BY MOUNTAIN BIKE
discover the Glemmtal
We meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Sportchalet Viehhofen. With six enthusiastic cyclists and me, Maaike, Maaike, Viehhofen’s in-house mountain bike guide, after the bike check, we set out on the cycle path along the Saalach in the direction of Saalbach. Two people take an e-bike and the rest sit on a normal mountain bike, also known today as a bio bike. Viehhofen is an ideal starting point for the planned route, since the first part is quite flat, it gives us the opportunity to warm up and get to know each other a bit.
After we have passed the last skill station of the motor skills trail in Saalbach, after about half an hour everyone is warmed up and ready for the ascent. Every day as a mountain bike guide is different as we adapt all routes to the groups. Experienced cyclists who like a challenge join us today. So the choice fell on a bike tour with the necessary altitude difference and a challenging descent over a single trail. Through the center of Saalbach, it first goes up to the Spielberghaus. fun fact: Downhill champion Vali Höll grew up there. At the Spielberghaus she even has her own downhill track for training, the Höllentrail. Good news for us, a nice first descent and a perfect trail to test the group’s skills. Before we start, we will briefly discuss the basic techniques of the descent and I will give you a few tips. The group already has plenty of knowledge, so let’s get started! We are ready for the first adrenaline rush!
It continues up towards the Bernkogel and Wetterkreuzlift. The steep ascent takes us past green meadows, beautiful panoramas and grazing cows to the top. What a great view you have from this border between Tyrol and Salzburg! Saalbach Hinterglemm is on one side and Fieberbrunn on the other. The overwhelming feeling of reaching the top overcomes the participants.
The group’s hard work is rewarded. The reflection of the sun’s rays in the reservoir invites you to take cool group photos. Then it really starts. The start of the easy-going Wetterkreuz trail with flowing lines, diagonally on the slope of the mountain. Not only downhill, but also short steep climbs offer a challenge here. At the end of this natural trail is the Reiteralm, a beautiful mountain restaurant with an impressive view from the sun terrace. Tip for soup lovers: The plantain soup is really irresistible.
After a brief stop, it’s time for the rest of the descent. There are two options, either to follow the easy route down the forest road or the downhill descent. The Pro-Line is not suitable for this group and the bikes we have with us, but the Blue-Line is. Everyone already has some experience in downhill and everyone has proven themselves on the Höllentrail and Wetterkreuztrail. That’s why we take the Blue Line. Big smiles and shouts of joy can be heard on the descent and every biker’s heart laughs. Arriving down in Hinterglemm, we have one last challenge, the bag jump. A ramp with a very large air cushion behind it. Not for everyone, but a few in the group dare. Impressive!
After overcoming the challenges, we have a lot to tell on the way back along the Saalach. Another fantastic mountain bike day.
Would you also like to go on a tour with a mountain bike guide? In the summer season, we, Maaike and Joost from Sportchalet Viehhofen, the bike guides, are out and about with guests every week. The possibilities are endless. Yes, also for you! Experienced or without experience, long or short tours or learning the intricacies of mountain biking with technique training in the “Learn to Ride Park”, everything is possible.
