Mountain biking and e-biking to mountain huts
Leisurely cycling in Grossarltal
Ride up to a mountain hut by mountain bike or e-bike, enjoy the mountain scenery along the way and stop for refreshments at your destination: in Grossarltal, numerous bike tours combine exercise in the mountains with an enjoyable mountain hut experience.
With 40 serviced mountain huts, around 160 kilometres of signposted mountain bike trails and approximately 14,000 metres of elevation gain in total, Grossarltal is a varied destination for both leisurely and more challenging bike tours.
Shorter climbs with less elevation gain are available, as are longer routes for a more demanding day on the bike. The key is to choose a route, elevation profile, surface and riding time that suit your personal ability. This applies to both mountain bikers and e-bikers.
By mountain bike or e-bike to a mountain hut
The mountain bike and e-bike routes in Grossarltal mainly follow forest roads and access tracks. The first section often runs on tarmac before the route continues on gravel. Only signposted and officially approved bike routes may be used. This applies to both mountain bikes and e-bikes.
An e-bike reduces the physical effort required on climbs, but it does not change the nature of the route. Gravel, steeper sections, bends and descents still require concentration and confident bike-handling skills. It is therefore not only important to choose the right bike, but above all to select a suitable route.
Before setting off, the following points should be considered:
- Length and elevation gain of the tour
- Estimated riding time
- Surface and gradient
- Required fitness and technical riding ability
- Battery range for e-bike tours
- Weather and current trail conditions
- Opening times of the chosen mountain hut
The following e-bike tours are available in Grossarltal:
- Heugathalm
- Gerstreitalm
- Bachalm
- Harbachalm
- Reitalm
- Hubalm
- Hirschgrubenalm
- Breitenebenalm
- Aualm
- Glettenalm
- Bichlalm
- Filzmoosalm
- Berggasthof Loosbühelalm
- Saukaralm
- Grosswildalm
- Maurachalm
- Mooslehenalm - Viehhausalm - Niggeltalalm
- Aigenalm-Paulhütte - Aigenalm-Mandlhütte
- Kreealm-Kreehütte - Kreealm-Bichlhütte
- Unterwandalm - Karseggalm
- Großarler Almenrunde (Saukaralm - Großwildalm - Karseggalm - Unterwandalm - Maurachalm)
- Bikeschaukel Grossarltal-Dorfgastein
These mountain huts in Grossarltal can be reached by bike:
- Heugathalm
- Gerstreitalm
- Bachalm
- Harbachalm
- Reitalm
- Hubalm
- Hirschgrubenalm
- Breitenebenalm
- Aualm
- Glettenalm
- Bichlalm
- Filzmoosalm
- Berggasthof Loosbühelalm
- Saukaralm
- Grosswildalm
- Maurachalm
- Mooslehenalm - Viehhausalm - Niggeltalalm
- Aigenalm-Paulhütte - Aigenalm-Mandlhütte
- Kreealm-Kreehütte - Kreealm-Bichlhütte
- Unterwandalm - Karseggalm
- Großarler Almenrunde (Saukaralm - Großwildalm - Karseggalm - Unterwandalm - Maurachalm)
There are three providers offering mountain bike and e-bike hire and servicing in Grossarltal:
Further information about bike hire and servicing can be found here.
No, there are no public charging stations for e-bikes in Grossarltal. Batteries can be charged at your accommodation, for example. With modern e-bikes, the tours to the mountain huts can be completed without recharging along the way.
The following routes are particularly suitable for leisurely bike tours in Grossarltal:
These tours tend to be shorter and involve less elevation gain. However, they still follow gravel tracks and include climbs and descents.
Which tour is right for me?
The bike tours differ mainly in terms of distance, elevation gain, riding time and surface. Dividing them into shorter and longer tours provides an initial guide, but does not replace an honest assessment of your own fitness and technical riding ability.
Leisurely tours
Shorter routes and less elevation gain leave more time for breaks, enjoying the scenery and a relaxed stop at a mountain hut. However, these tours are not necessarily easy. Anyone looking for a more relaxed ride should allow plenty of time, choose a comfortable pace and check the full route profile beforehand.
Leisurely bike tours to mountain huts:
Tours to several mountain huts
Selected routes allow you to combine several mountain hut destinations. Some of these tours are a little longer and require more stamina, but offer several opportunities for an enjoyable break along the way.
Bike tours to several mountain huts:
Tours with longer climbs
Tours involving around 750 to more than 1,000 metres of elevation gain require good stamina and careful planning. An e-bike can make these routes less physically demanding, but they remain challenging in terms of distance, surface and descent.
Bike tours with longer climbs:
Leisurely cycling in Grossarltal
Leisurely cycling is not about speed or covering as much elevation gain as possible. The scenery, breaks and a stop at a mountain hut are just as much a part of the day as the climb itself.
On a mountain bike, you complete the climb under your own power. An e-bike provides assistance when riding uphill and makes it easier to adapt the level of exertion to your personal fitness. Both options use the same officially approved bike routes.
For an enjoyable day of cycling in Grossarltal, it is advisable to allow plenty of time and consider more than just the climb. Your stop at the mountain hut, the return journey, possible changes in the weather and the battery range should also be included in your planning.
Shorter tours can be a good introduction. However, fewer kilometres or less elevation gain do not automatically mean that a route is technically easy. Before every ride, you should therefore also check the gradient, surface and elevation profile.
E-bikes and mountain huts
An e-bike makes it easier to cover additional elevation gain and longer climbs. However, electric assistance does not automatically make a bike tour easy. Steep sections, gravel tracks, bends and the descent remain challenging, even on an e-bike.
Charging facilities are generally not available at the mountain huts in Grossarltal. With a fully charged battery, modern e-bikes can comfortably manage the climb to a mountain hut and the subsequent descent, provided the route is chosen carefully. However, the actual range depends on several factors, including the distance and gradient, the selected assistance level, the total weight, and the age and condition of the battery.
Mountain bikes and e-bikes can be hired from various sports shops in Grossarltal. Further information about mountain bike and e-bike hire in Grossarltal.
Staying safe on a mountain bike or e-bike
Only signposted and officially approved mountain bike routes may be used. Current closures and signs must be observed.
The recommended basic equipment includes:
- A roadworthy mountain bike or e-bike
- A cycling helmet
- Gloves
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Waterproof clothing
- Enough drinks
- A mobile phone
- A first-aid kit
- A small repair kit
Before setting off, check the brakes, tyres and battery level. Adjust your speed to the surface, visibility and your personal ability. Particular consideration should be shown towards hikers, agricultural vehicles and grazing animals.
