Best Mountain Biking Resorts in Austria

There’s no two ways about it - Saalbach has MTB terrain to rival the rest of the world. XC and enduro riders are spoilt for choice with around 200km of waymarked trails and you can go way further if you’re handy with a map and compass. Freeriders and downhillers will find plenty to get the adrenaline pumping, with serious downhill runs at the Adidas Freeride Park as well as in the legendary Bikepark Leogang, which is linked by lifts. Our favourite is the 6km long ‘X-line’, which drops 1000m from start to finish!

Looking at the landscape and trail network around Kitzbuhel, we’d forgive you for thinking it’s too good to be true. There’s loads of amazing natural singletrack and if you can’t face the thought of pedalling up all those mountains, a number of gondolas will do the work for you. The Ehrenbach Freeride Trail is a must; a great riverside descent thorough the forest studded with natural jumps and berms.

You won’t find any huge manmade parks in Ischgl but there’s mile upon mile of stunning singletrack to make up for it – and rarely a lift queue in sight. One reason we love this area is the variety - spend the morning riding over high, rocky mountain passes before descending through meadows into a lush forest by lunchtime. To get the best out of the area, hire a guide to show you the cream of the local trails. For a challenge, head towards Samnaun via the summit of Greitspitz.

A regular host of the UCI Downhill World Cup in the 90’s and early noughties, Kaprun’s long been known as a cracking area for mountain biking. Thankfully it’s only improved with age, and there’s a really diverse range of riding options; from hurtling over tabletops at 40mph to spinning through forest glades in total silence. The Maiskogel Mountain is where most of the downhill action is - get to the top by gondola or if you’re feeling really energetic, pedal power! There are loads more XC-oriented trails in the surrounding area for those who prefer a good bit of exercise; these aren’t waymarked so be prepared to go exploring.

Zell shares its trail network with Kaprun, meaning you’ve got access to the brilliant downhill runs on the Maiskogel and a huge range of XC trails. It’s well worth taking the Kitzsteinhorn lift up the glacier, where there are three topnotch freeride trails. Bachler is smooth and flowy, which is perfect to get you warmed up in the morning. Wuestlau is a 7.7km thrill ride with jaw dropping views down the valley and Gleißstein is a twisty, rocky, exposed run right at the top of the mountain that definitely isn’t for the faint of heart! After a day of hardcore riding, there’s nothing like a refreshing dive into the awesome Zeller Lake when you’re back at base...

There are 800km+ of bike trails in the area, including Mayrhofen’s on the leisure and action mountains. You’ll also find a central bike station in the resort, a top place to pick up some tips on where best to ride - or you could hire a guide to take the hassle out of navigation. As well as shedloads of natural trails, there are two amazing manmade downhill runs complete with jumps, berms and scarily steep descents. One of the best is the Hoellenritt, which roughly translates as ‘Ride to Hell’…

Kirchberg hosted the fifth stage of the International Specialized Enduro Series – testament to just how good the biking is here! There’s plenty of lift-assisted singletrack, with routes winding through pine forests and lush green meadows. The trails strike a good balance between natural and manmade and all are kept ship shape in the summer. Definitely put Fleckalm on the ‘to do list’, it drops 1000 vertical metres over 7 kilometres.

Schlad is home to the seriously hardcore Planai bike park; an incredible network of 11 manmade trails, all accessible from the Planai gondola. The park has a dirt jump area, a fun pump track and a brilliantly terrifying Northshore area. The definite highlight is the selection of amazing downhill runs. Flowline is (as the name suggests) a speedy masterpiece and downhill heavyweights like Gee Atherton, Sam Hill and Sam Blenkinsopp have all won UCI stages on the famous World Cup track.

Cross country riders will be in their element in Ellmau, with its mile-upon-mile of tight, twisting natural singletrack and punishing climbs. The journeys down make the climbs worthwhile – it’s not uncommon to descend over 15,000 feet in one day here! It isn’t all hard work, either; there are a number of gondolas for those who prefer their riding lift-assisted and Leogang’s famous downhill bike park is less than an hour’s drive away.

Tucked away in the foothills of the impressive Karwendel mountain range, Seefeld’s not just a pretty face but also has over 500km of bike tracks laced through the area. These range from intense lift-accessed downhills through the forest to spectacular long-distance cross-country crossing open pastures and secluded mountain villages. One of the best rides combines trails 11, 84 and 211, and takes in a punishing climb to the Nordlinger Huette rest stop at 2239 metres, before sending you hurtling back down through the forest towards town.