The ultimate flow experience on two wheels: 15 km of riding fun on the longest flow country trail in Europe

The first push-off on the pedals. The view ahead, over the gently rolling Nockberge mountains. Take a deep breath – and off you go. What comes next is a flow experience that only the mountain offers: speed, smooth lines and the feeling of being completely at one with the trail. Welcome to the Bad Kleinkirchheimer Flow Country Trail, the longest of its kind in Europe. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced – everyone can get up to speed here. In this blog article, we tag along with our downhill locals on a winding descent on two wheels. Come join us and immerse yourself in the moment – forget everything around you and live your best life. Included: useful tips and trail information for your start to the bike season. So, time to hop on the saddle and off we go!

Goose bumps guaranteed.

Starting out is like something from a film: you float up on the Kaiserburgbahn cable car, bike safely stowed in the cabin, your gaze sweeping over the Nockberge mountains. Once at the top, the iconic stone portal is already waiting for you – the official starting point to 15 kilometres of downhill fun. For us, this makes the perfect start to an unforgettable bike adventure; you set off, and leave everything else in your wake. The only thing that matters is taking the next corner.

The trail – designed for your flow experience.

From the mountain station at around 2,050 m, the machine-built, perfectly maintained trail winds its way down to the valley with a difference in altitude of around 910 vertical metres. Banked turns, undulations and wide bends ensure fun for all skill levels – from beginners​​​​​​​ to advanced bikers. It’s the heart of our biking experience with 15 kilometres of pure riding fun: gentle curves, finely sculpted waves, sometimes through the forest, sometimes across meadows – but always with a panoramic view. You can simply focus on riding your bike, savouring the moment and enjoying yourself. No stress here.

The adventure continues.

The best thing about the trail? There’s always something new to discover. Whether you want to push yourself. Or relax. And if you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can also turn off to the Nockbike Nature Trails (medium to difficult). These trails are wilder, more rugged and more technically challenging; the perfect choice for those who want that little something extra.

Our tip: Combine the Flow Country Trail with a detour to the natural trail – but only if you feel safe. Follow the route recommendation from professional snowboarder Alex Payer, who also enjoys taking time out to experience the downhill descents in Bad Kleinkirchheim’s biking paradise.

Fair biking – etiquette on the trail​​​​​​​.

Thoughtfulness is the new racing. So that everyone can enjoy their bike day on the trail, the following rules must be followed:

• Ride with foresight and consideration.
• Only overtake in the designated passing lanes.
• Stay on the designated trails – nature will thank you.
• Rubbish goes in the rucksack compartment, not on the land.
• Adapt your riding technique to your ability and the terrain.

Controlled riding – checking your bike.

In addition to your riding technique, your equipment also plays an important role in how safe and enjoyable your riding experience is. That’s why we recommend you use our checklist to give your bike a quick once-over before you set off.

Bikes, gears & more – everything on site.

Don’t have any experience or equipment yet? No problem. You’ll find everything you need to get started in the sports shop directly at the valley station and in the bike school in the region: from riding technique training to fullys & e-MTBs to protectors – here, you’ll find what you’re looking for and get the best advice.

Safety in the saddle.

You also don’t need to worry about your safety during your adventure on the Flow Country Trail. A trained trail first aider is always on site during the cable car operating hours – you can read more about this in our blog article on our emergency response​​​​​​​. So rapid assistance in an emergency is guaranteed. And with the right emergency kit in your rucksack, you’ll be well prepared, too.

Take a break from the trail with a refreshment pitstop – our favourite spots for food.

What would a day on the bike be without a well-deserved break? Alpine lodges along the route and the gastronomic spots in the village make sure that nobody gets off the saddle hungry. Our recommendation for the best of the best: Carinthian cheese noodles with a mountain view. Who needs more motivation than that?

Our favourite spots for food along the route:

• Panorama rest area (in section 2): perfect for a snack with a view
• Maibrunnhütte (in section 3): regional cuisine at 1,800 m, perfect for a panoramic stopover
• Unterwirt Hüttn (in section 4): ustic cosiness at 1,340 m, ideal for a hearty meal with home-made Carinthian delicacies
• Restaurant „Zum Sepp“ (Kaiserburgbahn valley station): perfect end to the day with a burger & beer on the sun terrace

What we want you to take away is that you control the flow.

Whether you’re taking it easy or looking for an adrenaline kick – on the Flow Country Trail you’ll find your pace, your style and your flow. It’s not about the speed. It’s all about the feeling. And if you arrive at the bottom with a smile on your face, then you’ve done everything right.

You can find out more about the trail and the current operating times of the cable cars on our website.