"Embarking on a tour of mountain huts around the Hochkönig resort, we enjoyed breathtaking views of icy peaks as we set out from Prague to pedal and savor Austrian cuisine. This trip is perfect for anyone who loves delicious food in the fresh air. For those seeking a bit of adrenaline, I recommend trying canyoning near the kayaking town of Lofer," says our bike team rider Richard "Gaspi" Gasperotti, who shares his tips for an active vacation in Austria.
HOCHKÖNIG
Imagine riding an e-bike combined with tasting the best Alpine specialties! Let’s go. We’re starting from the mountain resort of Maria Alm, specifically from Hotel Sepp, which is designed for adult guests. The distinction between adult-only hotels and family-friendly hotels is common in Austria. The system is clear, welcomed, and respected because everyone knows in advance where it’s more lively and where they can expect peace and relaxation. Hotel Sepp offers a cozy atmosphere, evening music, a record player in every room, and rooftop saunas with a pool. If you want to impress your partner, this is the place to do it.
Maria Alm is a beautiful place, characterized by a strictly Gothic church with perhaps the steepest roof in all of Austria—some even say in all of Europe. The area is well-known to Czech skiers, as Maria Alm is part of the Ski Amade complex, which includes 28 winter resorts. However, the mountains are just as impressive in the summer, with the ridges stretching out in front of you as you gaze from the church’s roof. You can take a cable car to the top, but why do that when you have e-bikes? The ride takes you from hut to hut, or as they say, from Hütte to Hütte. You can even book a gastronomic tour, where each stop offers a taste of what they do best. Starting with breakfast kaisersemmels, you gradually add mountain hams, cheeses made from Alpine milk, crackling spreads, meat broths, and cheese dumplings sprinkled with fragrant herbs.
From each valley, wide gravel paths lead upward, while easy-going flow trails descend, offering fun for beginners and still being enjoyable for advanced riders. The entire area between Maria Alm and the Dienten resort is connected by trails that weave along the slopes, and when they climb to the ridges, they offer beautiful views of the surroundings. The map clearly shows where the wider paths for casual riders branch off into narrower trails for a more exciting ride. Those who come here on vacation can rent an e-bike and enjoy a pleasant ride without demanding physical exertion or technical skills.
SAALACH RIVER VALLEY - SALZBURG'S SAALACHTAL
The second destination is the Saalach River Valley area – Salzburg’s Saalachtal. We start in the village of Unken, located about 40 km southwest of Salzburg. Our hotel is situated in a remote location at the end of the road. It has its own charging station for e-bikes, a wash center, a mini service area, and a bike rental shop. Again, a simple solution for those who don’t want to lug their own gear on vacation and can easily arrange everything on site. The forecast threatens heavy rain, so we postpone biking for another time. If water is going to flow, let it flow properly. At the Lofer water sports center, we meet Chris, a lively 65-year-old National Geographic cameraman who twisted his ankle on an expedition in Nepal and is now working as a guide in Austria. He takes us canyoning into gorges, with the most intense moment being an eight-meter jump into a pool where you definitely don’t want to miss the target. Not for the faint-hearted, but a big adrenaline rush. Since it’s raining heavily, the canyons fill with water, and we have to leave early.
In the afternoon, the rain subsides, and we meet up with another guide, this time for biking. Chris's colleague takes us on a scenic loop ride. What I want to emphasize is that if you're not exactly an adrenaline junkie but rather looking for an area where you can take the whole family, including children, then the peaceful gravel forest paths lined with countless viewpoints and endless green pastures will lead you to a promised land - Almwelt Lofer. In winter, this destination transforms into a paradise for skiers.
Have you heard of bike & hike? No? It’s a fun activity that I highly recommend trying, as it’s a fantastic combination of e-biking and hiking. You simply shorten the distance using the e-bike’s battery, saving your energy for the hike up some serious Alpine peaks. Of course, this activity can pleasantly tire you out, and that's when it's the perfect time to rejuvenate those tired muscles in one of the mountain rivers. The locals could tell you all about it.
The highlight is a trip to the village of Heutal, from where you can set out on foot to the breathtaking Staubfall waterfall, where the water cascades down in a misty spray from about 250 meters. The walk to one of Austria's largest waterfalls takes around 15 minutes and is definitely worth it. Interestingly, it’s located right on the border with the German state of Bavaria. The entire area is beautiful, full of wide paths that will especially delight recreational riders. For those with higher ambitions, you can bring your family here, relax, and then get your adrenaline fix in nearby Leogang.
More information about vacation options in Austria can be found at www.austria.info or on IG @visitaustria.
Word: Richard "Gaspi" Gasperotti
Photo: Miloš Štáfek
Video: Vladimír Zeman
