Salzburg Lakes Tour: Around the Lakes within the Foothills of the Alps
7 nights from €1364
4.67Cycle the stunning lakes that surround one of Austria's most scenic cities
Discover Austria’s famous Salzkammergut lake district on two wheels. Starting in Salzburg, Mozart’s city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cycling holiday takes you through gentle hills, along sparkling lakeshores, and into charming historical towns.
The route includes highlights such as the imperial spa town of Bad Ischl, the UNESCO village of Hallstatt, and the popular resort of St. Wolfgang on Lake Wolfgangsee. You’ll ride past ten different lakes, from Mondsee and Attersee to Traunsee and Wolfgangsee, each offering a unique backdrop of mountains, forests, and traditional Austrian villages.
With options for sightseeing, swimming, and even a cog railway ride up Schafberg Mountain, this tour offers one of the most rewarding ways to experience the heart of Austria.
Nice Biking, Some Hotels Could Be Better
“Loved the rides and scenery. Ebikes performed adequately but had noticeably less power than new bikes we'd used the week before on another tour (Dolomites to Trieste). After…” Full Review
“Loved the rides and scenery. Ebikes performed adequately but had noticeably less power than new bikes we'd used the week before on another tour (Dolomites to Trieste). After a long day of riding, ending at a nice hotel is a must. The Mondsee and Salzburg hotels were great. Others not so much. Paying extra for the single supplement and ending up in a tiny room with a twin bed was disappointing. One was on the the 3rd (US 4th) floor, there were three daddy longlegs around the window, and the elevator was broken. Guests should have been assigned rooms on a lower floor or sent to a hotel 7 km away in St. Gilgen. Be aware that most hotel staffs go home between 10-11 pm so no front desk presence overnight.” Less
—ShopTherapy
Beautiful scenery!
“Nice variety of towns and rural countryside. Hills on the last day especially were more like level 4 than level 2 - quite challenging, even on ebikes. Hotels were varying but adequate.”
—Susan Roberts
Salzburg Lakes Tour
“This was probably the most scenic tour we've taken. Lake Constance a close second. Hotels, E-bikes, orientation, the navigation app were all as advertised --- 5 star!! Of…” Full Review
“This was probably the most scenic tour we've taken. Lake Constance a close second. Hotels, E-bikes, orientation, the navigation app were all as advertised --- 5 star!! Of course we did have perfect weather for the entire trip except for our planned rest day in Bad Goisern. Hallstatt has become a tourist hotspot and I would suggest spending your time at the Dachstein Ice Caves instead of too much time in Hallstatt. The last day riding back into Salzburg was the best with lots of climbing but worth the effort for scenery and the downhill switchbacks. Ebikes are definitely recommended even if you are an avid and fit biker.” Less
—Steve and Marty
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
Arrive in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend time in the historic old town, strolling past the Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. In the evening, you’ll meet for a tour briefing and be fitted with your rental bikes.
Overnight in Salzburg.
Day 2: Salzburg – Lake Wallersee
31-37 mi / 50-60 km
Your cycling journey begins along the Salzach River, leading to Oberndorf, where the carol Silent Night was first performed. Continue to Arnsdorf to visit the Silent Night Museum, then ride on to Michaelbeuern Abbey. The route finishes in the Trumer Lakes region with Obertrumer See, Mattsee, and Grabensee, and may also include Lake Wallersee. A shorter, direct option is available.
Overnight in Lake Wallersee.
Day 3: Lake Wallersee – Lake Mondsee
31 mi / 50 km
Cycle through the peaceful Egelseen Nature Reserve and the village of Schleedorf before reaching Lake Irrsee, a quiet gem of the Salzkammergut. End the day at Lake Mondsee, where you can visit the basilica featured in The Sound of Music, explore the castle, or stop at the local smokehouse.
Overnight in Mondsee
Day 4: Lake Mondsee – Lake Traunsee
31-50 mi / 50-80 km
Follow the shoreline of Lake Mondsee to Lake Attersee, the largest lake in the region. In July and August, a boat ride may be available; otherwise, enjoy cycling along the water’s edge. From there, the route continues through the Aurach Valley to Lake Traunsee. Highlights include Orth Castle and Gmunden’s ceramics tradition, Altmünster with its bicycle museum, and Traunkirchen’s famous Fishermen’s Pulpit.
Overnight near Lake Traunsee.
Day 5: Lake Traunsee – Lake Hallstättersee – Bad Goisern/surrounding area
12-22 mi / 20-35 km
A short train ride takes you to Obertraun on Lake Hallstatt. Here you can visit the Dachstein Ice Caves before cycling along the lakeshore to the UNESCO town of Hallstatt, known for its salt mine and historic timbered houses. Continue to your overnight stay in Bad Goisern or a nearby village.
Overnight near Bad Goisern.
Day 6: Bad Goisern/surrounding area – Lake Wolfgangsee
22 mi / 35 km
Ride along the Ischler Ache River into Bad Ischl, the imperial resort town of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi. Visit the Imperial Villa, Sisi’s Teahouse, or the renowned Café Zauner. Continue on to Lake Wolfgangsee, passing through St. Wolfgang, Strobl, Lake Abersee, and St. Gilgen, known as Mozart’s village.
Overnight at Lake Wolfgangsee.
Day 7: Lake Wolfgangsee – Salzburg
31-43 mi / 50-70 km
Your final ride takes you through St. Gilgen and past the clear waters of Lake Fuschlsee and Lake Hintersee. Cycle through the Strubklamm and Glasenbachklamm gorges before reaching the Salzach Valley. Just before Salzburg, visit Hellbrunn Palace with its gardens, zoo, and trick fountains. The tour ends back in Salzburg, where you can celebrate with a stroll through the old town.
Overnight in Salzburg.
Day 8: Departure from Salzburg
After breakfast, depart from Salzburg or extend your stay to enjoy more of the Salzkammergut lakes or nearby alpine attractions.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Category A: 3- and 4-star hotels
Salzburg: Hotel Zum Hirschen
Lake Wallersee: Hotel Walkner
Lake Mondsee: Hotel Krone
Lake Traunsee: Landhotel Post Ebensee
Bad Goisern/surroundings: Gasthof Hotel Moserwirt
Lake Wolfgangsee: Kirchenwirt Strobl
Local hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
These quality KTM bikes are the result of years of experience and continued development, always with the wishes and requirements of our guests in mind. The result is a solid, easy to use and travel-suitable bike with reliable brakes, an aluminium frame and top tires. This bike is well-equipped for every journey.
- Unisex (step-through) bike 21/24-speed with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm (available for approx. heights between 58-75 in/148-190 cm)
- Men’s bike 21-speed with freewheel. Sizes: 63 / 60 / 56-51 "slopping" cm (available for approx. heights between 65-81 in/165-205 cm) Note: reservation is essential!
Specifications on standard touring bikes
- Modern, high-resistant aluminum frame
- V-brakes
- Aluminium-rims
- Reliable tires, which ensure high duration
- Shimano Alivio derailleur on 21-speed
- Selle Royal Saddles
*Posture for standard touring bikes will be upright for comfort
Bike rental plus, 27-speed, upgrade
The Bike Rental PLUS is designed by KTM and provides noticeable upgrades on many parts of the bike. From the saddle to the breaks and gears you will see even higher quality (for example even more precise components for braking and shifting). The Bike Rental PLUS allows for a slightly sportier riding posture and a high-quality Suntour suspension fork provides the best possible comfort across all surfaces.
Sizes: 63 / 60 / 55 / 51 / 50 / 46 cm (available for approx. heights between 61-81 in/155-205cm)
Upgraded components
- Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
- Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
- High-quality Suntour suspension fork
*Posture for Bike rental plus will be upright and forward
Electrically-assisted bike
Electric bikes allow you to have more mobility and be able to thoroughly enjoy every cycle tour. The "great equilizer" allows you to stay beside your friends or family on the road! These unisex bikes are comfortable to ride for both men and women.
Specifications on electrically-assisted bike
- Unisex bike 8-speed (Height approx. 148–195 cm)
- Bosch Active Line Plus motor
- Battery 550 Wh removable with mobile charger
- Hydraulic breaks
- Range up to 120 kilometres
Equipment included with the bike rentals:
- Saddle bag (water repellent), rear
- Handlebar bag (water repellent), with clear cover on top for map viewing
- Tools
- Pump
- Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
- Combination lock
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.
Surface and terrain
Along the lakeshores and the Salzach River, the cycling is entirely flat. Between these sections, the terrain becomes more hilly. Depending on the route option, about one-third of the tour follows dedicated cycle paths, while most of the remaining distance runs on farm roads, forest tracks, country lanes, and quiet side roads.
How to get there
Tour Start and End
Nearest aiport: Salzburg, Austria and, further away, Munich, Germany
Nearest train station: Salzburg, Austria
Tips on getting to and from your tour
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