Introducing The Epic Bikepark Leogang
Fri 15th Mar, 2019 @ 9:30 pm
A lot has been happening ahead of the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships 2020 in the Bike Mecca of Saalfelden Leogang. The region is investing over one million Euros into its mountain bike infrastructure. The result of that investment is four new trails and a 5,000m² pump track including a jump and dirt jump line. The 2019 season also sees an additional gondola – the Steinbergbahn – transporting mountain bikers and hikers to the top of the Asitz mountain. With so many changes happening, it is also time to rebrand the bikepark. Consequently, the Austrian bikepark will open its doors as The Epic Bikepark Leogang on May 10, 2019.
With the Steinberg Line and the Antonius Trail, two of the four new trails are being constructed directly within The Epic Bikepark Leogang and will both be opened this summer. The other two trails – the Forsthof Trail and Schwarzleo Trail – on the other hand, are hand-built singletrails and will expand Saalfelden Leogang’s singletrail network outside of the bikepark. The 5,000m² pump track with its jump and dirt jump lines is being constructed together with Velosolutions in the Riders Playground at the bottom of the bikepark. Furthermore, the Steinbergbahn will serve as a second lift to access the bikepark starting in May.
Those who can’t wait for the official opening of The Epic Bikepark Leogang on May 10, can look forward to a limited pre-opening as part of Saalfelden Leogang’s “April! April! Special.” From April 13 to April 22, the bottom half of the bikepark will be opened, while skiers can still enjoy the snow and pistes further up the mountain.
Outside of the new trails and offers, The Epic Bikepark Leogang will once again host several world-class events throughout the season. The Out of Bounds Festival including the Mercedes-Benz UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup will return from June 7-9, 2019, while the second edition of the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang will be held on September 13-15, 2019.
Overview of the new trails in Saalfelden Leogang:
Steinberg Line by FOX (opening summer 2019)
The flowy Steinberg Line by FOX will be opening at the beginning of summer 2019. Starting right at the top of The Epic Bikepark Leogang, the 10km-long line snakes through the forest to the valley 969m below. With its numerous berms and turns and an average gradient of 9%, the new line is perfect for families and beginners. Advanced and expert riders can however also enjoy numerous tables, side hits and beautiful views of the “Leoganger Steinberge” along the fast and flowy line.
Antonius Trail (opening at the end of June 2019)
The Antonius Trail is a true highlight for riders, who enjoy challenging and technically demanding singletrails and the second new trail within The Epic Bikepark Leogang. The natural, tight and demanding trail starts just a few meters after the entrance to the existing Flow Link. Snaking through the dense forest on a length of 1.4 kilometres with a vertical drop of 169m, the Antonius Trail then merges with the new Steinberg Line by FOX.
Schwarzleo Trail (hand-built singletrail – already finished)
The natural, hand-shaped singletrail (difficulty S1-S2) starts just above the Forsthofalm and takes mountain bikers through a beautiful forest into the Schwarzleo valley. Across a distance of 1.8 kilometres, riders encounter several Northshore elements, technical switchbacks and long, flowy sections. Half-way down the trail, the forest suddenly clears and reveals a stunning panoramic view of the “Leoganger Steinberge” across the valley. The easiest way to reach the new trail is by climbing the 230 vertical meters to the Hotel Forsthofalm by following the LE 01| Forsthofalm-Route from the bottom of the Asitz lift station. Those, who still have some gas left in the tank after making it down the trail, can head up the climb again and try the newly-built Forsthof Trail (opening at the end of June) as well.
Forsthof Trail (hand-built singletrail – opening end of June)
The Forsthof Trail could just as well be located in Middle Earth. Passing towering rock formations and crossing several streams, the new 2-kilometre-long hand-built singletrail leads riders through an enchanted forest on its way down into the valley. Just like the new Schwarzleo Trail, the Forsthof Trail starts right next to the Hotel Forsthofalm and can be reached by following the LE 01| Forsthofalm-Route with its climb of 230 vertical meters from the bottom of the Asitz lift. Once riders have made it the bottom, they can choose to either return to the bottom of the Asitz or head back up the climb to try out the new Schwarzleo Trail as well.
Further information about The Epic Bikepark Leogang can be found on: bikepark-leogang.com, instagram.com/BikeparkLeogang and facebook.com/BikeparkLeogang
To make your biking holiday absolutely perfect, special bike hotels such as Salzburger Hof, Bio Hotel Rupertus, Hotel Bacher, Hotel Riederalm, Hotel Ritzenhof, Mama Thresl, Hotel Saliterhof, Hotel Forsthofalm and Hotel Der Löwe and competent bike shops such as Sport Mitterer or Sport 2000 Simon are at your service: http://www.saalfelden-leogang.com/en/region-experience/bike/bikehotels
News and information about Saalfelden Leogang can be found on saalfelden-leogang.com, instagram.com/Saalfelden_Leogang or facebook.com/SaalfeldenLeogang.
