Tauern Cycle Path: Salzburg Round Trip

Join us on a cycling adventure through the picturesque region of Salzburg, where the Salzach and Saalach rivers will be your constant companions. Setting out from the world-renowned city of Salzburg, your journey takes you towards the majestic Hohe Tauern mountain range, which lends its name to this exceptional cycling path. Along the way, you'll encounter rich cultural experiences in Salzburg and Hallein, witness unspoiled traditions in the mountain valleys, discover enchanting treasures in tranquil villages, and savor breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks. The well-maintained cycling paths will guide you through diverse landscapes, allowing you to observe a variety of flora and fauna, ultimately leading you back to Salzburg, the city of Mozart.

The Tauernradweg, or Tauern Cycle Path, takes you through the mystical mountain terrain of the Hohe Tauern, the birthplace of Mozart in Salzburg, and the historic salt mines in Hallein. It stands as one of the most beloved and diverse cycling routes in Europe, offering an array of cultural and culinary delights amidst stunning natural beauty, all set along meandering rivers and picturesque landscapes.

Details about the cycling tour along the Tauern Cycle Route

Your cycling tour starts in Salzburg and runs along the Salzach River. In Bad Dürnberg you can follow the traces of the "white gold" in the Hallein salt mines. Cultural sights are also covered during this bike tour. Visit the more than 900-year-old Hohen Werden Castle, which towers high above the Salzach Valley on a steep rock cone. If you prefer something cooler, you should plan a visit to the Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world.

The next stage is Kaprun where you can visit the Krimml waterfalls, with a height of 380 m, the Krimml waterfalls are the fifth highest waterfalls in the world. Your cycling tour continues through the Hohe Tauern National Park and the so-called Oberpinzgau. Highlights on the way to Lofer are the Seisenbergklamm and the Lamprechtshöhle near Weißbach. The last stage back to Salzburg leads through the always-quiet Saalachtal. Once you have reached Bad Reichenhall, it is only a short distance to the Mozart city of Salzburg.

The highlights of the Tauern Cycle Trail cycling holiday at a glance

• Salt mines: Visit one of the oldest salt mines in the world in Hallein, the Salzwelten.

• Salzburg: Mozart city of Salzburg with the cathedral, Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, Mozart's Birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Von Trapp family residence, Mirabel Palace, Hellbrunn Palace.

• Hohe Tauern National Park: With Austria's highest mountain: the Grossglockner (3789 m), the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps: the Pasterzen Glacier and the highest waterfalls in Europe: the Krimmler waterfalls.

Worth knowing about the Tauern Cycle Route

The Tauern cycle route is signposted everywhere and in great detail. The route mainly runs on quiet, paved bike paths and country roads, but sometimes also on busier parts, mostly paved bike paths. You cycle largely in the gentle valleys of the Salzach and Saalach with only slight slopes. Nevertheless, you should bring a little basic fitness with you, but then this bike tour becomes a real experience or opt for the convenience of an E-bike.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our cycling holiday difficulty levels.