Around the Höllengebirge - Mountainbiketour

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

From the center of Steinbach, the route runs high above the shore of Lake Attersee to Forstamt. There, the trail leads down to the B152. In Weißenbach, after the Hotel Post, the route branches off to the left into the Weißenbach Valley.

After about 500 m, you can leave the state highway and rejoin the R15 bike path. The bike path has been newly constructed here on its own right-of-way. The route continues upstream along the Äußerer Weißenbach on an easily navigable gravel path. In summer, the stream invites you to take a refreshing dip. After about 6 km, the route returns to the road. Further expansion of the R15 to Bad Ischl is in the planning stages.

Shortly thereafter, you’ll reach the watershed of the flat Weißenbach Valley. From there, the route descends to Mitterweißenbach in the Traun Valley. There, the route does not follow the R2 toward Ebensee along the federal highway, but instead heads a short distance to the right upstream and then crosses the Traun via a clearly visible bridge.

On quiet side roads and gravel paths, following the “Trans-Salzkammergut” signage, the route runs to the right of the river and the railroad line to Lahnstein. There, you switch sides. The route then follows the R2 via Plankau to Ebensee. This is a good spot to take a break before tackling the significantly more challenging second part of the Höllengebirge loop.

In the center of Ebensee, the route branches off to the left toward the Langbath Lakes and climbs gently to the valley station of the Feuerkogel cable car. After another 4 km on the state road, the route—which is also signposted as the Langbathseen Loop —branches left onto a gravel path. This leads over undulating terrain to the idyllically situated Langbathseen lakes. You can also circle the rear of the two lakes.

This is followed by the first major climb to Lueg at 830 m. From there, the loop’s only trail section leads briefly downhill over very rocky terrain. Depending on your riding ability, you may need to walk your bike here. This is followed by an enjoyable descent to Großalmstraße.

For cyclists with lower fitness levels, there is the option here to take a shortcut via the Taferlklause onto the state road. The main route initially heads briefly toward Neukirchen before the signs point sharply left into the Weidensbach valley.

Starting with a gentle climb and becoming significantly more challenging later on, the route leads up about 300 meters in elevation on good gravel to the Praterstern saddle at 907 m, the highest point of the tour. From there, the route winds downhill to the main road.

From the Kienklause, the route follows the old state road downhill through the wild and romantic Kienbach Valley until it reaches Lake Attersee again in Seefeld. From there, it’s about 1 km and one last short climb back to the village center of Steinbach.