Mix of sporting challenge, scenic beauty & cool atmosphere: Salzkammergut Mountainbike Trophy 2026

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Salzkammergut Trophy on 18 July:
Europe's toughest mountain bike marathon is calling!

On the weekend of 17-19 July, the Salzkammergut will once again be all about cycling. The Salzkammergut Trophy, Austria's largest mountain bike event, attracts thousands of participants to Bad Goisern.

The focus is on the legendary extreme route over 202 kilometres with more than 7,000 metres of altitude, which is considered the toughest mountain bike marathon in Europe. The starting signal for the supreme discipline is given at 5 o'clock in the morning in the centre of Bad Goisern. The route leads through the impressive lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut and enjoys cult status far beyond the borders of Austria.

The starting field of the extreme distance is again top-class this year. Last year's winner Manuel Pliem from Altaussee, the Tyrolean Philip Handl, winner of 2023 and 2024, and Konny Looser from Switzerland, who has already won the trophy five times, will be there. The Styrian David Schöggl and the most successful extreme athlete in Upper Austria, Lukas Kaufmann from Kronstorf, will also fight for the top places. In the women's race, the Tyrolean Bianca Somavilla is one of the top favorites. However, the winner of 2023 and 2024 will face strong competition from Sabine Sommer from the Mühlviertel, who has already won the extreme distance three times.

Routes also for beginners and pleasure riders!

A total of around 4,000 participants from more than 30 nations are expected. However, the Salzkammergut Trophy is not only an event for professionals and endurance specialists. In addition to the extreme route, there are another six mountain bike and three gravel trails for every fitness level - also for beginners and touring bikers. The F-route with 37 kilometres and 1,044 metres of altitude difference runs mainly along forest and forest roads, with the "Ewige Wand" as the highlight. The family-friendly G-route is 22 kilometres long, has 567 metres of altitude difference and runs along the Traun and through the wildly romantic Weißenbachtal.

Great supporting programme with bike fair and guided eMTB tours

Visitors can also expect a varied supporting programme away from the competitions. At the bike fair, there will be direct sales with many promotions and competitions. Visitors will also have the opportunity to test the latest bikes and eMountain bikes. A special highlight are the guided eMTB tours with sports legends Andreas Goldberger and Thomas Sykora as well as with eMTB world champion Anna Spielmann.

On Trophy Sunday, the Scott Junior Trophy will feature two competitions for children and young people aged 3 to 14. An "XC race" for experienced and ambitious young bikers as well as a "course competition" without timekeeping. At the same time, the popular Bosch eMTB scavenger hunt will take place, where families, friends or entire clubs can start together. There is also no timekeeping, but checkpoints and stations with fun skill competitions such as mini crossbow and archery.

With a unique mix of sporting challenge, scenic beauty and incomparable atmosphere, the Salzkammergut Trophy is a must for all mountain bike and gravel fans! 

10 years of the Gravel Marathon at the Salzkammergut Trophy

Gravel.one route will be extended to over 90 kilometers! Bad Goisern; Back in 2017, the Trophy team was one of the first organizers in Europe to offer its own gravel marathon.

What began as a new format back then has long since become established! There are now three gravel routes to choose from, which are becoming increasingly popular. No wonder - the extensive network of gravel paths, forest roads and low-traffic, asphalted side roads makes it possible to experience the unique mountain and lake landscape of the Dachstein-Salzkammergut region in a particularly enjoyable way.

Longest gravel route grows to 93.3 kilometres For the 10th anniversary of the gravel marathon, the longest route will be significantly expanded. The start of the Gravel.one route moves from Obertraun to the imperial city of Bad Ischl. This extends the distance by around 25 kilometres and 150 metres in altitude to 93.3 kilometres with 2,141 metres of altitude. From the start in Bad Ischl, the route is initially largely flat via Bad Goisern and along Lake Hallstatt to Obertraun.

The participants can expect an impressive panorama as well as a somewhat longer roll-in phase before the first larger
ascent begins. From Obertraun, the Gravel.one is almost identical to the C-route of the MTB Marathon and leads through the Echerntal and via the Rossalm to Lake Gosau - with a view of the Dachstein glacier.

Three gravel routes to choose from The Gravel.two over 52 kilometres, which was offered for the first time last year, will once again start in Bad Ischl. The shortest route with just under 22 kilometres continues to start in Bad Goisern and is ideal for beginners as well as pleasure skiers. One women's and one men's class are scored on all gravel courses. On the longest distance, there is also an age group ranking. All times of the gravel participants also count towards the popular slow-motion classification.

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