The best cycling tours in Salzburg and Berchtesgaden

The ski season is slowly coming to an end and the temperatures are warming up again. While we reminisce about the many beautiful days on the slopes with a heavy heart, we can already look forward to the kickoff of the cycling season. The Salzburg and Berchtesgaden regions boast many unique routes nestled against a beautiful mountain and lake panorama, offering something for every skill level. In this blog, we'll give you a few tips for routes you absolutely have to try this year.

You need to know these main routes

When you start planning your route, it is important to know which different paths there are in the region before you start planning in more detail. The most well-known path around Salzburg is the Tauernradweg, which starts near the famous waterfalls in Krimml in Pinzgau, then leads via Zell am See, either through the Pongau or Bad Reichenhall in Berchtesgadener Land to Salzburg and optionally even further to Passau. In keeping with the Mozart city of Salzburg, there is also the so-called Mozartradweg, which connects the Salzburger Land with the Berchtesgadener Land, among other places. This is a circular route starting from the city of Salzburg, which not only includes many popular lakes in the Salzburger Land (Wolfgangsee, Obertrumer See, Wallersee), but also leads via Berchtesgadener Land and past Lake Waginger See and Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria.

If you'd rather head south from Salzburger Land, the Alpe Adria Cycle Path is the perfect option. This also starts in the city of Salzburg and leads through the Pongau region, including the Gastein Valley, via Carinthia, directly to the Italian sea in Grado. In addition to the paths mentioned, several other routes also start in Salzburger Land, such as the Murradweg in Muhr im Lungau or the Ennsradweg in Flachauwinkl. The options in the Salzburger and Berchtesgadener Land are virtually limitless, and can take you beyond the regions to dreamy destinations that will make any cyclist's heart beat faster. But if you don't want to think too big and are looking for individual stages around Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, we have selected three routes with varying levels of difficulty for you.

Individual stages around Berchtesgaden and Salzburg

The wide range of routes in the region around Berchtesgaden and Salzburg can quickly be overwhelming. Beginners in particular often wonder how and where to best begin. Starting from the city of Salzburg, the route via Hallein to Kuchl is a highly recommended introduction, offering beautiful panoramas. Steadily following the Salzach River, you only have to overcome short, small climbs, and can reward yourself with an ice cream in Hallein's town center or a dip in the beautiful Bürgerausee in Kuchl, a real insider tip. The route is part of the Tauernradweg and is around 25 km long one way. Depending on your strength, you can either cycle back the same way or take the regional train from Kuchl back to Salzburg.

A somewhat more challenging route can be found in the Berchtesgadener Land region: the Teisenberg Loop, which starts in Anger. While the circular tour is only a moderate 45 km long, it includes several climbs, resulting in a gain of over 500 meters in elevation. The route leads past the idyllic Höglwörther See, via Teisendorf and Neukirchen to Inzell, before returning to your starting point in Anger.

For advanced cyclists, we recommend the route starting from the famous spa town of Bad Gastein, along the Achenpromenade to St. Johann im Pongau and back. The route is just over 82 km long and includes over 1,000 meters of elevation gain. While some of the climbs along this route are strenuous and require a bit more effort, you'll be rewarded with incomparable views of the Gastein Valley and the gentle sound of the Salzach River. Further information on the routes mentioned can be found via the links in the table.

Something for every taste

Whether you're just starting out with cycling or have been doing it for a while, the Salzburg and Berchtesgaden regions are among the most beautiful places on earth, and cycling is the ideal way to explore them. Our various sports glasses, like the BLADE or the VOLT, will give you the perfect view for your next adventure. We hope you enjoy exploring!