A leisurely bike tour, during which you will meander through lush green meadows, mighty forests, and jagged rocks as you pedal along the many different lake shores.

Through the shining world of lakes in the“Salzkammergut” region of Austria. Self Guided  Departure leaves daily from mid-May to mid-October 2014. Various routes and lengths are available to suit your vacation plans.

What could be more enjoyable than biking along the shore paths of the lakes and letting your soul “float” through an astonishingly unspoiled countryside? Everyone will enjoy this tour through the “Salzkammergut” and the Trumer-Lake-Land areas north of Salzburg. Locals are very proud of the fact that the water from all of the lakes in this area is considered drinking water. The regional landscape is made up of rolling hills and has a charm of its own. The small mountain peaks create a stunning backdrop for the picturesque lakes and entice you to stop repeatedly to drink in all of the scenery. During our journey, we will meander through areas of lush green meadows, mighty woods and jagged rocks. You will not believe your own eyes and others will think your photos are copies from the postcard stand.

The 10-Lake-Tour is an active way to relax while experiencing nature and visiting places of interest and history. A custom tour allows you to choose the experience you would like to have. Follow the footsteps of the various composers; wander through Schafberg and visit Schloß Orth where a popular European TV series has been filmed, or explore the famous Dachstein ice caves near Hallstätter See, Bad Ischl (the old Kaiser town), Mondsee, Attersee, Bad Goisern, Wolfgangsee.  Experience a fairytale world that has come true as we bike through pastures and moorlands, on the way to Oberndorf, known widely as the “Silent-Night” village, and end back in the magical and musical city of Salzburg where our adventure started.

Day 1: Salzburg – Arrive via transfer from Munich

Day 2: Salzburg – Trumer Seen – (34 miles or 55 km) As our bike tour begins, we pedal along the Salzach River to Oberndorf. Oberndorf is known for being the birthplace of Joseph Mohr who is the creator of the famous Christmas carol “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Take time to visit the “Silent Night” museum and chapel along with Michaelbeuern (abbey) before heading on to Trumer-Lake-Land (Obertrumer Lake and Mattsee).

Day 3: Trumer Seen to Mondsee/Attersee – (38 – 45 miles or 60-70 km)Today’s journey will take us past Wallersee and through the Finsterloch (Dark Hole) on Irrsee.  We will travel on to Mondsee, which has been a popular holiday resort for emperors and common folk alike for centuries. Enjoy the extremely warm sparkling blue waters of the lake, take a tour through the Schloss (castle), and stroll through the former monastery. We will cycle along the Mondsee onto Attersee.

Day 4: Mondsee/Attersee to Traunsee – (21 – 28 miles or 35-45 km) Today we will start with a boat trip to Weyregg. We will bike through the Aurachtal (valley) to Traunsee (lake) to enjoy the many sights of the charming lake town of Gmunden. Gmunden has been a health resort destination since the middle of the 19^th century.

Day 5: Traunsee – Hallstätter See – Bad Goisern – (12 – 18 miles or 20-30 km)In the morning we will travel by train from Traunsee to Obertraun, which is located high above the Hallstättersee. Hallstättersee is home to the Dachstein ice caves, which formed over 500 years ago and have continued to grow ever since. Some areas of the floor are covered with huge limestone rocks that have fallen from above. Upon leaving Hallstättersee, we will bike along the lake to Hallstatt.  Locals consider Hallstatt to be the most “beautiful” lake village in the world. We will finish our day in Bad Goisen. Enjoy the countryside and wonderful nature that surrounds you while walking the paths of the Traun brook area before joining us for another fabulous meal and a good night’s sleep.

Day 6: Bad Goisern / Wolfgangsee – (18 – 25 miles or 25-35 km)We will ride through Bad Ischl, which is the best-known resort town in the Salzkammergut region. We suggest you take time to stop into a local Tea House and relax a little bit before beginning the next stage of the journey. We will begin our afternoon with a ride along the Ischler Ache as we head to Wolfgangsee. Like Bad Ischl, this town caters to the local tourist and provides a variety of entertaining diversions for all.

Day 7: Wolfgangsee – Salzburg – (25 – 32 miles or 40-50 km) We will leave Wolfgangsee and begin our journey back to Salzburg.  Along the way, we will pass through St. Gilgen “Mozartdorf”, home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We will hike to Kühleiten while the local operator transports the bikes to the top of the mountain for us. Once on top, we get to enjoy a downhill ride through the Hintersee, Glasenbachklamm, onto the Strubklamm region, which is known for rock climbing. Before arriving at our final destination Salzburg, we will visit the Hellbrunn Schloss. In Salzburg, we put away our bikes for good before retiring for an evening meal at the local guesthouse.

Day 8: Individual sightseeing day in Salzburg – Salzburg has too many spectacular things to see in just one day, but a few of our favorites include the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and gardens, Mozart’s Birthplace (Getreidegasse no. 9), Mozart’s Residence (Makartplatz 8), Salzburg Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Abby.  Choosing from this list is overwhelming, one of the many sightseeing tours offered might be the way for you to go – you can select walking, boating, horse-drawn carriage, or small and large bus tours – find one that suits your mood at the time.  No matter what you choose to do during the day, be sure to take a break around 3:00 pm, and try a slice of the world-famous “Sacher Chocolate Cake” with coffee if you want to fit in with the locals.  The saying goes, “If all the coffee shops were to close their doors, it would be the end of the world!” To really enjoy and soak up the history, culture, adventure, and pleasures of Salzburg we recommend extending your stay for a minimum of 3 days. 

Tour Includes:
* 10 days / 9 nights
* 3 – 4 star hotels or pension
* Half board at most locations
* Van and Luggage transport while biking
* Guide maps
* Detailed tour descriptions
* Route or overview maps
* Ship schedules on Attersee
* Rail Traunsee – Hallstätter See
* Bike transport St. Gilgen – Kühleiten

Not Included: Daily lunches, beverages and gratuities, taxi transfers, plus other personal items and/or travel need not be listed above.  Our tour office can assist with travel insurance, airline, rail, and rental car reservations.

If you are interested in organizing a group of 20 or more travelers, your tour would be included at no additional charge. Taxes would be collected based on the price and services of the package.  Contact info@starktours.co directly for more details. 

At StarkTours, we understand that not everyone is looking for a cycling tour. All of our cycling, hiking, kayaking, boating, and skiing adventure tours can be personalized rail or self-drive vacations.