Mountain Biking in Matrei in East Tyrol

Trails, E-Bike Tours & Bike Parks

Bike Hotel in the Heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park

Matrei in East Tyrol is considered by cyclists to be one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the Eastern Alps. Nestled between the Großglockner (3,798 m), the Großvenediger (3,666 m), and the Lienz Dolomites, you can set off directly from the AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Montana Matrei onto over 600 kilometers of marked mountain bike and cycling trails. Whether you’re into classic mountain biking, modern e-MTBs, or leisurely cycling, everyone will find their favorite route here between the Isel Valley, Virgen Valley, and Hohe Tauern National Park.

Our central location in the market town of Matrei makes the hotel the perfect base camp—most of the tours start just a few pedal strokes from the hotel door.

The cycling infrastructure at AlpenParks Montana Matrei

As a certified bike-friendly hotel, we have everything you need for worry-free days in the saddle:

E-bike rentals right on-site. Reserve at the front desk one day before arrival—check our price list for current rates.
Lockable and insured bike shed. Park your bike safely, sleep soundly.
Dedicated drying room. For clothing, helmets, and protective gear after a rainy ride.
Bike wash station. After muddy trails, just turn on the hose—done.
Service corner with tools. For adjusting saddle height, bleeding brakes, or minor repairs on the go.
Charging stations for e-bike batteries. Outlets where multiple batteries can be charged simultaneously.
Information corner with maps & tour guides. Brochures from the tourism association, GPX recommendations, and a list of certified bike guides.
Extensive breakfast buffet. Featuring protein, carbohydrates, and energy bars for long rides.

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The most beautiful mountain bike tours starting right from Matrei in East Tyrol

Matrei is located at an elevation of about 975 meters and serves as the starting point for more than 30 marked MTB and e-bike trails. The following selection covers all difficulty levels—from leisurely, enjoyable rides to challenging alpine climbs.

Probably the best-known climb right on Matrei’s local mountain. You’ll make your way from the valley up through paved switchbacks and gravel sections, past the Goldried mountain inn, all the way to the Kals-Matreier Törl at 2,207 m. Several rustic huts invite you to stop for a break, and the view of the Großvenediger and the Granatspitz group is sensational.

Distance: approx. 24 km
Elevation gain: approx. 1,270 m
Difficulty: moderate
E-bike friendly: yes

A spectacular high-altitude loop where you can skip the climb by taking the Goldried Cable Car or the Kalser Gondola. Once at the top, you’ll ride through alpine meadows with direct views of 60 three-thousand-meter peaks—including the Großglockner. Challenging single-track sections alternate with easy gravel paths.

Distance: approx. 5.3 km loop
Elevation gain: approx. 250 m
Difficulty: moderate to difficult

One of the most beautiful e-bike-friendly leisure tours in East Tyrol. Starting from the parking lot of the Matreier Goldried Cable Cars, the route takes you through Zedlach on the sunny side of the Virgental valley to Prägraten am Großvenediger and on to the Umbal Falls—the largest waterfalls in East Tyrol. The cool spray is the perfect reward.

Distance: approx. 48 km round trip
Elevation gain: approx. 1,090 m
Difficulty: moderate
E-bike-friendly: yes, with charging stations along the route

The paved valley path runs along the Isel—one of Europe’s last free-flowing glacial rivers—offering an easy ride from Matrei to Lienz (approx. 29 km, almost entirely downhill). Ideal for families, leisure cyclists, and anyone looking for a tour without significant elevation gain. Tip: Cycle one way and take the train or bus back.

Distance: approx. 29 km to Lienz
Elevation gain: mostly downhill
Difficulty: easy
Suitable for strollers/trailers: yes

If you have a few hours to spare on the day you arrive, or if you’re looking for a relaxing day after a long hike, this loop through Zedlach up to the Strumerhof in the “Zedlacher Paradies” offers a moderate climb and a sunny terrace with panoramic views.

Distance: approx. 17.7 km
Elevation gain: approx. 450 m
Difficulty: easy to moderate

E-bike Vacations in East Tyrol – A Relaxing Way to Explore the Alps

East Tyrol is one of the most e-bike-friendly regions in the Alps: on nearly every major tour, you’ll find charging stations at huts, alpine pastures, or tourist information points. With an e-MTB, you can tackle elevation gains that would take a full day on a traditional bike—and still have energy left for the descent.

At AlpenParks Montana Matrei, we offer modern e-bikes for rent. Please reserve them at the front desk at least one day before arrival. We’ve compiled all the recommended routes starting from the hotel into a separate PDF for you.

Our Recommended E-Bike Tours

Bike Parks & Single Trails in East Tyrol

Looking for a thrill instead of elevation gain? East Tyrol has two bike parks—both less than a 60-minute drive from the hotel.

Right on your doorstep: A mix of trails—ranging from flowing singletrack to technical alpine downhill—awaits you along approximately 60 km of trails. Highlights:

Adlertrail No. 138 (3.7 km) – a flowing singletrack with views of the Großglockner, approx. 420 m of descent with 60 steep turns.
Gornerwald Trail No. 139 – 4.76 km technical trail from the mid-station to Großdorf, over 700 m of descent.
Temblerfelder Singletrail No. 145 – compact trail for practicing jumps and technique.
Convenient ascent via the Kals or Matrei gondola.

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With its four single trails (Flow Family, Alban Lakata, Peter Sagan, Welcome to the Jungle), the Lienz am Hochstein Bike Park is one of the most diverse bike parks in Austria.

Since summer 2025, the new Benjamin Karl Trail has extended the Flow Family Trail all the way to the valley station—a 700-meter bonus section for families featuring a chicken line, trick jump, and drop at the clubhouse. In total, there are approximately 12 kilometers of trails available.

More details

Bike & Hike – the perfect combination

An East Tyrolean specialty: ride your bike to the hut, then hike from there to the summit.

Particularly popular starting directly from Matrei is the tour to the Rotenkogel (2,762 m): Take Route 147 up to the Kals-Matreier Törl, park your bike securely, and hike along the ridge to the summit, which offers a 360° view of over 60 three-thousand-meter peaks.

Tips for your mountain biking vacation in Matrei in East Tyrol

Best biking season: May through mid-October. Higher trails (above 2,000 m) are generally rideable starting in June, depending on snow conditions.
Please respect nature conservation. Many routes pass through the Hohe Tauern National Park—please stay on the marked trails and finish your ride before dusk.
Plan a stop at a mountain hut. Johannishütte, Stabanthütte, Würfelehütte, and Adler Lounge are ideal stopover points. Many huts now have e-bike charging stations.
Check the weather in the morning. In the high mountains, the weather can change quickly—ask at the front desk for the current forecast.
Download GPX tracks in advance. The East Tyrol Tourism Association provides free GPX data for all tours.
Take the gondola up. The Goldried Cable Car and Kalser Gondola transport bikes—ideal for saving elevation gain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain Biking in East Tyrol

The peak season runs from May through mid-October. Lower-altitude routes, such as the Iseltal Cycle Path, are often rideable as early as April, while high-alpine routes above 2,000 meters—such as the Kals-Matreier Törl—aren’t accessible until mid-June. Midsummer offers the best selection of mountain huts, while early autumn provides the clearest views.

Yes, we rent out modern e-mountain bikes right at the hotel. Please make a reservation at the front desk at least one day in advance. We’d be happy to email you our current price list.

The Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei Bike Park is the closest, about a 20-minute drive away, and can be reached via the Kals gondola lift. The Lienz Bike Park is about 30 minutes away and offers four single trails, including the new Benjamin Karl Trail (opening in 2025).

Absolutely. The Iseltal Bike Trail from Matrei to Lienz (approx. 29 km, mostly downhill) is family-friendly and suitable for bike trailers. The Virgental Bike Trail and shorter e-bike loops via Zedlach are also ideal for beginners.

Yes, but only on the marked trails. The national park has a well-signposted network of mountain bike trails—off-trail riding or riding on hiking trails is not permitted. Please stay on the designated trails to protect the local flora and fauna.

In total, there are over 600 kilometers of marked mountain bike and cycling trails, plus numerous singletrack trails in the bike parks. In the Matrei area alone, there are more than 30 marked trails to choose from.

Yes. We have a lockable, theft-insured bike shed, a washing area, a separate drying room for bike gear, and a service corner with tools.

Book a cycling vacation at AlpenParks Montana Matrei

Fancy a summer full of trails, glacier views, and stops at mountain huts? Book your bike hotel in the heart of East Tyrol today. We look forward to seeing you!