Only 30 miles east of Salzburg, Austria's Lake District is a bewitching contrast of soaring mountain peaks and undulating lowlands, laced with necklaces of sparkling rivers and lakes. It's the perfect destination for a self-guided cycling holiday. It is known as the 'Salzkammergut', literally the 'Treasure Trove of Salt', and as a result it was spectacularly wealthy in the 17C when salt was as valuable as gold. Rich in architecture, history and culture, this is where Kaisers and Empresses traditionally came to take the waters and enjoy the famous Summer Opera season - still celebrated in Bad Ischl today.
Near Lakes Mondsee, Attersee and Traunsee, the gentle landscape is sprinkled with Tyrolean homesteads and tiny fields of rustling corn and wheat, interspersed with rows of colourful tulips where passers by pick their own flowers and drop money into honesty boxes. This a wonderful region to explore on a relaxed cycling holiday, with gentle flat cycling routes to explore.
Further south this open country collides spectacularly with the dramatic ragged mountain peaks of Zwolferhorn (1521m) and Schafberg (1782m), whose shimmering reflections can be seen in the surfaces of the cleanest and bluest lakes in all Austria - Wolfgangsee and Fuschlsee. The famous composer, Gustav Mahler, was so inspired here he declared he had 'Set the landscape to music'; Gustav Klimt painted local castles, and Mozart's mother, was born in tiny St Gilgen. Pilgrims come to pray in St Wolfgang's medieval lakeside church, while others follow in the foot.
But don't just take our word for how amazing it is - you must see it for yourself. If you're about to plan your next holiday and have any questions about one of our cycling holidays in Salzburg, one of our experienced team will be able to help.
Stay in a luxury 4-star hotel with a top-of-the-range wellness centre and choose from a host of activities: walking, cycling (route notes for both provided), water sports, boat trips, and ice caves. Complimentary Headwater bikes are included for the duration of your stay.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Discover the lakes and rivers of the Salzkammergut region of Austria on a self-guided cycling tour from your base at the family-run Hotel Goiserer Muhle in Bad Goisern. Explore the Imperial city of Bad Ischl and the World Heritage area around Lake Hallstatt and marvel at the surrounding landscape of peaks, lakes and rivers.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Starting and ending in the city of Mozart, Salzburg our 7 night cycle tour will take you around the lakes and rivers of the Salzkammergut region with gentle cycling along the water and more challenging routes between Mondsee, Attersee, Traunsee, Hallstatt and Wolfgangsee lakes.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
