On arrival in Salzburg make your way to your hotel. After check-in you’re free to explore the city of Mozart. As well as being the great composer’s birthplace, Salzburg has plenty to offer. You shouldn’t miss the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle and Mirabell Palace, but we also highly recommend simply sitting in a traditional café and enjoying a coffee and indulgent pastry whilst absorbing the atmosphere of this lovely old town.

We suggest an early start as there is much to see en route today. Head south along the wide Salzach valley past the salt mining town of Hallein to the village of Golling. Here we recommend investing in the short hike to admire the nearby waterfall. A little further on you may also wish to stop and visit the nearby ice caves that stretch for 40 km below the mountains. The ancient hilltop castle at Werfen is quite a sight and a little further on you’ll stop for the night in either Bischofshofen or St. Johann im Pongau, both bustling little towns with plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants.

Today you continue south along the Salzach valley and the alpine scenery is breathtaking from the first turn of the pedal to that last. Near the village of Alpendorf you may be tempted to make a short detour to visit the Liechtensteinklamm, a deep and narrow gorge through which a wooden walkway has been constructed for safe viewing.

You then pass through some gorgeous little alpine villages, including Bruck which sits at the base of Austria’s highest mountain – the Großglockner (3798m) before arriving in the Zell am See/Kaprun area. The Zeller lake is a truly spectacular setting and the Kitzsteinhoen glacier high above the pretty village of Kaprun is open for skiing all year long! You’ll spend the next two nights in either Zell am See, Kaprun or the village of Piesendorf.

After breakfast you take the train with your bike to Krimml, 50 kms to the west. From the station at Krimml it is a short 3 km ride up to the head of the valley to the Krimml Waterfalls, the highest falls in Europe. Follow the waterfall trail on foot to get incredibly close to the plunging falls. After your visit, set off on your bike back following a lovely bike trail through the lush meadows and pretty alpine villages. It’s mostly level and easy cycling all the way back.

After breakfast you begin your return journey towards Salzburg. This time you will follow the Saalach valley north from Zell am See to the charming little village of Maria Alm. After a pleasant ride along the wide scenic valley you eventually arrive in the picture-perfect village of Lofer surrounded by high granite peaks. If you have any remaining energy take the cable car up to the Loderbichl for some amazing views of the surrounding area.

Your final ride continues to follow the Saalach river which is now quite boisterous with rapids and fast flowing sections that attract daring kayakers. The tranquil Saalach valley provides some serene alpine cycling before you ride through a small corner of Germany. In the Deautsche Eck you will visit Bad Reichenhall, a spa town with a distinct Bavarian flair. A short distance further on you arrive back in Salzburg, the perfect place to toast and celebrate completing your alpine cycling adventure.

After breakfast its time to check-out and head for your home or next adventure.