 6 stars
- Claim: 2 out of 6 stars
Rookies Cup: The opening date for the bike park has not yet been set, but the date for the first race has: From 13-15 August 2021, a downhill and pump track challenge for young people will take place at the Katzenkopf. All information: katzenkopf-leutasch.at
ToursKarwendel and Wetterstein massif tower to the right and left of Leutasch - criss-crossed by classic tours that you've always wanted to ride.
Otherwise still exciting: Adventure pool, Zugspitze, royal castle at Schachen or a stroll through Innsbruck. If you dare, try the Nordketten Downhill, Europe's steepest trail descent.
Baiersbronn in the Black Forest
Exploring the mountain forests of a nature park on single trails and setting up a wild camp at night - there's almost no better way to get that Canadian feeling. Surprisingly, this is allowed in the northern Black Forest, in the middle of the land of the two-metre rule. And around Baiersbronn. Here, eleven routes have been signposted for bikers in the surrounding five valleys, with a few trail sections every now and then. The ups and downs take you over viewing platforms, through fern forests and around small forest lakes. Until the track in the GPS device deviates from the main route and leads to the secret camp site. Six of these spots with fire pits and small toilet blocks are hidden in the Baiersbronn forests. Dad can show just how much of a scout he still is.
Further information: MTB tours around Baiersbronn in the Black Forest
- Adventure factor: 5 out of 6 stars
- Claim: 3 out of 6 stars
Forest Camp: For a fee of 10 euros, you will be emailed the track "The last mile" to your secret forest camp and receive the numerical code for the toilet block. www.trekking-schwarzwald.de
Tours: The eleven MTB tours with a total of 450 kilometres of single trails are signposted, but we recommend downloading the Baiersbronn Tour Guide app with all GPS tracks. baiersbronn.de
Otherwise still exciting: Rustic forest inns with excellent (Michelin-starred) cuisine, farms, six outdoor pools, special children's tours.
Villach in Carinthia
Carinthia offers families many a holiday reason: sunny south side of the Alps, mountains, forest and many bathing lakes. But Villach, close to the Slovenian border, is also gearing up when it comes to mountain biking. In the north of the city, the Kumitzberg awaits with practice trails and even a covered pump track for beginners (Areaone), while in the south you can improve your skills on kilometres of flow trails.
Further information: Mountain biking in Carinthia: 2-day tour around Lake Weissensee
Adventure factor: 3 out of 6 stars
Claim: 2 out of 6 stars
Basecamp: Campsites directly on the lake, holiday flats and hotels can be booked around Villach under the "Basecamp" category, which also includes a special service for bikers. All information: lake.bike
Tours: The same applies in Carinthia as throughout Austria: Mountain biking is only officially permitted on designated trails. The Villach region has signposted a further 90 kilometres of trails in addition to the existing trails. visitvillach.at
Otherwise still exciting: The Slovenian cult bike park Kranjska Gora is just half an hour's drive away. Info: bike-park.si
Bad Salzdetfurth in Lower Saxony
Germany's northernmost trail centre is growing and thriving in Bad Salzdetfurth. The small town lies between Hanover and the Harz Mountains, in the middle of the Lower Saxony highlands, where the highest peak reaches almost 340 metres. Trail-building pro Joscha Forstreuter recognised the region's potential and carved a five-kilometre flow trail with slopestyle, pump track and Northshore elements into the forest here two years ago. A logical extension to the already existing bike and outdoor park, a five-hectare training area where regular riding technique courses are also held. The special thing about this park is that kids are also allowed to pick up the shovel and help shape it. Even in the test centre hall, which has just opened in March, where you can hire the latest Propain models (including children's bikes!).
- Adventure factor: 4 out of 6 stars
- Claim: 2 out of 6 stars
Own TV station: The old brick hall, which has now been converted into an indoor test centre, also houses a small film studio for the company's own YouTube channel. The clips contain bike news from the centre as well as riding technique tips.
Tours: The German Cross Country Championships have already been held three times in Bad Salzdetfurth. The best laps are best shown to you by the guides and trainers from Rock my Trail. rockmytrail.com
Otherwise still exciting: Deister and Harz are only 60 kilometres away. The latter has three bike parks with lifts and more challenging descents.
Rhön and Kreuzberg
The Rhön is not exactly one of Germany's largest low mountain ranges, but if you want to cross its ancient volcanic cones lengthwise on the most beautiful mountain bike trails, you will need four days. This will take you through Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia. What's more, the longest trail descents north of the Alps await you here. If you want to get all this under one roof, you either need to know your way around or hire a guide who filters out only the pearls of the Rhön. Like the professionals from Rhöntrail. For example, they offer two-day camps for father and son and/or mother and daughter.
Further information: BIKE Supertrail Kreuzberg in the Rhön
- Adventure factor: 5 out of 6 stars
- Claim: 3 out of 6 stars
Father & son trail camps: Children should not be bored with long gravel transfers. That's why the guides spend two days focussing on the trail highlights of the Rhön. With riding technique exercises for all levels. Price: 139 euros, info: www.rhoentrail.com
Tours: The Trans-Buchonia is getting a fourth tour variant this summer. But if you love trails, choose the 150-kilometre Trans-Rhön from Bad Kissingen. trans-buchonia.com
Otherwise still exciting: Kreuzberg flow trail (total length: 10 km) and the Oberhof bike park, which is also celebrated among professionals.
The best trail parks and trail centres for family holidays
Good flow doesn't need a lift - professionally designed mountain bike trails are worth every uphill effort.
Trailpark Treuchtlingen: Six signposted, natural trail circuits, a practice course and a centre with shop, hire, refreshments and bike school await you in the Altmühltal. Open all year round! heumoederntrails.com
Trailground Brilon: Berms, waves, kickers: the entire Bilstein in the Sauerland is one big trail playground. The longest loop climbs over three peaks and measures 17 kilometres. Plus lots of panoramic views! trailgroundbrilon.de
Trailpark Winterberg: The people of Sauerland are not only good at bike parks: beyond the lifts, a 40-kilometre network of routes has also been signposted. Half of it is pure trail bliss. trailpark-winterberg.de
Trailpark Mehring: East of Trier, DIMB members have conjured up some very fun downhill trails in the Kammerwald forest. You can shuttle to the start in your own car. mtb-club-mehring.de/trailpark
Trailpark Vulkaneifel: You need good riding technique on the 13-hectare Koulshore site in Daun, but on the signposted trail tours around it, it works for everyone. volcano.bike
Trailpark Sasbachwalden: In the northern Black Forest, an active MTB club maintains the Schaeffler MTB Arena with two long trail descents and a pump track. Shuttle bookable! bikesport-sasbachwalden.de
Trail centre Deister: It is a maximum of 405 metres high and 20 km long: the Deister near Hanover. The locals are already allowed to maintain two trails, with more descents to follow. deisterfreun.de
Palatinate Forest Mountain Bike Park: An entire MTB region: 20 tours with up to 25 % trails. Plus bike parks in Trippstadt and Dahn, plus a trail course in Hochspeyer. mountainbikepark-pfaelzerwald.de
St. Corona/Wexl trails: A magic carpet for three-year-olds, shuttle for adults. But it's best to take the uphill trail and then simply head into the panoramic surf trails. wexltrails.at
Czech Republic / Pod Smrkem: One of the oldest and still the best trail centres in Europe is located in Nové Mˇesto pod Smrkem, just under an hour's drive from the German border. A flow mecca! trek-centrum.cz
Tuscany/Massa Vecchia: Tuscany has many a great trail spot, but the Trail-Brothers' curvy wonders lead all the way down to the sea. Even the pros descend in this bike state. massavecchia.it
Scotland/Glentress: Biking uphill without feeling the difference in altitude - you have to experience the Scottish trail centres, one of the most versatile of which is the one in Glentress, Tweed Valley. https://you-well.co.uk/glentress-forest/
Family-friendly bike park classics
Large trail networks, cable cars, World Cup and event weekends - there's always something on offer here.
MTB zone Willingen
The BIKE Festival has been postponed to 24 - 26 September 2021, but the park itself should open at the beginning of April. Now with an authorised enduro trail and family tickets! mtbzone-bikepark.com
Bikepark Winterberg
Up to 1.6 kilometres of downhill runs tickle the Sauerland out of the flanks of the 776-metre-high cap. A total of eleven lines and a kids' course await. bikepark-winterberg.de
Bikepark Geißkopf
Germany's largest and most versatile bike park offers a total of 16 trails, two of which are also suitable for small children. Twice as fast: the new 6-seater chairlift! mtbzone-bikepark.com
Bike parks in the Harz Mountains
Three parks in Braunlage, Hahnenklee and Schulenberg, two downhill trails in Thale and Sankt Andreasberg: a trip to the highest peaks in the north is always worthwhile. harzinfo.de
Oberammergau Bike Park
Two drag lifts, seven downhill runs, a rookie course for the little ones and a bike school with introductory courses. The opening on the piston is planned for the beginning of April. bikepark-oberammergau.de
Bikepark Saalfelden-Leogang
A touch of World Cup spirit wafts over the ten descents here. From 11 - 13 June 2021, you can watch the UCI athletes (DH and CC) work their magic here again. + 5000 square metres of practice area! bikepark.saalfelden-leogang.com
Bikepark Saalbach
Together with Leogang and Fieberbrunn, nine mountain lifts take you to the start of a total of 80 kilometres of trails. Start of the season: 21.5.2021. Info: saalbach.com
Bike Republic Sölden
On one side of the mountain, built flowlines from the foot of the glacier to the valley station, on the other side, nature trails to conquer yourself. The gates open on 11.6.2021. bikerepublic.soelden.com
Bikepark Schladming
More wave pool is almost impossible: professionals love the 99 Jumpline. Feared: the World Cup downhill. Favoured by kids and beginners: the flow trails on the Reiteralm. planai.at
Bike park Klínovec
The trails here are a little more flowy and the bends are simply perfect: The Czechs are masters of trail building, and Klínovec is just over the border in the Ore Mountains. trailpark.cz
Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide
Grand opening ceremony from 2 - 4 July 2021 Then it's time for the family dual slalom, Kids Cup and the Downhill World Cup in September. With adventure trails all around! bikekingdom.ch
Livigno bike parks
The enclave in the main Alpine ridge is not easy to reach, but two parks, unlimited backcountry trails, pizza and duty-free shopping easily make up for it. livigno.eu
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
