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Cycling in the Salzkammergut - Circular Cycle Tour

Bad Ischl, Oberösterreich, Österreich

May 19th - October 4th, 2025

"Mountains are not just a challenge for me. They are also a place of peace. As soon as I'm outside, my head clears. I go upwards and when I'm back, I'm a different person.
(Peter Habeler, Austrian mountaineer, *1942)
 
Crystal-clear lakes, historic towns and picturesque villages - the idyllic Salzkammergut is probably one of the most scenic regions in the Alps. Unique is the mining of salt, which reaches far into history and has a lasting impact on the cultural area. These characteristics also convinced the Unesco Committee, which included the Hallstatt - Dachstein/Salzkammergut region in the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in 1997.
During the bike tour, the fairytale-like landscape, a combination of refreshing lakes, lush green lovely alpine pastures and mountains, can be discovered from the saddle. The trail leads to six of the most popular lakes, past impressive mountain peaks, such as the bizarre rocks of the up to 2,995 meters high Dachstein massif, and to cultural sights of the region. Many Salzkammergut lakes get pleasantly warm in summer and invite you to take a swimming break; these include, for example, the deep blue Traunsee, the impressive Mondsee and the turquoise-blue Attersee. Look forward to a spectacular week and relaxed cycling.

General information
The cycle tours don’t have any technical difficulties, there are only very few ascents! A reasonable fitness level is necessary to enjoy this trip as well as cycle equipment like sneakers, rucksack, sun- and rain protection, comfortable sports cloths, jacket, jumper aso. The routes are suited for trekking bikes - mostly they are asphalted cycle paths, a few stretches are gravel and forest paths. Should you want to spend a quiet day, you can cover most distances by public transport like bus, train or boat.
 
  • 7 nights
services
  • 7 x Overnight stays with breakfast in pensions or
    breakfast buffet in ***hotels/inns (in Bad Ischl ****)
  • 1 x welcome video with explanations and information that you need for the tour
  • 1 x Welcome drink
  • 1 x cycling map - Salzkammergut area and further information (1 x per room)
  • 1 x Boat trip on Lake Wolfgangsee (Fuerberg to Ried) incl. bicycle
  • 1 x Boat trip on Lake Traunsee (Ebensee to Gasthof Hoisn) incl. bicycle
  • 1 x Salzkammergut Souvenir
  • Daily luggage transfer - max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/piece of luggage
  • Daily cycle and break-down service from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (only for rented bikes)
  • Service Hotline daily from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (also on weekends)
  • A tree for your booking – we plant a tree for your booking
Catering
  • Breakfast
itinerary

Routing:

1. day:  Individual arrival in the former imperial summer residence of Bad Ischl
Ischl became known as a holiday destination of European standing from the middle of the 19th century, when Emperor Franz Joseph began to spend the holidays in his summer residence in Ischl. In 1906, the small town in the heart of the Salzkammergut was awarded the title of "health resort". At the beginning of the trip, visit the famous Café Zauner and enjoy the delicious pastries of the region. The detailed travel documents are ready for you at the hotel.           
(1 night in Bad Ischl)
 
2. day:  Wildly romantic Weißenbach valley
At the start from Bad Ischl, down the Traun, you reach the Weißenbach valley in Mitterweißenbach, a scenic treat in the Salzkammergut. The cycle path through the wildly romantic mountain valley leads over long stretches through wooded area near the stream, which has largely retained its original bed. In the village of Weißenbach you come to the Attersee. Depending on your mood and condition, you could still circle the Attersee in the afternoon (approx. 50 kilometres). Due to its turquoise-blue colouring in summer, it is called the 'Sea of the Salzkammergut'.
(1 night in Weißenbach a. Attersee)
Bicycle distance: approx. 19 km (altitude difference: ascent 299 m in height / descent: 289 m in height)
 
3. day:  4-Lakes-Day-Tour
The predominantly flat route to Mondsee runs via Unterach a. Attersee. On the western shore of Mondsee, the narrow road winds beautifully directly along the lakeshore. On the other side of the lake, the famous view opens up to the striking, steeply sloping Drachenwand, whose ridge marks the border between the provinces of Salzburg and Upper Austria. The route continues via St. Lorenz with a short ascent to the Scharflinger Höhe to Lake Wolfgang. The cycle path now leads over the picturesque Krottensee. Soon the Mozart town of St. Gilgen is reached. Below the road, the pretty little town with its villas and the birthplace of Mozart's mother nestles on the shore. On the lakeside cycle path of Lake Wolfgang, you go near the Blinklingmoor nature reserve to Strobl.
(2 nights at Lake Wolfgang).
Bicycle distance: approx. 42/44 km (altitude difference: ascent 594 m in height / descent: 534 m in height)
 
4. day:  Relaxing day at Lake Wolfgang
Enjoy the day off in the beautiful landscape at Lake Wolfgang. A visit to the famous pilgrimage site of St. Wolfgang, for example, is a good idea. During a stroll along Marketstreet, you will reach the magnificent pilgrimage church and the world-famous inn "Weißes Rößl", located directly on the lake. By the way, Austria's steepest cogwheel railway starts from St. Wolfgang to the panoramic Schafberg. From the almost 1,800-metre-high summit, a magnificent panorama opens up over other peaks and several lakes of the Salzkammergut.
 
5. day:  Along the river Traun to Lake Traun
With the first few kilometres, you can enjoy a bike tour on the old railway line of the Ischler Railway. From Weißenbach near Strobl, the route leads via Pfandl, where brine was boiled to get salt as early as the 12th century. Along the small river Ischl you soon reach the former imperial city, Bad Ischl. From here you follow the Traun to Ebensee. The Ebensee Bay on the southern shore of Lake Traun offers optimal conditions for water sports enthusiasts under sail in summer. It is a spectacle for the eye, like on Lake Garda with a special wind, to watch the many surfers perform their tricks. With a ship of the shipping company we now go across the lake to the inn "Hoisn". By bike you circle the north shore of the lake, experience Gmunden and follow the shore path to Traunkirchen, whose 1000-year-old monastery is beautifully situated on a peninsula, and on to Ebensee. Via Bad Ischl and following the Traun upstream, you reach today's stage destination Bad Goisern.
(1 night in Bad Goisern)
Bicycle distance: approx. 76 km (altitude difference: ascent 569 m in height / descent: 644 m in height)

6. day:  At the mystical Lake Hallstatt
The following section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt, which is reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord, is unobstructed, the view of the Dachstein mountains including the glacier is fantastic and the route is spectacular. In Obertraun, there is the possibility of a detour to the idyllic village of Hallstatt on the other side of the lake, an almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets and historic houses.
At the southern end of the lake you come to the water-bearing Koppenbrüller stalactite cave, where the shady gorge-like Koppental begins. About halfway through the route, the climb up the pass road begins. The path leads over the Koppentretalm, the Koppenpass and down to the overnight stay in the brine spa Aussee.
(1 night in Bad Aussee)
Bicycle distance: approx. 27 km (altitude difference: ascent 535 m in height / descent: 361 m in height)
 
7. day:  Through the ‚Inner Salzkammergut‘
On the way back from Bad Aussee to Lake Hallstatt, you cross the border between the provinces of Styria and Upper Austria. Again you follow the Traun, refreshing lifeline of the Salzkammergut, which rises in the Totes Gebirge in Styria, to Lake Hallstatt and the east bank cycle path. Bad Goisern, an El Dorado for mountain bikers, is passed until Bad Ischl comes into view and with it the end of the cycle tour.
(1 night in Bad Ischl)
Bicycle distance: approx. 35 km (altitude difference: ascent 310 m in height / descent: 490 m in height)

8. day: Individual departure or additional nights
For all those who want to spend even more time in the Salzkammergut, additional nights can be reserved. How about a trip to the Rettenbach Valley, which is rich in alpine pastures, followed by a gorge? If you prefer to be pampered, the thermal bath in Bad Ischl is recommended; here you can relax wonderfully.
Otherwise, today it is time to say goodbye to the Inner Salzkammergut.

possible date of arrival

daily

from price
  • € 885,00 per person
  • bookable from 1 person
Travel period (19.05.2025 - 04.10.2025)
From to
19.05.2025, to 04.10.2025

non-binding inquiry

Rates per person for the arrangement in €:

19.05. – 01.07.25
01.09. – 04.10.25
   
2x 4* hotel in Bad Ischl + 5 x 3*hotels/inns in double room with breakfast   885,--
Supplement half board per week   259,--
Supplement single room per week   265,--
   
Additional night double room with breakfast   72,--
Additional night double room in Hallstatt with breakfast   82,--
Additional night supplement for half board   25,--
Additional night supplement for single room   22,--
Additional night in Bad Ischl on request
  
01.07. – 01.09.25
    
2x 4* hotel in Bad Ischl + 5 x 3*hotels/inns in double room with breakfast   935,--
Supplement half board per week   259,--
Supplement single room per week   265,--
   
Additional night double room with breakfast   72,--
Additional night double room in Hallstatt with breakfast   82,--
Additional night supplement for half board   25,--
Additional night supplement for single room   22,--
Additional night in Bad Ischl on request
 
Arrival day   daily

Prices are subject to change

Local tax is extra to pay on spot in each accommodation (from € 1,-- to € 4,-- per person/per night)
 
Reduction for children sleeping in their parents’ room (2 fully paying guests):
0 – 5,9 years: 100 %              6 – 14,9 years: 30 %
 
Accommodation:
Twin-bedded rooms in Austrian resorts are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. These are also known as 'Austrian Twins' and are regarded as two beds. Separate twin beds are rare and cannot be guaranteed as available.
 
Information for arrivals by car:
The parking place does not always situate next to the accommodation but on a public parking place. (Possible costs have to be paid on spot)

Bike rental 2025

Bikes rental on request - please make sure to book in advance!
 
Rates per bike in €:
Weekly rates (7=6)
Trekking bike 21-gear KTM         108,--
E-Bike Flyer (from 158 cm)         216,--
Mountain bike 27-gear                185,--
E-mountain bike hard tail            282,--
E-mountain bike fully                   342,--
Children's bike (up to 145 cm)       90,--
  
Child’s seat                                    90,--
Children’s trailer                            90,--
1 Bicycle-bag                                18,--
Helmet                                          18,--
Mobile phone holder                     18,--
 
Please note: Price on request for extra-large bikes (body height > 190 cm)
  • We strongly recommend the use of helmets! For children up to 11,9 years, helmets are mandatory to wear in Austria (also in child bike seats or trailers)
  • E-Bike suitable for 12 yrs or older
  • Loss of the bicycle key: charge of € 15,--.
  • The tenant is liable for damage or theft.

The standard terms and conditions of the Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in the current version.

  • Suitable for friends
  • Suitable for couples

We recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance.

The terms and conditions of Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in their current version.

conditions of travel

Contact


Cycling in the Salzkammergut - Circular Cycle Tour
Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH
Götzstraße 12
4820 Bad Ischl

Phone +43 6132 24000-0
E-Mail wandern@salzkammergut.co.at
Web www.salzkammergut.co.at
http://www.salzkammergut.co.at

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