Lakata Trail

"The sections of rollers in particular are ideal for both experts and beginners. There is something for everyone," comments none other than Alban Lakata himself. Opened in September 2017, this brand new singletrack trail on the Schlossberg mountain outside Lienz is named after the East Tirol native and three-time mountainbike marathon world champion Alban Lakata. The trail starts at the Moosalm hut around 1000 metres above sea level and winds its way 2.2 kilometres down past the Venedigerwarte, through a forest and across the ski piste used in winter for World Cup races towards the valley floor. From top to bottom riders drop 370 vertical metres and must overcome a mixture of berms, flowy forest trails and small jumps. The trail, which is rated S2 from start to finish, is not especially steep and therefore suitable for riders of all abilities.
The adventure begins with a ride up to 1020 metres above sea level on the Schlossbergbahn (Hochstein/Lienzer Bergbahnen) to the Moosalm, where the start of the trail is clearly visisble. Right from the word go there is a drop-off to get the adrenaline pumping, though less confident riders can easily ride around this part. The first main section is then a flowy forest trail with changes in gradient, lots of berms and a few small jumps. The second section invites riders to admire the fine views of Lienz far below before plunging into a thicker forest and carving their way down turn by turn over wooden bridges and a few steeper sections. The final run-in to the finish is a high-speed affair through sparse woodland, open meadows and, last but not least, down the World Cup ski piste all the way to the bottom of the Schlossbergbahn cable car.