Do you like biking? Check. Do you like hiking? Check. So why not try a bike & hike tour? Especially in Austria, the combination of cycling and hiking has been a huge trend in recent years, and it's no surprise. The opportunity to combine two hobbies into one and the environmentally friendly aspect of bike & hike is winning over more and more people. In this blog post, we'll not only explain what you should generally consider before your first tour, but also recommend some beautiful bike & hike trails throughout Austria.
What do you need to pay attention to before your first tour?
Of course, the right equipment is essential for getting started in the bike & hike game. For an environmentally friendly journey to your hike by bike, you should first consider choosing the right route and whether it is manageable with your bike. If your starting point for the hike is still on paved terrain, for example, arriving by road bike is no problem, but on many trails a mountain bike is more suitable. If you want to save energy, an e-bike might also be an option for you. In any case, be sure to check beforehand whether you are even allowed to ride certain paths by bike and gradually work your way up to higher levels of difficulty so you don't overtax your body. Austria in particular offers a wide range of bike & hike tours that are ideal for beginners.
In addition to choosing your route and bike, you should also have a bike helmet, the right shoes, clothing for changeable conditions, and enough provisions in your backpack. Another important asset in your gear is the right pair of sports glasses. With us, you'll find the right model for your next tour, and with our easily replaceable lenses, you'll be prepared for any weather change. Generally speaking, it's better to take one thing too many than too few when biking and hiking, as an average tour can easily take the whole day and weather conditions can change quickly. If you're planning a multi-day tour, it's important to book your hut accommodation well in advance and to have enough change of clothes with you. If you keep these points in mind, you'll be ready to go!
Beautiful bike & hike trails in Austria
Where is the best place to start your next adventure? There are, of course, countless options for your next bike & hike tour in Austria, and new routes are always up to your own imagination. However, there are some particularly beautiful routes that we would like to briefly introduce to you. In the Tennengau region of Salzburg, for example, there is a short bike tour from St. Koloman to the Bergalm-Neureithütte. Once you reach the hut, you can leave the bike behind and add a hike to the Regenspitz. With a round trip of just over 20 km (660 meters of elevation gain), and a 400 meters of elevation gain on the hike, this is a good bike & hike tour for beginners. A slightly more challenging route is the bike route from Ledenitzen train station in Carinthia to the Bertahütte (13 km, 560 meters of elevation gain), followed by a hike to the Mittagskogel in the Karawanks (8 km, 1000 meters of elevation gain).
The state of Tyrol in particular offers some great bike and hike tours for every level of difficulty. For example, the route from Fieberbrunn via the Lärchfilzhochalm towards Wildalmen is highly recommended. The bike route is approximately 10 km long and covers just over 750 meters of elevation gain one way, while the further hike from the bike parking area near the cable car up to the high Wildseeloder adds another 600 meters of elevation gain. In the same region, but slightly more challenging, is the bike path from Hopfgarten to the Alpengasthof Rigi, which is 8.4 km one way and has a whopping 910 meters of elevation gain. From there, however, it's only a further 1.5 km and 300 meters of elevation gain to the summit of the Hohe Salve.
Even in Austria's westernmost province, Vorarlberg, you can enjoy the stunning mountain panorama from many places. An example of a difficult bike route starts here in Lech am Arlberg and leads over Lake Formarinsee to the Freiburger Hütte, with almost 500 meters of elevation gain one way. From there, the route continues with more than 400 meters of elevation gain, but a somewhat longer and more challenging route, to the Saladinaspitze. In total, this tour covers around 2,000 meters of elevation gain there and back, which is why it should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers.
Your new favorite hobby?
Have we piqued your interest? We're convinced that in 2025, you'll discover your new favorite hobby: biking and hiking, a hobby that can be enjoyed particularly intensively in Austria. How you choose your route ultimately doesn't really matter. With the right equipment and a healthy self-assessment of your own abilities, nothing stands in the way of your start into the new summer season. Have fun in the Austrian mountains!
Credits: Elias Neier