From alpine bike parks to sun-soaked Spanish playgrounds. 

With world-class bike parks carved into the Alps, iconic race tracks, and hidden trail networks winding through ancient villages, Europe is a continent that rewards every kind of rider. Whether you’re chasing lifts and big air or hunting for singletrack, the range here is unmatched. 

This is part two of our six-part MTB Atlas series, where we map out the best trails across every continent with insights from Steadyrack ambassadors, Caroline and Remy. 

WHERE TO RIDE

La Poma Bike Park, Spain

If you haven’t heard of La Poma, add it to your list immediately. Located just outside Barcelona, it’s one of Europe’s most unique riding destinations, and ambassador Caroline Buchanan is a fan:

"La Poma is legendary. It's a playground for progression with everything from jumps and slopestyle features, airbag to technical lines. Every rider can find something that challenges them. It's on the beach and a great euro summer with sangria and paella to finish." 

The combination of world-class features and a genuine beach lifestyle makes La Poma unlike anything else on the continent. The setting alone makes it worth the trip. Everything else is a bonus. 

Leogang, Austria

Few tracks in the world carry the weight of Leogang’s UCI Downhill World Cup course. For Remy, it’s a must-ride for good reason:

"Breathtaking views, iconic track and the motorway section is so fun. I wish it lasted forever." 

Beyond the race track itself, the wider Leogang and Saalbach bike park network offers everything from beginner-friendly trails to serious enduro terrain. It’s a complete destination that delivers whether you’re chasing race lines or just lapping the mountain with friends. 

Molini, Italy

Italy doesn’t always make the top of the European MTB conversation, but Remy thinks it should. He called it out as one of the most memorable riding experiences:

"Molini in Italy is phenomenal. Tiny villages linked by so many epic trails." 

The area offers some of the most characterful riding on the continent. Ancient mule tracks and hand-built singletrack connect remote hilltop villages and dense forest, with descents that feel like they’ve been there forever.

The Megavalanche, Alpe d’Huez, France

For the more adventurous rider, the Megavalanche is on a different level entirely. Caroline has it high on her bucket list:

"The idea of starting on a glacier alongside hundreds of riders and descending thousands of vertical metres through snow, rocks, alpine terrain and bike park trails is pretty wild. It's one of the most unique mountain bike events on the planet." 

Even outside of race week, Alpe d’Huez and the surrounding Oisans region offer serious high-alpine riding that’s well worth building a trip around.

 

WHEN TO GO

Both Caroline and Remy agree that June through September is Europe’s prime window. The snow clears from the high-alpine terrain, the bike parks open their full trail networks, and long summer days mean maximum time on the bike.  

A rough seasonal guide:

The Alps (France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy): These locations fire up from late June once the snow has cleared, with July and August offering the longest days and most trails open

Spain and lower altitude destinations: Places like Molini ride well earlier in the season, from April onwards, before the summer heat kicks in. 

Late September and early October can also be magic across most of Europe, with quieter trails, cooler temps, and autumn colour starting to come through. 

“The best days are sometimes the muddy ones, the unexpected. The off season, not peak season.” - Remy Metailler. 

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Two seasoned ambassadors, two complementary pieces of advice for the first-time MTB traveller.

Caroline keeps it practical: "Grab yourself a Thule bike bag for the airline. Pack extra clothes around your bike for padding, and spend less time researching online and more time connecting with the local riding community when you get there to find the best trails and the local MTB experience."

Remy adds a layer of preparation that goes beyond the logistics: "Know your bike and the products you use to make sure it's suitable to the location you are heading to. Take time to visit, try the food, and meet the locals."

Between the two, the formula is simple. Prep your bike, pack smart, and let the locals lead the way once you're there.

The trails are out there. Now you just need to ride them. 

Next month in the MTB Atlas: North America.