New And Sustainable Bike Trails For Kitzbuhel And Kirchberg

In the area of ​​the Sonnenrast chairlift, a practice area, the new Sonnenrast and Streiteck Trail have been created. These perfectly round off the current 25-kilometer-long bike trail offer in the region. The MTB Family Area Streiteck includes 1.4 km of trails and offers everything that beginners and slightly advanced riders need to practice and try out. The Sonnenrast Trail is a 1.8 km long flow trail with berms, playful scooters, boardwalks, a spectacular wooden snail and a breathtaking panorama. The Streiteck Trail (0.8 km), a moderately difficult line with optional jumps, drops, bridges and other trail elements, runs in the immediate vicinity. The Sonnenrast Trails are part of a cross-regional master plan that is supported by the LEADER program and the state of Tyrol. The initiator is the BIKE ARGE association consisting of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, Kitzbühel Tourismus, the Kitzbüheler Alpen – Brixental Tourist Association, the Kitzbühel municipality and the Kirchberg in Tirol municipality; the company Allegra accompanies the process.

Kitzbuehel, Kirchberg. The Sonnenrast Trails are the first milestone in a cross-regional overall concept. The MTB Family Area Streiteck and two new trails in the area of ​​the Sonnenrast chairlift were built. On July 28, 2023, the Sonnenrast Trail - the main trail of the new offer - and the MTB Family Area Streiteck were opened.

The new bike offer is already being used extensively, there are beaming faces and benevolent feedback from all sides. Kitzbühel's mayor, Dr. Klaus Winkler during the opening. “I am thrilled with what has been created here on the Ehrenbachhöhe and in the Streiteckmulde in such a short time. The Sonnenrast Trails perfectly complement the existing range of bikes and are a further step towards sustainable leisure activities for our locals and guests. The BIKE ARGE and the construction companies involved did an excellent job. A big thank you also goes to the property owners and the representatives of the authorities for the good cooperation," praised Dr. Klaus Winkler. “Bike tourism has great potential. By expanding the range of bikes for families and athletes, the existing lift systems can also be better utilized," says Dr. Klaus Winkler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bergbahn Kitzbühel, concludes.

Harmony on the mountain is the goal of the BIKE ARGE association

Last year, Bergbahn Kitzbühel, Kitzbühel Tourism and the Kitzbühel Alps – Brixental Tourist Association jointly founded the BIKE ARGE association. This association is dedicated to expanding the range of cycling and hiking trails, excursion destinations and bike trails from Kirchberg to Mittersill under the common brand umbrella "Green Mountains".

The Sonnenrast Trails are a good example of what the “Gentle Mobility” master plan envisages at its core; the project takes various needs into account and creates attractive solutions that direct and regulate the flow of visitors. In addition, forest and hiking trails will be separated. The expertise and interests of all those involved - forest, hunting, nature conservation, agriculture, property owners, communities, authorities and the state of Tyrol - are always included in the planning and implementation of the measures.

The Sonnenrast Trails are of great benefit to everyone in the near and distant future, because hikers also benefit from them. With a valid lift ticket for KitzSki, you can use the Sonnenrast chairlift to get from the Streiteckmulde to the Ehrenbachhöhe or to ski down from there.

Bike transport for chairlifts: A solution from LEITNER

In order to be able to transport the bikes with the Sonnenrast chairlift, Bergbahn Kitzbühel opted for the CE-certified attachment set (made of aluminium) from LEITNER. It can transport up to three bikes per chair. Handling is easy and can be done by all passengers themselves. At the "test and try" box in the area of ​​the valley station of the Sonnenrast chairlift, passengers can try hanging up their bikes.

MTB Family Area Streiteck with a new people mover

The MTB Family Area Streiteck is the ideal meeting place for MTB families and beginners. The Sonnenrast Trail and the Sonnenrast chairlift are the fastest feeders to the practice area, which is located near the valley station of the Sonnenrast chairlift. The MTB Family Area Streiteck can also be reached down the valley with the Sonnenrast chairlift or on foot along the hiking trail in the direction of Pengelstein. Once there, there is a 100 m long conveyor belt and several children's and exercise trails with a total length of around 1.4 km for the young visitors.

Quote from the board of BIKE ARGE:

Ecological and sustainable bike trails

“When developing these exciting trails, BIKE ARGE focused on protecting nature from the very beginning. The nature conservation standards were set with the utmost care and consideration and comprehensively taken into account in every planning phase. The mission was to create a biking experience that not only delights guests, but also preserves the pristine beauty of our surroundings.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to conservation going beyond what is required. Our internal standards are stricter to ensure our bike trails meet the highest standards of sustainability and conservation. The advice from the ecological building supervisor Ms. Mag. Irmgard Silberberger was particularly important to us.

With every curve and every loop on the new bike trails, our guests can be sure that they are part of a responsible and sustainable experience. The carefully designed routes lead through breathtaking landscapes and offer an unforgettable nature experience. The trails have been designed to be harmoniously integrated into the environment and respect sensitive ecosystems.

For example, protection against erosion is guaranteed by covering the existing vegetation and the trails blend better into the landscape. In addition, all construction machines were fueled exclusively with biodiesel (HVO Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).”

Sun Rest Trail
Length: 1.8 km
Ø slope: 7.5%
Difficulty: easy, S1, blue
Altitude difference: 133 m
Start and finish altitude: 1795 m and 1662 m
Description: The Sonnenrast Trail is the highlight for beginners and ideal for warming up. This trail offers a great panorama of the lush green mountains of the Kitzbühel Alps. But the Sonnenrast Trail is also suitable for advanced hikers; it includes spectacular elements such as the 8m tall wooden snail and wooden sections through steeper terrain. Well constructed berms and optionally jumpable scooters complement the offer for advanced bikers as a preliminary stage to the Hahnenkamm and Fleckalm Trail.

Upper Streiteck Trail
Length: 0.2 km
Ø Inclination: 10% with a short ascent
Difficulty: medium, S2, red
Altitude difference: 14 m
Start and finish altitude: 1753 m and 1739 m
Description: There is a short option with a high proportion of North Shore along the Upper Streiteck Trail. Shortly before the end, the trail crosses the forest path and it's about 10 hm up to the meeting point. From there, the bikers can choose to enter the Lower Streiteck Trail or the Sonnenrast Trail.

Lower Streiteck Trail
Length: 0.6 km
Ø Gradient: 10.5% with a short counter climb
Difficulty: medium, S2, red
Altitude difference: 43 m
Start and finish altitude: 1746 m and 1715 m
Description: Jumpy Flowtrail junction below the Sonnenrast Trail. Flowing and jumping, the Streiteck Trail runs below the Sonnenrast Trail along the sometimes steep Bärenkopf slope. Jump and feature options as well as a small stone slab field sweeten the ride for the bikers, before a wooden footbridge leads to a 130 m long, spectacular north shore uphill. Here you overcome the rock face below and then join the Sonnenrast Trail again.