The Salzburg’s Lungau, the southernmost region, has everything a biker could desire. The dreamy, largely untouched natural landscape of the UNESCO Biosphere Park, the magnificent mountain world with its numerous alpine pastures and peaks, over 70 managed huts, and 60 remote mountain lakes. Perfect conditions at mostly over 1,000 meters above sea level to experience pure adventure in the saddle. To ensure you stay on track and find your way to where you want to go amidst all these possibilities, the region offers well-marked mountain bike tours everywhere. Following the motto ‘From hut to hut and valley to valley’, there are 18 of them…
GRAVEL BIKING IN SALZBURG’S LUNGAU
Nestled in a breathtakingly beautiful mountain landscape between the Tauern and Katschberg, with numerous mountain lakes, bubbling mountain streams, meadows, and forests, Salzburg’s Lungau offers countless opportunities to pursue the passion for gravel biking in a gentle and harmonious way with nature.
©Andreas Meyer WOM Medien, Ferienregion Lungau
PREBER RUNDE
On the scenic Preber Runde, you’ll cover 1,000 meters in altitude and 38 kilometers on varying terrain. It starts in Tamsweg, where you’ll ride on a cycle path towards Sauerfeld. Climbing up the slope in some switchbacks, always in the shade of mighty firs, you’ll reach the highest point of the gravel tour at the remote Überlingmoos. From there, it’s a downhill roll to the Preberstraße. After nearly 19 kilometers, the Preberhof invites you for a well-deserved break. Energized, you’ll continue to the darkly shimmering Prebersee, where Ludlalm sits on its shore. A piece of Topfenstrudel (quark strudel) gives you renewed strength as you continue on forest roads to Lessach-Oberdorf. At the Ruine Thurnschall, you’ll face one last steep climb before reaching the southern Taurach, where you’ll follow the riverbank back to the starting point.
RIEDING ROUTE
The 32-kilometer-long Gravel Tour takes you into the quiet and remote Rieding Valley. Starting from Zederhaus, the Rieding Route follows a paved side road that leads you parallel to the Zederhausbach stream and the Tauern motorway, heading northwest. After seven kilometers, you’ll reach the Rieding toll station, which cyclists can pass through for free.
©Andreas Meyer WOM Medien, Ferienregion Lungau
Continuing on to the crystal-clear Schlierersee, which blends beautifully into the landscape. At the lakeshore, you can stop at the Schliereralm. Now, on gravel, you’ll follow along the rushing stream meandering through the wide valley. The quaint Örgenhiasalm, the destination of your tour, will treat you to a hearty snack board and fresh buttermilk.
SCHÖNFELD ROUTE 18
The Schönfeld Route gravel tour starts in St. Margarethen and heads east towards Thomatal, following picturesque asphalt and gravel roads. Passing through idyllic villages like Pichlern and Gruben, along the Kunsthof Thomatal, the route winds its way up the Höllweg to the Dr. Josef-Mehrl-Hütte in Schönfeld. This tour is ideal for gravel bikers seeking a combination of challenging climbs and breathtaking landscapes.
Details: 9 km, 800 meters elevation gain, approximately 2 hours
THE VOLKSWAGEN R GRAVEL BIKE EXPERIENCE 2024
In this gravel competition from May 8th to May 12th, spanning three days from Fuschl am See to Weißensee in Carinthia across the Alps. One of the race’s stage destinations, where small groups cover either 253 kilometers and 5,960 meters of elevation gain (Classic) or 236 kilometers and 5,020 meters of elevation gain, will once again be in St. Michael im Salzburger Lungau.
©Salzburger Lungau
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE – ON 18 MTB ROUTES THROUGH THE REGION
Variety is key in Salzburg’s Lungau, including its biking offerings. With 18 routes designed and well-signposted, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re seeking a challenging adventure or a leisurely ride. The routes are spread throughout Salzburger Lungau and start from numerous villages in the region.
GONTAL ROUTE UP THE KATSCHBERG
This route is particularly suitable for sporty riders who still want to enjoy the journey. Starting at the Murinsel in St. Michael, after a climb that offers plenty of sporting appeal, the reward at the destination is not only a magnificent view but also Lungau delicacies in a traditional hut. The route is also suitable for e-bikers. A proud fleet of e-bikes and around 100 battery charging stations are available throughout Salzburger Lungau. The route is approximately 35 kilometers long, with the lowest point at 1,050 meters and the destination at 1,830 meters.
THE LUNGAU EXTREM RUNDE
With a length of 166.8 kilometers, a lowest point at 1,019 meters, and the highest at 1,855 meters, the sum of all climbs totals 6,060 meters. Just looking at the raw numbers sends shivers down the spine of bike enthusiasts, evoking pure excitement and a touch of respect. The four-day Lungau Extreme Round is not for the faint-hearted or untrained beginners and represents one of the biggest challenges in biking in the Salzburg region. However, those who dare to embark on this adventure will experience unforgettable impressions that they won’t soon forget. Since there are no carry passages, the tour is also suitable for e-mountain bikers.
DAY 1 – TAMSWEG TO GÖRIACH
The first day is demanding. Initially, the route follows the road from Tamsweg to Zechner am Schloßberg before turning left and ascending through switchbacks. Passing by the Prebersee, famous for the Preberschießen event known beyond the country’s borders, the route descends back to the valley in Lessach. There, the next ascent awaits. After one more descent into the valley, the first stage concludes in Göriach. In total, riders cover 40.6 kilometers and 1,652 meters of elevation gain on this day.
DAY 2 – GÖRIACH TO ST. MICHAEL
The second stage takes riders from Göriach to St. Michael, offering challenging terrain with 48.4 kilometers and 1,760 meters of elevation gain. After two demanding climbs, cyclists reach Fanning, where they tackle the Faningberg. From there, the route descends back to the valley in Mauterndorf. Passing through the Großeck-Speiereck ski area, cyclists finally reach the day’s destination, St. Michael.
©Salzburger Lungau
DAY 3 – ST. MICHAEL UP THE KATSCHBERG AND BACK TO ST. MICHAEL
Anyone who has ever taken the ski lifts from St. Michael up to Katschberg knows just how far it is to ascend. And it’s precisely this ascent that the third stage of the Lungau Extrem has in store for the still motivated bikers. On this day, riders must cover 36.1 kilometers and climb 1,290 meters in elevation before reaching the destination of St. Michael once again.
DAY 4 – ST. MICHAEL TO TAMSWEG
Last but not least, on the final day of the adventure, riders cover 41.7 kilometers from St. Michael back to Tamsweg. However, in between, there are still 1,358 meters of elevation gain to conquer before earning the title of Lungau EXTREM conqueror.
BIKE REGION SALZBURGER LUNGAU
With its diverse offerings, the Salzburger Lungau is one of the top bike regions in Salzburg. All routes are uniformly signposted and summarized in a new mountain bike map. A special color system facilitates orientation on the map, available at all tourism associations and in the Salzburger Lungau holiday region. As Austria’s highest e-bike region, the Salzburger Lungau not only offers plenty of rental e-bikes but also boasts a comprehensive network of charging stations. The highest of these is located at 2,066 meters above sea level on the Speiereck.
Our Tip: The Tour de Mur and the Murradweg
It doesn’t always have to be about climbing up high. Following this notion, in the Salzburger Lungau, you can also stay in the valley and enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the Murtalradweg, which begins in the National Park community of Muhr. Every year, the now legendary Tour de Mur takes place along this route, starting from St. Michael, passing through Styria, and reaching the Slovenian border in Bad Radkersburg. Participants report that this cycling journey offers both athletic challenges and social enjoyment. In 2024, the event will take place from May 30th to June 1st.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS IN 2024
Aufi muas i‘ (Up I must go) in Mauterndorf: June 30, 2024
Lungauer Bikerallye in Tamsweg: August 15, 2024