Overview
Explore the beauty of Austria’s Lake District, where dramatic mountains plunge into sparkling blue glacial lakes, creating fjord-like landscapes. Salzkammergut lies to the east of Salzburg, the city of Mozart, in the shadow of the Dachstein Summit (2,995 m). It certainly belongs to one of the unique natural treasures of Europe. The area offers impressive mountain scenery, traditional villages scattered in the valleys, and quaint lakeside roads perfect for cycling.
- The historic city of Salzburg
- Wolfgangsee with its imposing Schafberg
- Gmunden
- Attersee
- Mondsee
- Bad Ischl
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Salzburg
Individual arrival. Use the extra time for a stroll through the picturesque old part of this fascinating town. Overnight Salzburg.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Nord*** or similar
Day 2: Salzburg – Wolfgangsee | 50km
Your morning starts with the bike hand over (if you have rented a bike from us). You begin the tour exploring the birthplace of Mozart. Cycling along the breathtaking Drachenwand, you reach the beautiful Mondsee. Enjoy the downhill ride to St. Gilgen. Overnight St Gilgen.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 50km
- Accommodation: Hotel-Pension Carossa*** or similar
Day 3: Wolfgangsee – Traunsee | 40km
Today, after a relaxing boat ride on Lake Wolfgang, you cycle to the old imperial resort village of Bad Ischl, where you find traces and follow Emperor Franz Josef’s footsteps and his Empress Sissi all over the area. A must-do is a stop at the famous pastry shop Zauner. Along the river Traun, you cycle to Traunkirchen. Overnight.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 40km+ship ride on Lake Wolfgang
- Accommodation: Panoramahotel Traunstein*** or similar
Day 4: Traunsee – Attersee | 40km
One of the many highlights on this tour is the stop-off in Gmunden. Gmunden is a scenic village on the northern bank of the Traunsee, and nowadays, it’s well known for its beautiful handmade ceramics. Move along further to the gorgeous area of lake Attersee.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 40km
- Accommodation: Hotel Spitzerwirt*** or similar
Day 5: Attersee – Mondsee | 35km
Follow the light blue Attersee to Unterach. After passing through a narrow valley, you will discover the beautiful Mondsee. Cycle along the northern bank until you reach the picturesque lakeside town.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 35km
- Accommodation: Hotel Prielbauer*** or similar
Day 6: Mondsee – Trumer Seenland | 45km
Riding comfortably through the hinterland of Mondsee, pass the Irrsee and reach the Trumer Seen. Beer connoisseurs must visit the Trumer brewery!
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45km
- Accommodation: Gasthof Neumayr*** or similar
Day 7: Trumer Seenland – Salzburg | 45km
Enjoy nature’s beauty and pristine surroundings while cycling to Salzburg, with opportunities to take a dip in the small lakes you pass by. Overnight Salzburg.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45km
- Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Nord*** or similar
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extend your stay in Salzburg.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in welcoming 3-star hotels and country inns. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. Requests for twin rooms (completely separate single beds) will be accepted, however, they cannot be guaranteed – you will have separate linen however which is a standard practice in Austria. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Hotel upgrade is possible in Salzburg, Wolfgangsee, Traunsee & Mondsee.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Ibis Nord***
- Hotel-Pension Carossa***
- Panoramahotel Traunstein***
- Hotel Spitzerwirt***
- Hotel Prielbauer***
- Gasthof Neumayr***
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Amedia****
- Hotel Weißer Bär****
- Symposionhotel Post****
- Hotel Krone****
- Hotel Spitzerwirt***
- Gasthof Neumayr***
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. When no restaurant location is available on route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The cycling is on country roads, dedicated cycling paths and dirt roads. The terrain is hilly with some short uphill stretches. Please be informed that there will be more car traffic on country roads during the summer holidays (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from May until October. Late spring, the whole summer and early autumn are beautiful in the Alps. The best months for walking are in the summer months between June and September when the weather is most stable. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The climate in the region is continental, cold and temperate. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but, in the May-September period, the daily averages are 15 – 25C. Spring and autumn are cooler with occasional rain. Expect the weather to change rapidly during the day.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Salzburg (SZG).
By train or bus
- The No. 10 bus (Mon-Sat) departs every 10min from the airport to the city centre. Journey time approx. 15min.
- The No. 2 bus runs daily every 10/20 minutes between Salzburg Main Station and the airport. Sundays and public holidays every 20min. Journey time approx. 23min.
- For more information, use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in a private en-suite double/twin room
- 7 breakfasts
- Daily luggage transport (1 piece per person/max 23kg)
- Boat ride on Lake Wolfgang, incl. bike (Upgraded accommodation only)
- Ferry ride St. Wolfgang – Abersee, incl. bike
- A sweet break “Zauner Jause” in Bad Ischl (coffee & cake)
- Handlebar bag with maps and information materials (1set per room)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Bike rental (helmet not included, to be requested separately)
- Hotel upgrade (4-star hotels or the best 3-star hotel in town if no 4-star hotels are available)
Bike rental
Bikes
- Ladies trekking bike 21-speed, freewheel, 28 inch tyres
- Men’s trekking bike 21-speed, freewheel,28 inch tyres
- E-Bikes: KTM Macina Fun, unisex or mens frame, 8 or 9 speed
All bicycles include waterproofed pannier bags and one handlebar bag (per room). You will receive repair vouchers for any issues that may arise on the tour.
Gallery
