Cycle the Salzkammergut lakes

Ischl became known as a holiday home 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)

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 areas. In the village of Weißenbach you reach the Attersee, which takes on a fabulous turquoise blue hue in summer and is therefore also known as the 'Sea of the Salzkammergut'. Along this southern area of Lake Attersee, the impression of a real mountain lake predominates, because here the abruptly falling walls of the Höllengebirge dominate the picture. The mostly flat route runs via Unterach am Attersee to the crescent-shaped Mondsee. On the western shore of Mondsee, the narrow road winds directly along the lakeshore and below the steeply sloping Drachenwand through well-kept farmland. Finally, via the picturesque village of St. Lorenz, you reach the summer resort of Mondsee with its castle and the adjoining basilica, which can be seen from afar.
(1 Night in Mondsee)
Bicycle distance: approx. 44 km (altitude difference: ascent 440 m / descent: 360 m)

After the start in Mondsee, the route leads along the Mondsee through Loibichl to Innerschwand, with the Mondseeberg resting behind you. On the Konradweg it runs past wonderfully colorful fields to the wooded hills of the Attergau. Along narrow roads, the route winds partly on asphalt, partly on gravel roads to Oberwang. We continue to Straß; shortly after St. Georgen i. Attergau you come across the Salzkammergut cycle path and finally reach the northern end of Lake Attersee in Seewalchen. The picturesque places around Lake Attersee once inspired Gustav Klimt to create many of his works of art; a museum was therefore dedicated to him in Seewalchen. During the drive to Aurach a. Hongar you have a beautiful view of the imposing Höllengebirge to the south. There are still a few climbs to overcome to the city of ceramics, Gmunden, on Austria's deepest lake, Lake Traunsee, but the view of the city and the lake compensates for the efforts on this section. From Gmunden, you use the ship to comfortably pass the mighty Traunstein with its 1000 meter steeply sloping rock face as well as the idyllic and historic Traunkirchen peninsula and reach Ebensee at the end of the day.         
(1 night in Ebensee)
Bicycle distance: approx. 50 km (altitude difference: ascent 710 m/ descent: 830 m)

Alternative route: On Austria's largest inland lake - Lake Attersee
Follow the idyllically situated lakeside road to the end of the Mondsee in Marienau. A short distance along the Seeache and Unterach am Attersee is reached. For the summer retreat, the Attersee was discovered relatively late; it was not until the end of the 19th century that a new free spirit developed here, which tried to distance itself from the more noble aristocracy. With the artists Klimt and Mahler, artists' colonies sprang up and cultural life increasingly developed. Along the waterfront of Unterach, which used to be called Little Venice, you pass stylish villas and several boathouses. Always close to the shore, the route continues along the lake, past the remains of a pile dwelling settlement to Seewalchen, where the alternative route and the normal route reunite. The alternative route runs mainly along federal roads, but offers a variety of wonderful views of the lakes.
Bicycle distance: approx. 62 km (altitude difference: ascent 450 m/ descent: 570 m)

The Ebensee Bay on the southern shore of Lake Traunsee offers optimal conditions for water sports enthusiasts under sail in summer. It is a spectacle for the eye to watch the many surfers perform their tricks. Now, however, you leave the saltworks town of Ebensee, where salt has been refined for more than 400 years, and follow the route of the brine pipeline. Through this pipeline, which is the oldest operational one in the world, the brine from the mines is transported for further processing in Ebensee. Upstream, you now follow the mountain river Traun, whose origin lies in the furthest corners of the Styrian Salzkammergut, a region with countless lakes, springs and streams, underground water and cave systems, glacial streams and waterfalls. Finally, you reach the former imperial city of Bad Ischl. From here you turn west, following the small river Ischl in the direction of Lake Wolfgang. The route leads through small villages, such as 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 dedicated to St. Wolfgang from Regensburg. It houses art-historical treasures. Just opposite is the well-known hotel "Weisses Rössl", where a stop is worthwhile. By the way, the steepest steam cogwheel railway in Austria starts in Sankt Wolfgang up to the 1782-meter-high Schafberg. The lake is now crossed by bicycle ferry and you follow the former route of the Salzkammergut local train through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve to Strobl.
(1 night in Strobl)
Bicycle distance: approx. 43 km (altitude difference: ascent 300 m/ descent: 160 m)

From Strobl you ride back to the European Capital of Culture 2024, Bad Ischl, and on to the Inner Salzkammergut. You pass Ischl's local mountain, the Katrin, the pilgrimage site of Lauffen and finally Bad Goisern, known for its craftsmanship. Here you reach Lake Hallstatt. The following section on the eastern shore of the lake, 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. The flank of the Sarstein plunges almost vertically into the lake here and the climbing system floating above the water gives the impression of riding above the water. In Obertraun you reach the southernmost part of the lake, circle it and reach the picture-book town of Hallstatt. The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historic houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the Hallstatt period make this place world-famous. The ferry takes you back to the quieter eastern shore of the lake and the journey back to Bad Ischl.
(1 night in Bad Ischl)
Bicycle distance: approx. 59 km (altitude difference: ascent 490 m/ descent: 570 m)

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, with its adjoining 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.