For an adventurous gravel weekend, you might not immediately think of the Salzburgerland region. Yet you will find everything you are looking for as a gravel biker here. In just an hour and a half by plane from Schiphol you are in the land of Mozart, RedBull and fairytale lakes. Or choose a more sustainable option and take the car or train. The NightJet takes you from the Netherlands to Wels station in one go. From there you are just as easy to get to Salzburg.
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The salt city of Salzburg
Salzburg is also known as the ‘city of salt’. Near the city lie the mines of white gold. The river Salzach, which runs through Salzburg, used to serve as an export route. In addition, the city is home to classical music. Not surprisingly, because Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart. You can also find the Salzburg Music Festival in July and August, one of the largest classical music festivals in the world. And
Of course, there are also plenty of breweries. A perfect hideout for a rainy day or to enjoy a cold beer after a long bike ride. Hotel & Villa Auersperg We can recommend them. They have a bike storage facility here that locks down. And not least, a delicious breakfast with fresh bread and good coffee. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from Avelo
Day 2: Emerald-green Hintersee
We start with a gravel tour from the hotel towards the Hintersee. Soon we enter the forests of the Hengstberg (778m). Under the trees we climb up. Then we descend along the river Klausbach towards the Hintersee. The emerald green water of the lake is beautiful. It is so clear that we can look right down to the bottom. The fields full of flowers make it a beautiful sight. Shortly afterwards we arrive in the town of Hintersee. A big lunch awaits us there Hotel Hintersee with asparagus, schnitzels and of course the famous Apfelstrudel.
With new energy, we get back on the bike and head towards Fuschl am See. Here is our next hotel: Triathlon Hotel Jakob. The name itself says that this is a popular place for triathletes. But as a cyclist we are also very happy here, because we dare to leave our bike behind. In the garage we have the most beautiful TT bikes. We can also have our bike serviced here and check the tire pressure. And what do we like to do after a day of cycling? Enjoying a delicious meal at Hotel Ebner’s Waldhof
Am See. The enormous salmon that appears on the table is delicious!
Day 3: Wolfgangsee and Postalm
No one looks weird when we enter the breakfast room in Hotel Jakob wearing sports clothes. Almost everyone sets a good pace here and then goes on to train. We do the same. Today we cycle along a quiet route to the Wolfgangsee and then to the Postalm. Again, a very beautiful route along a river, the Weissenbach. We cycle over ski slopes, past rock walls and waterfalls. The 650 meters of elevation gain over 13 kilometers are definitely worth it! We then have lunch in a cozy ski lodge. After that, we descend along the Aubach river to Golling, a charming village where
We spend the night at the Hotel Golingen. In nearby Kuchl, we dine at the Jadorferwirt. The staff and local guests dress in traditional Austrian attire and the menu features local dishes. An authentic Austrian experience, then!
Day 4: Grossglockner
The last day of our trip is dedicated to the imposing Grossglockner. We start at the station in Bruck-Fusch. From July 2025, you can travel throughout Salzburgerland for free by public transport, including by bike. You only need to show your hotel reservation to do so. And that makes this climb even more accessible.
Climbing the Grossglockner is a challenge: 1753 meters of elevation gain over 21 km with an average gradient of 8.3%. We therefore have to put some effort into it, but the views over the Rotmooskäfer valley and the Grosses Wiesbachhorn are phenomenal! When we think we are almost at the top, it turns out that you can climb even higher to the Edelweissspitze at 2550 meters. Here the landscape changes: riding over a dirt track between walls of snow, we head up, where we
Enjoying breathtaking views. The name Edelweissspitze lives up to its name; even in late spring we are still here in the snow. A layer of extra clothing is therefore very welcome here.
Lovely descent
The descent is also incredibly enjoyable. In about 25 minutes we race down the mountain. The walls of snow make this ride complete and unforgettable. Salzburgerland certainly did not disappoint us. As an adventurous cyclist, you can truly have a great time here. And for lovers of good food, drink, and culture, it’s also a wonderful place to spend time.
Would you like to find out more about cycling in Salzburgerland? Check out the information from the tourism bureau
The gravel routes can also be found here: Gravel routes in Salzburgerland
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.