Bike & Hike tours in Tyrol

Bike & hike tours are a combination of cycling and hiking. They usually start with a bike tour, which often involves a longer journey or a flat ascent. The bike is then parked and the tour continues on foot, often in the direction of a summit or a special destination such as a mountain pasture or hut. This type of tour combines sport, enjoyment of nature and flexibility and appeals to both cycling and hiking enthusiasts.

Tyrol is a paradise for bike & hike tours as it offers a variety of mountain regions and trails. Popular tours include the Große Rettenstein in the Spertental valley, the combined cycle and hiking trail to the Gehrenspitze in the Wetterstein mountains or tours in the Karwendel and the Tux Alps. The regions offer a wide variety of routes - from gentle mountain pasture rides with short hiking sections to challenging summit ascents with magnificent views.

In addition to a well-maintained bike (mountain bike or e-bike) and suitable hiking boots, you should also make sure you have weatherproof and breathable clothing. A light but sturdy rucksack is important for carrying food, water, a map or GPS device and personal items. For alpine tours, it can be useful to take via ferrata sets or hiking poles. For longer routes or high alpine regions, a first aid kit, sun protection and a helmet for the bike route are essential.

Bike & Hike tours are aimed at sporty nature lovers who enjoy combining cycling and hiking. There are easy routes that are also suitable for beginners and families, and more challenging tours for experienced mountain sports enthusiasts that require surefootedness, a head for heights and fitness. These tours are ideal for people who want to cover longer distances without having to walk the entire route.

Tyrol's impressive mountain landscape, well-developed cycle paths and numerous hiking trails make bike & hike tours a unique experience. They offer the opportunity to discover remote and quiet places that would be difficult to reach on foot alone. They also allow for flexible tour planning: longer journeys or steep sections can be tackled by bike before the hiking part begins, which often leads to spectacular peaks, panoramic spots or Alpine pastures.

The best time for bike & hike tours is from May to October. In early summer, lush green alpine pastures and flowering mountain meadows beckon, while autumn offers ideal conditions for longer tours with clear views and pleasant temperatures. It is important to keep an eye on the weather conditions, as there may be snow at higher altitudes well into early summer. The morning hours in particular are ideal for starting the tour, as the temperatures are still pleasant and visibility is often clearest.

Yes, Tirol offers many family-friendly bike & hike tours. These usually combine flat or gently ascending cycle paths with short, child-friendly hikes. Destinations such as mountain pastures or huts with play facilities or animals make the tours particularly exciting for children. In some regions, there are hire stations that offer child seats, trailers or e-bikes to make the tours more accessible for families.

Good planning is essential. You should check the route and its requirements in advance, check the weather forecast and realistically assess your own fitness level. For alpine tours, it is important to familiarise yourself with the trail conditions. Consideration for nature and other hikers is just as important, for example by avoiding shortcuts and keeping to the marked paths.

The level of difficulty varies depending on the tour. While some routes are flat and easy to tackle, others require a good level of fitness, experience in alpine terrain, surefootedness and a head for heights. Climbing passages or steep ascents can be a challenge, especially on summit tours or in high alpine regions. It is advisable to adapt the tour to your own abilities and, if necessary, to take advantage of guided tours.

Yes, there are numerous hire stations in Tyrol that offer mountain bikes, e-bikes and, in some cases, equipment such as helmets or maps. Many hire centres also offer tips on the best routes in the area and provide information on bike & hike options. The hire service is particularly well developed in tourist regions such as the Zillertal, the Olympiaregion Seefeld or the Ötztal.