Stage 1

Saalfelden lies in a sunny, expansive valley basin surrounded by impressive mountain ranges and wonderful tracks that come very close to the steep walls. The south-western flank of the Steinernes Meer (literally „The Rocky Sea“) rises up here, with peaks that look down on the village from 2,000 metres above. The flank stores the sun's heat and creates a climate that keeps the tracks free of snow almost all year round. From Maria Alm, the route climbs up to the first peak of this varied week, close to the rock faces, so close you can almost touch them and let the first sublime feeling of the week sink in. After the descent from the Bürgerberg, you can relax and roll along the sunny cycle route for a few kilometres. Now the Leoganger Steinberge (literally „Leogang Rocky Mountains“) show us the way. They stand there, no less impressive, and also show us their southern flank. It is no coincidence that their foothills form the Leoganger Sonnberg, and just behind this warm balcony of Leogang, a path winds its way through the forest, culminating in the Gunzi Trail with a short riding technique test on the narrow path up to the highest point. From here, after a short descent, we reach Leogang, and it would not be surprising if we were accompanied by a few mountain bikers wearing full-face helmets and protective gear. After all, one of the largest bike parks in Europe magically attracts the scene here.

The road now leads back in the flat, but between Leogang and Saalfelden, a mountain flank still extends its foothills, somewhat obstructing the clear view of Saalfelden. But that hardly bothers us, because we want to go up there and can easily do so, as a forest path climbs the shoulder at a pleasant gradient: the Biberg, one of the best panoramic spots in the region. Here, the Steinernes Meer is no longer within reach; it reveals itself in all its glory in cinema format, and the view wanders further to the right towards the Hochkönig, giving us a glimpse of what to expect over the next few days. A brisk descent leads down to the valley path, which takes us on flat ground to the small hill with the Kollingwald and the Ritzensee. Once at the top, just before reaching the lake, it's time to get out your mobile phone cameras again. There's no better place to photograph Saalfelden in front of the „Rocky Sea“ than here. An extravagant sightseeing trip comes to an end, and a starting stage that already offers everything that Gravel Peaks is all about.

GRAVEL PEAKS 2026 – BOX SEATS ON AND ON

The rough route for the first edition has now been finalised. Before the detailed planning is completed, here is a sneak preview of the route for GRAVEL PEAKS 2026. The highlights at a glance:

We have chosen the Salzburg region for the first edition of GRAVEL PEAKS. We are planning six stages across four destinations: Saalfelden Leogang, the Hochkönig region, Flachau, and Salzburg Lungau. The Salzburg region and these locations offer everything we could have wished for in a GRAVEL PEAKS event: epic gravel tracks leading to the best vantage points with breathtaking panoramic views.

On the first day, we will start in the sun-drenched Saalfelden basin and climb the first viewpoints between Leogang and Maria Alm, the gateway to the Hochkönig region. Here, the rugged Leoganger Steinberge mountains to the west and the imposing Steinerne Meer to the east dominate the landscape. We will be able to view these mountains from afar and up close. The tour's beginning already embodies the GRAVEL PEAKS DNA.

And that's not all. The sea of stone continues eastward without interruption, piling up until it scrapes the sky at an altitude of 2,941 metres at the summit of the Hochkönig. While there are higher mountains in Austria, many three-thousand-metre peaks are overshadowed by other giants. Not this one. The Hochkönig stands alone, proudly displaying its crown. There are few panoramic trails between Maria Alm, Dienten and Mühlbach that do not captivate you with this towering massif. It is only when the route leaves the Hochkönig region behind in Bischofshofen that these views will exist only in our memories – or stored on the memory chip of our mobile phones.

But then another majestic mountain comes into view: the Dachstein! From the Sattelbauer, a rustic mountain farm with an Instagram-worthy sun terrace above Flachau, the view of its jagged ridge is extraordinary. This is also one of the best places to view the GRAVEL PEAKS 2026 route. As the route continues from Flachau via Altenmarkt towards Obertauern, the Dachstein remains in view. The eastern Pongau region, stretching from Flachau to the Styrian border, offers plenty of photo spots and cool gravel tracks. It is only when the route turns south, climbing the wild Obertauern Pass into the Lungau, that the Dachstein slowly fades away behind us. We then head right through the Radstädter Tauern further south.

You will soon reach Lungau. The landscape will change, becoming gentler and almost charming. However, don't assume that the climbs here are easy, because they are not. The peaks still tower well over 2,000 metres into the sky, but in a restrained manner. They do not reach abruptly for the clouds, leaving room for the sun to bathe the wide, green valley basins and their flanks. This vastness is enchanting, especially when you cycle up out of the forest to the panoramic spots above this 'Shire'.

The almost inexhaustible network of gravel paths, forest roads and alpine trails is great fun to ride on a gravel bike. You could probably spend six days exploring Lungau alone. We won't be able to explore them all by a long shot. Even if we stay an extra day after arriving in the area and do another loop between Mauterndorf, Tamsweg and St. Michael, we won't see them all. But this already shows everything that this holiday region has to offer. This tour is more than just a taster; it provides undeniable proof that Lungau is a tremendous gravel territory. It also provides a fitting conclusion to a route that offers as much for the eyes as it demands from the legs. If you want to be close to the mountains, you have to climb. But on this route, every watt-intensive turn of the pedals is worthwhile. Promise!