The bike and holiday region Saalfelden Leogang, Salzburger Land, Austria, has plenty in store: Demanding freeride trails, long bike tours with or without your family, a relaxed e-bike tour or adrenaline-pumping downhill action in Bikepark Leogang –everybody will get his or her money’s worth in Saalfelden Leogang.
Versatile Routes and Expert Service
No matter if you prefer short and easy or long and difficult tours, tricky single and flow trails or the adrenaline-fuelled downhill runs – the bike region Saalfelden Leogang is perfect for advanced cyclists as well as for beginners. The Pinzgau region offers 720 kilometers of mountain bike trails for all skill levels and 480 kilometers of valley cycling paths – simply a paradise for bikers.
Marco Pointner, CEO of the Saalfelden Leogang Tourism Bureau:
As a multi-faceted cycling region, we’re eager to inspire not only the professional biker, but also the beginner to explore the area on two wheels.
The bike guides from the Elements Outdoor Sports bike school are happy to assist cyclists with their planning, and strive to make every trip an unforgettable experience. In the various bike hotels, cyclists can feel right at home after a strenuous tour: there, the staff addresses their needs on an individual basis – even the hotel directors themselves serve part time as bike guides and are ready and willing to help their guests plan their tour (Bike Hotels: Hotel Ritzenhof, Hotel Mama Thresl, Hotel Bacher, Hotel Salzburgerhof, Hotel Riederalm, Hotel Puradies, Hotel Rupertus). Shops like Sport Mitterer and Sport 2000 Simon provide guests with the right equipment for a perfect two-wheel holiday.
Hot Spot for World Bike Champions
Whether downhiller, freerider or Dirt Jumper – everyone who’sinto biking should visit Europe’s largest and most prestigious bike park in Saalfelden Leogang. The Pinzgau bike hot spot also serves as the venue for the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup – the only Mountain Bike World Cup in Austria. The bike park hosted the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (the biggest mountain bike event in the world) in 2012. By the way: the countdown is on, because Saalfelden Leogang will welcome the World Championships in 2020 once again. So after a break of eight years,the downhill medal-winners will be crowned again in the Pinzgau region.
A Variety of Trails for Professionals and Beginners
“HOT SHOTS” is the name of the 3.5 kilometers longflow trail, which leads from the top station to the middle station of the local mountain, the Asitz. Following the latest trends, this trail has been adapted to the needs of GoPro users: the two-meter-wide trail not only passes through the forest and stunning natural scenery, but also provides for easier stretches of tables, waves and feeder jumps, making action-packed GoPro videos possible.
Since the beginning of June, the new 1.5 kilometers long single trail “Matzalm-Trail” is available. The beautiful trail with rooty sections and several narrow turns leads past the Matzalm and Embachalm and guarantees a stunning view.
For those who are looking to test their skills, the BIG-5 Challenge is just the thing: on an XXL-tour that connects a total of five ski lifts and the five mountains surrounding Leogang and Saalbach Hinterglemm, biking enthusiasts can find the ultimate fulfilment – and can blow off all the steam they want.
The bike mekka Saalfelden Leogang also has easy and challenging routes in store for passionate road cyclists: be it Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, on the Kaiser Tour; or, if you prefer, you can opt for the leisurely Steinberg Tour at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the Lofer and Leogang Mountains.
Fun for Beginners
But of course, Saalfelden Leogang has a thing or two up its sleeve for beginners, as well: In the 10,000 square meter Riders Playground, beginners can push themselves to their personal limits. A total of eight wooden and fifteen dirt features – none higher than 50 centimeters – provide a convenient obstacle course for those who still want to practice a bit before taking on Bike Park. In addition, beginners – young and old alike – have the opportunity to try outthe various aspects of the sport – and develop a passion for it – on the pump track and the practice trail. It’s also possible to capture daredevil bike stunts on video with a GoPro on the GoPro Bag Jump. A large airbag cushions the long downward jump, but offers enough resistance to continue the ride. In the new GoPro Lounge at the Asitz base station, hikers and bikers can also inform themselves about the newest GoPro offers while relaxing after a strenuous ride.
Biking Fun That Electrifies
Saalfelden Leogang is part of the largest e-bike region in the world, and is the ideal place for long bike rides for every age group. You can cover a distance of 70 kilometers with one battery. The battery can be recharged or replaced anytime at nearby gas stations, partner hotels, sporting goods stores or mountain chalets, while you take a break. E-biking is the perfect alternative for those who still need to work on their endurance, but don’t want to miss those bike rides.
Hotel reservations:
Saalfelden Leogang Touristik
Tel. + 43 (0)6582 70 660 / Fax + 43 (0)6582 70 660 99
info@saalfelden-leogang.at / www.saalfelden-leogang.com
Bikepark Leogang – the trails:
HOT SHOTS – fired by GoPro
The approx. 3.5 km long flow-trail leads from the Asitz top station down to the middle station. With its manifold nature it is fun for all levels of ability and also designed for the camera action with your GoPro. It is about 2 meters wide and snakes its way over an idyllic course through the forest. With easy tables, waves and jetties the Hot Shots trail offers the perfect setting for simple stunts and great shots to capture.
- Height difference: 396m
- Length: 3,5km
- Track width: 2m
Hangman I (Singletrail)
This single trail extends from the summit all the way to the valley station. The upper part of the Hangman is technically challenging: narrow trails wind through the forest, underneath the lift and down the hillside. The forest section is spiced up with root sections and North Shore elements.
- Height difference: 458m
- Length: 2,5km
- Track width: 1-3m
Hangman II(Singletrail)
The lower part of the Hangman Trail stretches from the eastside of the middle station to the bottom station. This is a nice, easy going, trail where you can test your skills before you try the freeride or downhill track. The wide trail offers loads of berms and flowy cornersand is ideal for beginners, while still guaranteeing fun for more experienced riders.
- Height difference: 430m
- Length: 3,25km
- Track width: 1-3m
- Average descent: 13,2%
Flow Master (Dirt Jump Park)
The park consists of nine big jumps and two berms. The dirt line, known from the 26TRIX contest, is located right above the valley station and has the perfect slope to guarantee speed and flow for the big doubles. Three additional, smaller sized doubles can be found at the lower section of the dirt line too.
Flying Gangster (Freeride)
2.5km of pure adrenaline! Experience the fantastic flow of Bikepark Leogang’s freeride trail. Whether you are a seasoned biker or beginner, our gravel trails, packed with numerous step ups andstep downs, sharp curves, moguls, tables and tunnels guarantee the ultimate freeride feeling.
- Height difference: 458m
- Length: 2.5km
- Track width: 0,5-3m
- Average descent: 17,9%
Speedster (Downhill)
The most challenging course in Bikepark Leogang! A 2.3km long downhill trail consisting of a combination of steep slopes, tight turns, root sections and high speed passages. This is a track, which takes everything out of the elite downhill riders and is therefore a permanent part of the iXS European Downhill Cup and the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup. In 2012, the Speedster was the perfect stage for a thrilling showdown of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup between Steve Smith and Gee Atherton. A downhill track suiting the demands of experienced riders.
- Height difference: 480m
- Length: 2,3km
- Track width: 1-2,5m
- Average descent: 20,7%
Bongo Bongo (Freeride)
This trail for experienced riders branches off about halfway down the Flying Gangster. It runs almost entirely through the forest and includes North Shore elements, berms and drops. A trail made for experienced riders looking for flow.
- Height difference: 458m
- Length: 2,5km
- Track width: 0,5-3m
- Average descent: 17,9%
Broken Heart Trail (North Shore)
The Broken Heart Trail runs parallel to the Bongo Bongo and is a pure North Shore line with balance beam, drops, step-ups and berms. For experts only!
Lumberjack Trail (North Shore Park)
The North Shore Park is located just above the bottom station and was completely reshaped in 2012. A huge wallride as well as a bunch of North Shore ladders, logs and a variety of different sized drops are positioned between the Four-cross and Flow Master track. Lumberjack-Line/Dropline: 350m, 8 Drops (1-4,5m), 2 Step Downs & 5m Wallride.
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More information: bikepark-leogang.com saalfelden-leogang.com
Photos: Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH / Klemens König