big Salvenbergrunde
HardStart this sporty ambitious MTB tour from the P3 Wasserfeld car park in Hopfgarten. From there take the asphalt road in the direction of Kelchsau. After approx. 150m turn right at the first junction onto Penningberg road. This now leads over the first steep section to the sunny plateau of Hopfgarten, the Penningberg. Pass the Hotel Leamwirt and follow the road for approx. 1,5 km. Then turn right onto Flecklweg which leads steeply uphill over three hairpin bends to the organic Fleckl farm at just over 1150m above sea level. From there it is only a few hundred metres on asphalt before the surface changes to gravel. Via several hairpin bends you get through a small, shady forest to the alpine pasture area below the summit of the Markbachjoch. Now the trail leads much flatter in western direction past many small huts and little houses to the mountain station of the Markbachjoch gondola lift.
There you can also fortify yourself at the Jochhütte or the Rübezahlhütte for the onward journey and enjoy the view of the Hohe Salve and the surrounding mountains. Route 298 runs on a gravel road, here again in westerly direction. After about 100m you pass a barrier before the downhill ride begins. Keep to the right at the first fork on the road. After another 150 metres the signposts lead you down again to the right. The partly steep descent through the wooded area is interrupted by short passages uphill. In the last hairpin bend of the descent the signposts of route 298 lead to the east, away from the present downhill route. After about 250m you get to a short section where you have to push your bike through the forest before you can get back into the saddle and continue enjoying your ride. After approx. 2km you finally get back to the plateau of the Penningberg in Hopfgarten. On the now flat gravel road you now ride southwards to Penningdörfl where the surface changes to asphalt again. Cross the romantic little hamlet and follow the road to the Hotel Leamwirt (refreshment stop)
From there follow the Penningberg road down to the valley to the starting point of the tour.
