Zell am See Alpine Cycling Tour

Day 1: Schüttdorf/Zell am See
You arrive independently in Schüttdorf, on the shore of Lake Zell. Stretch your legs with a 30-minute walk along the water into the centre of Zell am See. Its restaurants and small shops make it an easy place for a first dinner.

Days 2–5: Day rides from Schüttdorf/Zell am See
For the next four days you choose from the route suggestions below and always return to the same hotel. The Zell am See Summer Card and the Guest Mobility Card are included, so many cable cars, attractions and all public transport in Salzburg province (without bike) are free during your stay.

Option: Zell am See – Krimml – Zell am See (approx. 63 km)
The day starts with a ride on the Pinzgau narrow-gauge railway, with your bike, to Mittersill. From there you visit the Krimml Waterfalls (entrance included) and feel the spray and thunder of the falling water. You then cycle back along the Tauern Cycle Path to Mittersill, with views of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Kitzbühel Alps. The National Park Worlds exhibition (included) presents the alpine world around the Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak. You return to Zell am See by train.

Option: Zell am See – Saalfelden – Maria Alm – Zell am See (approx. 45 km)
You ride to the northern shore of Lake Zell and through the village of Maishofen, where Schloss Kammer appears from afar. The route continues to Maria Alm, where you can climb the highest church tower in Salzburg province. In Saalfelden you pick up an included packed lunch with regional specialities from a local deli. History lovers can visit the Ritzen Castle museum (included) on the small Lake Ritzensee before you return via Maishofen.

Option: Zell am See – St. Johann im Pongau (approx. 45 km, return by train, Day 3 only)
Apart from a short stretch on the main road, you follow the Tauern Cycle Path through hilly farmland and meadows. After a short climb you reach Taxenbach and the Kitzlochklamm gorge (included). A guided walk leads over footbridges and through 16th-century tunnels to the roaring Rauriser Ache waterfall. You then follow the Salzach river to St. Johann im Pongau and take the train back, with your bike ticket included.

Option: Lake Zell loop + Kaprun (approx. 30 km)
You cycle around Lake Zell, starting on the promenade of the northern shore. A short detour leads to Schloss Prielau and its chapel from 1730. Break up the ride with mini-golf, beach volleyball or a swim, or cross the lake by boat (included) if your legs feel tired. The Kitzsteinhorn ascent is included: at the Gipfelwelt 3000 you stand on the TOP OF SALZBURG panorama platform, join a guided tour of the exhibition and ride the glacier train back down. Tip: go up in the morning and cycle in the afternoon.

Option: Zell am See – Hinterglemm – Zell am See (approx. 52 km)
You climb gently along the Glemmtal cycle path towards Saalbach, with rocky slopes rising beside you. Following the river Saalach, you reach Hinterglemm, host of the 1991 Alpine World Ski Championships, and its baroque parish church. Stronger riders can continue past Kolling to Lengau, where a small train (not included) runs up to the Lindlingalm with a Kneipp pool, adventure playground and tree-top trail.

Option: Rest day – Hike on the Schmittenhöhe Panorama Promenade
Leave the bike at the hotel today. You take the bus to the Schmittenhöhe valley station with your mobility card, then ride the Sonnenalm and Sonnkogel cable cars (included). A gentle walk along the Panorama Promenade from the Sonnkogel leads to the Schmittenhöhe summit, with fresh mountain air and wide views over some 30 peaks above 3,000 m.

Option: Zell am See – Fusch valley – Zell am See (approx. 30 km)
You ride via Bruck to Fusch on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, surrounded by three-thousanders such as the Brennkogel, Hoher Tenn and Schwarzkopf. In Fusch, the Mühlauer Säge museum (included) tells the story of timber from seed to finished product. If you still have energy, continue uphill to Ferleiten and the Käfertal valley (+7 km, 340 m climb). The Ferleiten Wildlife Park (included) shows animals of the Hohe Tauern that are rarely seen in the wild.

Day 6: Schüttdorf/Zell am See
Individual departure, or stay a few extra nights by the lake.