MTB Road Trip: Across Austria by Campervan!
Planning an MTB road trip? Here you'll find helpful pros and cons, tips, and experiences for campervan trips with your mountain bike.
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- myvanture editorial team
Looking for inspiration for your next MTB road trip? You've come to the right place! Austria is the perfect spot, with countless natural trails, flow trails, singletracks, and jump lines that will captivate you in no time. Whether you want to mountain bike in a bike park or explore the mountains with your enduro bike – Austria has something for everyone! Our team went on an MTB road trip in the summer and biked in 5 federal states: Lower Austria, Carinthia, Styria, Salzburg, and Tyrol. Join us on this exciting journey from the Wexl Trails to Sölden and get tips and inspiration for your next camping trip with your bike!
MTB Road Trip: Contents
- What is an MTB Road Trip?
- Why a Road Trip by Campervan instead of a Hotel?
- Which Campervan is Right for You?
- Advantages of an MTB Road Trip?
- Disadvantages of an MTB Road Trip?
- Tips for Your MTB Road Trip?
- Lower Austria: Wexl Trails
- Carinthia: Petzen Bike Park
- Styria: Schladming Bike Park
- Salzburg: Leogang, Saalbach, Fieberbrunn
- Tyrol: Innsbruck, Sölden
- Conclusion: MTB Road Trip
What is an MTB Road Trip?
You, your mountain bike, and your campervan. Sounds almost like the start of a love story, doesn't it? And it is! A camping trip focused on biking can be done solo or with a partner. More than two people isn't recommended, as your MTB packing list will be longer than for a regular camping holiday. For example, you should always bring spare parts, tools, and appropriate biking clothes.
Why a Road Trip by Campervan instead of a Hotel?
With a campervan at a campsite – or a designated pitch specifically for mountain bikers – you're immediately surrounded by like-minded people. UNO games and cozy evenings around the campfire are practically guaranteed. A hotel stay, in this case, could be much more boring, especially if you plan to do the MTB road trip alone.
Which Campervan is Right for You?
Multivan: You're traveling alone with your bike and don't need a built-in kitchen or bathroom with a toilet.
California Beach: You're traveling alone or as a couple. You can sleep in the pop-top roof and store your gear and luggage in the living area. No kitchen or shower needed.
California Coast: The outdoor shower at the rear and built-in kitchenette in the living area are ideal for longer MTB road trips if you want to be self-sufficient. The pop-top roof provides plenty of sleeping space.
Grand California: If you want to do your MTB road trip in autumn or winter, or if you don't want to miss out on the added luxury of a hot water shower, toilet, and kitchenette – then this is the model for you!
Tip: If you travel with a bike rack, much less dirt will get into the camper's interior.
Advantages of an MTB Road Trip?
Most bike parks have bike shops, mountain bike showers, local guides, and bike schools, as well as the option to rent the right equipment. To go on an MTB road trip, you don't need expert knowledge or your own bike. Motivation, enthusiasm, and a travel budget – in case you need a spare tube – are all you need.
Disadvantages of an MTB Road Trip?
Plan your road trip and calculate your travel budget. Day tickets for bike parks or unexpected purchases at bike shops could break the bank. Make a rough plan of where you want to go, how often you want to ride, and what you want to eat. Will you cook yourself at the campsite, or can you afford a meal at a mountain hut every day? You don't have to ride in the bike park every day either. Try mountain bike tours where you have to pedal yourself to climb the mountain. That can be just as much fun and costs significantly less money than a day ticket at a bike park.
Tips for Your MTB Road Trip?
- Roughly plan your route
- Look for biker-friendly campsites
- Calculate your travel budget
- Pack spare equipment
- Don't overestimate your riding skills
- Plan rest days
Lower Austria: Wexl Trails
Starting your trip from Vienna? Perfect! Your first stop is Wexl Trails in Lower Austria. What makes this bike park so special? Camping is allowed in the parking lot, there's a versatile trail park, and a bike wash and restaurant are right at the valley station. Whether you're looking for family-friendly tours, breathtaking panoramic trails, challenging jump lines, or natural singletracks – this is how you kick off your MTB road trip!
Carinthia: Petzen Bike Park
The journey continues south to Carinthia. The next bike park, Petzen, ups the difficulty level a bit. In addition to the family-friendly practice course and the Flow Country Trail, you'll find the black lines Thriller and EWS Trail. Yes, you read that right. The Enduro World Series regularly takes place at MTB ZONE Bikepark Petzen and Single Trailpark Jamnica.
Styria: Schladming Bike Park
Next stop, next bike park! In beautiful Styria, about a three-hour drive from Petzen Bike Park, you'll find Schladming Bike Park. 35 km of trail fun, a bike area for beginners, a beginner-friendly flow line, an Uphill Flow Trail, a challenging jump line with 99 jumps, and World Cup Downhill for pros.
Want to camp with like-minded people and your MTB friends? At Camping Zirngast there's a separate area just for mountain bikers. Hot showers, fresh rolls in the morning, and the bike park just 5 minutes away – what more could a biker want?
Salzburg: Leogang, Saalbach, Fieberbrunn
Not only will the mountain scenery blow you away, but so will this bike region! What's special about this region isn't just the network of trails for all difficulty levels, but the connection of all three bike parks: Leogang, Saalbach, and Fieberbrunn. Over 70km of lines & trails and 9 cable cars on 7 mountains, with a connection to the 280km Tauern Cycle Path, await you! The best part is, you can ride all three bike parks with just one lift ticket.
Tyrol: Innsbruck, Sölden
Of course, a short city trip shouldn't be missing from an MTB road trip. The best combination of city and adventure is Innsbruck! At Bikepark Innsbruck on Muttereralm, varied trails from easy to difficult await you, with phenomenal views of Innsbruck.
Our adventure culminates in magical Sölden in the Ötztal. The Bike Republic Sölden boasts an extensive network of natural trails and ecologically designed routes of varying difficulty, as well as dozens of tours, enduro routes, and two pump tracks in the valley – all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ötztal Alps.
Conclusion: MTB Road Trip
With a little preparation and road trip planning, your campervan trip with your mountain bike can become an unforgettable action-packed adventure. Roughly plan your route so you can find campsites where you can camp with fellow athletes, and calculate your travel budget. This way, unexpected costs for spare parts – if you get a flat tire – won't spoil your mood. Pack enough spare clothes for cycling. A few rainy days and you'll be having a small mud fight in the bike park. The group dynamic in the bike parks encourages you to try more difficult maneuvers. Don't overestimate your riding skills. Injuries can lead to a "return ticket," especially if you're doing the MTB road trip alone. Therefore, we also recommend regular rest periods. After all, you don't have to be active every day to have a great camping holiday.
Questions about your trip? Just give us a call.
Whether it's choosing a camper, planning a route or booking — our team is happy to help. No bot, no hold music.