The great cycling holiday in Austria

Your great cycling holiday in Austria begins in Innsbruck. Enjoy the unique backdrop of the surrounding mountains. Don't miss the city's landmark - the Golden Roof. Covered with over 2,600 fire-gilded copper shingles - all still in their original condition - Emperor Maximilian I had the Golden Roof built. Also worth seeing are the imperial chapel Hofkirche, the Hofburg and the Bergisel ski jump, which hosts the annual Four Hills Tournament. If booked, you will receive your rental bike during an information meeting at your starting hotel.

On the first stage of your great cycling holiday in Austria, you follow the Inn Cycle Path. Take a break in the small town of Hall. Visit the historic old town and its landmark, the mint tower. It is part of Hasegg Castle, which houses a mint museum. Cycle at a leisurely pace to the next highlight of the tour. Visit the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens. Experience the fascination of crystals in chambers of wonder. The park contains a crystal cloud made from 800,000 crystals - impressive! Your destination for the day, Strass, is at the entrance to the Zillertal Valley.

Surrounded by mountain peaks, the cycle path takes you through the Zillertal Valley. You reach the village of Zell am Ziller in a relaxed manner. In the early afternoon, a transfer takes you over the Gerlos Pass to Krimml. During the journey, you can take a look at the Krimml Waterfalls. After arriving at your hotel, take a hike to the highest waterfalls in Austria. Breathtaking views of the thundering masses of water can be enjoyed from the viewing platforms.

Today's stage of your cycling vacation in Austria takes you through the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Oberpinzgau region. With the surrounding mountain peaks in view and not far from the Salzach river, you cycle along the Tauern Cycle Path through small villages. Off the beaten track, you can take a detour to the Hieburg castle ruins, the museum in Bramberg and the Celtic village at Stoanabichl. Visit the high mountain reservoirs in Kaprun or take a boat trip from Zell across Lake Zell, including unique mountain panoramas. You spend the night in Kaprun or Zell am See.

Take a dip in Lake Zell before hopping on your bike and continuing along the Tauern cycle path. A few kilometers before your destination for the day is the Seisenbergklamm gorge. Its formation began over 12,000 years ago and is still ongoing, as the stream flowing through it continues to carve its way into the rock. You may come across the gorge spirit on a hike through the gorge, whose voice you might hear very quietly as the water roars. Surrounded by mountain ranges, you will spend the night in the small market town of Lofer.

Your cycling vacation in Austria first takes you along the Tauern Cycle Path into the Berchtesgadener Land region to Bad Reichenhall in the Little German Corner. The history of Bad Reichenhall is closely linked to the extraction of salt from brine springs. During a guided tour of the old salt works, you have the opportunity to learn more about the importance and history of salt extraction in the salt museum. After a few kilometers you reach Salzburg. Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress above the city, take a walk to Mozart's birthplace in Gerichtsgasse and try the typical Salzburg dessert Salzburger Nockerln in a café.

Near the Salzach, you cycle leisurely in a northerly direction and cycle via the small towns of Oberndorf and Tittmoning to your destination for the day, Burghausen. You will notice the Burghausen castle complex from afar. At around 1000 meters long, it is the longest castle complex in the world - very impressive! During a visit, you will notice that the castle courtyards, walls and turrets seem to line up endlessly. Below the hilltop castle is the historic old town, located directly on the Salzach river, with its colorful town houses and pretty cafés.

Today you are mostly on the Inn Cycle Path on your cycling vacation in Austria. From Braunau, the route runs along both sides of the river. In Reichersberg, you can stop off at the monastery. A guided tour of the monastery will give you an insight into the life of the Augustinian canons still active there today and into the past of the over 900-year-old complex. Cycle through the bird and plant-rich Lower Inn European nature reserve to Schärding, the Baroque town on the Inn. The townscape represents the Inn-Salzach style, which is characterized by colourful baroque town houses.

After breakfast, it's back on the bike and the next highlight of your great cycling holiday in Austria is already waiting for you on the German-Austrian border: the Three Rivers City of Passau. Visit the baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral and the mighty fortress Veste Oberhaus above the city. You are now on the Danube cycle path. You can take another break in Engelhartszell. Austria's only Trappist monastery is located here. Your destination for the day is a small natural wonder, the Schlögener Donauschlinge.

Following the course of the Danube, you reach Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Stroll through the historic squares in the city center and treat yourself to a slice of Linzer Torte, the oldest recipe for which dates back to the 17th century. Freshly fortified, cycle on to Enns. Austria's oldest town is characterized by buildings in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Climb the 60-metre-high town tower and enjoy the view of Enns and the surrounding area.

Relax and cycle along the Danube on today's stage of your great cycling holiday in Austria and reach Grein. Stretch your legs on a walk to Greinburg Castle and explore the extraordinary architecture. Continue through the Strudengau region. The Danube valley got its name from the many whirlpools and shallows and was once considered one of the most dangerous sections of the Danube. From Ybbs you are in the Nibelungengau. The hilly landscape was already mentioned in the Song of the Nibelungs and thus got its name.

On your last stage, you cycle towards Melk Abbey, which can be seen from afar, with virtually no inclines. The Benedictine abbey towers high above the small town of Melk and looks back on more than 900 years of history. Leaving Melk behind you, you now get to know the Wachau countryside. It is known for its medieval castle ruins, historic town centers, wines and apricot jam. From Krems, take the train to Vienna. To round off your cycling vacation in Austria, treat yourself to a large slice of Sachertorte in one of the quaint coffee houses.

Your great cycling holiday in Austria ends after breakfast. We are happy to extend your stay in Innsbruck or Vienna with an extra night.