Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (Austria)
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The bike park where the downhill stars of tomorrow are made. This is probably also due to the fact that Austria's fair-weather region of Serfaus offers plenty of racing action for the next generation. For example in August, when the Rookies Cup takes place again during a small bike festival with test bikes for the whole family. The fastest youngsters from all over the world compete against each other here.
If you want to join the racers in training and learn a thing or two about riding technique, sign up for the Propain Rookie Camp in the week before the race. Of course, parents only get in the way. It's better to use the child-free time on the park's more relaxed trail descents or go on one of the large signposted enduro tours without using the lifts.
Events:
- Specialised Rockshox Rookies Cup, 19-20 August, www.rookiescup.bike
- MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, 19-21 August; Propain Rookie Camp (11-18 years), 15-21 August, price incl. lift tickets, meals and coaching 689 euros, www.bike-sfl.at
Tours:
All permitted tours outside the bike park are signposted. The route planner is available in the bike hotels and at www.bike-sfl.at
Info:
The Mountain bike spot guide Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis can be found here on our website.
Harz Mountains (Germany)
⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜ Adventure factor
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Northern Germany's highest mountain range (1142 m) is 110 kilometres long and 40 kilometres wide. Before reunification, it was divided into East and West, today it is divided into three federal states. Witches still meet in the Harz for Walpurgis Night, and bikers can now enjoy five very different bike parks - the Harz is one big adventure playground.
The best spots can even be combined into a multi-day route. For example, from bike park to bike park or along the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg. There are plenty of connecting trails. This way, you can give your offspring a full-blown trans-Harz tour without them even realising it because they are so excited about the next bike park. www.harzinfo.de
The 5 bike parks in the Harz Mountains:
- Bikepark Hahnenklee on the Bocksberg near Goslar; www.bikepark-hahnenklee.de
- Bikepark Braunlage with 6 trails; www.bikepark-braunlage.de
- Racepark Schulenberg; www.outdoorwerkstatt.eu/racepark-schulenberg
- MSB-X-Trail in St. Andreasberg; www.alberti-lift.de
- Bikepark Bodetal (Rosstrappen downhill); www.bikepark-bodetal.de
Tours:
From the crossing to the area guide - GPS data for the best trail tours in the Harz Mountains can be downloaded here.
Saalfelden Leogang (Austria)
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Just like its own offspring, Austria's largest bike region is also growing out of its infancy. Seven lifts now connect the trail networks of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn bike parks (new: the Schweinestberg trail).
Will it still be possible to ride all the trails in the region in one day with their help? The region is once again organising this challenge this summer. A good test, by the way, to see whether you can still keep up with your offspring in terms of fitness and downhill ability. Those who succeed will be entered into a grand prize draw. www.saalbach.com
Events:
- UCI Double World Cup: The World Cup will once again be held at the Bikepark Saalfelden-Leogang this year. Experience the fastest downhill and cross-country racers up close! Date: 10-12 June
- BIKE Festival: test the brand new 2023 bikes, learn riding technique from the pros and register for the race yourself. Date: 16-18 September. www.bike-festival.de and www.saalfelden-leogang.com
Info:
You can find the detailed trail check Saalfelden Leogang on www.bike-magazin.de/freeride
Carinthia (Austria)
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Gentle, green mountains, up to 15 kilometres of flow trails and plenty of swimming lakes - it is unlikely that rainy weather will put a spanner in the works of these holiday plans in Austria's southernmost province. Carinthia is located on the southern side of the main Alpine ridge, which statistically means it has significantly more sunny days.
The Nockberge mountains offer the most exciting trail network, the clearest bathing water probably the Weissensee. However, the long flow country trails in Bad Kleinkirchheim and on the Petzen are definitely the most fun for the whole family. www.sommerbergbahnen-kaernten.at
MTB-Zone Bikepark Petzen:
Trail builder Diddie Schneider has long since added a few rougher branches to his long flow trail. 20 per cent family discount on rental bikes on Tuesdays! www.mtbzone-bikepark.com
Info:
Paganella (Italy)
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A bike park couldn't be more spectacular: Between the crystal-clear Lake Molveno and the steep Brenta Towers, the trails wind their way down into the valley in three different zones. You can choose between playful flow trails, challenging downhills with views as far as Lake Garda and varied connecting lines in the forest. In Molveno itself, there are nice restaurants and bars, wide sunbathing lawns with playgrounds on the lakeshore and plenty of children's programmes for the little ones. www.dolomitipaganellabike.com
Tours:
The total of nine long trail descents can also be combined into epic day rides. The cable cars in the Andalo, Molveno and Fai zones have different seasons. They are all open from 21 May.
Event:
At the BIKE Women Camp, only the daughters get their money's worth. Date 23-26 June; price: 389 euros; www.bike-women.de
Info:
Scotland (Great Britain)
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Admittedly, Scotland is a long journey, and much of it involves driving on the left-hand side of the road if you are travelling in your own car. But once your children have experienced these sensationally well-maintained trail centres, they will certainly never give up biking again. And that's despite the fact that not even lifts help here.
The Scottish trails are draped in the hills in such a way that their flow also works uphill. Sounds magical, and it is. Then there's the beautiful Nordic landscape and the warmth of the bed & breakfast hosts. www.forestryandland.gov.scot
The best trail centres:
The famous 7-Stanes centres are located in the south of the country. In fact, almost every second village now has its own MTB trail loop. A road trip through the whole country is therefore the right way to go. Our favourites are:
- Glentress
- Innerleithen
- Ae
- Mabie
- Fort William (with lift)
Bikepark Wagrain (Austria)
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Wagrain in Salzburger Land has new attractions: firstly, of course, the new 10-seater Flying Mozart gondola, which floats up to the bike park entrances, and the newly opened Hofgut Apartment and Lifestyle Resort family hotel. Here, two youth hotels have used the last low-booking corona year for a major renovation.
Both buildings are now connected underground and offer flats, pools, sauna, fitness room, football pitch, large children's playgrounds and a restaurant. So there's plenty of programme for when the weather doesn't play ball. Package deals for flats in various categories, also for large families with and without half board. www.hofgut.com
Bikepark Wagrain:
With the new lift, the bike park also reopens after a year's break. The two main descents have also been given a new coat of paint. www.wagrain-kleinarl.at
Wexl-Trails (Austria)
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City holiday with children? You could probably throw that money straight into the Danube. But here's a compromise that will make the whole family happy: the Wexl trails in St. Corona am Hochwechsel (1743 m) are just an hour's drive from Vienna and Graz. A large trail park, a mini-bike park with a magic carpet lift, an uphill trail, a bike school and panoramic tours above the Kampsteiner Hütte await here. After so much fun on the bends, perhaps the kids can be persuaded to spend a day in Vienna. Otherwise, simply enjoy your day off alone in the stylish coffee house.
Wexl trails:
The trails are among the best of their kind in Austria (30,000 visitors!) and now also have a T-bar lift. Ticket prices: www.wexltrails.at
Accommodation:
Holiday flats on an organic farm with direct access to the trail! www.ofnerhof.at
Info:
Detailed information on the You can find Wexl trails here on the BIKE website.
Bressanone (Italy)
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The cobblestones of Bressanone's old town centre date back to the Middle Ages, while the bike park trails on the Plose were built in 2018. Both have a magnetic attraction for tourists. However, the spectacular thing about the Plose can only be seen when you step out of the gondola at an altitude of 2562 metres, circle the treeless summit and gaze speechlessly at the Dolomite teeth of the Geisler peaks.
You can then choose between four different downhill variants. Three of them have been created by trail builders from Whistler towards the south (very easy to challenging), while one winds its way down the northern flank of the mountain for a total of five kilometres and 900 metres of natural descent - with a happy ending in a Brixen ice cream parlour. But the Plose cable car is also happy to help you save metres in altitude. The panorama is simply tempting for day-long tours. www.plose.org
Tours:
Accommodation:
Brixen offers all categories and a campsite near the old town centre! www.loewenhof.it
Slettestrand (Denmark)
⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜ Adventure factor
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Young children in particular are not fans of hour-long climbs or monotonous gravel tracks in the forest. Short climbs, on the other hand, on intricately designed trails, keep their play instinct happy. The child-rich trail builders in the Danish coastal town of Slettestrand can tell you a thing or two about this. Although the ground here is often sandy, it doesn't hurt if you do fall in a tricky downhill section. But the best thing for children is that the white beach is always within sight!
The precinct:
Slettestrand is located in Jammer Bay to the west of Aalborg (near the Klitmöller surfing area). Enduro racing enthusiasts run a holiday centre here, around which they have created a huge, signposted trail network. They organise tours, riding technique training, picnics and campfires on the beach. www.mtbslettestrand.dk
Info:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
