Flowy descents with technical passages and jumps, challenging uphills, and an extensive mountain-bike infrastructure: Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel in the Zell am See-Kaprun region in Salzburger Land, Austria, offer mountain bikers and e-bikers plenty of action on varied trails and routes – as well as a breathtaking alpine landscape.
Those who prefer downhill riding can take one of the cable cars with free bike transportation to the Alpincenter on the Kitzsteinhorn at 2,450 m or to the Maiskogel at 1,570 m. From there, you can head back down to the valley on different freeride trails. Mountain bikers who like to pedal uphill have several routes to choose from, which they can master with pure muscle power, supported by an electric motor, or combined with panoramic rides in the cable car. In any case, great alpine landscapes with a wide variety of vegetation zones from the valley to the high mountains await in this unique natural area on the border to the Hohe Tauern National Park.
MTB Freeride Trails
3 freeride trails for experienced mountain bikers are open on the Kitzsteinhorn from the middle of June to the middle of September (depending on snow conditions), covering a total of 11.8 km and 2,005 vertical meters from the high alpine terrain down to the valley. Geissstein Trail (3.4 km, 492 vertical meters), Wuestlau Trail (6.5 km, 1,100 vertical meters) and Bachler Trail (2 km, 413 vertical meters) require excellent bike control, very good technical riding skills, and appropriate equipment. Another trail, which is family-friendly, is located at the Maiskogel (3.7 km, 381 m).
Bike routes up to the tree line – and beyond
The bike routes at Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel lead from the fields and meadows in the valley through colorful deciduous forests over flowering pastures and alpine meadows up to the tree line and beyond. The seamless cable car network with free bike transport allows the routes to be combined with relaxed panoramic rides in the cable car. From the difficult Kitzsteinhorn Uphill (24.9 km, 2179 vertical meters uphill), which as of this summer leads all the way to the Gletscherjet 3/4 middle station at 2,617 meters, to the moderately difficult Maiskogel Tour (19.5 km, 880 vertical meters uphill) and 3K K-onnection-Tour (10.4 km, 732 vertical meters uphill), there is something for everyone. E-bikers will find charging stations at the mountain station of the MK Maiskogelbahn and at the Gletschermuehle restaurant on the Kitzsteinhorn at 2,450 meters.
Wash Points & Trail Workshops at Maiskogel
In addition to the free bike transportation in the cable cars, Kaprun is well prepared for mountain bikers in other ways as well. For example, at the Trail Tuesdays every Tuesday from the beginning of July to the beginning of September, professionals introduce interested bikers to effective braking, shifting, and cornering techniques for more safety when riding downhill in open terrain. And at the Kids Bike Day every Monday from the beginning of July to the beginning of September, children from the age of 8 learn the basics of trail riding in a playful way. These workshops are offered for beginners and advanced riders.
Those who want to start their journey home with a clean bike can use the Wash Points at the Langwied valley station, the Stanger station (MK Maiskogelbahn middle station), and the MK Maiskogelbahn valley station.
Further information at kitzsteinhorn.at/en/summer/kitzsteinhorn/mountainbike