Salzburg lakes tour

In the old episcopal city of Salzburg, one can see the Italian and German influences on the baroque culture and combine to create an enchanting arrangement that captivates visitors. The closed baroque cityscape is particularly impressive when you enjoy the view at the city from Hohensalzburg Fortress. At the hotel in Salzburg you will receive your travel documents and your bicycle, if this was booked through Salzkammergut Touristik. (1 night)

On a morning tour through the festival and Mozart city, you can really experience the atmosphere that the city exudes. Don't forget to try a specialty of the local cuisine, such as the Salzburger Nockerln. In the afternoon you start cycling along the former Ischl railway line, which was closed and dismantled more than 50 years ago. From 1893 to 1957, the narrow-gauge railway ran from Salzburg past Mondsee and Wolfgangsee to the imperial summer residence in Bad Ischl. Today the route offers enjoyable cycling on beautiful cycle paths through meadows and forests. A stop at one of the inns along the route is worthwhile. (1 night in Thalgau)

Today´s stage: ~23 km, altitude difference á 270 m / â 140 m

You start in Thalgau and follow the signs through a forest to St. Lorenz at Mondsee. This is where the famous view of the striking, steeply sloping Drachenwand opens up, the ridge of which marks the border between the provinces of Salzburg and Upper Austria. It continues with a short ascent over the Schaflinger Höhe to the Wolfgangsee. The cycle path now leads over the picturesque Krottensee. Soon the Mozart town of St. Gilgen is reached. Below the road, the pretty town with its villas and the birthplace of Mozart's mother nestles against the shore. The lakeside cycle path of Wolfgangsee leads to Strobl near the Blinklingmoor nature reserve. Along the small river Ischl you follow the cycle path via Lindau to the former imperial summer residence. (1 night in Bad Ischl).

Today´s stage: ~43 km, altitude difference á 315 m / â 390 m

From Bad Ischl, the route leads back again to the Wolfgangsee, but this time via Pfandl, where salt was boiled as early as the 12th century, and on via Radau to Sankt Wolfgang. Worth seeing here is the pilgrimage church, which was consecrated to St. Wolfgang from Regensburg. It houses art-historical treasures. Right opposite is the well-known hotel „Weisses Rössl", where a stop is worthwhile. By the way, Austria's steepest steam cog railway starts in Sankt Wolfgang up to the 1,782-meter-high Schafberg, which is half circled today. Now take the boat from St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen and cycle to the crescent-shaped Mondsee. The spectacular path along the lakeshore runs along the foot of the Drachenwand via St. Lorenz and the district with the strange name "Schwarzindien" (black India) to Mondsee. Don't miss a stroll along the pretty beach promenade. (1 night in Mondsee)

Today´s stage: ~38 km, altitude difference á 290 m / â 270 m

Before continuing your bike tour into the Salzburg Lake District, it is recommended to visit the local open-air museum. Known as the "Mondseer Rauchhaus", it gives a good impression on how the people of this region lived for several centuries. The following stage starts towards the Irrsee lake a little to the north. It is surrounded by a reed belt, which has become a refuge for many bird species. By the way, it is the warmest lake in the Salzkammergut. A welcome break during the bike ride along the left bank can be a dip in the lake. From Oberhofen, north of the lake, the journey now goes on into the Flachgau to Neumarkt am Wallersee. Quiet country roads with little traffic lead around the Wallersee to Seekirchen. (1 night at Wallersee)

Today´s stage: ~37 km, altitude difference á 355 m / â 340 m

This lake district is embedded in a varied hilly landscape. Mattsee, Seeham and Obertrum have best quality water here. From Wallersee, today's journey rides via Köstendorf to Schleedorf and on to Mattsee. The pretty town has a special feature, because the Bavarians settled here in the 7th century and founded the Benedictine monastery Mattsee in addition to the village. Visit the impressive brewery inn in Obertrum – here you can experience the art of brewing. You circle the southern part of Lake Obertrumer and finally reach Seeham on the western shore of the lake. (1 night at Obertrumer See)

Today´s stage: ~34 km, altitude difference á 315 m / â 315 m

Small villages and lonely farmsteads, meadows, fields and forests determine the landscape of today's travel day. From Seeham the line leads over the Haßberg to Nussdorf and on to Oberndorf. In 1818, the world-famous Christmas carol "Silent Night" was performed in the chapel of the town. Oberndorf lies on the Salzach and is separated from the Bavarian Laufen only by the Salzach Bridge. From here you follow the Mozart cycle path via Anthering back to Salzburg. (1 night in Salzburg)

Today´s stage: ~34 km, altitude difference á 290 m / â 390 m

There are many ways to discover Salzburg: a tour through the baroque old town or a visit to the Mozart House, a tour of the fortress or a visit to an exhibition - you can also try the handmade Mozartkugeln once. If your time does not allow you to spend more holidays here, it is time to say goodbye and start your journey home.