KAT Bike - four variations, countless impressions

7:05 a.m. Alarm clock. And yet, we’re happy to get up. The reason is simple: in the early morning, the first rays of sunlight hit the mountain massif, and you can enjoy the spectacle from the best seat in the house. Better than any Netflix series—no joke.

Anyone who opens the curtains in the morning and sees the mountains already glowing in the first light of dawn definitely won’t be turning over for another hour of sleep. Jane, who loves the stunning landscape shots featured in so many scenes of the well-known Alpine TV series, is getting her money’s worth visually here. And Dani has always wanted to capture this exact majestic, rugged “Koasa” in the best possible light.

These are the moments that keep drawing us back to the Kitzbühel Alps.

We’re Dani and Jane from @wanderlustallgaeu, and until now, we’ve mainly known the region in winter. We’ve made the trip here many times for the Hahnenkamm Race, explored the slopes around the Hohe Salve, glided along the cross-country ski trails in Hochfilzen, and spent plenty of days in Fieberbrunn. Ski days, hut stops, powder snow.

We even took part in the KAT100 Trailrun last year.

KAT Bike - gemütlich mit Wanderlust Allgäu

What does it look like without the snow?

At some point, though, we found ourselves asking the question many people eventually ask: What does it all look like once the snow has melted and you explore the Kitzbühel Alps on two wheels?

The answer is the KAT Bike.

The KAT Bike is a multi-day mountain bike route through the Kitzbühel Alps, covering up to 163 kilometres and 4,812 metres of elevation gain, divided into several stages. What makes it special is that there isn’t just one version—there are four, ranging from relaxed to seriously sporty. Whether you’re a leisurely cyclist, a touring rider, a trail enthusiast, or an e-biker, there’s something for everyone.

KAT-Bike-gemeinsam-auf-neuen-Wegen-radfahren

An all-round, worry-free package included

And what about everything else? That’s already taken care of. Accommodation, luggage transfer, half board, information materials, and the return journey to the starting point are all included. It’s called the KAT Bike Worry-Free Package—and the name really does live up to the promise.

A quick note beforehand: Since each route is actually designed to take several days, our day trips only cover sections of them. Over four days, we ride a different variant each day. We’re not cycling the entire routes from start to finish, but getting a taste of each one: one day KAT Bike Light, one day the hub-and-spoke Tour, one day Sport+, and one day E-njoy. That way, we get to experience the character of each variant without having to plan four weeks of holiday.

The weather gods were on our side. Perfect conditions, endless panoramic views, and several sunrises that made getting up early more than worth it. What did we experience during those days? We’ll tell you all about it here—one variant at a time.

KAT Bike Light – relaxed, not out of breath

KAT Bike light - die gemütliche Variante

We kicked things off with a section of the KAT Bike Light—the perfect option for easing into the tour without exhausting ourselves right from the start. What immediately captivated us was the incredible peace and sense of seclusion. Our day began with a view of the pilgrimage church and monastery in Mariastein. Pull the suitcases out of the chalet, drop them off at reception, and off we go.

Since the Light route is actually designed to take six or seven days, we opted for a representative day section. And it definitely left us wanting more.

The Light route takes you mostly on flat terrain through the valleys of the Kitzbühel Alps, primarily along well-maintained cycle paths and quiet side roads following the rivers. No pushing hard, no gasping for breath. Instead, there are meadows, little villages like Mariastein, Angath, and Angerberg, and plenty of time to really take in the scenery.

Along the Brixentaler Ache and later through the Windau Valley, it quickly became clear: this isn’t about clocking up as many metres of elevation as possible, but about collecting as many beautiful moments as you can.

The Windau Valley impressed us in particular. It’s peaceful, unspoilt, and in many places feels almost untouched. In the morning, you might even find deer suddenly darting across the path right in front of your bike. Add the sound of cowbells, the rushing Windauer Ache, and remarkably little else.

And then there was the luggage service. Drop it off in the morning, see it again in the evening. Our suitcase was basically enjoying its own VIP tour through the Kitzbühel Alps while we leisurely pedalled along. It sounds luxurious, but it’s simply part of the standard package.

💡 **Tip:** If you’re looking for a gentle introduction to the KAT Bike experience, you can’t go wrong with the Light route. Especially if you value slowing down and taking in your surroundings more than chasing mileage records, it’s the perfect choice.

Check In, Ride Out, Come Back

Day two brought us a new variant and a concept we immediately fell in love with: the KAT Bike hub-and-spoke tour.

The principle is wonderfully simple. You stay in the same accommodation for at least three nights and head out on a different loop each day. From alpine meadows and sweeping mountain views to charming little villages, there’s a new postcard-perfect scene waiting around every corner.

And at the end of the day, it’s the same bed waiting for you. Less packing, more time on the bike.

For anyone who wants to arrive, settle in, and simply enjoy their holiday, this is the ideal option. We chose the Kienzlingrunde, starting and finishing in Westendorf—a route through the Brixental that once again shows just how diverse this region is.

There’s one culinary highlight we simply have to mention: the venison ragout at Gasthof Steinbock. Absolutely outstanding. And the portions were so generous that afterwards, we could easily have imagined tackling another stage.

From leisurely rides focused on enjoying the scenery to panoramic tours with spectacular views and more challenging sections, the Star Tour can be adapted to your fitness level and mood. Every day, you can decide anew what you feel like doing.

What makes the Star Tour special:

One base, a different route every day—maximum variety, zero stress.
No changing hotels or packing your bags every day—settle in once and you’re done.
Minimum stay of three nights—ideal for a relaxed biking getaway.
Routes for different fitness levels—from leisurely rides to more challenging tours.

KAT Bike Sport+ – Things are about to get sweaty

After two relatively relaxed days, it was time to discover the sporty side of the KAT Bike. Luckily, we were well prepared: the evening before, we had enjoyed a relaxing wellness evening at Hotel Penzinghof. With views of the Wilder Kaiser from the infinity pool, unwinding isn’t exactly difficult.

The KAT Bike Sport+ normally covers around 147 kilometres and more than 5,300 metres of elevation gain. Of course, we didn’t ride the entire route. But the section via the Stanglalm towards Harschbichl was more than enough to get a feel for what this variant is all about.

On the way up, the scenery is so rewarding that at times you don’t know whether to look towards the Kitzbüheler Horn or the Wilder Kaiser first. Luckily, the route is exceptionally well signposted. Even with your eyes constantly wandering towards the scenery, it’s hard to lose your way.

The Stanglalm made for a welcome stop along the way. And yes, the Kaiserschmarrn was excellent.

At the top, panoramic views and trail fun were waiting in equal measure. The Harschbichl Trail delivered exactly what you want from a great trail: flow, action, and that wonderful feeling of lightness you get after a descent.

Technically, the trail ranges from flowing S1 sections to more challenging S2 passages and a few punchy S3 sections. Dani didn’t want to miss a single metre of the descent and rode the trail all the way down into the valley. Jane opted for the more relaxed forest-road bypass.

And that’s exactly what makes this route so appealing: everyone can ride it their own way. Those tackling the full Sport+ route can also look forward to the Fleckalm Trail and Hahnenkamm Trail.

💡 **Tip:** All the trails can be bypassed via alternative routes. That makes this variant an interesting option even for riders who are less confident on technical terrain.

KAT Bike E-njoy – second try, right on target

To round things off, we had the KAT Bike E-njoy on our agenda—the variant that was actually the reason we originally came back. Starting point: Fieberbrunn.

Even from there, the view of the Wilder Kaiser immediately catches your eye. It’s a perspective we hadn’t seen before, and it makes the mountain range look completely different.

The E-njoy route normally covers around 146 kilometres and just under 4,800 metres of elevation gain. We only experienced a section of it, but enough to understand what this variant is all about: arrive, take it all in, and enjoy.

With the assistance of our e-bikes, we made our way at a relaxed pace to some of the most beautiful viewpoints around the Buchensteinwand. The absolute highlight was the Jakobskreuz, the world’s largest walk-in summit cross, standing around 30 metres tall. On clear days, the view from the Buchensteinwand stretches all the way to the Großglockner. That kind of panoramic view never fails to blow us away. It’s one of those places where you automatically end up staying longer than planned.

We even deliberately took a small detour to the Hoametzl Hut, adding a few extra metres of elevation along the way. We already knew the hut from previous visits and are always happy to come back—the views are simply unbeatable. The panorama of the Loferer and Leoganger Steinberge is unique every single time.

We deliberately saved a detour to Lake Pillersee for our next visit, though. Renting a SUP and jumping into the water after a bike tour sounds like a pretty good plan to us.

The name E-njoy couldn’t be more fitting. The “E” stands for e-bike, while “enjoy” pretty much sums up what you’ll be doing along the way.

This variant is ideal for e-MTB riders, sporty leisure cyclists, and families who want to experience as many highlights as possible.

KAT-Bike-Jakobskreuz-beeindruckende-Ausflugsziele

Conclusion – It’s this variety that makes all the difference

Four days, four variants, countless impressions.

Yes, we only experienced each variant in part. But sometimes a good taste is all it takes to know you’ll be coming back. And that’s exactly the plan.

The full Sport+ route on a conventional bike is already pretty high on our list. What impressed us most is how well the KAT Bike caters to such a wide range of preferences. Whether you’re a leisure cyclist taking it easy on the Light, a holidaymaker who prefers to stay in one place on the Star Tour, a trail enthusiast tackling Sport+, or an e-biker enjoying the E-njoy, each variant has its own distinct character.

At the same time, they all have one thing in common: you get to experience the Kitzbühel Alps up close and in depth without constantly having to worry about the logistics. The Worry-Free Package takes care of much of the organisation, leaving you free to focus on what it’s really all about: getting out and enjoying the great outdoors.

And as we look at the mountains again on our final morning, it hits us: sometimes, you simply need a second attempt. Especially when the first one literally got rained out.

The KAT Bike definitely has us coming back for more. We’ll be back.

Our top tips at a glance:

* The routes are exceptionally well signposted, so additional navigation is usually unnecessary.
* Keep your luggage to a maximum of 15 kg—that’s the limit for the included luggage transfer.
* Book early—the bike-friendly quality accommodations fill up quickly during the season.
* If you’re not bringing your own bike, e-bikes and hardtails can be rented from local bike shops in the region.
* An early start is well worth it. In the Windau Valley in particular, you’ll experience the region at its most peaceful and unspoilt.
* Travelling without a car is possible and highly recommended.
* Allow a little extra time at the Jakobskreuz. The various viewing platforms offer new perspectives at every turn.

Dani & Jane
@wanderlustallgaeu