On the Trans National Park route through the Kalkalpen

Molln offers itself as a starting point for the Trans National Park Tour, here is the large National Park Center. Otherwise, it is quite contemplative and so you cycle first a little way on paved roads and roads, before it goes straight to the point with the first climb up to the High Trailing at over 950 meters altitude. But you know: Where it goes up, it goes down again. And here you are royally rewarded.The descent takes you along the Krummen Steyrling into the Bodinggraben, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Kalkalpen, in which the Jagahäusl also has a potential snack station waiting for you. Strengthened you are now on the way to the second ascent of this tour, which marks the high point of today with about 1155 meters in the truest sense of the word.Destination of the stage is Windischgarsten, where you have numerous accommodation options or can travel by train back / forth.If you still have power, we recommend a visit to the National Park Panorama Tower Wurbauerkogel, from which you have a great view of 21 two-thousanders in the area in good weather.

Styria is also called the green heart of Austria. Not without reason, as you will learn today. Here it is not only green, but sometimes quite steep. Today there are two high summits on your program and several smaller ones, so be prepared for a bit of a sweat. But we promise you that it's worth it.The paths are always passable and the culinary food is on the way 1 a. Today we would like to recommend two idyllic huts to you, which are perfect for a lunch break amidst the fascinating mountains. Whether Karlhütte or Gowilalm - you will be amazed. For both huts, however, a small detour is needed. It is best to look at where you would like to pause, then you can save the detour to the other hut. Of course you are welcome to come in both.Today's milestone is the small market town of Sankt Gallen. The route leads you directly to the market square, where the biker-friendly Gasthof Hensle offers accommodation.

If the wild waters of the Enns seek its steep path through the limestone mountains of the national park, then this is a very nice Gesäuse. In fact, the national park that you cross on today's tour has its name. On a short distance, the Enns and its tributary Salza overcome a whole lot of altitude and is thus a thunderous stream. And thus a playground for rafting fans. So, if this tight mountain bike tour was not enough for you - a fast-paced white water descent could bring the rest of the day to an action-packed end. Incidentally, the steep mountain walls offer another sporting challenge. The Ennstal is known for its climbing walls. So if you're looking for a sporty variety, you're in the right place.Today's trip has three hearty climbs ready for you. You will cycle through idyllic valleys along wild mountain rivers and climb once more to over 1000 meters altitude. Alpine panorama included. And another highlight awaits you towards the end of the tour. The Lackneralm hut at an altitude of 1020 meters is a jewel for lovers of rustic mountain accommodation. Here you can fully enjoy the mountains in beautiful seclusion and tranquility and thus this hut is a real alternative to the regular stage destination Palfau. However, a little planning is necessary if you want to stay in this Naturfreundehaus. The hut will open in May and only on weekends, and capacities are limited. For the regular stage destination Palfau waiting again for a rapid descent on you.

The route is the goal. What sounds so hackneyed, best describes the character of this tour, which leads you from the start in Palfau to the stage finish to Johnsbach. Real highlights in the sense of historical buildings or well-known sights do not exist. And that is exactly the highlight. You're just in the midst of nature and whether it's the awesome view of the surrounding mountains or a thundering mountain stream in a breathtaking gorge: you'll catch yourself feeling like you're constantly stopping to enjoy the moment in peace.Characteristic for today's tour are the steep mountain walls of the Gesäuse and the whitewater of Enns and later of the much smaller Johnsbach, which leads you to the goal of today. There you can put on a lap of honor up in the direction of Gscheideggkogel at about 1300 meters altitude, or you can enjoy the Johnsbach hospitality. The end of the route takes you directly to the Gasthof Kölblwirt, which is geared for bikers and even runs its own bike rental.

You can spend days in the Limestone Alps in untouched nature, exhausting yourself, and pedaling thousands upon a time. But you also need a break. This tour is wonderful for that. Call it "active regeneration". Because of course you also sit on the bike. With only 42 kilometers in length and just 660 vertical meters, this daily ration mountain biking but enough air for interesting stopovers.The first stopover is in the mountaineering village Johnsbach and is more contemplative. In the most famous cemetery of the area you can commemorate in a peaceful and peaceful environment the fates that have fallen victim to the dangers of the mountains.Real high culture then you will experience in Admont. Here is the world's largest monastery library. You should not miss a visit. Continue along the Enns, whose beautiful river you can enjoy again, before you open up over the Buchauer saddle towards the stage destination Sankt Gallen.

This tour is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stages of the Trans-National Park round. A significant part of this contributes to the Reichramiger Waldbahn, which alone is an absolute highlight. Here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful cycle paths far and wide along the historical route, which, thanks to its 17 tunnels blasted into the mountain, looks even more fantastic than it already is. By the way, you drive off here a piece of forestry history. Because the railway that used to drive here was typical of the forestry work in this region.Even the waterfall Schleierfall is worth a stop alone, but here is the forestry work of bygone days breathed new life. Here you can recreate the dangerous work of the wooden raftsmen. Or just take a great photo of the waterfall and then hop in the black stream for refreshment.Two alpine huts provide typical meals on the way. On the Anlaufalm you can even spend the summer evenings. That would be our tip for a particularly unforgettable Kalkalpen adventure.

Steyr used to be the center of Austrian iron production, and iron is also the theme of today's tour, which passes by some relics of ancient times. So you drive along the Enns for a while parallel to the so-called iron road, the former "iron works road" between Steyr and the city of iron ore. You pass former hammer works and have a wonderful view of Steyr itself from Damberg.On the Damberg, it is already varied: In addition to said view you can take a contemplative break at the Lorenzi chapel and then enjoy again fun (but feasible) single trails.With more than 80 kilometers in length, this tour has a lot to offer. You could shorten it relatively easily by omitting the Damberg round. At kilometer 42.1 you can turn left and thus save about 25 kilometers and a whole lot of altitude.

Who loves his bike ... well you know. On this tour, you might well find yourself pushing your mountain bike. And then it's no shame. Because today you drive over one of the steepest forest roads in Austria, which clearly holds the steepest climb of the entire Trans National Park Tour with a gradient of 26 percent.But it's worth it: just behind this climb we have located two wonderfully idyllic mountain huts, which you can either approach individually or one after the other. Although you have to do a few extra meters in altitude, just look it as a "cooldown".The princely reward for the passed mountain examination follows immediately. And by local delicacies and thanks to the clear view that you have from up there. If you are looking for an extra portion of alpine adventure, you can rent a rustic accommodation in one of the huts. Then you should call ahead of time and sign up.