Cycling Around the Salzkammergut Austria: Self-Guided Cycling
East of Salzburg, you find a breathtaking region dotted with many lakes (76 in total) called the Salzkammergut. The landscape includes fjord-like steep rocks and cliffs bordering lush, green mountains and pristine green-blue mountain lakes. This stunning panorama of natural beauty has drawn European tourists for centuries and was the favored summer resort of the Habsburg monarchy. Note that the Hallstättersee region was recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its great natural and cultural heritage. The idyllic village of Hallstatt is “the jewel of this region” and additionally Bad Ischl, Bad Aussee, St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen are some of our favorite villages you will encounter on this visually spectacular tour.
Included in the Tour Price
• 7 nights of lodging in well situated, 3-star hotels • 7 buffet breakfasts • Luggage transfer • Train from Halstatt to Tauplitz and Ferry over Lake Hallstatt • Train from Salzburg- Oberhofen • Train from Bad Goisner/Hallstatt - Taublitz • Road book in English • GPS Device with directions • Greeting and bike adjustment if necessary
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lake Wolfgangsee The tour begins in the late afternoon at our hotel in Abersee (or Strobl or St. Wolfgang). You will get your road book and rental bike in the starting hotel. Overnight in Abersee, Strobl or St. Wolfgang.
Day 2: Lake Wolfgangsee – Salzburg – 30 miles (49 km) This morning you will follow the nice bike path (former railroad track) along wonderful Lake Wolfgangsee to St. Gilgen. Enjoy the picturesque village of St. Gilgen where Mozart’s mother was born. There will be time to visit the little Museum dedicated to Mozart’s family in St. Gilgen. Afterwards you will partly follow the former railway tracks to Salzburg. The cycle tour ends with a 10 km long descent to Salzburg with beautiful views onto the mountains surrounding Salzburg. (Option: Cycle from Mondsee to Oberhofen and take the train to Salzburg)
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Day 3: Train to Oberhofen - Mondsee - Attersee – St. Georgen - 30 miles (49 km) With the train you will leave the city of Salzburg and start the cycle tour in Oberhofen. First you will pass the romantic lake of Irrsee, then you reach the famous little city of Mondsee, where the wedding in the Sound of Music took place. You will continue following the cycle path along Lake Mondsee to the Attergau or to Lake Attersee. The Attergau shows you the countryside, set back from the touristy lake region, with beautiful meadows and gardens. Tonight you will sleep in St. Georgen
Day 4: Lake Attersee/Attergau – Traunsee - Traunkirchen/Ebensee - 28 miles (45 km) The bike route between the lakes Attersee and Traunsee is a bit hilly but not too demanding. We’ll see quaint hamlets and tidy farm houses along the way before arriving in the picturesque lakeside city of Gmunden, the former salt capital of the Austrian Empire. Gmunden is dotted with charming, well preserved old houses and a wonderful esplanade reflecting its rich history. Enjoy a walk along the esplanade and a stop at Schloss Orth, the remarkable castle in the Traunsee Lake that’s a photographer’s delight. Afterward we’ll follow the cycle trail along Lake Traunsee to scenic Ebensee. Overnight in Traunkirchen or Ebensee.
Day 5: Lake Traunsee – Bad Ischl - Halstatt /Bad Goisern- 18-25 miles (30-40 km) We’ll follow the bike path along the River Traun to the former imperial city of Bad Ischl. Bad Ischl was the summer residence of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and it was his favorite destination for rest and contemplation. Bad Ischl is the cultural and geographic center of the Salzkammergut, where the emperor and his wife Elisabeth (the captivating “Sissi” of the famous film) regularly spent their summers. It’s possible to visit the Emperors Villa, Café Zauner and the Hotel Austria. Afterward we’ll bike to the UNESCO World Heritage Region of Hallstatt, historically known for local salt mines and considered one of the loveliest lakeside villages in all of Austria. Overnight in Hallstatt or Bad Goisern.
Day 6: Hallstatt Round trip – 28-34 miles (45-55 km) In the morning we’ll take the train to Tauplitz in the Ausseerland which is well known for its daffodil festival in spring. After Ausseerland we’ll cycle through a wonderful countryside surrounded by high mountains. Then we continue on uphill to Lake Grundlsee and afterward to the quaint little city of Bad Aussee. Finally we’ll pass through the wild valley of Koppental and return to Hallstatt with time left for more afternoon sightseeing or relaxing. Overnight in Hallstatt or Bad Goisern.
Day 7: Hallstatt – Lake Wolfgangsee - 18-25 miles (30-40 km) With the ferry you will cross the lake and follow the lovely cycle trail along lake Hallstatt. Afterwards you will follow the river Traun to the Emperor city of Bad Ischl where you should visit the emperor villa and the famous pastry shop of Zauner. Along the former roman road you will cycle to the lake Wolfgangsee. Overnight in Abersee, Strobl or St. Wolfgang.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast.
Level of Difficulty We rate the tour ‘moderate’ as there are hills as you pedal from one lovely lake to the next. The hills however are usually short and can be walked if one chooses. The mileage varies a little depending on the hotel that is available for you.
Van Gogh Tours Inc. • (781)-646-0096 • [email protected]
Bicycle 11-speed hybrid bikes (male and unisex models) with internal geared hub are included in the tour price. Bicycles come equipped with 2 small pannier bags. Helmets are not included; please bring your own helmet!
Getting There Fly into Salzburg, Vienna (three hours by train to Salzburg) or Munich (two hours by train to Salzburg). For train schedules visit www.oebb.at or www.eurail.com. Make sure you use the German city names (Wien for Vienna, Munchen for Munich etc.) Your hotel in Abersee (or St. Wolfgang or Strobl) is a one-hour bus ride away from Salzburg. You will find the public bus (bus number 150) opposite of the train station. You will receive exact directions once we receive full payment. Alternatively, private transfers are available, please inquire.
Not included in the tour • Alcoholic and bar beverages • Lunches and dinners • Transportation other than scheduled VGT transfers
Van Gogh Tours Inc. • (781)-646-0096 • [email protected]