Hohe Tauern Bike Trail | ET01 Hüttschlag | Valley end Großarltal | Bad Gastein

The start of this stage is located in the mountaineering village of Hüttschlag at the hiking starting point in the town center. From there, you first ride the road through the village downstream (eastwards) until the road joins the Großarler Landesstraße. Then continue on this road for about 500 m to the district of Karteis. From there, turn left to the Karteis chapel and from there follow the gravel pedestrian and cycle path along the Großarler Ache to the car park at the valley end of Hüttschlag. From here, go left to the Stockham farm and from there straight ahead on a wide gravel road to the idyllic Ötzlsee, which lies deep in the inner Großarltal, in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

The Ötzlsee is your turning point in the Großarltal and you first ride back to the start at the hiking car park in the mountaineering village of Hüttschlag. Past the hiking car park, you ride down to the main road. Before the tunnel, cross the road and turn left onto a gravel cycling and pedestrian path. This now leads along the Großarler Ache to the Tofernbauern. Upon reaching Zandlweg, take the Griesbichlweg for a stretch uphill on asphalt through a residential area before turning right back onto the cycling and pedestrian path. When you arrive at Hubdörfl, follow the gravel cycling and pedestrian path until you reach the bridge next to the warehouse. Cross this bridge and ride along the road past the Schornlehen farm and continue to the town center of Großarl. Once there, ride past the inn Rohrerwirt and the village child to the intersection in front of the municipality of Großarl. Here, turn left, ride to the roundabout and take the second exit towards Unterberg. After a few meters, you reach the valley station of the Großarltal Panoramabahn on the left side. The route to the valley station is continuously flat or gently ascending and descending and leads you through a quiet, natural environment.

The cable car takes you comfortably and conveniently up the mountain together with your bike. From the mountain station of the Panoramabahn (1,850 m), continue immediately on a well-maintained forest road uphill towards Kreuzkogel – at a fork, choose the left path directly along the ridge. This ascent is short but quite challenging, however, it has no technical difficulties. At the top, you enjoy a wide panoramic view of the surrounding peaks near and far. If you want an even better view, the short detour on foot to the summit cross of the 2,027 m high Kreuzkogel (see tip "Bike & Hike option") is recommended. Then follow the gravel forest road past the beautiful viewpoint "Glocknerplatzl" (the name says it all) towards Fulseck. You can also reach the summit of the 2,033 m high Fulseck on foot with a short detour like the Kreuzkogel.

Now begins the rapid descent into the valley: initially, follow the wide and signposted mountain bike forest road which winds downhill with several hairpin bends. The surface is grippy gravel before the asphalt road begins near the district Bergl. Passing pastures and small forests, you continue steadily downhill until you reach the valley station of the Fulseck summit lift in Dorfgastein.

In town, head towards the center where you meet the well-signposted Gasteinertal cycle path. Follow the cycle path to the left in a southern direction to Bad Hofgastein. The section mostly runs over paved side roads and cycle paths. Passing small villages and farms, the path is almost flat, while expansive meadows stretch to the left and right. After the hamlets Ober- and Unterladerding, you leave the Gasteinertal cycle path, turn right onto the parallel cycle path over Haitzing (where you immediately cross the Gasteiner Ache) and pass the hamlets Wieden, Haitzing, the Weitmoser Schlössl and Hundsdorf (Bad Hofgastein lies to the east). In the next hamlet Anger, a moderate ascent begins on a well-developed mountain road. You pass the old Angertal station and shortly reach an intersection where you turn left and follow the mountain road toward Bad Gastein. At the end of the road, a short but steeper descent awaits. This is the only technically demanding section. Afterwards, it continues pleasantly on the Erzherzog Johann Promenade until you reach the entrance to the town of Bad Gastein and the main road. Continue briefly on the main road in the same direction until you reach the tourist information with the bike starting point – your destination for the day.

However, you should not miss a short detour to the Gastein waterfall in the historic center of Bad Gastein: before the tourist information, turn left into Kaiser Franz-Josef-Straße, cycle past the typical characteristic Belle Époque architecture of Bad Gastein and finally reach the famous waterfall of Bad Gastein.

Charging stations along the stage:

Großarltal: No charging stations available

Gasteinertal: E-charging stations Gasteinertal >>

A detailed list of recommended equipment can be found here:

Recommended equipment >>

WARNING: The Panoramabahn Großarltal, which must be used on this stage, has a construction-related weight limit of 22 kg for bikes. Please take this into account when choosing your e-bike and, if necessary, ensure that the battery can be removed and carried in your backpack for the ascent to reduce the weight below the limit. The ascent to the mountain station of the Panoramabahn is only possible with the cable car; riding a bike from Großarl to the mountain station is strictly forbidden.

The section from the town center of Hüttschlag to the district Karteis runs along the Großarler Landesstraße (approx. 500 m).

www.nationalpark.bike

Holiday Region Hohe Tauern National Park

Gerlosstraße 18, 5730 Mittersill, Austria

Phone +43 6562 40939 E-mail: hohetauerntrail@nationalpark.at

Booking center & info hotline Trail Angels GmbH

9821 Obervellach 15, Austria

Phone +43 4782 93093 E-mail: info@bookyourtrail.com

Bike & Hike option - a short but very rewarding hiking experience with a summit on this stage: from the mountain station of the 6-seater Kreuzkogel chairlift, short detours on foot to the summit cross of Kreuzkogel and the viewing platform of Fulseck are possible. A worthwhile view over the valley opens up there (additional time required about 5 - 30 minutes each).