Kitzbühel - Tyrol's longest flow trail opens in Kirchberg

Family-friendly, sustainable, and with breathtaking panoramic views: Tyrol's longest flow trail, the new Kirchberg Trail, has opened. The approximately ten-kilometer-long route caters to a wide audience – from families and leisurely riders to ambitious, sporty bikers.

After just 12 months of construction, it's finished: With the new Kirchberg Trail, the 360° Flow Trails Kitzbühel Kirchberg have expanded their offerings to include the longest flow trail in Tyrol. The new trail was recently officially opened and is now open to all mountain bikers.

With approximately 8.6 kilometers of pure trail and a total length of around ten kilometers, the new route connects the mountain station of the Fleckalmbahn with Kirchberg and is aimed at all age groups – from beginners to bike families and leisure riders to sporty ambitious riders.

The Kirchberg Trail deliberately employs a modern flow trail concept with clear lines, playful elements, and a continuous flow. Optional jumps and side hits offer additional riding fun, while the trail remains controllable at all times and attractive even for less experienced bikers.

“The expanded trail network with the new Kirchberg Trail contributes to making the summer months more attractive, increases the occupancy rates of tourist businesses, and secures jobs. Regional companies were primarily considered for the construction of the new trail, ensuring that the added value remains local,” emphasizes Christian Wörister, Chairman of the Bike ARGE and CEO of the Kitzbühel Mountain Railway.

At the same time, the new Kirchberg Trail is also seen as an important step for the long-term development of summer tourism in the region. "While we continue to operate at the highest level in winter, we are making targeted investments in the ecological and sustainable expansion of the biking and hiking infrastructure in summer. The new Kirchberg Trail is an important component of our long-term strategy," says Christian Wörister. "Biking has long since become a leisure activity for all generations and ideally complements our classic winter offerings."

A special feature of the new Kirchberg Trail is the immersive nature and panoramic experience. The route repeatedly leads out of the forest into open alpine pastures and meadows, offering views of the Großer Rettenstein, the Kitzbüheler Horn, and the Wilder Kaiser mountain range. Three refreshment stops along the way ensure a descent that also allows time for enjoyment and refreshment.

Close cooperation with landowners, including farmers and innkeepers, as well as forestry officials, the Kitzbühel district authority, and the Tyrolean state environmental ombudsman, played a key role in the project's implementation. Sensitive areas were avoided, and existing paths were specifically relieved of traffic. A total of twelve landowners made the project possible, thus supporting the region in its efforts to enhance its summer appeal and manage visitor flow.

The focus of the long-term biking strategy is deliberately not on elite sports, but on a lighter and more family-friendly offering, the organizers emphasize. The Bike ARGE (Bike Working Group) comprises the Kitzbühel cable car company, Kitzbühel Tourism, the Kitzbühel Alps – Brixental Tourism Association, and the municipalities of Kitzbühel and Kirchberg.

“To sustainably develop summer tourism in the region and strategically expand its international competitiveness, we are investing around €1.2 million annually until 2030 in the qualitative development of our biking offerings. At the same time, we are consciously focusing on a balanced, year-round experience profile: Kitzbühel and Kirchberg now stand for a high-quality combination of activity, nature, culinary delights, and relaxation. This strategic focus makes the region future-proof in the international tourism environment,” says Dr. Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism.

“Modern biking facilities are simply an essential part of a successful year-round destination,” says Willi Steindl, chairman of the Brixental Tourism Association. “With the Kirchberg Trail, we have created a high-quality offering for both guests and locals.”

The new trail is integrated into the 360° Flow Trails Kitzbühel Kirchberg network, which now boasts over 40 kilometers of trails. Besides the new Kirchberg Trail, other key biking offerings in the region include the Fleckalm Trail, the Hahnenkamm Trail, the Lisi Osl Trail, the Gaisberg Trail, and the Mocking and Streiteck Mulde practice and "Learn to Ride" areas.

“There is probably no other region in the Alps that offers such a diverse range of activities and panoramic views,” Willi Steindl continued. “It is precisely this combination of nature, sport, cuisine, culture, infrastructure and accessibility that makes our region so attractive and unique, even in summer.”