Mountain biking trails in Carinthia

The „lake.bike“ project is a great example of what can happen when a region pulls together. Within a few years, tourism experts have developed a top infrastructure for mountain biking together with the local community. The Villach, Faaker and Ossiacher See region is now one of the most popular MTB regions in Austria and offers a great range of routes for experienced riders as well as for youngsters, beginners and families.

Around Lake Faak you will find mostly shorter trails, but depending on your condition they can also be combined into longer tours. The area is ideal to start biking and to increase step by step. At Lake Ossiach, the very difficult „PROLitzen Trail“ newly opened in 2022, stands out in particular, challenging even the most accomplished acrobats on the bike.

Another MTB paradise in Carinthia lies in the Nockberge mountains, especially around Bad Kleinkirchheim, which is also home to the longest flow trail in Europe. But that's not all: in addition to the flow trail from the Kaiserburg, there are a total of ten other trails and numerous other mountain bike routes. The great thing about the bike region is its proximity to Lake Millstädt, a wonderful bathing lake that can also be circumnavigated in the course of an enjoyable mountain bike tour. A visit to Lake Millstädt is therefore highly recommended to all mountain bike fans, but all non-bikers will also find a great offer for an active and relaxing summer in Carinthia.

In the very southeast of Carinthia is the region around Bleiburg, a somewhat sleepy but beautiful area. On the Petzen in the Karawanken, Bleiburg's local mountain, it was usually quite tranquil in summer. This changed with the construction of the longest flow trail in Europe, built by trail building legend Diddie Schneider. Since then, more trails have been built, somewhat more technical and difficult, and thus the Bikepark „Bikezone Petzen“ was created. Trails like the very difficult Thriller or the EWS Line are among the most challenging trails in Austria and are a highlight especially for enduro fans. If you want, you can also pedal the 1000 metres up the Petzen yourself.

For many, it is one of the most beautiful places in Austria. With its location at almost 1000 m above sea level, Lake Weissensee is the highest bathing lake in Carinthia in the middle of the Gailtal Alps. In the mountain bike scene, however, Lake Weissensee is not only popular because of the scenic beauty, but especially because of the great single trails that wind around the chairlift on the Naggler Nock in the direction of Techendorf. In addition to the trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult, the route around the lake is also ideal, including stops at the alpine pastures and on the eastern shore for a swim. Lake Weissensee and the Lesachtal region are also perfect for hiking, mountaineering and relaxing, and are therefore especially popular with families.

The Carnic Alps rise up on the border with Italy and have a lot in store for mountain bikers. Around the Nassfeld ski area, the mountain railways take bikers up the mountain in summer. Downhill you can go on one of the many trails. Here, too, you can choose between perfectly built flow trails and more challenging single trails. There are also plenty of leisurely laps – always with a dreamlike panorama as far as the Julian Alps!