Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See, 18 June 2026 – From local trails to full-on bike destination: in just 10 years, lake.bike has grown to 2 trail centers, 45 trails, pump tracks, rider-friendly infrastructure, and a community that keeps expanding year after year. To mark the occasion, lake.bike is throwing a four-day anniversary celebration at Lake Faak from 2-5 July 2026. On the agenda: a new trail, freestyle shows by the Ruso Bros, a photo session, a ride-out with Nina Gutenthaler, skills clinics with local bike guides, a pump track challenge, and plenty of good times on two wheels – for riders of all ages and levels.
A Long Weekend Worth Celebrating
For its 10th birthday, lake.bike is stretching the weekend into a four-day celebration from 2-5 July – open to mountain bikers, families, and anyone who loves being on a bike. The central hub for celebrations and shows off the trails is the Bauernmarkt grounds in Faak am See. On Thursday evening at 8 p.m., alongside the local farmers’ market, the anniversary kicks off with the premiere of the documentary film “10 Years of lake.bike” as the highlight of opening night.
As a special thank-you to the community, lake.bike is offering 10 hours of free trail access on Sunday to everyone with a lake.bike anniversary voucher – available Thursday and Friday at the lake.bike info booth and on Sunday at the pump track Drobollach.
New Trail, Demo Bikes, Ride-Outs and Freestyle Shows on Friday
Friday’s lineup has something for everyone. Riders can join MTB pros Daniel and Elias Ruso for a ride-out at the Trailcenter Faaker See, while demo bikes from Focus, Yeti, Rocky Mountain and Mondraker – courtesy of local shops Lakeside Bike and BikeRR – are available to test at the Bauernmarkt grounds. At 6:30 p.m., content creator Nina Gutenthaler hosts a meet & greet.
The big news of the summer 2026: the Kathi Truppe Trail is joining the trail center. At 6:00 p.m., a press reception takes place for the trail named after local slalom specialist and Olympic athlete Kathi Truppe. The new trail fills a gap in the Trailcenter Faaker See, connecting the Baumgartnerhof with the valley. Beyond that, the day features a full schedule of ride-outs, workshops, and clinics for all skill levels. The Ruso Bros bring the action off the trails with two freestyle shows – at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – at the event grounds in Faak am See.
Trails, Demo Bikes, Pasta Party and a Photo Session on Saturday
Saturday is all about the bikes. A packed program of guided ride-outs and skills clinics – including a ride-out with content creator Nina Gutenthaler – caters to every level, from beginners to advanced riders. Demo bikes from Lakeside Bike are available all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Baumgartnerhof test center. The standout event of the day: the photo session at the Jumpgartner Trail, organized by Austrian LINES Magazine together with lake.bike shaper and Austrian freerider Philipp Mischkulnig. Starting at noon, LINES photographer Clemens König will be on-site to take pictures of anyone who likes to send it – with the best shots standing the chance of being published in LINES Magazine.
From 1:00 p.m., the nearby Baumgartnerhof is the spot to refuel: a pasta party in collaboration with Finkensteiner Nudelfabrik and Villacher Bier is the perfect opportunity to regain some energy before the afternoon rides kick back off. The place to be in the evening is the free community get-together at Camping Anderwald right on the lakeshore. Starting at 6.pm. riders can wrap up the day with cold drinks in good company.
Free Trail Access and Pump Track Challenge on Sunday
Sunday closes out the weekend with the Pump Track Challenge at pump track Drobollach – open to participants aged 4 to 99, competing across four age categories. It’s a family-friendly finale that’s as entertaining to watch as it is to ride.
Guided ride-outs round out the day for riders of all disciplines and skill levels, with separate groups for advanced mountain bikers, gravel and road riders, as well as leisure cyclists. Anniversary vouchers for the 10 free trail hours are also available on-site at the pump track. For more information on the 10th anniversary celebration, visit lake.bike.
Good to Know
- Registration required for ride-outs and the Pump Track Challenge via the sign-up form.
- MTB Season:
Trailcenter Faaker See: 1 April – 15 November
Trailcenter Ossiacher See: 1 May 1 – 31 October - Trail tickets: day, 4-day, 7-day, and season passes available. Children under 6 ride free.
- Current trail conditions and upcoming events are updated daily on the website and via Instagram.
About Lake Bike
The Lake Bike region in Carinthia, Austria, surrounding the city of Villach and the lakes Faaker See and Ossiacher See, is one of the most versatile biking destinations in the southern Alps. It offers 45 diverse mountain bike trails in two trail centers, additional skill parks, pump tracks, and numerous touring trails. Surrounded by lakes and mountains, the region combines active recreation with unique landscapes, offering attractions for both families with children and experienced bikers. RIDE THE SOUTH OF THE ALPS!