• ABOUT THE SPOT

Mountain Biking in Hohe Kugel, Dornbirn, Vorarlberg Austria

Trail length:
38.8 km/24.1 mi round trip
Altitude difference:
1396 m/4580 ft
Tour duration:
4 ½ hours
Maximum height:
1590 m/5216 ft
Level of difficulty:
medium
Dornbirn is situated in western Voralberg in Austria, at 437 m/1433 ft above sea level, right on the Rhine Valley. The city lies on the foot of Karren Mountain which is part of Bregenz Forest Mountain chain just on the edge of the eastern Alps. It is near the borders with Switzerland, Germany and Lichtenstein. The city is the administrative center for the Dornbirn district that includes the market town Lustenau and the town of Hohenems.

One very popular sport in Dornbirn is Mountain Biking Free-ride. Mountain biking is in general a sport that anyone can practice. There are countless trails near Dornbirn but one of them sets apart as it combines mountain biking and mountain biking free-ride. The trail starts from Hohenems, just in front of the Hohenems Bahnhof. It is a 38.8 km / 24.1 mi round trip with a difference in altitude of 1396 m /4580 ft.

In order to follow this trail, you need about 4 ½ hours. You will first start riding uphill which is kind of difficult because you have to climb in an altitude of 1590 m / 5216 ft high in order to reach the top. At this route, you pass through some lovely canyons and endless climbs on top but you will be rewarded with the amazing view over the Rhine valley and the Alp rock.

The most of the difficulties are to be found in the downhill, which sometimes is very exposed. In a small part of the trail and during approximately 3 minutes, you will have to carry your Mountain Bike. It is impossible to pass over that part by riding. At the ridge, there is a short single track with steep descent. Most of the tour is an off –road riding, only a small part is on asphalt.

The route order is Hohenems – Goetzis – Moos – Staffelalp – Kugelalp – Kuehboden – Strahlkopf – Alp Shoener Mann – Ruheshuette – Reute – Hohenems. Level of difficulty mostly depends on your physical condition but in general terms, the spot is medium and for riders of intermediate level of ability. It is a beautiful route that you should ride.