We start in Feld am See with a leisurely 400 m uphill to Bad Kleinkirchheim to the mountain railway. Here we do another lap on the practice area and a few more on the pump track, which is located here on the square next to the Kaiserburg valley station. We use the mountain railway to help us up the next 1,100 metres. We will still need our strength, says Adrian, our guide - and after the pump track session, a little breather is very welcome.

After the middle station, the cable car climbs more steeply upwards and opens up views as far as the Schladminger Tauern. The Nockberge mountains are much more alpine than you would imagine Carinthia to be and the panorama at the Kaiserburg mountain station is overwhelming. Up here at 2,050 metres, the view sweeps over

• the Karawanken,
• the Julian Alps,
• the Carnic Alps
• and the Schladminger Tauern

We ride through a rock arch into the 15-kilometre-long Flow Country Trail. Curve after curve, wave after wave, it winds its way downwards. It feels like we hardly lose any metres in altitude and only have to use the brakes sporadically. A pretty good feeling and a great experience, especially for beginners.

• 15 km / 910 metres in altitude
• maximum gradient of 8%
• 4 sections for safe exits

The ride feelsalmost endless over the 15 kilometres. The gravel-covered route winds from the Kaiserburg mountain station along the ridge over forest and meadow areas down around 910 metres into the valley. And even if it is rather modest in the region, this MTB single trail is the longest flow country trail in Europe. It is divided into 4 sections - so it is always possible to get off safely and, above all, take a break.

The feeling is reminiscent of a mixture of rollercoaster and swings. Suitable for beginners, yet fun and extremely moving. The landscape and the terrain around the single trail provide variety: in the upper section, the terrain is open and offers a unique panorama deep into the Tauern mountains. Gradually, the trail becomes more and more surrounded by forest.

Along the route, experienced bikers can also repeatedly switch to the natural single trails of the NOCKBIKE region. But if you want to experience true flow, stay on the Flow Country Trail like us.

Once we reach the bottom, we decide to do a second lap of the Flow Country Trail because we haven't had enough yet. This time we take the more technically challenging Alter-Almweg Trail

• over roots
• some challenging passages
• along the slope with great views
• always with a slight gradient
• surrounded by a marvellous sparse larch forest
• via the Wegerhütte
• down to the shore of Lake Brennsee.

We end the day by the lake. We sit on the shore with Adrian and can easily understand what makes the connection between the mountain and the lake so appealing to him. It is this relaxation and satisfaction that comes with the experience of the summit cross and the subsequent trail, but also the tranquillity of the lake.

Just a few minutes away: MTB single trails on Lake Millstatt
Lake Millstätter See, which is part of the NOCKBIKE region, is really not much more than a stone's throw away from Feld am See. Here, too, there are fantastic opportunities for trail biking, such as the challenging Sternentrail am Millstätter See:

• challenging 1.7 km single trail / shared trail
• constant change of steep terrain, root passages & stone fields
• a 5-star treat for experienced riders

On the other side of the Nockberge mountains, the trail area on the Turracher Höhe also impresses with

• 2 pump tracks, which are particularly popular with families
• natural single trails down to the lake for experienced trail bikers
• varied practice trails for beginners