Having taken hundreds of guests with us cycling all
over Europe, we are excited to explore the routes around Schladming for the
first time. With plenty of options and amazing landscapes, our carefully
selected routes are great for those seeking an outdoor holiday.
Our chalet has been a favourite with Oak Hall
winter guests for many years, nestled in the heart of the Alps, in the
Dachstein region of Austria. There are lovely views
of the valley from the dining room and the recent addition of a sauna is a
welcome bonus.
We have exclusive use of the chalet. It is located in the village of Haus, which has won several awards
at European competitions for its floral decoration and landscaping. The village
also offers features such as a heated outdoor pool, shops and cafés.
The chalet is hosted and run by the Oak Hall team. It is simple but comfortable and all bedrooms are en-suite, with
a number of different rooming arrangements. Most rooms are used for two people.
There are also a small number of single rooms, while some of the rooms can be
used for three or four people. Many of the beds are Austrian-style (one
frame with separate mattresses and duvets).
We
split into different groups depending on the type of cycling you are looking
for. Each one will be led by an Oak Hall team member. The first group take everything
at a relaxed pace, admiring the scenery, while the fastest group enjoy the
chance to prove their fitness! The cycling holidays are ideal for everyone
looking for an active and refreshing break.
We will be exploring five different routes, building
up incrementally by length and difficulty. All the rides are of course optional
but by increasing the length of the rides through the week, the groups build up
their fitness and you may well be surprised to find how far you can
cycle!
In the evenings, a time of singing and a helpful
Bible talk are always a highlight.
We pass stunning alpine views, quaint villages and
charming forest glades as we head to our interesting lunchtime stop each day.
One example is the village of Gröbming,
which hosts the largest adventure park in Austria and
the biggest zipline in Europe. Take a break from cycling to climb the high
ropes or challenge your strength on a climbing wall! With courses for all
abilities this is a must for any adventurer.
We’ll also stop for lunch in the historic walled
town of Radstadt, with the option of continuing on to the quaint town of
Altenmarkt a little further up the valley before returning home. Another day
we’ll ride to explore the ‘Rohrmoos Tour’. Everyone does the same ride
initially, with the option of a more challenging additional section. As part of
the day’s activity, we can also travel up in the Hochwurzen gondola, which is
free with the Summer card, and come back down on go-kart trikes. These have
brakes but no pedals – an exciting bonus on a different kind of bike!
Oak Hall hybrid bikes will be available for hire
and are well suited to the routes we will be doing. There are also many
mountain bike trails in the local area – if you would like to explore these on
a free day, there are local shops which hire mountain bikes out for the day.
We pay a tourist tax on your behalf, which entitles you to a local card
offering free or discounted admission to over 100 attractions in the Schladming
area. These include a number of lifts and cable cars, such as the ride up to
the stunning Dachstein Glacier, entrance to a variety of museums, parks and
pools, plus free access to buses which operate throughout the local area.