Around the Höllengebirge - Mountainbiketour

Around the Höllen mountain range with the mountain bike. Either from Steinbach am Attersee or from Ebensee.

From the village centre of Steinbach, we head high above the shores of Lake Attersee to Forstamt, where we have to descend onto the B152. In Weißenbach, however, our route branches off to the left after the Hotel Post into the valley of the same name. We can leave the main road together with the R15 cycle path after approx. 500 metres, as the cycle path was newly created here a few years ago on its own route. The route continues upstream on a comfortable gravel path along the Äußere Weißenbach stream, which is ideal for a refreshing swim in summer, before we have to switch back to the road after approx. 6 kilometres. (The further extension of the R15 to Bad Ischl is being planned). A little later, we reach the watershed of the flat Weißenbachtal valley and speed down to Mitterweißenbach in the Traun valley. Here, however, we don't take the R2 towards Ebensee along the main road, but ride a short distance upstream to the right and then cross the Traun on a bridge that is already clearly visible. On low-traffic side roads and gravel paths (signposted Trans-Salzkammergut), we continue to the right of the river and railway line to Lahnstein, where we change sides and from there reach Ebensee together with the R2 via Plankau, where we can take a break before the much more challenging second part of the Höllengebirgs circumnavigation.

In the centre of Ebensee, we now turn left towards the Langbath lakes and reach the valley station of the Feuerkogel cable car on a slight incline. After a further 4 km on the main road, we turn left onto a gravel track, which leads us over undulating terrain to the idyllically situated Langbath lakes. The rear of the two lakes can also be circumnavigated before the first real mountain climb, the ascent to Lueg (830m), awaits us. From there, the only trail section of the tour is a short, very rocky descent (possibly pushing), followed by an enjoyable descent to the Großalm road.

Bikers with weaker fitness levels can take a shortcut from here via the Taferlklause on the main road. All others ride briefly towards Neukirchen before the signs point sharply left into the Weidensbach valley. Initially gently ascending, but then crisp and strenuous, the route climbs 300 metres in altitude on good gravel to the saddle of the Praterstern at 907 metres, the highlight of the tour. From there, the route winds down at a rapid pace to the main road and then from the Kienklause on the old country road through the wild and romantic Kienbachtal valley until we reach Lake Attersee again in Seefeld. From there it is only 1 km and a final short climb to the village centre of Steinbach.