The best cycling tours in Salzburg and Berchtesgaden

The ski season is slowly coming to an end and the temperatures are getting warmer again. So while we look back on the many wonderful days on the slopes with a teary eye, we can already look forward to the kick-off of the cycling season. The Salzburger Land and Berchtesgadener Land in particular boast many unique routes, nestled in a beautiful mountain and lake panorama, which have something to offer for every level of difficulty. In this blog, we give you a few tips for routes that you absolutely have to try out this year.

You have to know these main routes

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

If you prefer to head south from Salzburger Land, then the Alpe Adria cycle path is your place to be. This route also starts in the city of Salzburg and leads through Pongau and the Gastein Valley via Carinthia directly to the Italian sea in Grado. In addition to the trails mentioned, a number of other routes also start in Salzburger Land, such as the Murradweg in Muhr im Lungau or the Ennsradweg in Flachauwinkl. The possibilities in Salzburger Land and Berchtesgadener Land are therefore almost limitless and can also take you beyond the regions to fantastic destinations that will make every cyclist's heart beat faster. But if you don't want to think too big just yet and are looking for individual stages around Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, then we have selected three routes with different levels of difficulty for you.

Individual paths around Berchtesgaden and Salzburg

The wide range of routes in the region around Berchtesgaden and Salzburg can quickly overwhelm you. For beginners in particular, the question often arises as to how and where best to start. Starting from the city of Salzburg, the route via Hallein to Kuchl is a highly recommended starting point with a beautiful panorama. Continuously along the Salzach, you only have to overcome short climbs and can reward yourself with an ice cream in Hallein city center or in Kuchl with a jump in the beautiful Lake Bürgerausee. The route is part of the Tauern Cycle Path and is around 25 km long in one direction. Depending on your strength, you can either cycle back along the same route or take the regional train from Kuchl back to Salzburg.

A somewhat more challenging route can be found in Berchtesgadener Land with the Teisenberg loop starting from Anger. Although the circular tour is only a moderate 45 km long, it includes a few climbs and therefore over 500 meters of altitude. The route leads past the idyllically situated Höglwörther See, via Teisendorf and Neukirchen to Inzell until you arrive back at your starting point in Anger.

For advanced cyclists, we recommend the route from the well-known spa town of Bad Gastein via the Achenpromenade to St. Johann im Pongau and back again. The route is just over 82 km long and contains just over 1000 meters of elevation gain. Although some of the climbs on this route are strenuous and require a little more strength, you are rewarded with the incomparable views of the Gastein Valley and can listen to the gentle murmur of the Salzach in between. More detailed information on the routes mentioned can be found via the links in the table.

Something for every taste

Whether you've just started cycling as a hobby or you've been at it for a while, the Salzburger Land and Berchtesgadener Land are some of the most beautiful places on the planet and cycling is the ideal way to get to know the region better. You'll have the right perspective with our various sports glasses, such as the BLADE or the VOLT. We hope you enjoy exploring!

Credits: Elias Neier