Stage 2: Saalfelden - Dienten am Hochkönig
From Saalfelden Leogang, we head into the Hochkönig region. It gets more mountainous, and the land is no longer flat. When you're at the bottom, you have to climb back up again. This applies to the main road, which has to cross two passes from Maria Alm to Bischofshofen, and it also applies to the paths to the right and left of it. But the hard pedalling is particularly worthwhile here. The Hochkönig is a huge massif with a magical attraction. Once you have crossed the tree line, you no longer look back, only over there. The landscape that passes us by on six days of Gravel Peaks always knows how to surprise, is always charming and exciting. But here it most deserves the description ‘magnificent’!
There is a little time left to get our legs up to operating temperature as we roll along the previous day's route from Saalfelden to Maria Alm, but then we leave the „Steinernes Meer“ on our left and focus solely on the Hochkönig ahead. Between Maria Alm and Hinterthal, a few kilometres further towards Dienten, a new connection has been created in the countryside. Those who no longer want to ride on the main road have to work their way up the traffic-calmed path. This is a test over around 500 metres of altitude. The reward is an unobstructed view back to Maria Alm and the Saalfelden Basin, an extravagant pass crossing on a long wooden footbridge, followed by two easy trail sections with sweeping curves that are really fun, interrupted only by a short stretch of forest road. It's varied and anything but boring. After passing Hinterthal, the Filzensattel is soon reached after a short stretch of pass road, and the route plays a little trick with the topography, leaving out the descent into the valley for now. This is followed by what is probably the most beautiful section to ride. On the valley flank, the trail winds its way up and down passing Dienten above. There are great views of the Hochkönig and your legs can relax a little for the grand finale.
The route climbs up to the most beautiful viewing platform in front of the Hochkönig, the Wastlhöhe at an altitude of 1,737 metres. Initially, you remain on the road, but soon a wide, well-maintained forest path leads further and further upwards. The higher you climb, the more the forest opens up, allowing you to continue pedalling upwards while enjoying the magnificent panorama. Once at the top, the panorama remains uninterrupted – on another highlight section, the sublime path along the ridge to the neighbouring peak, the Kohlmansegg. From here, it's all downhill to the finish. Soon, the Tiergartenalm awaits further down with the next sun terrace, which you really shouldn't miss. But the König & Kuh, the destination of the second stage just above Dienten, is still waiting. This event location is another highlight of this stage: après bike in a very cool atmosphere in front of a stunning backdrop. You can look forward to this every metre of this stage and use the view as motivation.
