Cycling and mountain biking in the Wildschönau and around

Family routes in the valley

The Wildschönau is a high valley and you notice that on a bike: the valley floor is fairly quiet, but not completely flat. A good start for families is the Oberau–Auffach round of about 12.8 km, an easy mountain-bike or e-bike tour that begins at the Oberau swimming pool and runs over farm meadows and quiet roads. If you have more time, the Talboden route of about 30 km takes roughly four hours and leads from Niederau through Oberau along the whole valley. Plan breaks at a hut or play area and set the distance by the youngest rider.

E-bike: hiring and charging

With an e-bike the slopes in the valley and the rides to the mountain huts become much easier, also for families with different fitness levels. In and around Oberau you will find bike hire shops offering both ordinary mountain bikes and e-bikes, often including a helmet. Ask beforehand about availability, children's sizes and child seats, especially in the summer holidays. The valley belongs to a large e-bike network with many charging points, and many huts and restaurants will charge your battery. Bring a charger and ask the hire shop how far you can roughly get.

Mountain biking in Tyrol: the rules

Tyrol has a clear rule: mountain biking on forest tracks and trails is only allowed with the landowner's consent. That is why Tyrol has agreements with landowners and tourism bodies; the permitted routes are signposted and usually open only in the summer season, from about April to the end of October. So only ride where a sign or the route map allows it. Be considerate to walkers and livestock, keep your speed low at blind corners and close gates behind you. On alpine pastures cattle often roam free; give them space and stay calm.

Inn Cycle Route: flat along the Inn

The Inn Cycle Route is a long cycle route along the River Inn through the whole of Tyrol. For families the stretch from Wörgl to Kufstein is especially interesting: about 17 km, mostly flat and easy to ride, ending at the Kufstein fortress. The route passes through Kirchbichl in the open valley. Wörgl is also the junction for the route into the Brixental, so you can combine routes. From Niederau you drive or take the train there and start cycling from that point; you can take the train back, but check beforehand whether bikes can be carried.

Brixental route towards Kitzbühel

The Brixental cycle route runs from Wörgl through the Brixental to Kitzbühel and, depending on the variant, is about 40 to 47 km long. On the way you pass Hopfgarten, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale and Kirchberg. It is a valley route with little height difference but a few short climbs. If you do not want to ride the whole distance, you can take a section and return by public transport, or use an e-bike. The area belongs to the SkiWelt, which in summer also has bike regions with extra routes from the lifts, for example around Söll and Brixen im Thale.

Zillertal cycle route

The Zillertal cycle route is about 30 km long and follows the valley floor of the Zillertal. It branches off the Inn Cycle Route at the Ziller bridge and runs via Uderns and Kaltenbach to Zell am Ziller and on towards Mayrhofen. The path is mostly flat and runs along the river, so it suits families and leisure cyclists. You ride in one direction and can return by the Zillertalbahn, the narrow-gauge train through the valley. Check beforehand what the current options are for carrying bikes. Allow enough time for stops in the villages on the way.

Bike parks: Hochzillertal and Streuboden

For a day with more action there are two bike parks within reasonable reach. The Bike Park Hochzillertal in Kaltenbach has a single trail of about 0.9 km (intermediate level), a trial park and a pumptrack, so it also suits practice. The Bike Area Streuboden near Fieberbrunn in the Pillerseetal has a flow trail, several lines and a pumptrack. Opening times and the condition of the trails vary by season and maintenance work may be going on, so check beforehand with the lift operator. Beginners do best to start on the pumptrack.

Safety and equipment

In Austria helmets are compulsory for children up to 12, and for children on an e-bike up to 14. For adults a helmet is not required, but it is sensible, especially on mountain and trail routes. On mountain rides take extra clothing, water, a repair kit, a pump and a small first-aid kit, and check the weather beforehand: thunderstorms can build quickly. Check brakes and tyres before setting off, brake early on descents and keep the group together when children are riding. For bike parks gloves are advisable, and on steeper trails protective gear too.

Frequently asked questions