I’m on an e-bike cruising along the quiet streets of Leogang, a village of 3,200 in the shadow of the Austrian Alps. Tidy Alpine homes with flower boxes and stacks of firewood line the winding village path that leads into the countryside, where cattle graze in lush green pastures.
In the winter, skiers descend on this region. The nearby Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is one of the largest ski areas in Austria, with more than 70 lifts and 167 miles of ski runs.
The Parish Church of St. Oswald, Seefeld, is the site of a 1384 miracle and one of Austria’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. (Uwe Michael Neumann/Shutterstock)
Summer in Saalfelden Leogang
But in summer and fall, the region of Saalfelden Leogang takes on a whole different feel. It’s the perfect time to visit. Located at the base of the ski resort, Bikepark Leogang, the first-of-its-kind mountain bike school and park, kicks into high gear. Riders of all levels and ages can take lessons and ride at the park. I try the beginner’s course, slowly moving along the track and jumps with trepidation, and then gaining more confidence….