INCREDIBLE TWO-WHEELING ADVENTURES IN SAALFELDEN LEOGANG

Friday, 03.05.2024

INCREDIBLE TWO-WHEELING ADVENTURES IN SAALFELDEN LEOGANG

Region receives "UCI Bike Region" label, a new natural trail opens up, and all the action of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

Holidaymakers are guaranteed superb biking in Saalfelden Leogang! After all, the Saalfelden Leogang region has been designated a "UCI Bike Region" since autumn 2023. This is an honour that has only been bestowed on 26 cities and regions worldwide. In addition to being one of the top mountain bike destinations in Europe and part of Austria’s largest bike-region of Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Saalfelden Leogang also offers downhill pros, leisure cyclists, gravel bikers and e-bikers a fantastic overall holiday experience. Explore both short and long routes and trails that wind through the heart of nature. Among them is the AlteSchmeide trail, which first opened last autumn, offering a journey through the unmatched landscapes. The huge range of options is rounded off by the Epic Bikepark Leogang, which promises beginners, experts and pros a wealth of fun riding options.  

 

Saalfelden Leogang is part of Austria’s largest bike-region 
In partnership with Saalbach Hinterglemm and Fieberbrunn, Saalfelden Leogang is part of Austria's largest bike-region, which boasts over 90 kilometres of lines and trails. The trails in the Epic Bikepark Leogang are open daily from 9 May to 3 November. Reaching them is easy thanks to the Asitz- and Steinbergbahn cable cars. The variety-rich network of trails is perfectly suited for beginners, the advanced and professionals. Enthusiasts can tackle the natural singletrails outside the bikepark as early as April.
For gravel bikers, the Saalfelden Leogang region has proven itself to be an absolute experience. There are a variety of gravel tours around Saalbach Hinterglemm, Saalfelden Leogang and Fieberbrunn. Leisure cycling is a more relaxed option. E-bikes can be rented in Saalfelden Leogang, allowing you to explore the region at full power. 

 

"UCI Bike Region": award for Saalfelden Leogang
26 cities and regions around the world have been designated a "UCI Bike Region" or "UCI Bike City.” This includes cities such as Copenhagen, Montreal, Paris, Glasgow and Vancouver, as well as regions such as Flanders, Val di Sole and southern Scotland. As a UCI Bike Region, Saalfelden Leogang has now joined this exclusive club as of autumn 2023. The distinction is awarded by the International Cycling Union to cities and regions that make a special commitment to cycling. Prerequisites for the award include the staging of a major UCI cycling event and the promotion of public cycling with the implementation of appropriate programmes. Aspects such as sustainability, an increase in bike use, expansion of infrastructure, safety and accident reduction as well as bike training for the next generation play an important role in Saalfelden Leogang.

 

The Online Bikebonus
As with the ski pass in winter, the bike ticket prices in Saalfelden Leogang are also dynamic in summer. Secure your day or multi-day ticket early at a lower price with the ONLINE BIKEBONUS. The ticket can be easily downloaded onto your mobile phone and you also get free access to the MTB Setting app. Pass through the turnstile with your mobile phone in your pocket.
 


Sustainable trail building: The AlteSchmiede Trail is an important new component of the trail network
When building new trails in the Saalfelden Leogang region, sustainability was a major priority. This also holds true for the new AlteSchmiede Trail, which opened in autumn and can be enjoyed throughout the summer for the first time this year (from 1 June to 15 October). This natural trail was built entirely without the use of machinery. The start of the new AlteSchmiede Trail is located above the Asitz mountain station. It is easily accessible by cable car or via the forest trail. The new trail adds to the already existing network of singletrack trails. The Knappen-Trail is a natural singletrail, made entirely by hand from materials found in nature. It is characterised by many untouched sections, wooden constructions, so-called North Shores, and lots of playful elements. Don’t miss out on the 2-km Forsthof-Trail, which crosses several streams and leads past high cliffs, as well as the Schwarzleo-Trail, leading through a picturesque mixed forest. The Matzalm-Trail spans 3.5 kilometres and offers hairpin bends, root-covered sections and stretches of rock. 

 

The Epic Bikepark Leogang: ideal for beginners and pros
The Epic Bikepark Leogang: the beating heart of the bike-region. As one of the most renowned parks in Europe, it has been delighting cyclists of all ages for more than 20 years. The bikepark, which is open from 9 May to 3 November 2024, is ideal for beginners, kids and pros alike.  
Rookies can get started in the Riders Playground with its two conveyor belts at the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car valley station, a 30,000 square metre practice area where they can learn the right technique in addition to how to negotiate corners and overcome small obstacles step-by-step. Doing so will prep you for more challenging lines in the bikepark.
More experienced bikers can venture onto the Steinbergline by FOX, a fun flow line featuring great views. Those who are really up for adventure can tackle the World Cup downhill line "Vali's Hölle," named after local downhill heroine Vali Höll. It’s also possible to hone your technique on the tarmac Worldchamps pumptrack. Other highlights include: The GoPro Bagjump landing bag, the "Hot Shots-fired by GoPro" jump line and the Hangman I and II lines.

 

„Keep the Epic Bikepark clean“: environmental awareness and sustainability on the trails 
"That which you take to the mountain, you must also bring back to the valley." The Bikepark Leogang recognises the importance of treating nature with respect, which is why the motto here is "Keep the Epic Bikepark clean." The Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company is extremely committed to the topic of "waste separation." As part of a joint campaign with the bike community, three times each summer all trails are walked and rubbish collected after closing time with the title "Clean the trail day." All participants will receive a cool goodie bag, have a chance to win a Gravity Card for the 2025 season, and will be treated to a proper meal afterwards.  Another waste reduction measure in the mountains is the bikepark’s campaign ‘Roll off, don’t tear off’. Tear-off systems (tear-off films on the goggles) are harmful to the environment and are not permitted. As an incentive, if you buy a ticket in rainy weather, you’ll receive a replacement roll-off system and a 20% voucher at Sport Mitterer for 100% roll-off goggles.

 

Road bike tours in Saalfelden Leogang: Action packed tours to the Grossglockner mountain 
Mountain biking is not the only way to explore Austria's largest bike-region. Road cyclists can also look forward to exciting tours through the countryside with fantastic views guaranteed. There are various challenging routes, from 5.9 to 140 km in length! For example, the Kaiser Tour to the Grossglockner mountain promises real adventure. At an altitude of 3,798 metres it is Austria’s highest mountain. Road cyclists must surmount 80 kilometres and 2,035 metres of elevation gain on this route to reach the Kaiser Franz-Josef-Höhe cul-de-sac and lookout point. Here you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the legendary King of the High Alps. 

 

Recreational e-bike tour: From the village shop to the honey vending machine and the distillery   
In Saalfelden Leogang, numerous routes invite you to make the most of an extended e-bike tour. E-bike batteries can be recharged at countless charging stations in partner hotels, sports shops or even at the mountain huts while bikers take a refreshment stop. Whether for an hour or several hours, leisurely in the valley or action-packed on the trails, there is a suitable tour for everyone.
Culinary e-bike tours are highly recommended: Start at the Asitz valley station in Leogang and return to Leogang via Saalfelden, Breitenbergham and Uttenhofen. Over the course of the two-and-a-half hour journey (around 30 km), there are plenty of regional farm shops that invite you to stop for a treat. At the Leogang village shop, Ziefer's Hofmolkerei dairy, the Stechaubauer organic farm (where fresh organic vegetables are available around the clock from a self-service vending machine), Alfred Bründl's honey vending machine, the Siegfried Herzog distillery, as well as numerous other inviting farm shops. If you need to cool off along the way, simply jump into the Ritzensee lake. 

 

Win at "THE CHALLENGE - Bike your limit"
This challenge has it all: from 6 June to 15 September 2024, it’s time once again for "THE CHALLENGE - Bike your limit." The aim is to traverse the entire area around Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn in a single day. Using the cable cars is permitted, but don't worry, this day-long task demands a lot from participants. Challenging lines and trails await! It's worth the adventure: all participants will be entered into a prize draw for a week's holiday in Austria's largest bike-region, including bike tickets. The Schweinestberg Trail in Fieberbrunn is typically also part of the challenge. This year, however, it is only accessible after an uphill section of around 400 metres, as the Streuböden cable car is being rebuilt. For this reason, successful participation in the Challenge this year is also possible even without the Schweinestberg Trail.

 

Bike school and rental for the perfect day in the saddle 
A trained bike guide will help you hone your riding technique. This service is available from the “Elements” bike school, where mountain bike guides with useful tips and many years of experience are on hand. You can also take part in numerous bike camps. From protective clothing to bikes, the right equipment is available for purchase or rental at the Sport Mitterer and Bikepoint sports shops. 

 

Top bike hotels for a well-organised bike trip 
Here in the most diverse environment in the Alps, there is plenty of bike-friendly accommodation to choose from. Saalfelden Leogang offers guests specialised bike hotels with top service for all aspects of biking. Such services include lockable bike storage rooms, loaner tools or laundry service for dirty cycling clothes. 
Many hotel owners are themselves enthusiastic cyclists that are always ready for advice on interesting routes and many even join guests on tours. The Hotel Bacher, the Hotel Der Löwe - Lebe Frei, the Hotel mama thresl, the Riederalm – Good Life Resort, the Ritzenhof – Hotel and Spa by the lake, the Organic Hotel Rupertus, the Hotel Salzburger Hof, the Hotel Stockinggut, the Hotel Puradies, the Hotel Krallerhof and the Hotel Forsthofgut are ideally suited for a biking stay in the region. 

 

Bike-Events 2024: World Cup and BIKE Festival
Saalfelden Leogang is the place to be if you want to see the pros in action in addition to being on the bike yourself: the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series with the World Cup races in the Downhill, Enduro and E-Enduro disciplines will take place from 7 to 9 June. Racers will be zooming downhill at speeds of up to 65 km/h on the World Cup and World Championship "Speedster" line. It's a real spectacle. Side events, numerous autograph sessions, a large expo area, parties and much more round off the event weekend.
Another highlight for bike fans is the 6th annual BIKE Festival in Saalfelden Leogang, which takes place from 13 to 15 September in the Epic Bikepark Leogang. Over 50 top brands will be exhibiting here in addition to 40 workshops with stars from the bike scene, two kids races, exciting side events and several signing sessions.
For those keen to look further into the future: Saalfelden Leogang will host the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships from 30 August to 3 September 2028.