dossier

Austrian Lakes Cycling

Day 1: Arrive in Mondsee

We meet you at Salzburg airport and take you to your hotel in Mondsee (40min). Time to a soak in the spa whirlpool before dinner.

Day 2: Mondsee to Attersee (25km/16mi )
Pedal past yachts and wooden boathouses this morning on Mondsee’s north shore. Onwards through rolling pasture dotted with country churches, before the triangular white sails scoring the blue surface of Lake Attersee hove into view as you descend to the lake shore. Then heading inland, you pass roadside stalls piled high with bright orange pumpkins, before receiving a warm welcome by Ingrid and Anton at their delightful hotel – an old water mill in an apple orchard.

Day 3: In Attersee
You can follow in the footsteps of Gustav Mahler in Attersee - he composed prolifically here. Enjoy lunch local style - freshly smoked fish are on sale along the lakeshore - and there's a fabulouse swimming pool complex.  then perhaps take a boat ride to the pretty village of Weyregg beneath craggy mountians on the Eastern shore.

Day 4: Attersee to Gmunden (38km/21mi )
You’ll enjoy views of the 1000m high peaks on the East shore of Attersee Lake as you freewheel down to Schorfling, whose castle was painted by Gustav Klimt with its reflection mirrored on the lake surface.  Fields of wheat fringed with poppies and cornflowers pass by before you coast inot Gmunden with its cobbled marketplace and painted buildings.  Dinner on the terrace of the hotel is delightful, with Gmunden's lights shimmering above the surface of Lake Traunsee.

Day 5:  In Gmunden
Ornamental ceramic pottery in the Traunsee area has been a tradition for more than 350 years and the Kammerhof Museum in Gmunden charts its fascinating history.  Or, take a trip on the Gisela - the last coal fired paddle steamer, also used by Archduke Franz Ferdinand.  The cable car to the top of Traunstein (1691m) offers wonderful views at the top, where you are looking down on Gmunden's esplanade and the romantic Seeschloss Orth - "floating" castle on the lake dating from the 17C.

Day 6:  Gmunden to Bad Ischl (19km/11mi)

Today you take the Traunsee boat from the pontoon below the hotel to Ebensee on the south shore. Well worth taking the cable car up to the Feuerkogel Peak for spectacular views. Then back along a beautiful riverside route, criss-crossing the sparkling River Traun, and on through scented pinewoods to Bad Ischl. Perhaps relax in the opera house gardens before returning to the hotel for a swim..

Day 7:  In Bad Ischl

Masses of choice today in and around Bad Ischl: perhaps spend the morning visiting the Kiaser and Lehar Villas, coffee and cakes at the famous Zauner restaurant, then lunch in the Kurpark listening to the quartet. In the afternoon, vist the Imperial Spa then head over to the Ice and Mammoth Caves near the pretty village of Obertraun.

Day 8: Bad Ischl to Strobl (15km/9mi )
Take time to explore the Emperor Franz Josef’s former holiday home, the Kaiservilla, before setting off along the banks of the River Ischl. Sunlight sparkles on the water as you pass tiny shrines hidden in the pines, and pass pretty houses with carnation filled balconies below Leonsberg and Bleckwand peaks. Lakeside Strobl has a popular beachfront for a cooling swim, or perhaps relax on a boat cruise on the beautiful lake.

Day 9: In Strobl
It’s just 50 mins by bus to Salzburg. The city has been described as a Baroque jewel, and its old centre is recognised by UNESCO. Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, drop into the Mozart Museum or go beer tasting at the medieval brewery.

Day 10: Strobl to Mondsee (30km/21mi )
Keeping close to Wolfgangsee’s southern lakeshore, a level cycling track through a tiny nature reserve of meadows and rushes brings you into lovely St Gilgen. Perhaps padlock the bikes and visit Mozart’s Museum, or take the cable car up Zwolferhorn for stunning 360 degree views. In the afternoon coast downhill to Mondsee Lake, passing haystacks and flower filled hamlets, to complete the circuit returning to the hotel in time for an aperitif before dinner.

Day 11:  Return home

We take you to Salzburg for extra nights or to catch your flight home.