Trek Notes - Austria

Cycling in Salzburg

The beautiful city of Salzburg, situated on the Salzach River at the foothills of the Alps, is a wonderful place to begin a scenic cycling route. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the city's most famous son and musical genius, is hard to ignore as many attractions are centred round his life and works but by no means all. The Hohensalzburg Fortress stands guard on the hill overlooking the city and surrounding countryside. Castle Mirabel with glorious gardens, the early Baroque Salzberger Dome, the Abbey and Monastery should all be seen.

This journey follows a figure of eight, firstly west into the Chiemgau region of Bavaria then east through the beautiful Salzkammergut. Both areas are known for warm crystal clear lakes and picturesque scenery of meadows and pasture fringed by the Alps. Pass the 'Silent Night Chapel' and join the ancient salt trading route through the ancient walls and idyllic streets of Laufen to the old market town of Waging for your first taste of Bavarian beer and hospitality. The trading and mining of salt generated great wealth in the region, which is reflected in the fortified towns and ornate churches along the route. You pass museums dedicated to Mammoths, salt mining, rural heritage and of course Mozart. Stop off to visit a brewery, a Spa in Bad Reichenhall or even ride on the old Schafburg rack railway in St Wolfgang. St Gilgen is a joy to visit its charm being the lakeshore setting and the mountains that embrace the waters of the lake.

The route is ideal for easy to moderate cycling, following many dedicated cycle paths, riverside cycle ways and lakeside routes to wind up and down the verdant valleys and round the imposing hills and mountains to a new vista at every turn. There are just a couple of climbs to test your legs and one short walk where your bike is transported to the top of the hill from where you set off downhill through scenic gorges towards Salzburg.

There is always a café or restaurant for lunch and after a little more cycling the local tradition of 'coffee and cakes' in the afternoon will probably meet with approval!

Duration: 7 nights / 8 days
Grade: Easy - Moderate
Bike Hire: Included
Day Stages: Min approx. 30km, max approx. 60km.

Accommodation

8 nights/9 days - In Salzburg the 3* hotel is located just a few minutes walk from the historical old town and many restaurants. The old hotel in Waging is even closer to the centre of town in the market square. The hotel complex used in Inzell comprises of four separate buildings, a swimming pool, sauna, solarium etc with views of the mountains. In Bad Reichenhall we use one of two 3* hotels owed by the same family. Eugendorf provides another character property with very comfortable rooms and great cuisine. The last night out on the road before returning to Salzburg is spent in a flower bedecked 3* hotel in St Gilgen.All the hotels are family run, some being in the same families hands for over 100 years. All are of a high standard with en suite facilities in all rooms. Please note that in high season it may be necessary to use a different hotel of the same standard.

Terrain

The terrain is gentle and rolling, mostly on country roads and good cycle paths. Much of the route is on flat riverside and lakeside tracks.  

Bike Hire
18-21 speed hybrid bikes that come with front bag, panniers, spare inner tube, repair kit and tools. Helmets and waterbottles are not included, please bring your own.

Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis comfortable country inns and hotels all with ensuite facilities. Evening meals and lunches are not included.

Start and End of Tour
Nearest airport is Salzburg. The hotel in Salzburg is best reached from the airport by taxi (not included).

Itinerary

     Day 1. Arrive at Salzburg airport and take a taxi costing approx. 15 Euros to the hotel. Bikes are delivered to the hotel at 16.30, if you are there at this time you can get assistance to adjust the saddle etc. If you have not arrived at this time a suitable bike will be left in the bike room at the hotel for you. All bikes are supplied with the tools you need to make any adjustments. The route notes and maps are very comprehensive but if you are at the hotel at 5 o'clock there will be a representative at the hotel who can give a short briefing on the tour and answer any questions you may have.

      Day 2. Salzburg to Waging, approx. 50km. Follow the cycle path along the banks of the Salzach River with the old Baroque church ‘Maria Plain' high above watching over the city. The riverside path goes as far as Oberdorf where you can visit the Silent Night Chapel, the place where the famous Christmas Carol was first performed. With the words and music of the carol lodged firmly in your mind even in mid summer, cross the historic iron bridge and the border into Germany's southern state of Bavaria. Pass through Laufen the first Bavarian town on the route and perhaps opt for the detour to the ‘water castle', Trebenbach. Towards the end of the day you reach Tattenhausen and the shores of Waginger See and Taching See where there are some lovely spots to relax by the water and even take a refreshing swim.The day ends at the village of Waging am See.

    Day 3. Waging to Inzell, approx 40km. Across pretty Bavarian countryside as far as Traunstein. Here a little sightseeing is in order; perhaps the city tower, salt works or perhaps it will be the brewery that more suits your taste. Riverside cycling takes you up the valley via Siegsdorf to Inzell for the night.

     Day 4. Inzell to Bad Reichenhall, approx. 30km. A shorter day with more mountainous surroundings. First circumnavigate Falkenstein Mountain then ride through the Weissenbach valley. This is idyllic mountain scenery all the way to the Saalach River. Following the river brings you to Bad Reichenhall, another town founded on the wealth of the salt trade and a regular stop over for Mozart on his journeys to Italy. The afternoon can be filled with a trip to berchtesgarden, Hitler's ‘Eagles Nest' and Konigssee, a cable car ride up Predigtstuhl Mountain (or a walk for the more active) or a visit to Rupertusbad thermal spa.

     Day 5. Bad Reichenhall to Eugendorf, approx 60km. Cross back into Austria at Grossgmain where there is an open-air museum consisting of numerous old farmhouses from different regions and periods that have been moved to one site and restored. The cycle path then takes you back through Salzburg on the old railway track with a chance for a little sightseeing and a good lunch. Don't linger too long however, as this is the longest stage of the route and you need to keep the pedals spinning all the way up to Eugendorf.

    Day 6. Eugendorf to St Gilgen 40km. Cycling along a verdant valley floor, through more marvelous mountain scenery passing the foot of Dragons Wall and Mount Schober to Mondsee. A climb of 110m over the Scharfling Pass is rewarded with views to St Gilgen, the ‘Mozart village' on the shores of Wolfgansee. There is plenty to fill the day if you arrive early, the Mozart museum is an obvious port of call and you can walk the lakeshore or take a cable car ride up a mountain.

     Day 7.  St Gilgen to Salzburg, approx. 45km. From St Gilgen there is an unusual start to the day. You cycle to the outskirts of the town and drop your bike at our collection point. The bike is then transported up the hill and you undertake a scenic walk to the top of Kehleiten. This walk is not too taxing and can be taken at a gentle pace. It is only 3km but does involve a climb of 300m (1000ft), this will take 60 90 minutes for most people. At the top you are reunited with your bike and head off on a descent through a remote valley and the Stubklamm and Glasenbachklamm gorges to arrive at the southern outskirts of Salzburg by Hellbrunn Castle. With echoes of the sound of music in your ears you will have time to visit the castle and cool off in the famous fountains before heading back to the hotel near the center of the city.

   Day 8.  End of Tour. The tour ends in Salzburg with easy access to the airport and the train station for your journey home.