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    Gravel biking: Adventures between Mountains and Roads

    Whether it's a multi-day adventure or an exciting exploration tour: With a trendy gravel bike, road cyclists can cover longer distances off paved roads. Clear the way for the most beautiful places in Austria!

    Long-distance bikers answer the call of freedom, swiftly switching from a fast-paced ride on asphalt to a gravel path, experiencing - thanks to knobby tires and disc brakes - adventures without limits through the Austrian lake and mountain landscapes.

    Formerly known as a crossroad or cross-country bike, the modern hybrid of mountain bike and road bike combines the best of both worlds.

    Frequently Asked Questions around Gravel Biking

    • What is a gravel bike?

      A gravel bike is more off-road than a road bike, and lighter than a mountain bike. It has curved racing handlebars, like a road bike, but they are much wider, providing stability and safety in technically demanding terrain. A gravel bike has no suspension fork. Compared to a road bike, it has much wider tyres, but they are not as wide as a mountain bike's.

    • And what is gravel biking?

      Gravel biking is a mix of road cycling and mountain biking. Rides on gravel (or through woods, on field trails, dirt tracks, etc.) alternate with rides on tarmac. The gravel bike ensures you can ride comfortably on both terrains.

    • Is gravel biking suited for beginners?

      Of course! If you are already experiences on a mountain or road bike, you know if the new trend sport is your cup of tea. The gravel bike unites both requirements and offers better comfort. If you want to get into gravel biking, just rent a gravel bike and choose a route according to your fitness level. Enjoy and have a safe ride!

    • What do I bring on a gravel tour?
      • Energy-boosting snack
      • Raincover
      • Tools and spare parts
      • Water bottle
      • Mobile phone/GPS device
      • Mountainbike gloves
      • Helmet
      • Cycling clothes
      • Sun glasses
      • First-aid kit
      • Probably replacement clothing
      • Cash
    • Is there a gravel bike route through all of Austria?

      Yes. The Gravel-Austria-Route is 3,000 km (1,870 mi) long, covers around 50,000 metres (164,000 ft) of altitude, and takes 14 - 35 days from start to finish - depending on your skill level and the number of stops you want to include. Of course, you can break it down and ride it in various stages. Read more about the tour here.

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    Mittersill-Hollersbach-Stuhlfelden

    A real Insider Tip for all Gravel Lovers

    Mountain bike, gravel bike, e-bike or road bike. Oberpinzgau not only has the perfect route for every bike, but also the right bike for every rider - with or without electrical support. Cycle through the picturesque Salzach Valley or the stunning mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

    Leave your old mountain bike at home and head on vacation with light luggage: On site you can rent the latest gravel bikes, all in perfect condition. True to their name, these bikes are perfect for exploring forest trails and gravel roads. With the best of both worlds - mountain bike and road bike - every gravel tour becomes a flow experience.

    Nine designated gravel routes
    Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    Gravelbiking in the Alps

    Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

    Austria's largest bike region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is considered one of the most popular mountain bike destinations in the country. And now the region is quickly turning into a new gravel bike hotspot. The season for cyclo-crossers, a mix of road racing bike and mountain bike, is officially on in SalzburgerLand!

    Freedom, performance and nature experiences off the beaten track - a dense network of adventurous gravel roads with a huge number of adaptable tour options makes it all possible. From fast off-road rounds to leisurely exploration tours, there's a suitable adventure for every gravel biker.

    Gravel Biking in Paradise
    • Gravelbiking on the Rocheralm in Abtenau, SalzburgerLand
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    • Gravelbiking on the old Postalm road, SalzburgerLand / Postalm
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    • Gravelbike tour Ackersbachtal-Genneralm, SalzburgerLand
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    • Gravelbiking on the Rocheralm in Abtenau, SalzburgerLand
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    • Gravelbiking on the Rocheralm in Abtenau, SalzburgerLand
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    • Gravelbiking on the old Postalm road, SalzburgerLand / Postalm
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    • Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    • Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    • Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    • Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    • Gravel biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest bike region / Saalbach
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    Mit dem Gravelbike am Seewaldsee
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    Gravelbiking in the SalzburgerLand

    Limitless through Picture-Perfect Landscapes

    SalzburgerLand welcomes bikers from all over the world: Glittering lakes in the Alpine foothills and fragrant alpine meadows contrast beautifully with jagged glaciers. A varied adventure from north to south - gravel bikers can take advantage of the infrastructure of the extensive MTB trail network.

    Biking and Cycling in the SalzburgerLand

    Over hill and dale in Oberpinzgau
    Austria's largest biking region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
    The ferocious figure of 8 in Salzburg's Saalach Valley
    9 Routes for a gravel adventure in Salzburg on Komoot

    Drau cycle path near Spittal an der Drau
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    Gravel Tours through Carinthia

    Explore Lost Places in the Lake District

    On gravel, forest or field paths, lightweight gravel bikes really get going. The Carinthian Lake District makes the perfect setting for this special cycling adventure. Additional bonus: Austria's southernmost province with its 200 bathing lakes attracts guests with the longest cycling season in the country from March to November!

    "Lost Places" insiders Helmut Weichselbraun and Georg Lux offer a very special tour called "Gravelbike & Lost Places": They lead their sporty guests to mysterious places around the turquoise-green Lake Wörthersee and take bikers interested in history on an exciting discovery trip.

    Gravel Biken am Gosausee Echerntal
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    Gravelbiking in Styria

    Biking between the Dachstein Mountain and Vineyards

    Explore the Green Heart of Austria via extensive racing bike trails and gravel roads: Lakes, rivers, orchards and glaciers quickly make you forget about your busy schedule. In the towns and villages, the "delicatessen of Austria" spoil you with typical regional products such as pumpkin seed oil, fried chicken and the products of the winegrowers and fruit farmers.

    Over 120 certified Bed+Bike establishments provide first-class recreation, specifically for bikers. With washing areas and secure bike rooms, they also offer top service for bikes.

    The most beautiful gravel tours

    Remschnigg Alm round tour
    Sarstein round tour in the Ausseerland
    Buchstein round tour in the Gesäuse
    Gravelbike dream tour St. Pongratzen to Kapla Lake

    Selected gravel tours in Austria

    From high altitudes or relaxing walks through small villages and by crystal clear lakes, there's something for everyone.

    • view to lake Zell / Zell am See
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    • Gravelbiken in Schönenbach
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    • Multiple Lakes

      How about three lakes in one day? Starting in Saalbach, you'll first pass the central Lake Zell, then Lake Klammsee at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, and finally cycle around Lake Ritzensee at Saalfelden before heading back to Saalbach. If you're not up for the full 88-km (55 mi) tour, you can easily just drive parts of the route and see 1-2 lakes on your trip.

      The "Gravel the lakes" route

    • Beginner-Friendly

      In Vorarlberg, you can try gravel biking at a manageable 25 km (15.5 mi) in the lush mountains of the Bregenzerwald. You'll feel like you're travelling far away and visit four different idyllic towns, Schnepfau, Bezau, Mellau and Hirschau. A perfect opportunity to get a taste, with two moderate climbs. If you want to save your energy on the climb, consider taking an electric bike instead.

      The 'Schnepfau Gopf' Tour
    Stay in sync with flora and fauna

    5 Tips for Gravel Bikers

    • We ride on designated paths: This way, we protect young plants and breeding animals, and avoid soil changes and erosion.
    • We adapt our speed to the terrain: This prevents skid marks caused by driving with the brakes on.
    • We are considerate of wild and grazing animals: Especially at dusk, in forests and meadows, we let them forage undisturbed.
    • We respect protected areas and barriers: They are there, so that nature and animals get time to recover.
    • We properly dispose of our waste: Everything, that we bring on the tour, we also take back to our accommodation.

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