Schladming-Dachstein, A Summer Full Of Sport, Relaxation And Enjoyment
Over the last few years, the Austrian holiday region of Schladming-Dachstein (www.schladming-dachstein.at/en) has established itself as a top tourist destination for the summer as well. The region attracts visitors with an optimum mix of sport, recreation and culinary experiences. And several new options have been added for this coming summer. The “Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard” remains one of the key success factors. This premium holiday card provides visitors with free admission to over 100 top leisure attractions and up to 50 percent discount for the offerings of over 100 bonus partners in the holiday region in the Styrian Alps.
Regardless of whether you take a laid-back approach to your vacations or are constantly in search of new adventures, summertime in the Schladming-Dachstein region is guaranteed to always have something perfect in store.
Pristine landscapes, lush green alpine valleys and the mighty limestone walls of the glaciated Dachstein massif provide the perfect setting for your summer getaway.
Five new mountain bike routes, three new “single trails”
Fans of alpine cycling in particular have something to look forward to: Schladming-Dachstein is expanding its extensive mountain biking offering by five new routes. In addition, there will be three new so-called single trails. Riding these narrow paths is always a special experience for mountain bikers. The new “Buckelwald Trail” is located on the Reiteralm and follows the course of an old hiking trail that has been restored with the addition of some gangways. In Ramsau am Dachstein, the “Vorbergtrail” has been created, a natural trail incorporating exposed tree roots classed as moderately difficult. Apart from a high fun factor, this route offers a great view across the Enns Valley, the Niedere Tauern and the Dachstein. It is also suitable for experienced e-bikers. And finally the promising mountain bike tour "Giglachsee Runde" has been extended by a new single trail for ambitious, sporty bikers. The trail leads over alpine terrain (rocks) from 2000 meters above sea level down to the breathtaking Giglachsee.
Combining cycling and hiking: Bike & Hike event from 27th June to 1st July
For some time now, the Schladming-Dachstein Region has offered summertime visitors a special combination: “Bike & Hike” combines cycling with hiking, making the most of the advantages of both types of recreation: long forest paths and descents are covered by mountain bike or e-bike in a time-saving manner. The bike can be handed in at one of a total of 25 Bike & Hike stations before carrying on on foot to explore the surrounding mountain landscape. After the hiking experience, another bike is available for the descent into the valley. In line with the e-bike trend, 21 Bike & Hike stations are equipped with Bosch chargers. The Bike & Hike concept has even inspired an event that is being held this year for the first time. During the “SPORTaktiv Bike & Hike Genusstouren” event from 27th June to 1st July, participants can take advantage of guided tours, try out e-bikes for free and take a course in basic e-biking techniques.
Fun and adventure for the whole family: new “Flyline” and “Flying Coaster”
The tourism professionals in Schladming-Dachstein place special importance on perfect offerings for families with children. These will find ideal conditions for an eventful summer holiday with a lot of fun and adventure here – such as the high-altitude playground “I love Rittisberg” on the Ramsau plateau. In addition to established attractions such as the Rittisberg Coaster, Forest Park, Segway Parcours and the fairy-tale walking trail, this is where the “Flyline”, a hybrid of forest roller coaster and flying fox, is now in operation. With a length of 2,500 metres, the zip line from the Stoderzinken down to Gröbming is the longest of its type in Europe. From the summer of 2018, the new “Flying Coaster” will link the zip line base station with the “Abenteuerpark Gröbming” climbing park. Suspended from a metal tube, visitors will sweep through the forest for 600 metres like birds.
The trending sport of “climbing” is booming: numerous new offerings for children and adults
The new trending sport of “climbing” is attracting ever greater numbers of people. Austria’s leading climbing region is located on the south side of the highest mountain in Styria – in the Dachstein Mountains. 21 stunning via ferratas offering varying levels of difficulty and 292 routes in six climbing gardens in Schladming set the hearts of mountain climbing enthusiasts racing. At the foot of the Ramsau Sattelberg you will find the “Kalis Kinderklettersteiggarten”, an ideal place for children and teenagers to get started. For any adventurous person who fancies having a go at rock climbing, obtaining a “Klettersteigschein” (Via Ferrata Certificate) is a must. This entails state-certified mountain guides from Ramsau am Dachstein training novices in the essential basics of rock climbing.
Experience culinary highlights of the region with the so-called “Genussmobil” (Genuss = culinary pleasure)
The culinary offering of the Schladming-Dachstein Region is characterised by a close link between agriculture and gastronomy. In the summer, authentic specialities and menus based on traditional recipes are offered at over 50 alpine hostelries. And a very special new option: the “Genussmobil”, an electric hire car seating up to 4 people. Seven proposed sightseeing tours combine visits to regional sights with the tasting of local culinary specialities. From the 2018 summer season onwards, the Schladming-Dachstein Region will offer organised days full of enjoyable experiences. The package is called “Genussreich” (roughly translated: pleasurable) and visitors use the “Genussmobil” to travel between the different places of interest – an ostrich farm in Niederöblarn, lake “Steirischer Bodensee” including a boat trip and the Mandlberggut in Mandling (an alpine farm with its own distillery and cafe among other things).
