After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating city. Take a wander through the historic old town and along the Getreidegasse, a bustling street where shops still hang wrought-iron signs outside depicting their trade or specialty. Here you can also visit the house in which the city’s most famous son – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – was born. Hohensalzburg, the fortress that stands guard over the city, is also well worth a visit as is the Mirabell Palace and its amazing gardens. If, like many visitors to Salzburg, you are a fan of the Sound of Music, then you may wish to join one of the many guided tours that visit the sights and scenes around the city that featured in the famous film.

The route leads you out of town alongside the River Salzach. After a while you leave the river and follow a disused railway line out into the countryside. A pleasant ride, past lush, alpine meadows delivers you to Thurgau, a small village at the foot of the Drachenwand (Dragon Wall) – an impressive rock massif that remains in view all the way to your overnight stop. The village of Mondsee, where you will spend the night, is a tranquil little place enjoying an idyllic location at the tip of Lake Mondsee. The baroque church in the village-centre featured in the wedding scene in the Sound of Music.

Today’s route begins with a pleasant ride along the shore of Lake Mondsee. The soaring granite peaks on the far shore, separated from the blue water of the lake by a patchwork of bright green meadows and pine trees, are quite a sight. Lake Attersee comes into view shortly after leaving Lake Mondsee and this is the largest lake in the Salzkammergut. Once again, sensational views accompany your ride along the western shoreline. If the weather is warm enough you may be tempted in for a refreshing dip in the clear, sparkling waters.

If you arrive and are cycling this route between 01 July and 31 August then you will catch the ferry, that operates during this period, from Nussdorf to Weyregg on the opposite shore. If you are travelling outside of this period then you will continue around the northern tip of the lake to Weyregg using pedal power.

From Weyregg, the route continues via the scenic Aurach Valley to Lake Traunsee and the delightful town of Gmunden. The view down the lake from the town’s lake shore promenade is simply breathtaking with the natural alpine beauty supplemented by the charming Castle Ort, linked to the mainland by a timber bridge.

You follow the eastern lake shore south to the beautiful village of Traunkirchen where you will spend the night. The village enjoys an enviable location on its own tiny peninsula jutting out into the lake.

After breakfast you leave Traunkirchen and continue south, alongside Lake Traunsee, to Ebersee at the lake’s southern tip. You then follow the Traun river south to the large town of Bad Ischl – a good place for a lunch break – and then along the wide, sunny Goisern Valley to the village of Bad Goisern. Shortly afterwards you reach the northern tip of Lake Hallstatt. Pine-clad flanks of the surrounding high granite peaks plunge down into the deep blue lake creating a dramatic natural amphitheater that will take your breath away. A ride down the eastern shoreline will bring you to Hallstatt, by common consent the prettiest village in the Salzkammergut and your home for the night.

You head back along the Traun River to Bad Ischl in the morning. Here you are invited into Café Zauner for a sweet treat to energise you for the afternoon ride. You then head west along a wide sunny valley of green pastures to the village of Strobl at the eastern end of Lake Wolfgangsee. After an enjoyable and scenic ride along the south-facing shoreline you arrive in the picturesque village of St. Wolfgang where you will spend the next two nights in the world famous Weisses Rössl Hotel, directly on the lakeshore.

You don’t have to cycle today but of course if you want to use the bikes then you could circumnavigate the Lake if you like. Alternatively, we suggest taking the cog-railway to the top of nearby Schafberg Mountain (1782m) to enjoy some fabulous views of the lake and surrounding countryside. You could also take a boat trip on the lake if you like or even venture in for a swim if the weather is conducive. The village itself is a delight to explore on foot and there are also plenty of walking routes in the surrounding hills.

Your final day of cycling leads you around the lake shore to St. Gilgen, another charming lakeside village and then along quiet lanes to secluded and serene Lake Hintersee. Thereafter, you ride through a series of impressive gorges to reach the wide Salzach Valley and the City of Salzburg where your adventure began. En-route into the city we recommend a short diversion to visit Schloss Hellbrun with it’s amazing, trick water fountains.

On arrival back at your hotel in Salzburg all that remains is to find a convivial restaurant somewhere in the old town to celebrate completion of your Salzkammergut Cycling Holiday.

After breakfast it’s time to head for home or your next adventure.