7 top cycling routes through SalzburgerLand

The top 7 cycling paths through SalzburgerLand for biking pleasure for every type of rider

Whether you are looking for a relaxing bike ride along deep blue lakes and rivers, searching for a challenge on the high Alpine mountain passes or simply wanting to glide past picturesque valleys with views of lush hills and imposing peaks - there is something for everyone here on the top 7 cycling paths in SalzburgerLand.

SalzburgerLand is definitely not short on rich variety. Swing yourself up into the saddle and explore a land in which you can enjoy views of stunning glaciers one day, trace the steps of Mozart in a world famous city the next day or just take a well-earned cooling off in one of the many beautiful lakes. In order that you always keep an overview of these numerous possibilities, we have put together these 7 cycle paths which are all quite different but still have one thing in common – they all deliver unforgettable moments and impressions.

The Tauern Cycle Path

Perhaps one of Austria’s most famous cycle routes, the Tauern Cycle Path takes you along two of SalzburgerLand’s largest rivers, the Saalach and Salzach. It passes through the impressive world of the Hohe Tauern Mountains and offers over 100 natural wonders, excursion destinations, hotels and inns along its roughly 300 kilometres length. Start out at the breathtakingly beautiful spot of Austria’s highest waterfalls, the Krimml waterfalls. You have two options from here – you can either cycle a round route from Krimml back to Salzburg across several stages, or cycle on to Passau.

Distance: 270km (Tauern Cycle Path Loop) or 310km (Krimml-Passau)
Elevation change: 600m (Tauern Cycle Path Loop) or 750m (Krimml-Passau)

The Mozart Cycle Path

On the Mozart Cycle Path one should always listen to Mozart’s Kleine Nachtmusik as you swing your way through SalzburgerLand and neighbouring Bavaria. The world-famous composer and Salzburg’s greatest son, has left behind many traces in this area, all waiting to be discovered. The cross-border cycle path leads you through Austria’s impressive Lake District, the famous Chiemsee Lake (known as the Bavarian Sea) through the Inn Valley and along the Saalach and Salzach rivers back to the City of Mozart.

Distance: 450km
Elevation change: 5,300m in total

Couple and bikes enjoying the spectacular view over Salzburg City

©SalzburgerLand Tourismus – View of the City of Salzburg.

The Alpe Adria Cycle Path

What cyclist wouldn’t ever fancy cycling from the Alps to the Mediterranean sea? On the Alpe Adria Cycle Route this once imagined dream becomes a reality for many cyclists. This recently created cycle path takes you from the City of Salzburg to Grado, steeped in tradition, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. This route makes it possible for virtually every ambitious cyclist to cross the Alps from North to South. It starts along the Salzach and the Gasteiner Ache rivers to the Tauern sluice from Böckstein to Mallnitz. You can jump on a train which takes you through the tunnel into Carinthia in 11 short minutes. On the other side you’ll follow the banks of the rivers Möll, Drau and the Gail to the Italian border and into Tarvis. You can now continue on along the tracks of the former Pontebbana rail line to Resiutta, and then finally on to Grado on Italy’s Adriatic coast.

Distance: 410km
Elevation change: climb 2,417m; descent 2,842m

The River Enns Cycle Path

Austria’s river hiking route is considered by many nature lovers as a real insider’s tip and leads through three counties (SalzburgerLand, Styria and Upper Austria) and several tourist regions (e.g. Salzburg Sports World, Schladming-Dachstein holiday region, the Gesäuse National Park and the Kalkalpen National Park). The Enns Cycle Path starts off at Flachau in SalzburgerLand, and progresses through a good 250 kilometres to Enns at the Danube in Upper Austria.

Distance: 258km
Elevation change: 780m

The Salzkammergut Cycle Path

Just imagine a route which takes in 13 of the most beautiful lakes in Austria, and which takes you through the most picturesque parts of the Alps. This path travels through the most varied parts of the Salzkammergut in Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria, and ensures you take home with you a wealth of unforgettable experiences. Welcome to the Salzkammergut Cycle Path!

Distance: 352km (northern loop: Salzburg-Wolfgangsee – Bad Ischl – Traunsee – Attersee – Mondsee – Mattsee – Salzburg 234km)
Elevation change: approx. 1,850m (northern loop approx. 850m)

The River Mur Cycle Path

Pedal your way from Lungau in SalzburgerLand into the Styrian thermal region to Bad Radkersburg and on to Slovenia and Croatia. The Mur Cycle Path sets off from the Hohe Tauern National Park and follows the River Mur into the wine and spa region of Styria. In the North you will be accompanied by the mountains and Alpine pastures with fields of pumpkins, water meadows and vineyards in the South. Experience this cycle path which is ideal for the whole family, and leaves nothing to be desired with its scenic and cultural variety.

Distance: 457km
Elevation change: 2,340m

The Slow Bike Tour

The Slow Bike Tour was created in order to make the pristine landscapes and habitats of the Alps accessible to cyclists and E-bikers, and takes in the neighbouring regions of SalzburgerLand and Berchtesgadener Land. The tour connects the peaks of Gaisberg (near Salzburg), Högl (near Anger) and Buchberg (near Mattsee) with the starting point being in Salzburg City. Stretching over a distance of 160km, it gives you the opportunity to explore areas of natural forest reserves, natural conservation areas and nature parks, whilst ensuring your soft mobility will have no negative effects on the environment.

Distance: 164km
Elevation change: 2,508m.