Around St. Lorenzen - many reasons for such a short tour

• would like to inaugurate your new e-bike with a first short pleasure tour,
• want to get a first impression of how beautiful and challenging the climbs in Schilcherland are at the beginning of your biking holiday,
• are super-ambitious in terms of sport and are looking for a virtual comparison of strength with countless like-minded people in the footsteps of one of the most traditional mountain races in Styria on the corresponding Strava segment,
• are looking for a magical place of power with the small St. Leonhard church in St. Lorenzen, want to unwind and recharge their batteries,want to reward themselves after the demanding climb to St. Lorenzen at the Silgener Inn with a good drink - or more - and an incomparable view of south-western Styria,
• want to get into a floating flow on the Hadernigg downhill back to Eibiswald - with all due caution, andwant to finish off this wonderful short tour in Schilcherland by taking in the Hadernigg waterfall.

The "Um St. Lorenzen" loop is actually just a short jaunt. At least that's how it seems when you look at the dates. But it offers so much more that it is on the programme even for locals several times a year. And not only when they don't have enough time for a longer tour.

The journey from the starting point in Eibiswald to Aibl and up to the start of the climb is just right to be well warmed up.

For racers who seriously want to try the Strava segment "Aibler Bergrennen", on the other hand, it is recommended to complete a somewhat more intensive warm-up programme beforehand. The Aibler Bergrennen segment begins shortly before the turnoff to Hadernigg and ends at the level of the car park of the Silgener Inn. On 6.6 kilometres, 558 metres of altitude have to be overcome, resulting in an average gradient of 8.3%. Predicate: Tough. The current record is held by local professional mountain biker David Schöggl with a time of 24:02 minutes, for the top 10 you should be at the top in around 27 minutes.

The Aibler Bergrennen is an icon among Styrian cycling races, and not least because the Eibiswald cycling club has loved cycling for many decades, lives it and promotes it with such highlights. With Markus "Max" Kremser, one of the great Styrian cycling figureheads still lives in Eibiswald and rides the Schilcherland Tours. He still holds the official record in an Aibler mountain race and won the great Ötztal cycling marathon as a flatlander.

But regardless of whether you ride the tour as a race or as a pleasure tour, the 6.6 kilometres uphill to St. Lorenzen are always a challenge and a pleasure at the same time. A pleasure that comes from the tranquillity of this side valley of the Soboth massif as well as from the views to the south towards the Radlpass and the Pachern Mountains. And as a very special gift, you can look forward to the atmosphere and tranquillity in St. Lorenzen.

If you take the time, you should definitely sit down for a few minutes in front of the old church of St. Leonhard in St. Lorenzen. The first documented mention of this beautiful old church dates back to 1247, and anyone who knows that such old churches were always built on places of power should definitely let this power and the view from the St. Leonhard church take effect on them.

A few metres further on, the Silgener Inn has a very good effect on body and soul. There are probably only a few inns in the whole country that can boast such an impressive view.

At the end of the tour, the entire Donwhill from St. Lorenzen over the Hadernigg down to Aibl is enjoyable. This descent can easily be compared to one of the eternally long ski runs in the Alps, except that here you sit on your bike and float down to the valley and not on two skis that mean the world.

In the lower third, it is recommended to make a short stop at the Hadernigg waterfall. This is a beautiful little natural jewel that you absolutely have to see.

PS: The choice of bike is easy. As this is a continuous asphalt route (except for the few metres to the church of St. Leonhard and the waterfall), any mountain bike is suitable. (mountain bike, gravel bike, road bike).