There is even a shuttle bus for the less sporty. On the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park against a magnificent mountain backdrop, the route continues along the Salzach towards the Inn. Worthwhile stops await along the route, such as the Werfener Eisriesenwelt, Hohenwerfen Castle and the Gollinger waterfall.
The Mozart city of Salzburg is worth at least a full day's stop. The Tauern cycle path then leads through the tranquil Salzach and Inn floodplains. On their banks lie the old market town of Oberndorf, the Gothic-inspired Braunau, the thousand-year-old Obernberg, the Augustinian monastery of Reichersberg, the Baroque town of Schärding, Wernstein Castle and finally the three-river city of Passau.
Character:
From Krimml, the route is mostly slightly downhill. There are only slight ascents. Around 70 per cent of the cycle route is asphalted. 90 per cent is on cycle paths or low-traffic side roads. The cycle path is well signposted in both directions with green signs with white lettering. The variant through the Saalachtal valley is particularly suitable for families with children aged ten and over.
Route:
Krimml - Mittersill - St. Johann im Pongau - Bischofshofen - Werfen - Hallein - Salzburg - Oberndorf - St. Georgen - Burghausen - Braunau - Schärding - Passau
Recommended in 6-7 day stages.
Best time to travel:
June to September
Journey:
By train via Munich and Salzburg to Krimml, or from Munich and Salzburg by bike taxi with Touristik Partner Oberkofler, http://www.taxi-oberkofler.at to Krimml.
Cycling hotline of the railway on 01805/99 66 33 (14 ct/min. from landlines, max. 42 ct/min. for mobile phones).
Bike service:
Bike hire (including e-bikes) and repair facilities can be found in all the larger towns along the route.
Cycling hotels:
e.g. Werfenerhof in Werfen, http://www.werfenerhof.at
The small Salzburg National Park Hotel in Uttendorf, http://www.salzburger-hotel.at
Further addresses for cycle-friendly hosts can be found at http://www.tauernradweg.com
Organiser:
Cycling holiday offers e.g. from Austria Radreisen, Eurobike, Pedalo, Oberösterreich Touristik and Rad & Reisen.
Maps/literature:
bikeline cycle tour book and map 1:50,000 "Tauern-Radweg", 140 p., 12.90 euros.
Information (general):
Salzburgerland Tourismus, Wiener Bundesstraße 23, A-5300 Hallwang, Tel. 0043-662/6688-44, http://www.salzburgerland.com
Upper Austria Tourism, Freistädter Straße 119, A-4041 Linz, Tel. 0043-732/221022, http://www.oberoesterreich.at
