Endless season, BIKE Festival, new features on Hot Shots fired by GoPro
The days are getting shorter, but the mountain bike season isn’t. That pretty much sums up fall 2024 in the Saalfelden Leogang bike region and the EPIC Bikepark Leogang. While other places have already put their trails and lines to sleep for winter, there’s still plenty of shredding going on in the Austrian bike mekka. The season only ends on 3 November. With the BIKE Festival, a revamped Hot Shots fired by GoPro Line, and other cool activations, the Saalfelden Leogang is offering some tasty MTB treats this fall.
Shorter days, longer riding
Riding until 3 November might sound like a dream at other bike spots in the Alps, but at EPIC Bikepark Leogang, it’s the real deal. It’s not just the extended season that makes mountain biking at the foot of the Leoganger Steinberge mountain range so special in the fall. If you’ve ever been in the mountains in late summer or later, you know how stunning the landscape looks in the warm fall sunlight. Plus, the cooler temps are way easier on you compared to the peak of summer, especially on those long days in the saddle. This can become crucial if you plan to tick off as many bike park lines and singletracks as possible in one day.
All bike park visitors have something special to look forward to: the legendary Hot Shots fired by GoPro jump line has been revamped and is now fully open for riding again. So, if you’re looking to follow in Erik Fedko’s footsteps, you can now take it one step further with adding the final section. For smooth access to the trails and lines, you can use your smartphone with a digital bike ticket to breeze through the turnstiles.
If you already know when you’ll be shredding in Saalfelden Leogang this fall, you can get your day or multi-day tickets in advance at a discount with the Online Bike Bonus.
Fans of natural trails will also have a blast in Saalfelden Leogang this fall. The recently opened AlteSchmiede Trail, open until 15 October, is a must-ride. The Matzalm Trail, starting at nearly 1,600 meters, offers loads of fun for experienced bikers until the first snowfall on Asitz. The Schwarzleo, Knappen, and Forsthof trails start at just over 1,000 meters, giving all mountain bike fans plenty of variety for longer sessions, depending on the weather.
Event highlights: BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang and more
If you’re undecided about when to head to Saalfelden Leogang this fall: the 6th annual BIKE Festival is taking place from 13-15 September. For an entire weekend, everything in the Pinzgau region revolves even more around bikes than it usually does. Over 100 brands and exhibitors will present the latest bikes, gear and accessoires at the Expo Area, while festival-goers can update their bike knowledge and sharpen their riding skills in numerous workshops and guided ride-outs. With big-name coaches and guides like David Trummer, Lukas Knopf, Elias Schwärzler, Marlena Neißl, and Joost Wichman. Little shredders can get their first race experience at the Scott Junior Trophy Pumptrack and the VPACE Kids Cup. Other events like yoga sessions, bike trial shows, and signing sessions round out the festival program.
On 5 October, the auner Austrian Gravity Series stops at EPIC Bikepark Leogang. The Austrian downhill series is designed to be easily accessible for everyone, making it a great intro to competitive racing. At this fourth of five stops, the Salzburg regional Downhill Championship will also be held in Saalfelden Leogang.
Throughout the season, there are several Clean the Trail Days and Photodays, with some scheduled for the fall. The last joint trail clean-up with mountain bike guests and the local community is planned for 4 October, with a Gravity Card for 2025 being raffled among participants. Looking like a pro on Hot Shots fired by GoPro and Flying Gangster is possible one more time during the next Photo Days, which take place on 14 and 15 September – right in time for the BIKE Festival.
Visit bikepark-leogang.com, instagram.com/BikeparkLeogang or facebook.com/BikeparkLeogang for more news, dates and information about the trails at Epic Bikepark Leogang. Further information about about the Region Saalfelden Leogang can be found here: saalfelden-leogang.com, instagram.com/Saalfelden_Leogangoder facebook.com/SaalfeldenLeogang
Austria’s largest bike-region
In 2020 the three resorts of Saalbach Hinterglemm, Saalfelden Leogang and Fieberbrunn joined forces as Austria’s largest bike-region to offer mountain and gravel bikers almost unlimited possibilities on two-wheels. With over 90 kilometers of trails, 9 lifts between 7 mountains and a joint bike pass offering almost unlimited gravel and asphalt options.
For a “well-rounded bike vacation” there are special bike hotels in Saalfelden Leogang such as Hotel Bacher, Hotel Der Löwe – Lebe Frei, mama thresl, Riederalm – Good Life Resort Leogang, Ritzenhof – Hotel und Spa am See, Biohotel Rupertus, Hotel Salzburger Hof, Hotel Krallerhof, Hotel Stockinggut, Naturhotel Forsthofgut and Hotel Puradies, as well as competent bike stores such as Sport Mitterer and Bikepoint. To improve your own skills, for guided tours or for riding technique training, the Elements Outdoorsports bike school offers a wide range of services. A list of all bike-friendly accommodations in the Saalfelden Leogang region can be found here: saalfelden-leogang.com/en/region-experience/bike/bikehotels
