What could be better than being out and about, cycling along the banks of beautiful lakes, and letting your spirit soar, as you take in a marvellous natural landscape? If this sounds like your kind of break, then this cycling tour, through the Salzkammergut is absolutely perfect! Only a few kilometres beyond Salzburg, you will be greeted by the luxury of a unique natural panorama. On a wonderful and varied tour, you will cycle through meadows and also to the old imperial town of Bad Ischl.
In a way, you will be travelling a whole world of clichés made reality. This tour is active recreation, experiencing nature and enjoying spectacular attractions, such as the mountain Schafberg and the Hallstätter See region. On the banks of the lakes and at the river Salzach, the routes are completely flat. In between, the terrain is mainly hilly. Depending on the option chosen, approximately one third of the route is on cycle paths and almost all the rest is through fields and on forest paths, farm roads, and quiet side roads. There are only a few short sections of minor roads with traffic.
Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg or at the Trumer Seen lakes
Today will be bike fitting, and a chance to get information for the forthcoming tour. For guests arriving at the Trumer Seen lakes, the subsequent daily tours are accordingly shifted in the itinerary (these guests begin the tour with the route described for the third day, cycling the Salzburg - Trumer Seen lakes route on the final day).
Day 2: Salzburg – Trumer Seen lakes/Lake Wallersee approx. 45-55 km
Today, you will cycle along the Salzach to Oberndorf, the town where the Christmas carol "Silent Night" originated, then to Arnsdorf, where you will find the “Silent Night” Museum, and then to Michaelbeuern (home of the famous abbey). Further on, you will ride into the Trumer Seen lakes country (Lake Obertrumer See, Lake Mattsee, Lake Grabensee) and partly also to Lake Wallersee. A shorter, more direct route is also possible!
Day 3: Trumer Seen lakes/Lake Wallersee –Lake Mondsee approx. 50 km
The tour today will take you through the nature reserve of the Egelseen lakes to Schleedorf. Later, you will continue to the idyllic Lake Irrsee. Your overnight stay will be in Mondsee, the town where the wedding scene was filmed in the iconic Sound of Music (also home to castle, smokehouse).
Day 4: Lake Mondsee – Lake Traunsee approx. 50-80 km
Today will begin with a boat trip to Weyregg (for arrivals between 01.07. and 31.08.), in season 1 and 2 you will cycle along lake Attersee. Afterwards, you will ride through the Aurachtal valley to Lake Traunsee, where you will find the picturesque town of Gmunden (where attractions include castle Orth, ceramics factory), then Altmünster (home of the bicycle museum), and Traunkirchen ("Fishermen’s Pulpit").
Day 5: Lake Traunsee – Lake Hallstättersee – Bad Goisern/surrounding area approx. 20-35 km
A train will take you from Lake Traunsee up to Obertraun at Lake Hallstättersee, where you have to option to see the incredible Dachstein mountains ice caves. Later, you will continue along the lake to Hallstatt (known as "the loveliest lakeside location in the world", the oldest salt mine). Your today’s destination is Bad Goisern or one of the neighbouring towns.
Day 6: Bad Goisern/surrounding area – Lake Wolfgangsee approx. 35 km
On a route that goes via Bad Ischl (Emperor’s Park, Emperor’s Villa, Empress Sissi’s Teahouse), you will cycle along the Ischler Ache river to Lake Wolfgangsee. You will cycle through pretty towns and villages such as St. Wolfgang (White Horse Inn, parish church, cog railway on to the Schafberg), Strobl, Lake Abersee (Zinkenbachklamm gorge) and St. Gilgen - the Mozart village on Lake Wolfgangsee.
Day 7: Lake Wolfgangsee – Salzburg approx. 40-50 km + walking tour
Your ride on the seventh day, will lead you on a cycle route to St. Gilgen ("Mozart Village"), and then to a short hiking trail into the Tiefbrunnau, past the Hintersee lake, and the Strubklamm gorge into the stunning Wiestal valley (dam). You will come through the Glasenbachklamm into the Salzachtal valley. Shortly before you reach Salzburg, you will come upon Castle (Schloss) Hellbrunn, which is well worth a visit (featuring a park, zoo, water games etc). Your destination is the festival city, and home of Mozart, Salzburg with its plethora of attractions (fortress, old town).
Day 8: Departure or extension
Salzkammergut and Austrian Lakelands from Freewheel Holidays on Vimeo.
On the banks of the lakes and at the river Salzach, the routes are completely flat. In between, the terrain is mainly hilly. Depending on the option chosen, approximately one third of the route is on cycle paths and almost all the rest is through fields and on forest paths, farm roads, and quiet side roads. There are only a few short sections on roads with more traffic.
Total distance cycled: 305 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Salzburg
Route Overview (For guidance only):
Stage |
Kilometres |
Special notes regarding the route |
|
Salzburg – Trumer Lakes/Lake Wallersee |
45 – 55 km |
Exiting Oberndorf is slightly challenging, since our E-arrow markings always get taken down. Please follow your route description carefully! From Oberndorf there are several ascents to be tackled. |
|
Salzburg – Holzöster/Dorfibm |
45 km |
Along the river Salzach the terrain is completely flat, after that a few ascents. |
|
Holzöster/Dorfibm – Trumer Lakes/ Lake Wallersee |
45 – 55 km |
Slightly hilly terrain |
|
Trumer Lakes/ Lake Wallersee – Lake Mondsee |
50 – 60 km |
Luggage to be ready by 8.30 am Terrain until Neumarkt depends on the location of your accommodation. |
|
Lake Mondsee – Lake Traunsee |
50 – 80 km |
Luggage to be ready by 9 am Boat ride from Unterach (10:15) to Weyregg (11:23). Arrivals 01.07. – 31.08. During the other seasons you cycle the route along Lake Attersee. |
|
Lake Traunsee – Bad Goisern/Surroundings |
20 – 35 km |
Train journey Ebensee – Obertaun From Hallstatt we recommend a boat trip or riding along the East side of the lake! You can already cycle from the train station Obertraun along the East side of the lake. Simply follow the R2. |
|
Lake Traunsee – Lake Wolfgangsee |
45 – 50 km |
Bike ride to St. Wolfgang. Possibility to take ferry to Abersee |
|
Bad Goisern/Surroundings – Lake Wolfgangsee |
35 km |
Bike ride to St. Wolfgang. Possibility to take ferry to Abersee |
|
Lake Wolfgangsee – Salzburg |
40 km |
Walking tour Kühleiten/Tiefbrunnau: Bike return by 10 am at the latest at the car park on the bypass B 158 from St. Gilgen. Please wait for the driver, since the bikes need to stay unlocked. Follow the marked walking path no. 854 for approx. 1 hour up to the Kühleitenalm, from there continue for another 20 mins downhill along the road until the Laimerbauer farm. Please wear proper shoes (trainers, bike trainers). Bikes are ready for you by 11.30am at the latest at the Laimerbauer farm. Please watch out for the turn-off to Elsbethen (at the inn ‚Gasthof Neuhäusl) after you exit the Strubklamm ravine and before the Wiestal-reservoir. From Glasenbach we recommend a detour to Hellbrunn palace! The route can be extended via Hallein. Option to cycle around Lake Hintersee. |
We recommend flying to Salzburg airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
By train:
Salzburg main station
All starting hotels are either within walking distance or about 1-1.5km away from the central station. Taxi fare costs approx. €7 to €10. Hotel Holiday Inn, Hotel Mercure and Hotel Ganslhof can also be reached by public transport, take city bus #2 to stop Vogelweiderstrasse (approx. 3 minutes to the hotels from here), it costs approx €3 per person and takes about 10 minutes.
By plane:
Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart: Continue by taxi (approx €15 to €20) or by bus n°2 (approx €3) to Salzburg main station.
Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauß: by train to Salzburg, one change at München Ost. It costs approx. €45 per person.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Austrian Lakes cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday offers quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Austrian Lakes | Sample Hotel List (Cat A) | Sample Hotel List (Cat B) |
Salzburg | Hotel Achat Plaza zum Hirschen 4**** | Hotel Ganslhof 3*** |
www.achat-hotels.com/de/hotel/salzburg | www.hotel-ganslhof.at | |
Trumer Seen/Wallersee | Hotel Walkner 3*** | Gasthof Mitterhof |
www.hotel-walkner.at | www.mitterhof.at | |
Mondsee | Hotel Krone 4**** | Landhaus Meingast |
www.hotel-krone-mondsee.at | www.landhausmeingast.at | |
Traunsee | Hotel Post Ebensee 4**** | Hotel Landgasthof Hocheck 3*** |
www.hotel-post-ebensee.at | www.hocheck.at | |
Bad Goisern/Umgebung | Hotel Moserwirt 3*** | Pension Maria Theresia |
www.moserwirt.at | www.pensionmariatheresia.at | |
Wolfgangsee | Hotel Weisser Bär 4**** | Gasthof Aberseehof 3*** |
www.weisserbaer.at | www.aberseehof.at |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
You can now book this cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 03.04. to 23.04.2021 | 02.10. to 09.10.2021 | Daily |
Season 2: | 24.04. to 11.06.2021 | 04.09. to 01.10.2021 | Daily |
Season 3: | 12.06. to 03.09.2021 | Daily |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £820 |
Season 2: | £860 |
Season 3: | £945 |
Single Supplement Upgrade: | £250 |
Half Board Upgrade: | £180 |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £715 |
Season 2: | £703 |
Season 3: | £810 |
Half Board Upgrade: | £155 |
Single Supplement Upgrade: | £155 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 3* / 4* Hotels |
Category B: | 3* hotel and guesthouses |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Salzburg Season 1 + 2 (Cat A): | £65 | £105 |
Salzburg Season 1 + 2 (Cat B): | £55 | £80 |
Salzburg Season 3 (Cat A): | £85 | £140 |
Salzburg Season 3 (Cat B): | £70 | £95 |
Trumer Seen (Cat A): | £55 | £70 |
Trumer Seen (Cat B): | £45 | £60 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
03 April 2021 | 09 October 2021 |