Tauern Cycling Tour
Explore the enchanting High Tauern region, known for its natural beauty and cultural appeal
Immerse yourself in the historical ambiance of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Witness the awe-inspiring Gollinger and Krimml waterfalls
Traverse charming Austrian towns, such as Golling, St. Johann im Pongau, and Kaprun
Enjoy a rewarding experience with moderate ascents and diverse terrains for adventurous cyclists
Itinerary
Upon arriving in Salzburg, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while admiring the artistic house facades, sacral buildings, and palaces. Discover Mozart’s birthplace on Getreidegasse and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming streets.
Hotel in Salzburg
As you leave Salzburg, you’ll cycle southwards along the Salzach River, with Schloss Hellbrunn and its impressive Renaissance fountains as one of the first highlights. The route takes you through a picturesque landscape with steep rock faces and ravines, eventually arriving in Golling, where a visit to the spectacular Gollinger Waterfall awaits.
35 km (22 mi)
Hotel in Golling
The day begins with a moderate ascent to Lueg Pass, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Tennengebirge mountain range. As you continue along the narrowing Salzach Valley, you’ll pass the Salzachklamm Ravine before reaching Bischofshofen. St. Johann im Pongau is only a few kilometers away, with the famous Liechtensteinklamm gorge close by.
35 km (22 mi)
Hotel in St. Johann im Pongau
Today, you’ll cycle at a comfortable pace towards Bruck on the scenic Großglocknerstraße, a remarkable alpine mountain road leading towards the majestic Großglockner, Austria’s highest peak. Soon, you’ll arrive in Kaprun, a charming village nestled amid the stunning mountain landscape.
55 km (34 mi)
Hotel in Kaprun
Begin your day with a scenic train ride from Kaprun to Krimml (ticket not included), where you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the spectacular Krimml waterfalls. Then, pedal your way through the enchanting Hohe Tauern National Park, immersing yourself in the rugged beauty of high mountain landscapes and the picturesque charm of mountain meadows, forests, and pastures. Cycle past quaint villages in the Upper Pinzgau region before making your way back to Kaprun, concluding a day of unforgettable experiences.
60 km (37 mi)
Hotel in Kaprun
Depart from the upper Salzach valley and follow the natural course of the Saalzach river, cycling through the Saalfelden basin and visiting the pilgrimage site of Maria Alm. Saalfelden, the largest town in the Pinzgau area, offers an optional detour to the fascinating Seisenberg gorge, where the Weissenbach river has carved a deep path through limestone rocks over thousands of years.
55 km (34 mi)
Hotel in Lofer
Witness the powerful Saalach river breaking through the Steinerne Meer mountains near Unken, and continue cycling to the spa town of Bad Reichenhall. The river Saalach is a natural border with Germany, and as you cycle through its riverside meadows, you’ll return to Salzburg.
50 km (31 mi)
Hotel in Salzburg
After a delightful breakfast, your Tauern cycle tour in Austria comes to an end. Should you wish to extend your stay in Salzburg, we’d be happy to assist.
Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
Discover the breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and cultural attractions of the Tauern Cycling Tour, which takes you through the region of the High Tauern, the highest mountain range in Austria.
This cycling adventure combines the best of Austria’s natural beauty with the historic charm of cities like Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.
The itinerary begins in this “city of music” and leads you through picturesque towns, such as Golling, St. Johann im Pongau, and Kaprun. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning natural wonders, including waterfalls, gorges, and the impressive mountain panoramas of Austria’s highest peaks.
This tour is ideal for those looking for a moderate challenge, with some ascents and varied terrain that make for an exciting and rewarding cycling experience. The daily stages are between 35 and 60 kilometers long, which makes for just enough cycling that every night’s rest will feel well deserved.
To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience, we book all of your accommodations and provide a comprehensive itinerary booklet, complete with a GPS track for effortless navigation. We also offer reliable customer support throughout your journey, so you can focus on enjoying the captivating landscapes and charming towns along the Tauern Cycling Tour.
Embark on this unforgettable adventure and create lasting memories as you explore the natural beauty and rich history of Austria’s Tauern region.
Location
Things to know
Self-guided cycling tours provide a personalized and flexible approach to cycling holidays, allowing you to explore at your own pace and adapt your route or schedule as you see fit. With our team taking care of all logistics such as accommodations, detailed itineraries, GPS routes, and 24/7 support, you can enjoy a stress-free, immersive experience that offers independence, customization, and authentic encounters with local culture.
Our tours are described by the next difficulty levels: Leisurely, moderate, or challenging.
A tour can have harder and easier days, so our rating represents the difficulty of an average tour day. For now, all our tours are rated either leisurely or moderate, so the challenging category doesn’t yet apply.
Leisurely means that the tours mostly take part on flat and paved cycling paths, asphalt roads, or easy-going gravel tracks. They are suitable for everyone.
Moderate means that the tours may have some uphill climbs or feature some technically more demanding terrain. If you are of average fitness, these are all doable.
Challenging means that the tour days either feature long distances and many climbs or are done on technical terrain; Possibly on some downhill sections where skill with a mountain bike is required.
We continuously strive to find the perfect fit for you. We work with multiple accommodation providers that meet our standards, but their availability can vary, especially during peak season. We can also tailor your holiday according to your preferences and budget, ensuring we find the most suitable solution for your taste.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Many of our tours pass through popular tourist destinations where accommodation options are limited. The best choices often get booked for summer before spring arrives.
The ease of accommodating dietary restrictions depends on their severity. Vegetarian options are fairly common in Austria, but vegan dishes can be challenging to find in rural areas or smaller towns. Please note that lunch stops are often at traditional establishments that may struggle to cater to special requests outside of their standard menu. Keep this in mind during your trip.
Most tours can proceed even in light rain, provided you dress appropriately. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon in the peak months of summer, so early starts are recommended. If the weather appears to be particularly unfavorable, we can try to adjust the tour beforehand.