Austria

Salzburg's Lake District

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

£1,095 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
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Join us on this beautiful self-guided cycling holiday in Austria, that will take you along rolling cycle paths, with the Alps an ever-present back drop. 
 
The soft countryside around Salzburg was the inspiration for the classic film The Sound of Music, and what could be more enjoyable than taking in the sights, whilst biking along the shoreline of crystal clear lakes. The unspoilt countryside in this part of the world is the perfect setting for a week of cycling. 
 
This holiday allows you to explore Austria's very own Lake District, with no less than 10 lakes pinned to its stunning landscape. An amazing opportunity to cycle through emerald green pastures and mighty forests, with the dramatic backdrop of Alpine peaks. 
 
The beautiful cultural city of Salzburg, Mozart's home town, is your start and finish point for this cycling holiday and your route takes you through the ‘Silent Night’ town of Oberndorf where the carol was famously sung for the first time on Christmas eve 1918.
 
This gentle cycling holiday has some daily variations and is suitable for families with young children, as well as those looking for a laid back journey to enjoy by bike. The route mainly follows dedicated cycle paths, lakeside routes and country lanes. Off the bike there are lots of opportunities to relax with swimming, miniature golf and other outdoor activities. 
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Holiday Highlights

  • Staying in beautiful Salzburg – the City of Mozart
  • Cycling along the River Salzach and through numerous nature reserves
  • Blue skies set against snowcapped peaks shimmering in the lake waters
  • Cycling on traffic-free and well maintained cycle paths
  • Taking a refreshing lake swim after a day in the saddle
  • Enjoying a game of miniature golf in Franking
  • Visiting the monastery at Mondsee, where the wedding scene in the Sound of Music was filmed

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival: Salzburg
Non Riding Day

Welcome to the culturally rich city of Salzburg! Hopefully you’ll have some time today to explore. Salzburg has something for everyone, grab an ice cream and take a stroll through the winding streets of the old part of town, take in the cityscape of Salzburg from the top of Kapuzinerberg, or pick up some souvenirs from the Getreidergasse, the city’s most famous shopping street.

You’ll then return to your hotel to meet your local representative. You will be fitted to your rental bikes, should you be renting, and you will have the chance to discuss your upcoming ride, as well as receiving all the tour information you’ll need for the week ahead.

Day 2
Salzburg to Holzoester
19 - 28 Miles / 30 - 45 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

After a short train journey (approx. 8 Euros per person, incl bike), you’ll be ready to begin your tour.

The train takes you to Obendorf; birthplace of the famous Christmas carol – ‘Silent Night’. From here, humming Christmas carols, you will ride along the lovely babbling river Salzach into the diverse nature of Austria’s largest moor area: here the warm lakes Höllerersee and Holzöstersee await with lidos where you can take a dip. It will feel like your our own little garden of Eden.

Your home for the next two nights is the quaint village of Holzoester, located in the countryside of the Lake District. Being a small village you will reap the benefits of a slower pace of life, it is also worth bearing in mind the amenities here are limited and you may have to venture out of your hotel and into the town for your evening meal. Our local team include great information in your road book, so be sure to check here for restaurant recommendations and opening times.

Day 3
Holzoester - Activity/Free Day or Loop Ride of Burghausen
25 Miles / 40 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

After a swim in the wonderfully warm moorland lake, you might want to flex your golfing prowess at ‘Wanderbauerngolf‘- a special kind of miniature golf with holes modelled on agricultural equipment and played with wooden bats! If batting balls at ploughs and harrows isn’t your thing you can hop back on your bikes and ride along the river Salzach to Burghausen, a beautiful city, where you can catch a glimpse of a Bavarian castle in the medieval old town.

Day 4
Holzoester to Trumer Seen/ Seekirchen
22 Miles / 35 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Here in the nature reserve, time seems to stand still. You’ll cycle through this animal paradise to Michaelbeuern and from there into the Trumer-Lake district with its three crystal clear lakes, Lake Obertrumer See, Lake Mattsee and Lake Grabensee. This is the best place to cool off, have fun and relax in the glistening water after your ride.

Although todays ride is shorter in distance, you will encounter a few rolling hills, you may wish to take a steady pace and allow some extra time to reach your next destination.

Day 5
Trumer Lakes - Activity/Free Day
Non Riding Day
  • Meals: Breakfast

A cool jump into the water? Not just one but three big lidos (entrance fee included) await you. Try the slide or the raft, or just relax on the lakeside. And for the adventurous amongst you, you can experience an aerial adventure in the high rope course, and swing as high as 35 metres in the air (entrance fee not included; approx. 30 euros per adult and 18 euros per child. Please check opening hours before you visit.) A brilliant outdoor adventure for children and adults, but please be sure to follow any and all safety advice provided at the safety briefing! Please note, minimum height of 110cm.

Alternative, if you‘re all about the bike! There’s a short ride you can do along the Obertrumer See.

Day 6
Trumer Seen/ Seekirchen to Lake Mondsee
28 Miles / 45 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today’s ride begins by winding through the nature reserve and network of small lakes of Egelseen to Schleedorf, a village which showcases traditional local crafts. From Schleedorf we cycle on to Lake Mondsee.

Mondsee is home to a striking monastery which encompasses the church where the wedding scene from the Sound of Music was filmed. Even without such a claim to fame the church is still worth a visit for its stunning interior. After a dip, relax by the lake or head to a local inn and try the schnitzel and apple strudel.

Day 7
Lake Mondsee to Salzburg
25 Miles / 40 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today is your last ride of the week, but with the incredible views on offer, you might wish you had another week to explore!

The route will lead you past lush meadows along the cycle path to Thalgau and onwards to Eugendorf. From here you’ll continue on the tracks of the disused Ischler-railway all the way to the river Salzach and then along the Tauern-cycle path into the centre of Salzburg.

To reward your efforts this week treat yourself to a delicious ice cream and savour some local Salzburg chocolates ‘Mozartkugeln’ at the place of their creation. There may not be enough time to take in everything this city has to offer but high on the list might be a visit to Mozart’s birth place, the cathedral, Mirabell Palace, ‘Hohensalzburg’ Salzburg Castle, and if travelling with kids, they’ll love the water fountains in Hellbrunn Palace and the animals of the Hellbrunn Zoo.

Let us know if we can help with booking any extra nights in this lovely city.

Day 8
Departure: Salzburg
Non Riding Day
  • Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you might have the time for a last look around Salzburg before catching your return flight home. If you‘re looking to tick off all of Salzburg’s wonders and attractions you might want to pre-arrange some extra days in this wonderful city!

Please note; The distance you ride each day will be determined by the location of your hotel each night. The two options stated on some of the days are not optional shorter or longer routes, but more an indication of the distances to each of the possible accommodations. Please ensure you are comfortable with all of the distances stated above.

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The Cycling

Terrain

Approximately one third of this easy to follow route is on cycle paths, the rest sees you riding through fields, on forest paths, along rural roads and on small, quiet side roads. There are only a few short sections on roads with traffic. On the banks of the lakes and alongside the Salzach river, the routes are flat, but the in between sections can be hilly.

It is possible to use an E-Bike for this holiday. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2 : Gentle

Distances generally of between 15-30 miles / 24-48 kms per day

For those looking for an easy-going route

Mainly on the flat

Some undulations and the odd cheeky climb

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Maybe you and your family have recently got into cycling and would like to do more over consecutive days, or maybe you‘re looking for a more energetic alternative to your usual holiday? If you’re looking for an opportunity to try some quiet, safe roads, cycle paths or some accessible, cycle friendly routes these holidays might be for you. You’ll come across some gently undulating terrain and the odd cheeky challenge, so we’d generally expect those on a Grade 2 holiday to ride their bikes relatively frequently at home, occasionally heading out as a family for some leisurely rides at the weekend.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

Daily departures available. The seasonal prices below are per person, and are applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.

2025 12 Apr – 05 Oct

Season 1 – £1095 12 Apr – 18 Apr / 27 Sep – 05 Oct

Season 2 – £1195 19 Apr – 16 May / 13 Sep – 26 Sep

Season 3 – £1295 17 May – 12 Sep

The following kid’s discounts are available, off the land only price

0 – 5: Free Place

6 – 11: 45%

12 – 14: 20%

Available when the child is sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers (dependent on availability).

On nights 2 and 3 of the tour, we aren’t able to offer family rooms, this will always be 2 separate rooms, however we are still able to offer the above children’s discounts if sharing a family room for the rest of the tour.

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £300 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
8 days
Price
£1,095.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 4* or good quality 3* hotels and guesthouses

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Local representative (with welcome meeting)

D) Detailed travel documents (1 per room)

E) GPX files on request

F) Luggage transfers

G) Miniature golf in Wanderbauergolf, Franking

H) Entrance fee to the lidos on the Trumer Lakes

I) Salzburger Seeland card with numerous inclusive services

J) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike

C) Travel to first hotel on arrival day

D) Travel from final hotel on departure day

E) Single room (available if required)

F) Travel insurance

G) Meals not stated in the itinerary

H) Personal clothing and equipment

I) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

J) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

K) Train journey on day 2, approx 10 euros per person

L) Visitors tax (to be paid locally to each hotel where required)

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The Essentials

Travel Options

We ask that you make your own way to your hotel in Salzburg on arrival and onwards from Salzburg at the end of the trip. Please aim to arrive before 17.30 if possible.

Salzburg is well connected to several European cities via rail. You can check rail options at www.raileurope.com/en-gb. From the UK, you will usually have to travel via Paris and Munich and it is around a 10 hour journey.

If you choose to drive, we can provide parking at the first night’s hotel for the duration of the trip (approx. €10-20 per day, payable locally). There is also a public parking garage available (approx. €95 per week).

The most convenient airport is Salzburg (SZG). Ryanair, TUI and British Airways operate services in and out of Salzburg from London airports (Gatwick and Stansted). Other airlines, non-direct, and regional options may be available, please chat to our team.

It’s approx 8 Kms from Salzburg airport to the starting hotels. We recommend taking a taxi, the fare is approx. €10-€15.

Please check with Skedaddle before making any travel arrangements so we can ensure they fit in with the holiday schedule.

Accommodation

On this trip you will be staying in upmarket 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses. Subject to availability there is the option for triple and quadruple rooms. Please contact us with your preferred rooming arrangements and we can check availability for you.

Please note that a twin bedded room may be a typical Austrian Twin, which comprises two mattresses and two sets of bedding in the same large bed frame; it may not be possible to separate the mattresses. If you are opting for a twin room, we will pass your request for separate beds onto the hotels, but this cannot always be guaranteed.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have a choice of bikes available to rent. Our standard bikes are hybrids (shown in the photo above) equipped with high quality components, with 20/27 speed, and Hydraulic brakes.

E-bikes are also available to rent. These are limited in availability so are on request. Please note, e-bikes will have pedal brakes as well as hand brakes.

Bikes come equipped with a saddle and handlebar bag, tool kit, puncture repair kit, cycle computer, pump and combination lock. You will need to bring along your own helmets. It is possible to bring along your own saddle or pedals, but we ask that you bring along your own tools as you will need to fit them yourselves. If you bring your own saddle, we also recommend you bring an adapter, due to differing saddle diameters.

We also have child bikes (height dependent), trailers, tag-alongs and child seats available to rent if required.

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