Why the Kalkstein Tour?
If you are coming to the Pillerseetal as a visitor, I always recommend the Kalkstein tour as a good starting point. You are able to see what the area has to offer; there are some amazing views as well as traditional farms and houses, which everyone loves to see when they come to Austria. There are a number of places of interest for families or groups on this route. Such as Familienland in St Jakob and Triassic Park in Waidring. Not forgetting my favourite, the Pillersee Lake at St Ulrich. You may want to plan the day around 1 or more of these sights.
The Track
The track is well signposted and has a height gain of 380m and 42km in total. What does that mean to you? If you are riding an e-bike for the 1st time, it means it will make the uphills much easier. The track is a mixture of quiet tarmac side roads, bike paths, and some bike/walking tracks that are hard-packed surfaces.
The tour is a good length, so you can make a day of it. With stops for the sights, coffee, lunch, ice cream and perhaps a dip in a very cold lake! This pretty tour takes you through farms and the outskirts of the villages with some beautiful gardens and balcony flowers to look at. One of my favourite pastimes is to peek into other people’s gardens. This way, I can give my husband “helpful” ideas for our own garden, for which he is not always grateful!
The Route
I started this tour in St Ulrich and followed the green bike route signs. There is a mixture of signs along this route, but as long as you know the village names, you will be on the right path.
Leaving St Ulrich, you head to St Jakob. At the church in St Jakob, the path takes you above the village to the right, which gives a good view down to “Familenland”. This is a mini theme park with roller coasters and water rides. Along this path, you have a good view up to the Buchensteinwand. On top of that is the Jakob Cross (Jakobskreuz), another suggestion for a day out on the e-bike. You can ride up the path to the top of the Buchensteinwand, where the Jakobs Cross is, it is a short 6 km route, but it is pretty steep so I would only recommend that to people with a bit more experience on an ebike.
Once at the top, you can enter the Cross and walk up the stairs or take the lift to the top, which gives you excellent 360-degree views around the area. https://ebike-europe.com/routes/buchensteinwand-pillerseetal-austria-day-tour/
From St Jakob to St Johann
After St Jakob, you pass through the farms above Fieberbrunn in the ‘Wall’ area. It is steep going down the road, so take your time and use your brakes. When you see the railway line, the path turns right, and this next part is my favourite of this route. There are some incredible views of the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Wilder Kaiser mountains. It’s all farms and farmland on this part, and the road has lots of up and down, so your e-bike comes in really handy.
The route skirts around the outside of St Johann, past the small airport on the north side. However, I would suggest going into the market town of St Johann with its pretty cobbled centre surrounded by cafes and restaurants. I can recommend the ice cream in a couple of the shops as I have sampled them once or twice. After a stop in St Johann, the route then follows the river down past Kirchdorf and on to Erpfendorf.
The magnificent Wilder Kaiser
I have called Austria home for many years, and every time I see the Wilder Kaiser, they take my breath away. I have photographed them from many different angles, but one of my favourites is from Kirchdorf, looking at the back of them. On the track between St Johann and Erpfendorf, there is a good stopping point that gives you a great view of the Wilder Kaiser. You will see a wood platform facing the river; stop for a rest or just for the view and take those photos to remind you of your day.
Erpfendorf to Waidring
From Erpfendorf to Waidring, it is a constant uphill gradient, not steep but uphill all the way. Use the different support levels from your motor on this part. The track here winds its way through trees and is a mixture of tarmac and gravel. Top tip – be careful of your speed if it’s been raining, as the track can be very slippery when wet. I am very careful on this section of the path; I always stay on the right-hand side when approaching corners. When there are a lot of cyclists on the path, not all of them keep their speed down or stay on their side of the path.
Waidring to St Ulrich am Pillersee
Waidring is the home of Triassic Park. This is a theme park where you can travel back 200 million years to the time when Dinosaurs wandered the earth. The mountains tower above you from the village, and they feel very dramatic, which also makes great photos. The gondola will take you right up to the top of these majestic mountains. On a beautiful day, you have an amazing view of the Pillersee Valley and beyond.
After Waidring, it is a short 7km ride up to St Ulrich and the Pillersee. I think this is the highlight of the day. This is a stunning mountain lake that is untainted by any motorboats. The water is clean and clear unless we have had a rainstorm, and then it is milky from the silt, but it is still a stunning green. You can take out a pedalo, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on the lake. You can also swim in it if you are brave enough; the water never reaches more than 18 degrees. If a cool down is what you need, then the lake might be worth a try. I will salute you if you do; you are a much braver person than I am.
Summary
The Kalkstein Tour is a great day out for any level of cyclist, and you can all do it together. Young or old, in groups, families or on your own. If you have younger children or a dog with you, rent a trailer so everyone can come along and enjoy the day.
