Whether you are here to enjoy a leisurely bike ride with the family or to, like a professional, drive through various mountain bike parks and down the winding trails, you will find what you are looking for in Austria's varied mountain terrain. Here you can both enjoy the scenery and get a good adrenaline rush on the steep mountain paths.
It is possible to ride cross country or down-hill mountain biking in both Wagrain and Schladming, and the tours can be adapted to level and what you are up for on that particular day. Mountain biking is not just for experienced cyclists - everyone can join in, both adults and children.
Let the family join on a guided tour through the challenging and exciting mountain scenery. The tours are planned and led by qualified guides who knows the terrain very well.
Mountain bike in Wagrain
The area is very popular among families during the ski season, but the mountains Grießenkareck and Grafenberg also has plenty to offer cyclists and the ones seeking an active holiday during the summer season.
In addition to the many and varied mountain bike trails in Wagrain you will also find the bike park Wagrain, which offers that little extra. The park is a playground for beginners and professionals alike, and is easily reached by the Flying Mozart lift.
You do not need to prepare anything from home as everything from protective equipment to the bike can be rented at the bottom of the Flying Mozart. You also have the possibility to book a guide who can show you the best Wagrain has to offer.
Mountain bike in Schladming
Schladming's vibrant landscape offers wild and idyllic experiences that convinces even the most difficult one.
Try to challenge your limits on the steep down-hill trails in the Bike Park. Here you will meet nature's own challenges: jump, narrow passages and steep forest paths. The start is located 1830 meters above sea level on the Planai mountain and you drive all the way to the finish line at the Olympic stadium in the middle of Schladming.
For the more casual mountain-biker there is a family tour that begins halfway up the Planai mountain. Thus avoids the steepest sections and young and old can enjoy the ride effortlessly.
Mountain bike in Zell am See
You can discover the Zell am See-Kaprun region on a bike at your own tempo on the 240 kilometre long cycling trail network. Away from major roads, cyclists can travel along paths with little traffic and enjoy small or long tours such as around Lake Zell (11 km) or on part of the Tauern cycle trail from Zell am See to Kaprun and back again (18 km). The cycling trail network in the region is clear and well-signposted so that a bike is the best transport means for going from the hotel to the lido, into the old town for a coffee or to the TAUERN SPA. Anyone wanting to take things a bit easier can borrow an E-bike. Once the battery has been charged it lasts for around 60 kilometres.
Safety and good tips
Instructor
In both Wagrain and Schladming it is possible to ride down-hill with an instructor. Instructors are booked directly at the destination and introductions are given in English or German. The instructions can be adapted to the level and past experience. Have you cycled down-hill before, you can also choose to rent a bike and other equipment and then ride the bike on your own.
Cable car
To take you and your bike all the way up to the top of the mountain a ticket for the cable car is required, in both Wagrain and Schladming. The mountain bike will be attached to the cable car on the outside and you can relax on the way up before you ride down the hill again.
Helmet and protection
When cycling down-hill on a mountain bike, a "full-face" helmet is used, so you can leave your regular bike helmet at home. This type of helmet can be rented together with all the other safety equipment that you need to wear. Breast, knee and shin protection is the protection that the vast majority of rental locations recommend.
Bike
If you have your own mountain bike you can bring it with you if you want to, otherwise you can rent a bike at the destination. The bikes you can rent on the destination is usually of a very high quality because they, in most cases, gets replaced every summer.
Tips
It is recommended to have bicycle gloves or similar when cycling down-hill.
It is possible to use ordinary sneakers, but experienced cyclists usually use a special shoe with a click system that secures the shoe on the pedal.
We recommend that you dress in loose-fitting clothing, and preferably so that you can take off or on a layer as there can be a big difference in temperature between the valley and the mountain top.
