Sparkling Lakes & Mountains

Pedal out from Salzburg with the River Salzach for company and you’ll soon be on track for Eugendorf as follow the path of the disused Ischler railway. The gentle cycle path towards Thalgau leads through beautiful lush meadowlands as you start your journey through landscapes immortalized by ‘The Sound of Music’. The mighty Drachenwand (‘dragonwall’) rises ahead – a huge rocky wall which dwarfs every village in the valley and is ever-present as you spin along the lakeside path into Mondsee. Once in iconic town, you’ll half-expect members of the Von Trapp family to jump out at every street corner! Medieval Mondsee Abbey and its impressive St Michael’s Basilica (the former collegiate church) played a staring role in the great film as the site of the ‘happy ending’ wedding, but the place has been on the map since Stone Age times. Check out the museum next door to discover the story of the prehistoric stilt-houses (Pfhalbau) and take in lots of amazing finds before settling into your very own secret-top-tip-of-a-Mondsee-hotel right in the town centre.

Overnight Mondsee.

Miles: 24 Kms: 40

 Enjoy a good pedal by Lake Mondsee and onwards to Unterach, where it’s time to give your bike its own ride on board a boat along the Salzkammergut’s largest lake, the Attersee, to Weyregg* (included in tour price). Cycle on through the Aurachtal, past Traunsee (Lake Traunsee) to Gmunden, an historic  salt-trading town, famed for its ceramics. Don’t miss taking a look at the ceramic bells on the front of the Town Hall which dates back to 1574, before heading south, along Traunsee. The hauntingly isolated Castle Ort is en route as the lakeside path leads you to Trauenkirchen and your hotel located directly on the dreamy peninsula.

Overnight – Trauenkirchen

Miles: 32* Kms: 50 …

*Ferry on Lake Attersee only available July & August (and perhaps a few days either side). Outside this period, the route has 10 miles additional lakeside cycling.

It’s time to make ‘the loveliest lakeside town in the world’ your destination for the day – and what a wonderful cycle ride to get there! Let the lakeside bike path lead you alongside the Traunsee to the historic salt-trade town of Ebensee where it’s the river Traun’s turn to guide you to the Imperial resort of Bad Ischl. Pedal on to the spa and health resort of Bad Goisern to reach Lake Hallstatt (Hallstattersee) and finally the town of Hallstatt itself – not just a place of beauty amidst the mountains, but one whose inimitable character and precious natural charm has won it UNESCO World Heritage site status. And to immerse yourself in the experience, where better to stay than in dreamy, iconic Hallstatt itself, in a hotel that’s itself full of Hallstatt town house history?

Overnight in Hallstatt.

Miles: 27 Kms: 45

No need for regrets as you cycle back along the river Traun today – leaving Hallstatt behind you may be a wrench, but to soften the blow, there’s the promise of more than ‘just’ cake at Café Zauner in Bad Ischl. It’s the famous haunt of Emperor Franz Josef and Sissi, where they came to tuck into a slice of rich ‘Zaunerstollen’ or ‘Gugelhupf’ cake or two. Made in a mould, the Gugelhupf ring cake comes in all kinds of marbled and fruity assortments. Try the sweet specialties ‘auf Ort und Stelle’ ie. in the famous café itself ( slice of delicious ‘Zaunerstollen’ and coffee included in the tour price) – essential fuel for the cyclist wanting that authentic experience before pedaling along Lake Wolfgang! St Wolfgang is your charming stop for the night. Time to stable up your trusty two-wheeled steed at the legendary Hotel Weisses Rössl (White Horse), made famous by Benatzky’s opera, but still very much a characterful, family-run establishment today.

Overnight – St Wolfgang.

Miles: 24 Kms: 40

St Wolfgang is a fabulous place to rest up for a day – whether that means going for a lakeside dip, a gentle wander to sit and drink in the panoramas at a comfortable café or a bit of heading up the nearest mountain. Fortunately, the quirky ‘cog’ railway will take the strain if you fancy the latter, conveying you up the 1782m Schafberg to share some of Europe’s most stunning lake district views. If you prefer to keep things on more of a level though, why not head off on a boat trip around the lake? Whatever you choose, you’re sure to make some delightful discoveries.

Overnight – St Wolfgang.

Follow the lakeside bike path today the short way to St. Gilgen, home of Mozart’s grandfather and where Mozart’s’ mother was christened in the parish church on the day she was born. Here, it’s time to say goodbye to your bike for an hour or so, whilst you take a 2km hike up the hill to a rendezvous at Kuhleiten. (Transfer of bikes up hill is included in tour price.) Like this, you can enjoy a downhill ride to Lake Hintersee, through the Strubklamm gorge and on to Wiestal valley. From there, it’s a ride through the impressive Glasenbachklamm gorge to the Salzachtal valley. Salzburg beckons, but who can resist seeing the fascinating fountains of Hellbrunn’s Summer Palace on the way?

Overnight – Salzburg

Miles: 29 Kms: 47

Time to take in one last look at the impressive castle? You, know you could stay a little longer… Do ask us about additional nights in Salzburg, either before or at the end of your Sparkling Lakes & Mountains cycle tour, or perhaps even moving on to the Mur Valley to make your trip the ultimate in gentle Austrian cycling adventures.