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R2/R19 Salzkammergut bicycle way

  • culturally interesting
  • Multi-day tour
  • Flatly

 Interactive elevation profile

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Tour-Details

Starting place: 4820 Bad Ischl
Destination: 8952 Irdning

duration: 22h 24m
length: 303,9 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 2.013m
Altitude difference (downhill): 1.791m

Lowest point: 403m
Highest point: 846m
difficulty: easy
condition: easy
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt, Path / trail, Gravel, Street, Hiking trail, Other

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Short description:
The Salzkammergut Cycle Trail is your direct route to the ultimate summer break.

Just like the former Ischlerbahn railway and the imperial carriages of old, it will take you first to Lake Wolfgang and then on to Bad Ischl.



Technique: *


Quality of experience: ******


Recommended season:
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October


Properties:
  • Loop
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical value

Description:
Travelling by bicycle, you have the opportunity to admire crystal-clear lakes and imposing mountain peaks as you follow the route taken by the imperial family. Surround yourself with history, majestic landscapes and picturesque views on this leisurely tour through the states of Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, and enjoy the same impressive scenery that captivated artists like Gustav Klimt.

Directions:
320 picture-perfect kilometres through the federal states of Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria.

At whatever point cyclists join the circular route, they will instantly find themselves in the midst of some of the most stunning scenery in the Alpine region. And that’s not all – this journey in the footsteps of the Habsburg monarchy can be added to or shortened at any time thanks to boat and rail connections and intersections with other routes.


Anyone saddling up in front of Mozart’s Birthplace in the city of Salzburg is sure to have one objective in mind: to pedal along to the master’s melodies all the way to Lake Wolfgang or follow the rattling rhythm of the former Ischlerbahn railway. Today, most of this section of the route still runs along this now peaceful line, which once led from Salzburg to Bad Ischl.


Lake Wolfgang is the gateway to the landscape that makes this route so special with its 70-plus crystal-clear lakes and an array of mountain peaks, many of which are easily accessible. At this point, cyclists can decide whether they want to hop aboard one of the ferries, such as the one to St Wolfgang, or make a rapid ascent of the Zwölferhorn or Schafberg peaks by cable car or mountain railway. Stopping for a bite to eat at the Weiße Rössl, or White Horse Inn, is like travelling back in time to the middle of an operetta, and a trip up into the mountains works wonders when you want to take a break from it all. Bad Ischl – European Capital of Culture 2024 – is a connecting point in more ways than one. This is where all the threads of Empress Elisabeth’s passion for embarking on summer retreats come together, evidence of which can still be seen today in her former teahouse or in the Kaiservilla. Here, cyclists can take a refreshing deep breath on the banks of the River Traun – a moment arguably best enjoyed with a sweet pastry from Konditorei Zauner, a former Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court. From Bad Ischl, the route leads to the Styrian Salzkammergut, the home of regional folk costume and – from a culinary point of view – the char.


It goes without saying that the onward journey to Trautenfels in the Enns Valley, which heads into more alpine terrain, is an extremely rewarding one. En route lie the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt, where the oldest salt mine in the world can be found; giant ice caves in the Dachstein massif; Bad Aussee, over the border into Styria and close to the mystical waters of Lake Altaussee and Lake Grundlsee; and not to forget Kulm ski flying hill.


Alternatively, if visitors opt for the shorter option on departing Bad Ischl, they can board the world’s oldest coal-fired paddle steamer at Gmunden and take a relaxing trip on Lake Traunsee. Now the route turns westwards towards the turquoise waters of Lake Attersee for an opportunity to enjoy a drink at one of the fabulous beach bars or a quick dip before heading in the direction of Unterach and Mondsee. Enjoy one of the wonderful beach bars here or a dip in the water on the way to Unterach and the Mondsee. From Mondsee, take side roads and bike paths to Irrsee and on to the Salzburg Lake District, which includes Wallersee, Mattsee and Obertrumer See. Before heading back to Salzburg, be sure to visit the new BioArt Campus in Seeham.



Tip:
Numerous excursion and complementary options make the bike path network around the Salzkammergut Cycle Path one of the most beautiful cycling regions in the Alpine region.

Several bike hubs also allow shorter round trips. Using the alternatives by train and boat, the bike path is also suitable for families, especially the routes Salzburg-Mondsee, along the Wolfgangsee and along the Traun.



Safety guidelines:

  • The level of difficulty is categorised between easy and intermediate.

  • The route mainly follows cycling paths and low-traffic secondary roads. For sections along state highways, there are boat and train alternatives (Lake Hallstatt, Lake Traun, Lake Wolfgang, Lake Attersee).

  • There is signage in both directions within the framework of the state cycling path network (R2 in Upper Austria, R19 in Styria).



Equipment:
Modern trekking bikes or mountain bikes are ideal. Racing bikes are not recommended.

Punctures can happen: a basic equipment of tools and accessories never hurts!



  • Tire repair kit

  • Multitool

  • Spare tube, air pump, tire levers

  • First aid kit



Additional information:
Salzkammergut Tourism

+43 6132 26909


www.salzkammergut.at 


In July and August, the towns on the Salzkammergut lakes are in high season, which limits availability for one-night accommodations. In July and August, it is recommended to make reservations by the day in advance - the local tourism associations will be happy to help you find them.


www.salzkammergutradweg.com 

Starting point: Bad Ischl
Destination: Stainach-Irdning/Trautenfels

further information:
  • Multi-day tour
  • Flatly
  • Board possible

Accessibility / arrival

Getting there
Detailed information on how to get there can be found here

Public Transit
Ideally accessible for arrivals by train:

Attnang-Puchheim (from Vienna and Munich) or Stainach-Irdning and Bad Ischl (from Graz and Schladming)


www.oebb.at 



Parking
Around the stations Stainach-Irdning, Salzburg and Attnang-Puchheim there are sufficient parking facilities everywhere. 
Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
Most economical season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn

Please get in touch for more information.


R2/R19 Salzkammergut bicycle way
Salzkammergut Tourismus-Marketing GmbH
Salinenplatz 1
4820 Bad Ischl

Phone +43 6132 269090
E-Mail info@salzkammergut.at
Web www.salzkammergut.at
https://www.salzkammergut.at

Vis-à-vis users

1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.

 

The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.

 

The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.

 

We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.

 

Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.

 

The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.

 

2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.

 

The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.

 

The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.

 

3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.

 

We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.

 

4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:

 

Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.

 

a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.

b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.

c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).

It is obligatory to provide first aid!

d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!

Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.

e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.

f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.

g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!

h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!

i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.

 

5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at.

 

Vis-à-vis bloggers

PLEASE OBSERVE:

1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.

We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.

By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.

 

2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:

• Starting point

• Detailed route description

• Distance/Overall distance 

• Level of difficulty

• Dangerous spots

• Average duration of trip

• Change in altitude

• Finishing point.

If possible, please provide the change in altitude.

 

3.When you post a tour recommendation, you give us the order to save your tour recommendation and/or the details you provide on our website and to make it/them accessible to third parties, in particular to users of this website, in the long term. We reserve the right to block or delete tour recommendations and/or other details and/or information that you post, either partially or entirely, at any time without providing a justification. Should this occur, it grants you no rights whatsoever.

Thank you for your efforts!

 

4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at. The websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at.

 Interactive elevation profile

Download GPS data
Create PDF

Tour-Details

Starting place: 4820 Bad Ischl
Destination: 8952 Irdning

duration: 22h 24m
length: 303,9 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 2.013m
Altitude difference (downhill): 1.791m

Lowest point: 403m
Highest point: 846m
difficulty: easy
condition: easy
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt, Path / trail, Gravel, Street, Hiking trail, Other

powered by TOURDATA | Suggest a change