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Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee

The mountain-framed lakes of Salzkammergut
 
Cycle self-guided along rewarding routes through impressive scenery while your luggage is transported to the next hotel offering traditional Austrian hospitality. Explore Austria’s most famous lakes – including Wolfgangsee and Hallstättersee – and swim in their crystal-clear waters.
Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee. 9 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee. 9 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in Salzkammergut

The spellbinding Austrian Lake District is perfect for exploration on two wheels. Located just to the east of Salzburg, the majestic mountain scenery is reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the many lakes, and the views from the shores as you cycle are sublime.
This wonderful yet reasonably gentle route is an extension of our classic Salzburg's Lake District cycling holiday, with the addition of lesser-known, but nevertheless dramatic, Traunsee.
It features charming, traditional hotels in picturesque towns and villages, and reveals dramatic Alpine scenery, leading past several of Austria’s most spectacular lakes ('Seen' in German) and finishing with a visit to UNESCO-protected Hallstatt, the jewel of the region.
 
Gallery
 

2024

We plan to offer this holiday next year, but the hotels are not yet taking bookings for 2024.
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 2 4 8 13 18 21 23 22 19 14 7 2
    mm 74 71 78 97 126 167 176 157 99 79 84 88
  • Arrival in St Gilgen
    Night 1: at Hotel Gasthof zur Post (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Circular route from St Gilgen: 41km
    After your bikes have been delivered to you, your day starts with a scenic boat journey (included) across Wolfgangsee. It’s then time to hop on your bikes and make your way along the lake’s northern shore and then through a wide, picturesque valley to the elegant spa town of Bad Ischl, former summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef. Take time to explore – the stately Kaiservilla and its immaculate gardens are well worth a visit – and perhaps have lunch in the town, before the leisurely ride back to St Gilgen, the latter part of which is alongside the lake.
    Circular route from St Gilgen: 41km
    Near Wolfgangsee
  • St Gilgen to Mondsee: 15km
    With a short leisurely ride ahead of you today, you may wish to linger over a coffee in one of the many delightful cafés in St Gilgen before setting off. The town has a number of fascinating museums, including one dedicated to Mozart in the house where his mother, Anna Pertl, lived. After leaving St Gilgen, you rise gently over the shoulder of rolling foothills and are then rewarded with a long, gentle descent into Mondsee, with wonderful views of the lake of the same name and the surrounding slopes. Your base for two nights is the Hotel Krone. There is plenty of time on arrival to explore Mondsee and, if the weather is warm, to enjoy a swim in the lake.
    St Gilgen to Mondsee: 15km
    Linger in St Gilgen
  • Circular route from Mondsee: 32km; shorter option 26km
    Standing at the head of the lake beneath the towering cliffs of the Drachenwand, Mondsee is a delightful place to linger, famed for providing the setting of the wedding in the 'Sound of Music', which was filmed in the basilica. If you have time after visiting the town’s impressive cathedral and museums, you could follow our gentle cycling route which circumnavigates peaceful Irrsee, often overlooked by visitors. From here, we suggest a short detour to the village of Oberhofen, where you can enjoy a relaxed lunch. When you're ready to return to Mondsee, there are two routes to choose from – you can either complete the circuit, taking in some really wonderful scenery, or retrace your outward route.
    Circular route from Mondsee: 32km
    Cycling around Mondsee
  • Mondsee to Seefeld: 26km
    Admire the dramatic scenery on a superb lakeside route along the shores of Mondsee, with the option to make a short detour to pretty Unterach for lunch. The landscape becomes even more breathtaking as you round the southern tip of Attersee, the largest lake in the area. Your destination is the Hotel Föttinger in the village of Seefeld, where Gustav Mahler spent summers composing some of his great symphonies in the small cabin (open by appointment) built on the shores of the lake. So inviting is the water that you should leave yourselves time in the afternoon for a dip.
    Mondsee to Seefeld: 26km
    Visit Mahler's 'composing cabin' at the Hotel Föttinger
  • Seefeld to Traunkirchen: 39km
    Today begins with a pleasant ride back along the side of the lake to Weissenbach and then over the saddle to reach the dramatic Traun Valley. Here, you follow the rushing, crystal-clear River Traun east between steep mountainsides to reach the southernmost tip of the lake. Your destination is the tranquil lakeside village of Traunkirchen, which is dominated by the white Johanneskapelle standing atop a small rocky headland above the lake. Here, you stay two nights at the Hotel Post am See, which offers wonderful views across the lake to the uninhabited far shore. Again, it's a great place for a refreshing swim.
    Seefeld to Traunkirchen: 39km
    Approaching Traunkirchen
  • Circular route from Traunkirchen: 20km
    You may wish to spend the day exploring your immediate surroundings, but our recommended cycling route is a real highlight. You begin by heading north through a string of small villages, with the soaring peak of notoriously-difficult-to-climb Traunstein (1,691 metres) looming on the far side of the lake. The sight of Schloss Ort, a castle on a tiny island linked to the shore by a wooden bridge, signals your imminent arrival in the spa town of Gmunden, whose elegant villa-style buildings line the shore. The town is also known for its ceramics, and it is worth tarrying here for a while – maybe for lunch – before continuing around the northern end of the lake and along the less-travelled eastern side to reach the small ferry dock. Here, you catch a boat (tickets included) for the short hop across this sublime lake, enjoying mountain views as you return to Traunkirchen.
    Circular route from Traunkirchen: 20km
    Visit Schloss Ort in Gmunden
  • Traunkirchen to St Agatha: 36km
    Today, you follow the lake south and retrace your tracks along a pleasant wooded route and the path of the old brine pipeline to reach Bad Ischl. Once over the ridge, it's an easy descent into St Agatha at the northern end of Hallstättersee. In early summer, the woods and meadows are carpeted with a colourful array of wild flowers, making the cycling here a real delight, while the higher, cooler pastures, too, are ablaze with the blues, purples and yellows of many alpine flowers. On your way, you pass through Bad Goisern, a spa town on the River Traun famous for its sulphur and brine spa and hand-made mountain boots. Your destination is the Agathawirt in St Agatha, where you spend your last two nights.
    Traunkirchen to St Agatha: 36km
    Near Bad Goisern on the route from Traunkirchen to St Agatha
  • Route from St Agatha: 15km
    The highlight of your final route is a visit to the picturesque village of Hallstatt, the jewel of the region. The village and lake of the same name form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cycle path along the east shore enables you to appreciate fully the beauty of this spectacular region. En route you may wish to break your cycle ride with a visit to the ice caves in Obertraun, or a lazy picnic on the lake's shores, before continuing round the lake to Hallstatt. Here, there are museums to visit, an ancient church, and a funicular railway that will take you up to the salt mine above the town. When you're ready, you return to St Agatha by boat (pay locally), a chance to reflect one last time on the stunning scenery of Austria’s Lake District.

    Flower festival
    Travel in May, and you can visit the colourful Narcissus Festival in Bad Aussee near St Agatha. Take the train or bus from St Agatha, then cycle to see the spectacular flower-bedecked floats as they parade on land – and on the lake!
    Route from St Agatha: 15km
    Iconic Hallstatt
 

Accommodation

You stay in comfortable, well-located three and four-star hotels.

Please note: most beds in Austrian hotels are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. We refer to these as 'Austrian Twins' and they are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 9 nights: 20 May 2023 - 01 October 2023 & 20 May 2024 - 01 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    20 May - 9 Jun 2023 £1625 £365
    10 - 26 Jun 2023 £1685 £375
    27 Jun - 7 Jul 2023 £1785 £485
    8 Jul - 14 Aug 2023 £1825 £510
    15 - 31 Aug 2023 £1795 £535
    1 - 22 Sep 2023 £1645 £415
    20 May - 9 Jun 2024 £1790 £405
    10 - 26 Jun 2024 £1855 £415
    27 Jun - 7 Jul 2024 £1965 £535
    8 Jul - 14 Aug 2024 £2010 £565
    15 - 31 Aug 2024 £1975 £590
    1 - 22 Sep 2024 £1810 £460
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £108pp

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Post am See, Traunkirchen
    Superior: 20 May - 01 Oct 2023 £16
    Superior: 20 May - 01 Oct 2024 £18

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £13pp per day.
    Hotel Gasthof zur Post, St Gilgen (B&B) Double room Single room
    20 May - 29 Jun 2023 £148 £200
    30 Jun - 09 Sep 2023 £166 £218
    10 Sep - 01 Oct 2023 £148 £200
    20 May - 29 Jun 2024 £165 £222
    30 Jun - 09 Sep 2024 £185 £242
    10 Sep - 01 Oct 2024 £165 £222
    Agathawirt, St Agatha (with dinner) Double room Single room
    20 May - 01 Oct 2023 £106 £120
    20 May - 01 Oct 2024 £117 £132
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Salzburg or Munich
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London.

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Salzburg easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Munich Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Salzburg Charter (contact us),  Eurowings,  jet2,  TUI 
    Birmingham - Salzburg (via Düsseldorf) Eurowings 
    Birmingham - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Salzburg jet2 
    Bristol - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Munich easyJet,  Eurowings,  Lufthansa 
    Edinburgh - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Edinburgh - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Munich Lufthansa 
    Glasgow - Salzburg TUI 
    Glasgow - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Munich British Airways 
    London City - Salzburg British Airways 
    London City - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Munich easyJet 
    Gatwick - Salzburg British Airways,  Charter (contact us),  easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Munich British Airways,  Lufthansa 
    Heathrow - Salzburg Eurowings,  Lufthansa 
    Heathrow - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Munich easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Munich easyJet 
    Stansted - Salzburg jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Munich easyJet,  Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Salzburg Charter (contact us),  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Düsseldorf) Eurowings 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Hamburg) Eurowings 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Munich Lufthansa 
    Newcastle - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Munich (via Düsseldorf) Lufthansa 
    Newcastle - Salzburg TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Salzburg (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Munich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Munich airport to Salzburg Hbf (2h30), bus Salzburg Hbf to St Gilgen-bus station (1h) £49-£54 1600
    rail Munich airport to Bad Ischl (4h30), taxi Bad Ischl to hotel (0h25) £106-£117 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Steeg-Gosau (0h05), rail Steeg-Gosau to Munich airport (5h) £84-£92 1530
    taxi from hotel to Steeg-Gosau (0h05), rail from Steeg-Gosau to Munich airport (5h) £84-£92 1530

    Connecting travel options - flying via Salzburg

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Salzburg Airport to hotel (1h) £63-£69 flexible
    rail Salzburg Hbf to Bad Ischl (1h55), taxi Bad Ischl to hotel (0h25) £70-£77 1730
    bus Salzburg Hbf to St Gilgen-bus station (1h) £8-£9 1830
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Salzburg airport (1h) £71-£78 flexible
    taxi hotel to Steeg-Gosau (0h05), rail Steeg-Gosau to Salzburg Hbf (2h30) £43-£47 1400
What is included
  • 9 nights
  • 4 dinners
    9 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • 2 ferry journeys (days 1 & 6)
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 5 reviews
  • Mr I Bright
    Taunton
    13 June 2023

    A very enjoyable cycling holiday. Our group are used to longer daily distances, but the routes used with shorter distances gave us far more time for relaxed riding days with more time for stops to enjoy the countryside and culture in this area of Austria. Cycling in this area of lakes and mountain scenery was outstanding. Food and drink were excellent, both at the Hotels where we stayed, and at the local restaurants and cafes we visited. The people we met were all welcoming, friendly and helpful. Don't forget your swimsuit so you can cool off during and after a hot day in the saddle!

  • Dr M Crossley
    Skipton
    12 September 2022

    Great scenery and welcoming hotels. Quite a bit of the route is adjacent to busy roads. Always felt safe but sometimes it was a bit noisy. Loved being able to use the boats. 

    Thanks for another great holiday. Can't wait to explore another of your routes. We especially enjoy the local history and suggestions of places to explore along the way. 

  • Anon
    19 August 2022

    A fabulous holiday in a most beautiful area. Cycling on a standard bike was challenging enough with total riding time of 2/2.5 hours most days allowing for lots of time to enjoy places along the route. Daily lake swimming opportunities which were perfect for cooling down. We were lucky with the weather. Day 1 we were soaked and the rest of the week the weather was perfect for cycling and swimming. 

  • Anon
    17 August 2022

    An enjoyable holiday. Cycling round the lakes and paths exploring Austria was less demanding than expected but no less enjoyable. The route instructions were good. Swimming in so many different lakes was especially enjoyable.

  • Mrs K Shann
    Goole
    07 July 2022

    Fantastic cycling in the Salzkammergut. Brilliant cycling routes in an extremly cycle friendly area. Breathtaking views. A wonderful experience. The only negative is that some of the hotels are in desperate need of updating and that was the only slight downside of an altogether wonderful experience.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a city trekking bike with 21 gears; waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking. (NB e-bikes do not have a map holder.)
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page.
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Austria, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Austrian) German is the most commonly spoken language. The currency is the Euro. Austrian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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