The Kitzbüheler Alpen, in English also called the Kitzbühel Alps, lie in the provinces of Tyrol and Salzburg. The area is very popular with skiers in winter, but it would be a mistake to overlook it in the summer months. It offers great conditions for cyclists. We have picked out several interesting cycle routes for you in the Kitzbüheler Alpen.
From the town of St. Johann in Tirol to Walchsee
A demanding route suited to mountain bikes and e-bikes
This route offers everything you could wish for in the Alps. Riding through beautiful forests and picturesque villages, breathtaking views of the Alps and a mountain lake at the end. From St. Johann the ride leads through the valley to the village of Erpfendorf, from where you climb through the forest for roughly 400 vertical metres. Then comes the descent to the town of Kössen and the ride to the Bergbahn Hochkössen cable car. Via Riedberg the route leads to the destination, the Walchsee. In summer the crystal-clear water is an open invitation to swim. In total you ride 45 kilometres with 1920 metres of ascent. The route is perfect for e-bikes too, as is the whole region – thanks to its facilities the Kitzbüheler Alpen carry the nickname of the largest e-bike region in the world.
Kitzbüheler Seenrunde with a swim
Suitable for families with children on mountain bikes
Are you looking for an easier route without much climbing that you could manage with children too? Choose the one near the Schwarzsee. The Brixental Radweg Nr. 21 trail runs from the village of Wörgl to Kitzbühel and its total length is 37 kilometres. You do not have to ride all of it; if you are looking for a shorter section, start in the village of Kirchberg in Tirol and go only as far as the Schwarzsee near Kitzbühel. The small lake is one of the warmest in the Alps. You can add variety to the family trip with a boat outing; boats can be hired here.
The Fleckalm Trail, full of adrenaline
Suitable for a downhill run on a mountain bike
The Fleckalm Trail, named after an alpine inn, is ideal for cyclists who like to ride a proper singletrail. You will find the route in the village of Kirchberg in Tirol. The Fleckalmbahn cable car takes you up to almost 1800 metres. The finish is more than seven kilometres away at the valley station of the cable car, at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Part of the trail follows the slope of a piste, but you ride mainly on forest tracks and alpine meadows. Terrain obstacles, banked turns, several smaller jumps and a few uphill sections await you. The route is intended above all for experienced riders who, besides handling the terrain, still manage to appreciate the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
One of the routes of the Radweltpokal race
Suitable for a road bike
Road cyclists will also find what they are after in the Kitzbüheler Alpen area. Why not choose as your route one of those ridden in the traditional Radweltpokal? It is a race held since 1968 with the start in the village of St. Johann. In 2020 there will be three route variants on the surrounding roads, 40, 76 and 112 kilometres long. Riders are divided by year of birth so that they measure themselves against their own age group. The shortest loop runs from St. Johann via Schwendt, Kössen and Kirchdorf.