Hari Maier is not only the organiser of the Austrian Mountain Bike Congress, but also the passionate mastermind behind the BergSeen eTrail lighthouse project in the Salzkammergut - the region that brings the federal states of Upper Austria, Salzburg & Styria under one hat and one helmet. A conversation about the unique MTB tour between nature, culture & history and the most beautiful experiences on the singletrail route of a different kind.

The Salzkammergut BergeSeen eTrail is

• a long-distance e-MTB trail
• across & around the Salzkammergut
• divided into 10 daily stages
• designed for 3-5 hours of exercise per day
• with the possibility of luggage transport.

A second battery is nevertheless recommended in order to really enjoy the tour. The route runs along forest roads and tarmac paths throughout, but there are also one or two trail delicacies, which are defined as pushing routes in two stages. The entire tour is therefore suitable for newcomers and those returning to the sport, for whom culinary delights are important on the one hand and the impressive natural surroundings on the other.

The 10 daily stages lead through the most scenic areas of the region. But the theme of culture and enjoyment is not neglected either: each region to be travelled through has its own highlights. Only the Dachstein glacier is visible almost every day and gets closer and closer until it disappears into the distance again after around five days. The Salzkammergut has around 76 lakes and we have tried to "experience" at least some of them:

• from pure solitude
• to the hustle and bustle of the imperial town of Bad Ischl
• on historical paths along salt mines
• Crossing mountain ridge after mountain ridge
• and stopping off at one of the many rustic mountain huts along the way.

From my point of view, there is no USP ... or maybe there is. Everyone will "experience" this individually for themselves. However, we are endeavouring to enhance the experience in the service sector by enabling accommodation providers to train as e-MTB guides. Like the product, it is also something that enables the local population to get to know their country from a different perspective.

From the drawing board to your first ride: how did the eTrail surprise you?

Even though I thought I knew them all, I still found one or two places that demanded a little more of my attention. The route leads through a variety of different regions and each has its own charm. This means that some people will find their favourite region to take a closer look at on their next mountain bike holiday. Ultimately, many will experience what I have experienced: The e-MTB shortens the distances and the variety of impressions on the forest road and the goods roads that wind their way through old farmsteads reach a level that I could not have imagined before.