With the Glockner and the Venediger massifs in the north of the region, East Tirol gives mountain bikers direct access to some of Austria's highest mountains. Much of the riding here leads through untouched valleys and the incredible landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
The Hohe Tauern National Park is home to many of Austria's highest mountains, including the king of them all: the mighty Großglockner. At 3,798 metres above sea level, it is covered in snow and ice all year round – but there is some good riding nearby on the Adler Trail, just one of many downhill trails in East Tirol. The bikepark on the Hochstein mountain near Lienz has several singletrack trails with fine views of the Dolomites to the south, but riders will need good bike-handling skills to take on the challenging terrain here. The trails can be accessed either with pedal power or using the local cable car. Looking for something a little easier? Then we recommend East Tirol's quiet side valleys. Families with good fitness can ride up to the Jagdhausalmen, a collection of stone huts considered to be the oldest mountain settlement in Austria. The ride starts in the Defereggental Valley and leads up through the Oberhauser Zirbenwald forest, an impressive sight in autumn with its many shades of red, orange, yellow and brown.
Tip! East Tirol has no fewer than eleven restaurants listed in the Gault&Millau restaurant guide. Some of them are even located along the region's mountain biking routes – the perfect stop for hungry riders!
