Innsbruck to Salzburg Cycling Holiday

An easy and incredibly scenic cycling route through the Austrian Alps between Innsbruck and Salzburg via the stunning Krimml Waterfalls. Dedicated cycle paths lead you through a magical world of pretty alpine villages, towering peaks and glistening lakes.

For most of us, cycling through alpine scenery sounds idyllic but not if it means huffing and puffing up steep gradients all the time. This route solves that dilemma by leading you along a network of easy, valley-level cycle paths through the wonderful alpine scenery of the Austrian Tyrol and Pinzgau regions.

Innsbruck to Salzburg Cycling HolidayVillage of Lofer

Along the route you'll pass countless fairytale villages of charming chalet-style houses surrounded by towering peaks, impossibly green meadows and clear mountain streams. The route includes a night in the village of Krimml where you can marvel at Austria's highest waterfall tumbling 380 metres. Your ride through the Pinzgau region will be accompanied by views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range - the highest mountains in Austria. Take a swim in the crystal clear waters of picturesque Lake Zell while enjoying views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier before following the Salzach river through a small corner of Germany to historic Salzburg.

This route is easy and well with the abilities of any leisure cyclist with a reasonable level of fitness. E-bikes are an available option for anyone wanting to make the journey even easier.

Innsbruck to Salzburg Cycling Holiday

An easy and incredibly scenic cycling route through the Austrian Alps between Innsbruck and Salzburg via the stunning Krimml Waterfalls. Dedicated cycle paths lead you through a magical world of pretty alpine villages, towering peaks and glistening lakes.

For most of us, cycling through alpine scenery sounds idyllic but not if it means huffing and puffing up steep gradients all the time. This route solves that dilemma by leading you along a network of easy, valley-level cycle paths through the wonderful alpine scenery of the Austrian Tyrol and Pinzgau regions.

Innsbruck to Salzburg Cycling HolidayVillage of Lofer

Along the route you'll pass countless fairytale villages of charming chalet-style houses surrounded by towering peaks, impossibly green meadows and clear mountain streams. The route includes a night in the village of Krimml where you can marvel at Austria's highest waterfall tumbling 380 metres. Your ride through the Pinzgau region will be accompanied by views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range - the highest mountains in Austria. Take a swim in the crystal clear waters of picturesque Lake Zell while enjoying views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier before following the Salzach river through a small corner of Germany to historic Salzburg.

This route is easy and well with the abilities of any leisure cyclist with a reasonable level of fitness. E-bikes are an available option for anyone wanting to make the journey even easier.

Itinerary

On this route, you will be following beautiful cycle paths predominantly, with some sections on quiet side roads. There are a couple of very short sections on busier roads as you approach some of the bigger towns. The route is mainly flat and a bus transfer will take you over the Gerlos Pass between Zell am Ziller and Krimml.

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Day 1 : Arrive Innsbruck

After checking into your hotel the rest of the day is yours to explore the Tyrolean capital. We recommend heading up to the Bergisel Ski Jump. It's worth taking on the 455 stair climb to appreciate the stomach-churning view that awaits contestants before they begin their descent. You could also take the 30 minute cable car ride from the city centre up to the Hafelekar on the impressive Nordkette mountain range. The views over the surrounding alps and the city itself far below, are awe inspiring. In the city itself stroll around the Old Town where you will find the famous Golden Roof built in 1496 to commemorate a royal wedding.

Day 2 : Innsbruck - Strass/Zillertal
31 miles/50 kms

The deep and fast flowing Inn river is your guide today as you follow it eastwards along the wide valley and scenic Inn Valley. To your left the towering Nordkette mountain range creates an impressive backdrop as you follow the riverside cycle path downstream. After a few kilometres you reach the medieval salt mining town of Hall in Tirol. Here you may wish to take a break to explore the Old Town as well as the Mint Tower and Museum. A little further along the river you reach the town of Wattens, home to the world famous crystal jewellery manufacturer Swarovski . After passing through the old silver-mining town of Schwaz you reach the village of Strass at the head of the beautiful Ziller Valley where you stop for the night.

Day 3 : Strass/Ziller Valley - Krimml
15 to 28 miles/25 to 45 kms

Today's ride follows a glorious cycle path along the picturesque Ziller Valley. Along the way you'll pass quaint Tyrolean villages, such as Schlitters, Fügen and Aschau, each with its own tall steepled church visible from afar. Verdant green meadows fill the space between these villages and the alpine scenery on either side of the valley is truly breathtaking. All the way along the valley the cycle path flirts with the burbling Ziller river. In the afternoon you will be picked up in either Zell am Ziller or the famous ski resort of Mayrhofen and transferred (45 kms), with your bikes, over the Gerlos Pass to the village of Krimml. After checking in to your hotel, we recommend a hike up the valley to admire Europe's largest waterfall -a truly awesome sight in full flow!

Day 4 : Krimml - Kaprun/Zell am See
38 miles/60 kms

Magical high alpine scenery accompany your ride today through the beautiful Pinzgau region today. The Hohe Tauern mountain range (to your right as you pedal eastwards) includes some of Austria's highest peaks and every now and then you will catch glimpses up the narrow valleys of high snow covered peaks. The bike path is gently descending making today's ride easy, relax and enjoy the incredible alpine scenery and fairytale villages along the valley. Your destination today is the village of Kaprun or the nearby town of Zell am See. Just up the valley from Kaprun you can take a cable car up to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier at 3029m. from here you can enjoy amazing views across the Hohe Tauern range, including the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain.

Day 5 : Kaprun/Zell am See - Lofer
31 miles/50 kms

If the weather is good you may be tempted to take a dip in Lake Zell this morning before continuing with your ride. A stroll around the attractive pedestrianised area of Zell am See is also highly recommended. Today's route leads you north along the the Saalach valley to the charming little village of Maria Alm. After a pleasant ride along the wide scenic valley you eventually arrive in the picture-perfect village of Lofer surrounded by high granite peaks. If you have any remaining energy take the cable car up to the Loderbichl for some amazing views of the surrounding area.

Day 6 : Lofer - Salzburg
31 miles/50 kms

Your final ride continues to follow the Saalach river which is now quite boisterous with rapids and fast flowing sections that attract daring kayakers. The tranquil Saalach valley provides some serene alpine cycling before you ride through a small corner of Germany. In the Deutsche Eck you will visit Bad Reichenhall, a spa town with a distinct Bavarian flair. A short distance further on you arrive in Salzburg, the perfect place to toast and celebrate completing your alpine cycling adventure. Visit the castle overlooking the city or take a stroll along the famous Getreidegasse where wrought iron signs indicate the trade of each shop. Sound of Music fans may be tempted to take one of the tours that showcases where certain scenes were shot around the city.

Day 7 : Salzburg - end of trip

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

Bikes

On this tour you can choose between a regular bike, a regular Plus bike or an electric bike.

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 21 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

The regular Plus bike offers a step up in terms of components (hydraulic Magura brakes HS 11, Shimano Deore XT) and the frame provides a more sporty riding position. High quality, suntour suspension forks ensure a comfortable ride on these bikes. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets for adults are available to buy (payable locally, €45). This must be advised at the time of booking.

Accommodation

Below you will find examples of the types of accommodation typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.

Superior: Good quality 3 and 4 star hotels

Innsbruck: Hotel Congress

Strass: Cafe Zillertal

Krimml: Klockerhaus Hotel

Zell am See/Kaprun: Hotel Martini

Lofer: Gasthof Bad Hochmoos

Salzburg: Goldenes Theater

Local taxes

Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night

Getting there

Innsbruck

Fly to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich. The train journey from Munich Airport to Innsbruck takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, from Salzburg the journey time is 2 hours.

You could also take the Eurostar from London to Paris, change for Zurich and change there again for Innsbruck.

Salzburg

Fly home from Salzburg, Munich or Innsbruck. The train journey from Salzburg to Innsbruck takes 2 hours, from Salzburg to Munich Airport the journey is 2 hours and twenty minutes.

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