Imagine this: just you, your bike, and a shimmering blue lake stretching out before you. Sounds like a dream? With the Terranova team, it’s a reality waiting to be experienced! Over eight unforgettable days, you’ll cycle through the breathtaking Salzkammergut, discovering five stunning lakes along the way. Starting in Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, your journey will take you to the pristine waters of Mondsee, Attersee, Traunsee, Lake Wolfgang, and Lake Hallstatt.
As you pedal through the rolling hills of the Salzburg Alpine foothills, you’ll be captivated by the region’s enchanting landscapes. In the historic town of Bad Ischl, you’ll step into a world of imperial grandeur, where Sisi and Franz, Austria’s beloved Empress and Emperor, once celebrated their engagement at the iconic imperial villa. The town’s charming coffee houses and boutique shops, filled with traditional ‘Tracht’ clothing, invite you to pause and immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage. This journey offers the perfect blend of active adventure and serene relaxation, set against the backdrop of some of the most awe-inspiring natural beauty Austria has to offer.
The Salzkammergut: the pearl of Upper Austria and a patchwork of lakes. An ideal place to unwind as you cycle through the rolling hills, through meadows and moorland. Your constant companion is of course the bike – and countless lakes. In fact, there are five in total. For example, the deep green Lake Attersee, ideal for a long swim, or the clear Wolfgangsee, home to the world famous ‘Weißen Rössl’ (White Horse Inn). And best of all, during the whole bike trip you spend the night in extraordinary hotels, exuding charm. Read more about cycle tours with charm.
Highlights
- Boat trip on the Attersee: A fascinating landscape of many colours, impressive summer villas and regional snacks are waiting for you! Full speed ahead!
- For sport lovers: When cycling alone does not satisfy you, you can take the cable car to the Feuerkogel in Ebensee then hike the circuit around the sunny mountain plateau.
- Hallstatt UNESCO World Heritage Site: Celtic grave artefacts, the world’s oldest salt mine and a prehistoric museum can all be found in Hallstatt. Get your very own snap of the picture postcard town nestled between the Alps and Lake Hallstatt.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
- Day 2: From Salzburg to Lake Monndsee (40km by bike)
- Day 3: From Lake Mondsee to Lake Attersee to Lake Traunsee (50/70km by bike)
- Day 4: From Lake Traunsee to Lake Hallstatt (45 km by bike)
- Day 5: From Lake Hallstatt to Lake Wolfgangsee (40km by bike)
- Day 6: Rest day by lake Wolfgangsee
- Day 7: From Lake Wolfgangsee to Salzburg (50-70 km by bike)
- Day 8: Departure or extension
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
Highlights: Welcome briefing and bike fitting. Take a stroll through the famous Getreidegasse and across the impressive Residenzplatz
Highlights: Today you will cycle along the Salzach and then along the disused Ischler railway route until you get to Eugendorf. You will then cycle across lush meadows on the cycle path to Thalgau and the foot of the Drachenwand, an impressive rock massif that stretches all the way to lake Mondsee. The lake side cycle path will then lead you into the centre of the same named town, which is well-known - and not only because of the Sound of Music!
Day 3: From Lake Mondsee to Lake Attersee to Lake Traunsee | 50 - 70 km
Highlights: Next you will cycle along lake Mondsee’s shore until you get to Lake Attersee. This is the largest lake in Salzkammergut and is not only well-known due to its deep-green colour. Many celebrities from near and far live by this lake in magnificent estates. Either by boat (only if you arrive from 01.07. till 31.08.) to Attersee or by bike along the lakeside, you will head to Nussodrf and Seewlachen and then through Aurachtal past Lake Traunsee to Gmunden with its famous palace and the ceramic bells in the town hall tower. You only have a few more kilometres until you get to Traunkirchen, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 4: From Lake Traunsee to Lake Hallstatt | 45 km
Highlights: The bike path takes you along the edge of Lake Traunsee until you get to the saline town of Ebensee. From here you will cycle along the river Traun until you get to Bad Ischl with its Imperial past. Once you have crossed the health resort of Bad Goisern, you will finally get to Lake Hallstatt. Impressed by the amazing scenery, you will cycle along the lake to the “loveliest lakeside town in the world” – Hallstatt. You will stay overnight in the centre of the village.
Day 5: From Lake Hallstatt to Lake Wolfgangsee | 40 km
Highlights: Today you head back along the river Traun until you get to Bad Ischl. You should definitely go to the famous Café Zauner where you can try the sweet specialities (included in the price). Emperor Franz Josef and Sissi both will have enjoyed a Gugelhupf cake here. Fuelled up, you will continue cycling along Lake Wolfgang and you will enjoy the atmosphere around your famous hotel, the “weißen Rössl”.
Day 6: Rest day by lake Wolfgangsee
Highlights: You have a wide array of possible activities for an active day by Austria’s most famous lake. We recommend the journey with the cog railway up to the top of mount Schafberg (1782m). This is to be organised by yourself. From the top you get a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Another option is a boat ride (also organised by yourself). A day swimming in the crystal clear water of Lake Wolfgangsee is an alternative way to have an active day.
Day 7: From Lake Wolfgangsee to Salzburg | 50 - 70 km
Highlights: Today you cycle along the bike path to St. Gilgen and on to the deep blue Fuschlsee. From there lakeyoucycle to Lake Hintersee and through the Strubklamm gorge into the Wiestal valley. The ride through the Glasenbachklamm gorge is impressive and will bring you to the Salzachtal valley. Just before Salzburg, a diversion to Schloss Hellbrunn is well worth it. Your destination is the festival and Mozart town of Salzburg with its many tourist attractions.
Day 8: Departure or extension
Route Information
The terrain along the banks of the lakes is completely flat. In-between the lakes is mainly hilly. Most of the tour is on cycle paths and on roads with little to no traffic from lake to lake. Only for a few short sections, cycling on busier roads is unfortunately unavoidable.
Total Distance: 225-265km (139-2165 miles)
Daily Distance: 40-70km (24-43miles)
This tour is available between 12.04. - 05.10.2025
Starts every Saturday and Sunday.
