Upper Austria Salzkammergut: Mountains. Lakes. Joie de vivre.

Nestled between the rugged cliffs of the Northern Limestone Alps and the gentle hills of the Flysch zone is one of the most varied cycling regions in Austria, the Salzkammergut.

The Salzkammergut is a cycling region that does not assert contrasts, but makes them tangible. Anyone travelling here by bike experiences constant changes: between water and forest, riverside road and forest path, village passage and ascent, expanse and concentration. This is exactly what makes this landscape so special on two wheels. Between salt history, summer retreats, gravel, racing bikes and mountain bikes, the Salzkammergut shows how versatile cycling can be when terrain, culture and space really work together.

Even the paths themselves tell of this

A quiet section by the lake soon turns into a passage through meadows and small villages, then the route picks up, becoming more sporty, more alpine, more challenging. The quality of this region does not lie in its uniform routes, but in its variety: proximity to the water, striking climbs, quiet sections and views that you have to work for time and time again. This can be experienced on all types of bikes.

The R2 Salzkammergut Cycle Trail is a particularly good example of this. At around 345 kilometres, it connects the region's large lakes to form much more than a classic cycle route. Lake Attersee opens up the space for long, flowing stages. Lake Wolfgangsee brings with it the scenic presence for which the Salzkammergut is known. Lake Mondsee is not a quiet observer. It appears open, present and agile - with its striking backdrop of Drachenwand, Schafberg and a shoreline that naturally brings together swimming, water sports and summer vibrancy.

And around Fuschlsee and Dachstein Salzkammergut, the route becomes sportier: less promenade, more independence, more gravel, more rhythm. This is where it becomes clear that the Salzkammergut has long been more than just a lake circuit and summer holiday on two wheels. Gravel and mountain biking are not an addition here, but a logical development. The topography provides the basis for this: forest roads, cross-country routes, mountain huts, long climbs and a landscape that never stays the same for long. In the Dachstein Salzkammergut alone, around 200 kilometres of open forest roads provide around 800 kilometres of tour options for mountain bikers and gravel bikers.

Salzkammergut Trophy, BergeSeen eTrail, Salt & Lake Trail

Events with real substance fit in with this. The Salzkammergut Trophy has been one of the defining names on the scene for years. It is considered the toughest mountain bike marathon in Austria and also one of the biggest MTB events in the Alps, with around 4,000 participants from over 40 nations. There are also gravel formats such as the Salt & Lake Trail, which focus heavily on adventure and experiencing the landscape. If you really want to experience the scale of this region, sooner or later you will end up on the BergeSeen eTrail. 615 kilometres, 14,500 metres in altitude, ten stages: This is not just a loop for in-between, but a journey through the entire Salzkammergut. Lakes, forests, alpine pastures, long climbs and long days do not come together here to form individual motifs, but rather an overall picture.

The E-MTB doesn't just make this vastness easier, it makes it accessible. It expands the radius and thus also the view of the region. Road bikes also have their place here. Between Fuschlsee, Mondsee, Attersee and Bad Ischl lies an area that is particularly impressive on narrow tyres because it combines smooth riding with scenic quality. Riverside roads, quiet side roads, long climbs and fast descents interlock perfectly. And then there is the Postalmstraße - a climb that doesn't count because of its great stories, but because it fulfils exactly what makes a good road bike route: you have to earn it.

The fact that the Salzkammergut is a credible bike region today is not only due to its routes, but also its range. Here, the spectrum ranges from relaxed tours between the lakes to technically challenging offers such as the Feuerkogel Downhill. It is precisely this contrast that characterises the region: water below, glacier above, gravel, forest, alpine pastures and metres in altitude in between. Anyone looking for a sporting challenge will find it here, as well as a dense landscape and cultural depth. Even after the tour, the Salzkammergut remains true to itself. The quality of the region is not only evident on the way, but also at the table - with renowned chefs as well as in inns, mountain huts and lodges, where regionality, enjoyment and craftsmanship set the tone.

Perhaps this is the strength of the Salzkammergut

This region not only impresses with its infrastructure, panoramic views and routes, but also with the depth of its history. The salt, 7000 years of history, the summer resort and the imperial heritage characterise the region to this day. You are not simply travelling through a beautiful landscape. You are travelling through a region with origins, character and history. And at some point you do end up sitting in a restaurant by the water. Your legs are tired, your head is clear, the lake is calm, and the food contains as much of the region as the route before it. This is when you realise what makes the Salzkammergut so special on a bike: it doesn't just deliver cycling. It delivers joie de vivre.

For me, biking is self-care - especially when you can do it with a view like this. - Irina Krenn

Irina Krenn is a bike ambassador and successful multi-sport athlete. She has competed in numerous MTB races across Europe and has made a name for herself in the process. But her heart beats for the Salzkammergut.

Event highlights all about biking

• 26 April 2026 Car-free cycling and adventure day at Lake Attersee: From 9:30 am, a 48-kilometre route around the picturesque lake is open to all cyclists. Lake Attersee at your free disposal.
• 17 - 19 July 2026 Salzkammergut Trophy - a whole weekend dedicated to cycling: MTB and Gravel, Marathon, MTB Scavenger Hunt, Junior Trophy and Bike Fair in the Inner Salzkammergut. salzkammergut-trophy.at
• 10 - 16 August Race Around Austria: 2,200 kilometres from Lake Attersee along the roads close to the Austrian border. Info: racearoundaustria.at
• 26 September 2026 SALT & LAKE Trail: Unsupported Bikepacking Adventure: SALT is an adventure between a race and a leisurely bike tour on gravel, forest paths, farm roads and gravel tracks through the Salzkammergut. Info: saltandlaketrail.at