BergeSeen 08 with the eMTB from Bad Ischl to Grünau im Almtal

Beginners should carefully consider whether they can manage the BergeSeen 8 and 9 stages. The push sections on BergeSeen 9 are doable but require some fitness and skill. 

This stage includes an uphill single trail (shared trail) that is rideable. The following BergeSeen 9 stage from Grünau to Steinbach am Attersee has two push sections that are only rideable for experienced riders. The rest push everything or just parts. In Ebensee, it is possible to turn directly onto BergeSeen 09 towards Steinbach am Attersee.

The following highlights make this route, in addition to the wonderful nature, an unforgettable experience:

• The first view above the saltworks over Lake Traunsee from the south,


• the old road, now a bike path, along Lake Traunsee to Traunkirchen,


• the Grasberg with its refreshment possibilities and its view of the lake and Traunstein,


• the Ort castle on the lake with park and esplanade,


• the town of Gmunden,


• the last view below the Grünberg over Lake Traunsee with Traunstein,


• and the Laudachsee.

The "BergeSeen 08" stage starts at the tourist office in Bad Ischl. We start towards the Traun River and ride downstream along the Adalbert-Stifter-Kai to the first bridge to cross the Traun on Steinfeldstraße (km 1.1).

At the next intersection, Rettenbachweg, we bear slightly left and follow the road to Rettenbachwaldstraße (km 1.7), where we turn left. After another 100 m, we now join the original route (km 1.8), which takes us above the right bank of the Traun downstream towards Ebensee.

After about 3.7 km, we turn left, cross the Traun, and turn right onto the bike path (km 3.8), which we follow for 2 km directly along the B145, then turn right again (km 5.8) to cross the Traun. We gain some elevation again and ride downstream along Kößlbach Straße until after 2.6 km on asphalt we enter Lahnsteinstraße (km 8.4) into the forest straight ahead.

We follow the signposted "BergeSeen 08" route and, after 1.8 km at the end of the clearing, take the right path (458 m elevation, km 10.2) which leads steeply uphill. After 2.5 km, we go straight through the right hairpin (765 m elevation, km 12.7). The path goes downhill on gravel; we keep left until after about 3.2 km we reach a small hikers' parking lot (461 m elevation, km 15.9).

Slightly to the right lies a wonderful resting place at Frauenweissenbach, ideal for cooling down or a short snack. 200 m later, we turn left into Offenseestraße (km 16.2), cross the Salzkammergut federal road, and continue straight to Steinkogelstraße, where we turn left. Next, we cross the railway line, then immediately the Traun, and turn right onto Langwiesstraße (km 18.1) and ride 4.4 km on asphalt directly to Lake Traunsee. Before the main road, we turn left into the underpass, which leads directly to a photo point on the lake. Following the sign, we ride up onto the bike path which runs along the lake side of Gmundnerstraße (km 22.6) towards Traunkirchen. After about 1 km, the main road goes into a tunnel; we ride traffic-calmed on the old historic road directly by the lake to Traunkirchen. Past the Bartelkreuz, the lion of Lake Traunsee, a wonderful view of the magnificent Traunstein, the Grünberg, and Traunkirchen follows around every bend. The bike path leads us 6.4 km from Ebensee through Traunkirchen to Winkl. After a short uphill section, we turn left uphill (425 m elevation, km 29), then after 200 m turn right towards Mitterndorf past the station. We follow the road for 900 m, then at the second entrance after the regional hospital, we turn left (444 m elevation, km 30.1) uphill onto Buchbergstraße, which after about 1.1 km we leave turning left (km 31.2) onto Mühlbachtalstraße, following it for about 1.9 km to turn toward Hessenberg. After 400 m, we turn left in Hessenberg (552 m elevation, km 33.6) uphill and after another 400 m at the farmhouse turn right (584 m elevation, km 34.0) onto Kollmannsbergstraße, which after 900 m merges into Buchbergstraße. Here is one of many cozy snack stations, several of which are still to be found on this ride up to Grünberg.

Turning left onto Buchbergstraße, the path continues for 1.6 km where we turn left onto L544 on asphalt towards Neukirchen bei Altmünster. At the entrance to Neukirchen (km 36.9), the path veers slightly towards Feichta and after a few meters turns right again uphill towards Grasberg. We follow the Grasberg on side streets in solitude, passing the next fine snack station (731 m elevation, km 40) on the right. We now strictly follow the signage to avoid losing track among the many intersections until after 4.7 km in Altmünster, we take the bike path (426 m elevation, km 44.7) towards Gmunden again. Passing the beach, Toscanapark, with the famous Ort castle on the right and the esplanade directly into the heart of Gmunden.

We cross the Traun at the lowest point of the tour at 423 m, with a view over the whole Lake Traunsee, then immediately turn right into Schiffslände. After about 400 m we curve left-right and end up on Traunsteinstraße, which we leave after 300 m to the left towards Grünberg.

Now (km 49) the path leads us 1.6 km on asphalt, where we sharply turn right onto Laudachseestraße, which after 600 m we leave again turning right uphill (495 m elevation, km 51.2). On Himmelreichstraße, it goes 1.7 km winding uphill to a small place where the path seems to end (647 m elevation, km 52.9). From now on, the leisurely asphalt riding is over; now it goes uphill on a shared trail to Laudachsee. The trail is rideable except for one spot but gets somewhat tricky. After 1.8 km of single trail, we are back on a forest road at 755 m, and the ride continues with more and more hikers, the nearer we get to the cable car station. We stay on the forest road and go straight to the Laudachseealm inn (912 m elevation, 58.9 km), where we deserve some refreshment. The first battery should last until here, except if you rode everything in turbo mode and full throttle.

After the break and a quick refreshment in the lake, it continues lively along the lake towards the Hohe Scharte. Shortly after, we turn left above the lake onto the forest road and ride back on the opposite side of the lake to take the right forest road at the end of the lake (907 m elevation, km 60.6) uphill. Now, about 140 m of climbing remain to the highest point of the tour at 1,040 m. We always keep right and follow the signage of the "BergeSeen 08" tour onwards towards Grünau. After 4.5 km (1027 m elevation, km 65.1), we continue straight into the Hauergraben. Always mindful of your speed, not just because of the closed barrier at the end of the Hauergraben. Now, we follow the Hauergraben farm track again on asphalt to Traxenbichl (507 m elevation, 71.2 km), turn right at the hydrant onto bike path R11 towards Grünau im Almtal, which leads us exactly to our daily destination.

A thorough study of the description of BergeSeen 8 and 9 is recommended to assess whether the existing single trails bring joy or frustration.

Pushing is definitely possible, but you should plan about 30-45 minutes extra depending on the route.

For a successful, accident-free, and exciting day, you will find tips here for planning before the tour.

Please note that any MTB routes must always be completed with flawless equipment.

Here is our recommendation for tour preparation and equipment.

As new players on the field of mountain and recreational sports enthusiasts, we eMTB riders have a special duty to behave appropriately.

In Graubünden, bikers and hikers share the paths. A project that should set an example. But that only works with mutual respect. Black sheep set us back by years.

With shared rules, we ensure that the forest continues to offer a unique recreational and living space as well as a workplace for everyone.

Information about cycling in the forest from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism.