We meet at 10:00 am at the Sportchalet in Viehhofen. With six enthusiastic cyclists and me, Viehhofen’s mountain bike guide Maaike. After the bike check, we head to the cycle path along the Saalach towards Saalbach. Two people by e-bike and the rest of us sit on a normal mountain bike, also known today as an organic bike. Viehhofen is an ideal starting point for the planned route, as the first part is pretty flat, it gives us the opportunity to warm up first and get to know each other a little.

After half an hour we have passed the last station of the motor skills path in Saalbach and everyone is warmed up and ready for the ascent. As a mountain bike guide every day is different, as we adapt all routes to each group. Today we have experienced cyclists who like the challenge. So the choice fell on a bike tour with the necessary altitude of meters and a challenging descent on a single trail. Through the center of Saalbach, we first go up to the Spielberghaus. Fun fact: Downhill champion Vali Höll grew up there. At the Spielberghaus she even has her own downhill track for training, the Höllentrail. Good news for us, a nice first descent and a perfect trail to test the group's ability. Before we start, we briefly discuss the basic techniques of descent and I'll give some tips. The group already has a lot of knowledge, so let's get started! We are ready for the first adrenaline rush! 

We head on towards the Bernkogel and Wetterkreuz lift. The steep ascent leads us past green meadows, beautiful panoramas and grazing cows. What a great view you have from this border between Tyrol and Salzburg! Saalbach Hinterglemm is on one side and Fieberbrunn on the other. The overwhelming feeling of reaching the top overwhelms the participants.

The group's hard work is rewarded. The reflection of the sun's rays in the reservoir invites to take cool group photos. Then it really starts. We start of the cool Wetterkreuztrail with flowing lines, diagonally to the mountain. It goes not only downhill, short steep climbs offer a challenge here. At the end of this natural trail is the Reiteralm, a beautiful mountain restaurant with an impressive view from the sun terrace. Tip for soup lovers: the "Spitzwegerichsuppe" is really irresistible. 

After a short stop, it's time for the rest of our descent. There are two options, either the easy route over the forest road or via a downhill trail. The Pro-Line is not suitable for this group and the bikes we have with us, but the Blue-Line is. Everyone already has a lot of experience in the descent and all of them have proven themselves on the Höllentrail and Wetterkreuztrail. So we take the blue line. Big smiles and screams of joy ring out on the descent and our biker heart laugh. When we arrive Hinterglemm, we have one last challenge, the bag jump. A ramp with a very large cushion of air behind it. Not for everyone, but a few from the group dare. Impressive! 

After all these challenges, we have a lot to talk on the way back to Viehhofenn, along the Saalach. Another fantastic day of mountain biking. 

Would you also like to go on a tour with a mountain bike guide? In the summer season we, Maaike and Joost from the Sportchalet Viehhofen, the bike guides, are out and about with guests every week. The possibilities are endless. Yes, for you too! Practiced or without experience, long or short tours or learning the intricacies of mountain biking during a technical training session in the “Learn to Ride Park”, everything is possible. 

I'm looking forward to a tour with you! 

Warm greetings 

Maaike