Go Cycling in The Austrian Tirol This Summer
16th July 2020
Last modified on May 14th, 2021
If you’re one of the thousands who have taken to the saddle during lockdown, why not challenge the legs with a trip to one of the top cycling destinations in the Alps?
Cycling in the mountains doesn’t have to been an uphill slog.
You can always use an electric bike if you want to ease the strain.
The Austrian Tirol has thousands of kilometres of road bike, mountain bike and long-distance touring itineraries as well as 115 single-track trails.
They range from family-friendly easy routes to super-challenging climbs and scary descents for adrenalin junkies.
Family friendly cycling – photo Tirol Werbung Frank Bauer
Now that travel within Europe is opening up and lockdown restrictions are easing it seems likely more new cyclists will be looking for holidays on two wheels.
The Bicycle Association’s executive director, Steve Garidis, says initial figures from across the UK industry show sales of bikes below £500 have been ‘especially strong’ since lockdown.
Suppliers have been struggling to keep up with demand.
The UK’s largest bike manufacturer, Brompton, which produces almost 50,000 folding cycles a year, saw a fivefold increase in online sales since the start of April and Halfords reported a 23% upsurge in share prices.
So, if you’re looking to exploit a new-found passion, what does the Austrian Tirol have to offer?
- 3,800 km of super-smooth roads
- 6,000 km of officially inspected and approved mountain bike paths
- more than 1,000 km of long-distance routes
- family-friendly pootles
- culinary bike tours combining scenery with good food
- longer rides taking in medieval castles and historic monuments
- challenging routes over mountain passes and ridges
The capital of the Tirol, Innsbruck, hosted the UCI Road World Championships in 2018.
The world’s best cyclists from 77 countries competed over eight days.
Following the event the region released 10 Great Rides for those courageous enough to take on glacier roads, mountain passes and high ridges.
Road cycling in St Anton – photo Wolfgang Ehn
The most experienced cyclists can take on a time trial, climbing the infamous Kitzbühel Horn and try to be former pro rider Thomas Rohregger’s time.
The steepest section is known as ‘Knödelfleischgraben’ (Dumpling Meat Ditch).
The current record is 28 minutes and 24 seconds.
If off-road biking is more your thing there are plenty of routes and bike parks with professional guides on hand to lead you.
Great Trails mountain biking, Innsbruck – photo Tirol Werbung Peter Neusser
E-MTB: See here for more
Cycling and long distance cycle paths, combining two or three countries, such as the Austrian Tirol with Switzerland, Germany or Italy; See here for more
The Tirol Mountain Bike Safari is a 600km route criss-crossing the Alps.
Rides include:
- Hohe Tauern National Park in Osttirol (East Tirol), home to the Großglockner mountain at 3,798 metres, the highest peak in Austria
- Öztal Valley with its range of trails, lines and enduro rides
- Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, including Lermoos and Ehrwaldwith, its combination of topography to test riders of all skill levels
Find out more:
- Cycling and long distance cycle paths combining two or three countries, such as the Austrian Tirol with Switzerland, Germany or Italy
- E-Bike Tours
E-biking, Kitzbühel, Austria – photo Tirol Werbung Manfred Jarisch
It is planned that easyJet will start their London Gatwick to Innsbruck service on 1st August.
Throughout August easyJet will then fly twice a week and from September onwards, three times a week.
However, the company is constantly reviewing its timetable; it is subject to change.
And for more about the Austrian Tirol region: www.visittirol.co.uk
MAIN PHOTO: Copyright Tirol Werbung Manfred Jarisch
