The World’s Best Mountain Biking in Austria’s Tirol

Tirol is one of the world’s leading mountain biking destinations with something for everyone from the complete novice needing rentals, easy terrain and guidance up to the most proficient downhill biker looking for the world’s best terrain.

There are world class mountain biking events to enjoy too:

Crankworx Innsbruck

From 21-25 June, Innsbruck will host the world renowned Crankworx World Tour in the Austrian Tirol.

Professional riders from across the world will converge at the city’s Mutteralm Park competing in multiple events, from Downhill, Enduro, Slopestyle and Dual Slalom to Pump Track Challenges.

Known as the ‘super bowl of freeride mountain biking’, Crankworx began in Whistler, Canada in 2004 and now attracts the best in the business. The number of spectators is expected to reach 10,000, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of the Austrian Tirol. It’s free to watch.

To meet the high, international standards, the Mutteralm Park has had further improvements this summer including a new rental centre, a new mountain bike shop and a new trail.

Mayrhofen

Other Mountain Biking Events

Besides ‘the big one’ Crankworx, there are lots of events and festivals for mountain bikers around Tirol all through the spring, summer and autumn.

Sölden, for example, which models itself as ‘the Bike Republic’ stages a season opening weekend of mountain biking action from the 15^th to 18^th June with loads of fun festivities and events.  It’s one of many such weekends across the region.

Innsbruck

Lots of Choice

There are dozens of resort villages offering mountain biking to visitors to the Tirol.

The terrain varies from gentle trails through mellow woodland and meadows up to super-steep, high adrenaline downhills.

Some have dedicated bike parks and many offer uplift by chairlift, gondola or cable car if you just want to enjoy the downhill.

There are also bike shops to cover all your needs, local guides, bike hire – everything on hand.

The only difficult bit is choosing which resort to visit first?

Biberwier

Tirol Mountain Bike Safari

One of the best ways to enjoy mountain biking to the max and discover Tirol’s awe-inspiring landscapes at the same time is by doing part or all of the epic mountain bike safari across the region.

This is a long-distance route crisscrossing the Heart of the Alps on 670 kilometres of mountain bike trails. The lift-assisted Mountain Bike Safari has over 32,000 metres of elevation gain; 15,000 metres of which are served by gondolas and chair lifts.

Accommodation is easy to arrange along the route and you can even get your baggage transported independently to your next stop whilst you bike down the mountains on much of the route.

Innsbruck: Mutterer Alm

The Bike Trail Tirol

If 670km isn’t enough for you how about the 1000km ‘Bike Trail Tirol’  Despite the greater length this is a gentler option though with a little less vertical (27,000 metres) and less lift assistance.

Although exactly how hard you go at it – or how gently – is up to you.  As is the question of whether you do just one of the 32 stages in an afternoon or spend a week or two doing the whole thing.

The grand loop tour provides superb and rigorous workouts for even the fittest mountain biker, with courses ranging from the sedate to the insane, with spectacular scenery the only possible distraction from the thrills on offer.

For each of the 32 Bike Trail Tirol stages a comprehensive route description, overview map and GPS data are of course available.

British Airways is offering a new direct service from London Heathrow to Innsbruck Airport, from which most destinations are just minutes away with efficient, short transfers. ba.com/innsbruck