Start of the season in Lower Austria

Over hill and dale in the Vienna Woods on two wheels

Cycling fun not far from the metropolis of Vienna(Bild: Markus Fruehmann)

Mountain biking fun on 1370 kilometers of trails! The Vienna Woods offers a unique sporting experience in Lower Austria.

The mild weather heralds the start of the mountain bike season. The Vienna Woods near the city in particular offers a varied sports program for all bikers - from single trails to multi-day mountain bike and gravel routes, the destination leaves nothing to be desired. "In addition, attractive innovations are constantly being developed, such as new connecting trails to the mountain bike area on the Anninger," emphasizes Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

Digital map developed
Of course, certain fair play rules and forestry restrictions must also be observed here, because: "The forest is our workplace. For safety reasons, it is therefore important to observe temporary restricted areas during timber harvesting and forest maintenance operations," emphasizes Gerald Oitzinger, Operations Manager of the Austrian Federal Forests in the Vienna Woods. To ensure that mountain bikers know exactly where they are allowed to pedal, the Austrian Federal Forests have developed a digital map of restricted areas - a unique service that the tourist destination offers its guests. The map makes route planning easier and shows alternative routes, says Oitzinger.

The representatives of the Wienerwald MTB Platform are delighted: from left to right: DI Andreas Weiß (Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve), Michael Wollinger (Managing Director of Wienerwald Tourismus), Alexander Mrkvicka (City of Vienna Forestry), Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Andreas Mocha (Wienerwald Trails Association), DI Gerald Oitzinger (Austrian Federal Forests)(Bild: Wienerwald Tourismus/Baden Media)

Because the Vienna Woods is recognized as a biosphere reserve, it is all the more important to constantly adapt the mountain bike routes and guide cyclists along routes that are as environmentally friendly as possible - Andreas Mocha, Chairman of the Wienerwald Trail Association, is also aware of this: "The association has managed to create attractive routes that avoid potential conflict areas by converting and building new trails." Nothing stands in the way of a cycling trip in the current spring-like temperatures.

Information at www.wienerwald.info