

On the trail of the bike trails in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
From Lermoos to Biberwier, Berwang-Bichlbach and soon to Ehrwald - the bike trails of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena are a true paradise for bike fans and sports enthusiasts. Head trail shaper Christian Heitmann provides a look behind the scenes of trail building.


It's that time of year again: the fields, forests and meadows of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena are glowing in lush green. There is hardly a cloud to be seen in the blue sky and the mountain peaks glow in the sunshine. Summer is here! Those who like to take it easy, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life are in good hands here in the midst of picturesque nature.
But the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena also welcomes adrenaline junkies and outdoor sports enthusiasts who want to really let off steam when the weather is nice. Bike fans in particular can look forward to exciting new trails this summer - whether for true bike pros or those who want to become one. From gentle, relaxed flow trails to challenging routes for real experts, everything is on offer here. So get on your bike, pedal hard and enjoy the feeling of pure freedom!
Christian Heitmann, Head Trail Shaper of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, has the most important information about all the new trail construction projects, including tips for newcomers. He also provides a glimpse behind the scenes of his special craft.


A trail doesn't build itself!
Christian is originally from northern Germany, but he was so taken with the Austrian mountain landscape that he quickly chose it as his adopted home. It was here that the 34-year-old managed to turn his hobby into his profession: cycling. More precisely, trail biking and the creation of suitable routes in the heart of nature, where you can let your creativity run free.
While Christian initially worked as a trail shaper in Ötztal, he eventually became aware of the breathtaking landscape of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. He recognised the potential here to fully live out his passion for biking and trail building. Today, as head trail shaper, he is responsible for the planning and construction process of the local bike trails - a job that fills him with pride.
And what does a normal working day look like for a trail shaper? "It depends on the time of year," explains Christian. "I usually spend the summer months outdoors on the mountain and reshape the existing trails together with our team." This means that he checks that the trails are ready for the new season and that all safety precautions have been observed. He is supported by a trail shaper team consisting of six people. They do not change the course of the existing trail.
"During reshaping, we make sure that the trail remains in the best possible condition after the winter and during the season," he adds. There is a lot to do for Christian and his team during the cold season. A lot of advance planning and bureaucracy goes hand in hand with trail construction.
Especially when new trails are on the programme, a lot has to be clarified in advance. "The first consideration at the start of a new build is always: what level of difficulty should the trail have?" explains the head trail shaper. Accordingly, a blue trail is categorised as easy, a red trail as advanced and a black trail as difficult. Occasionally there is also a "green" classification for particularly easy and beginner-friendly trails.
However, it is not only the level of difficulty that needs to be taken into account when planning a trail. Of course, the location where the trail is to be built also plays a decisive role. Factors such as soil conditions, terrain, infrastructure and land ownership must be taken into account when selecting a suitable environment.
"Of course, we also have to make sure that we comply with certain nature conservation regulations and safety requirements and obtain authorisation from the authorities," he says. The so-called "Ö-Norm" in particular sets the tone here. It stipulates, for example, how steep the gradient on a trail may be or the maximum height a slope can have before it poses a safety risk and must be fitted with a railing. Reshaping is usually only done by hand.
In most cases, external construction companies are brought in for the new construction, which Christian and his team select with great care through an application process. The new bike trails in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena are also built entirely by hand. There are two reasons for this: "Firstly, the character of the trail should always remain natural. We don't want a motorway through the forest," emphasises Christian. "Sustainability is also very important to us. The fewer machines we use, the better it is for nature."


The new bike trails in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena mean cycling fun for everyone
"We have some great projects planned for this summer," says the 34-year-old happily. Including three brand new bike trails below the Wetterstein massif in Ehrwald - one for every level of difficulty. The aim is to make the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena even more attractive for beginners and families.
The blue trail runs from the mountain station to the valley station of the Ehrwalder Wetterstein cable car and is a so-called "flow trail". This means that the route and surface are kept simple. All mountain bikers should be able to master this type of trail without any problems and with lots of fun - even those who have just discovered cycling and are still finding their own pace.
At the same time, a red trail is planned as a single trail. It is intended to appeal to bikers who are already a little more advanced. Accordingly, the Trailshaper team will make fewer changes to the ground/surface. This will make it narrower in places and much more challenging than its blue "colleague" with demanding features (obstacles).
And the new trail network on the Wetterstein also has something in store for hardened bike pros. The third and final trail will be a black trail that runs a little more sideways than its two siblings. Christian and his team will make almost no changes to the forest floor so that it remains in its natural form. In addition to these three trails at the Ehrwalder Wettersteinbahn, six more trails are planned in Berwang and Bichlbach, but these are currently still in the early project planning phase. For this reason, no concrete key data is yet known. "These trails can hopefully be realised in 2026," concludes Christian.


Practice makes perfect!
Christian has one piece of advice for all beginners who want to try out the bike trails of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena for the first time this summer: practise, practise, practise. The practice trail in the Lermoos-Biberwier bike park, which the Trailshaper team also revamped in spring 2025, is particularly suitable for this. Four short trails with different levels of difficulty are located right next to each other. "You just shouldn't lose heart, because with enough training you can master any trail at some point," emphasises the head trail shaper. "The most important thing is to start slowly and find your own pace."
The right equipment is also an absolute must - and not just for beginners. Protective clothing is mandatory on every trail so that the biking experience remains as safe as possible despite the thrills. This includes a helmet, back protector and knee and elbow pads. Cycling fans can buy or hire all of this on site in Lermoos - as well as the right bike. For beginners, Christian recommends the enduro bike, which is characterised by front and rear suspension forks and is therefore less prone to errors.


Action-packed events
But the Bikepark Lermoos-Biberwier is not only the ideal place to go for cycling fun. Two major events are taking place there this summer: The bike opening at the Grubigsteinbahn on 29 and 30 May 2025 and the downhill race on 19 July 2025 along the challenging Schlägle trail.
With its diverse trails, the bike park is also part of the Gravity Card and is therefore one of the 30 "European Leading Bike Parks". If you have the Gravity Card in your pocket, you have access to the lifts of all participating parks and can let off steam for as long and as often as you like. So let's get going - the next bike adventure can come!