Check in to your hotel and then spend the rest of day exploring this small but fascinating city. Your welcome briefing and bike handover will take place around 17:30.

Salzburg must-sees include the Getreidegasse, a marvellous, old-world shopping street where ornate, wrought iron signs depict what is being sold within. Here you can also visit the birthplace of the city’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who lived at No. 9 until he was 17 years old. The city’s most prominent landmark, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, is also worth visiting and don’t worry about the climb as there’s a funicular railway to whisk you to the top. Of course, you can also just wander the atmospheric winding alleyways of this lovely old town, perhaps stopping at one of the inviting bars or restaurants to get the holiday off to to the right start.

Your first day’s cycling leads you south, out of the city and along the beautiful Salzach Valley beside the river of the same name. The wide green valley is bordered by towering peaks and dotted with pretty alpine towns and villages. The riverside cycle path is charming, peaceful and the scenery is sublime. Stop in the idyllic village of Hallein for coffee and cake in the tiny square beside the church. The path then wends its way through the verdant peaceful countryside, revealing fairytale farmhouses with blooming balconies in stunning settings. Your destination today is the small town of Golling. If you arrive early and still have some energy we highly recomemmend investing in the 30 - 45 minute walk up the trail to the impressive Golling Waterfall.

The day starts with a short sharp ascent up the Pass Luegg. You then enter the Salzachöfen, a narrow gorge carved through the limestone mountains by the Salzach river. A little further on you reach charming village of Werfen at the foot of the impressive Hochkönig mountain range. Here you may choose to take a break and visit the impressive Hohenwerfen castle on its lofty perch. You then follow a network of cycle paths and quiet lanes along the Salzach River to the resort town of St. Johann where you will stop for the night.

Your day starts with a leisurely ride alongside the Salzach river. After about 8kms the route leaves the river bank and heads uphill. The climb will get the blood pumping but it's quite short and once at the higher elevation, the views across the valley are simply stunning. The quiet lane leads you through a peaceful world of small farms, grazing cattle and fruit orchards. Further on, you leave the Salzach Valley behind and enter the wide and beautiful Gastein Valley. The cycle path leads you through idyllic alpine countryside as you gently ascend the valley, passing through the charming towns of Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein. Near the head of the valley, the beautiful old spa town of Bad Gastein awaits, its wonderful old and elegant hotels seeming to cling to the steep mountainside. The final climb to the town is a challenge if you are on a regular bike but, again, it's not that long (1.5kms) and you can always get off and walk up if it's too much. A little further along the road you arrive in the hamlet of Böckstein and here you board a small train with your bike for the 11 minute journey through the Tauern Tunnel to the Mölltal Valley. The trains run every hour so there is no mad rush to make a particular departure. You are now on the sunny side of the Alps, having just passed under the backbone of the famous mountain range. You’ll spend the night in a charming alpine town a little further down the Möll valley.

Important 2025 Update: Due to planned construction work, the Tauern Rail Tunnel between Bockstein and Mallnitz is expected to be out of service from the beginning of the 2025 season through until 04/07/2025. The itinerary will therefore be adapted during this period. Cyclists will spend the night in the Gastein Valley instead of the Möll Valley.

Today's ride is a real treat, offering superb alpine scenery as you gently descend the Möll and Drau valleys. The winding path leads you past tiny hamlets and through green alpine meadows. It's pretty much downhill all the way so feel free to stop and indulge at one of the pretty Gasthof's that dot the route. Your destination today is the town of Spittal, which has been a stopover point for trans-alpine travellers since the middle ages.

Important 2025 Update: Due to planned construction work, the Tauern Rail Tunnel between Bockstein and Mallnitz is expected to be out of service from the beginning of the 2025 season through until 04/07/2025. The itinerary will therefore be adapted during this period. Cyclists will be transferred by road to Spittal from their hotel in the Gastein valley. They will then enjoy a loop ride along the Drau valley from/to Spittal.

Today's relatively easy scenic ride continues to follow the Drau valley south westwards. Take a break in the market town of Paternion with it's impressive castle before following the idyllic, riverside cycle path along the Drau river the town of Villach. On arrival you will probably notice a distinctly southern, almost Mediterranean flavour to the lovely old town with it's al-fresco restaurants, street cafes and bars. This is the perfect place to celebrate completing your alpine cycling adventure.

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