Tauern Bike Path (Salzburg-Salzburg)

4.6/5 (16)
7 nights
29 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 949
Bike tour in Austria
Rider Level: Active Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths Family-friendly bike tours

Tauern Bike Path (Salzburg-Salzburg)

4.6/5 (16)

Rider Level: Active Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths Family-friendly bike tours

7 nights
29 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 949
Bike tour in Austria

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • Tauern Bike Path

    This route is named after a breathtaking mountain range, but you don't have to worry! You cycle through the valleys along the rivers "Salzach" and "Saalach." The trail is mostly flat, but, nevertheless, you should have some basic condition.

    We have chosen Salzburg as an ideal starting and ending point for your trip. The city of Mozart is culturally rich and can easily be reached by train or plane. Every day you will see many scenic highlights of landscape and culture, like the snow-covered mountains with a height of 3,000 meters and the largest waterfall in Europe. You will be impressed by this magical landscape. Your cultural expectations will absolutely be satisfied. The magnificent and breathtaking bike trip will make you forget the routine of your everyday life.

    • Zell am See, Salzburg, Austria. CC:BestZeller
    • Salzburg, Austria. Dimitry Anikin@Unsplash
    • Biking beautiful Salzburg!
    • Birthplace of Mozart in Salzburg, Austria. Reiseuhu@Unsplash
    • Tauern Bike Path cycling in Austria!
    • Zell Am See, Salzburg, Austria. Daniel Frank@Unsplash
    • Salzach River in Salzburg, Austria. Alex Hufnagl@Unsplash
    • Salzburger Stiegl Beer. Jeff Keyzer@Flickr

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • One of Europe's most popular touring routes
    • The highest waterfalls of Europe in Krimml
    • Bike tour along the foothills of majestic mountains and the rivers Salzach and Saalach
    • The most scenic regions of Salzburg province
    • Easy cycling through beautiful landscapes and untouched nature
    • Two nights in Mozart's birth place Salzburg
    • Numerous cultural sights and monuments

    Learn More

    Learn more about self-guided tours.

  • Traveler photos

    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
    • Photo 1 (photo by Fletch)
    • Photo 2 (photo by Fletch)
    • Photo 3 (photo by Fletch)
    • Photo 4 (photo by Fletch)
    • Photo 5 (photo by Fletch)
    • Salzburg, bike trail along this river (photo by Rich and Alesa)
    • Typical day on the trail with green everywhere (photo by Rich and Alesa)
    • Waterfall at the top of the trip (photo by Rich and Alesa)
    • Photo 4 (photo by Rich and Alesa)
    • And the longest day is mostly downhill!  The train took us up to the top. (photo by Rich and Alesa)
    • Typical scene along Tauren path (photo by Fishchico)
    • Augustiner brewpub and beer garden in Salzburg (photo by Fishchico)
    • Along the path (photo by Fishchico)
  • Daily program

    Day 1: Arrival
    Individual arrival in Salzburg – the culturally rich city of Mozart. Take enough time for a stroll through the old part of the city and visit the Mozart's Birthplace. Your bikes are available at the hotel.

    Day 2: Salzburg – Golling an der Salzach (22 miles/35 km)
    Follow the course of the river Salzach. Soon you will reach Hallein. There you can visit the salt mines, which haven't been in use since 1989. The romantic "Bluntautal" is worth a visit, too. At today's destination, Golling, you should allow plenty of time to visit the remarkable waterfall.
    Overnight in Golling

    Day 3: Golling – St. Johann im Pongau (22 miles/35 km)
    Today you cycle first to Werfen. There you will see the castle "Hohenwerfen." The well-known ice caves are worth a visit. In Bischofshofen you can admire the ski jump, where every year the final of the Four Hills Tournament is held. In St. Johann you will see the well-known "Lichtensteinklamm," a huge spectacle with 50m high waterfall at the end of the gorge.
    Overnight in St. Johann im Pongau

    Day 4: St. Johann im Pongau – Kaprun(31 miles/50 km)
    You will soon reach Bruck and the entrance to the ´Großglocknerstraße´ (High Alpine Road). From the beginning of July there are buses to the 3,797 m high Großglockner, Austria´s highest mountain, which stops at ´Franz-Josephs-Höhe´. The sportive bikers have the opportunity to cycle around Lake Zeller (Zeller See) and the cozy cyclists can use it as a refreshing dip. You just have to ride a short distance and then you will have reached Kaprun, the today´s destination. There you have excellent bus connections to the high mountain reservoirs.
    Overnight in Kaprun

    Day 5: Kaprun – Krimml – Kaprun (37 miles/60km + train ride/bus shuttle)
    After breakfast take the ´Pinzgaubahn´ to Krimml and visit the largest waterfalls in Europe. On a well-designed trail you can admire this natural spectacle. While cycling through the ´Nationalpark Hohe Tauern´ and the so-called ´Oberpinzgau´, you will see the snow-capped 3,000 m high mountains all the time.
    Note: The ´Pinzgaubahn´ was severely damaged in a storm in 2021. The repair is not yet complete. At this point in time, the work is likely to continue into 2024. In this case there is a rail replacement service or a bus shuttle as a replacement.
    Overnight in Kaprun

    Day 6: Kaprun – Lofer (34 miles/55 km)
    Very quickly you will be back at Lake Zeller where you can take again a relaxing bath. After cycling through ´Maria Alm´ with its famous pilgrimage church you will reach Saalfelden, where you can enjoy your lunch break. Other highlights on your way to Lofer are the ´Seisenbergklamm´ and ´Lamprechtshöhle´ near Weißbach.
    Overnight in Lofer

    Day 7: Lofer – Salzburg (31 miles/50 km)
    On your last day you will cycle through the quiet "Saalachtal" back to Salzburg. The Bavarian Bad Reichenhall in the small German Angle will enchant you with a Bavarian flair. After cycling a short distance you will have reached Salzburg, the starting point of your tour, again. In the evening you can enjoy a culinary dinner and review the impressions and experiences you had on your bike trip.
    Overnight in Salzburg

    Day 8: Departure
    Departure from Salzburg.

    Surface and terrain

    The bicycle route runs mostly flat along the banks of the rivers Salzach and Inn and consistently through flat to a maximum of undulating terrain with a total decline and a difference in altitude of 700 at the distance Krimml - Passau (320 km).

    The tour route is mainly on dedicated bicycle paths (about 80% of the time). Parts of the tour are on quiet roads and dirt or gravel roads. Occasionally, you will cycle on more traveled routes or manage unpaved paths, but generally, you will have no problems with the terrain.


    Stories


    Hotels

    These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

    Deluxe: 4-star superior accommodations

    Hotel & Villa Auersperg, Salzburg (4-star)
    www.auersperg.at
    or
    Hotel Villa Carlton, Salzburg (4-star)
    villa-carlton.at

    Genießerhotel Döllerer, Golling (4-star)
    www.doellerer.at

    Hotel Brückenwirt, St. Johann im Pongau (4-star, deluxe room)
    www.hotel-brueckenwirt.at

    Alpen-Wellnesshotel Barbarahof, Kaprun (4-star superior)
    www.hotel-barbarahof.at

    Hotel-Gasthof Bad Hochmoos, Lofer (3-star, Junior Suite )
    www.hochmoos.at
    or
    Hotel Das Bräu, Lofer (4-star)
    www.dersteinerwirt.at


    Category A: 3 and 4-star accommodations

    ARCOTEL Hotel Castellan, Salzburg (4-star)
    castellani.arcotel.com
    or
    Austria Trend Hotel Europa, Salzburg (4-star)
    www.austria-trend.at
    or
    Hotel Goldenes Theater, Salzburg (4-star)
    goldenes-theaterhotel-salzburg.de

    Hotel Hauslwirt, Golling (3-star)
    www.hauslwirt.at
    or
    Hotel-Pension Golingen, Golling (3-star)
    www.golingen.at

    Hotel Brückenwirt, St Johann (4-star)
    www.hotel-brueckenwirt.at

    Hotel Tauernhof, Kaprun (4-star)
    www.tauernhof-kaprun.at
    or
    Hotel Sonnblick, Kaprun (4-star)
    www.hotel-sonnblick.at

    Gasthof Bad Hochmoos, Lofer (3-star, junior suite room)
    www.hochmoos.at
    or
    Hotel Dankl, Lofer (3-star)
    www.cafedankl.at

    Note: Where visitor's taxes are due, these are not included in the tour cost.

    Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.


    How to get there

    Tour start and end
    Nearest airport and train station: Salzburg (SZG), Innsbruck or Munich

    After flying to a nearby airport, travel by car or train to Salzburg.

    Tips on getting to and from your tour


    Tauern Bike Path

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    Daily: Apr 27-Oct 05, 2024 (minimum 2 persons)

    Season 1: Apr 27, 2024 - May 02, 2024, Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024

    Season 2: May 03, 2024 - May 23, 2024, Sep 09, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024

    Season 3: May 24, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024

    Prices

    Tour package

    Per person, double occupancy Season 1 Season 2 Season 3
    Deluxe (4-star) €1349 €1449 €1549
    Cat A (3 and 4-star) €949 €1079 €1139
    Single use room (1 person/1 room)
    Deluxe (4-star) €1988 €2088 €2188
    Cat A (3 and 4-star) €1248 €1378 €1438

    Bike Rentals

    Standard touring bike, 7/21-speed unisex frame €99
    Standard touring bike, 7/21-speed men's frame €99
    Standard touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade €169
    Electrically assisted bike €259

    Additional Options

    Deluxe Cat A
    Dinner package €329 €259

    Extra Nights, Salzburg

    Deluxe Cat A
    Per person, double occupancy €179 €109
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €319 €165

    Extra Nights, Kaprun

    Deluxe Cat A
    Per person, double occupancy €159 €109
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €239 €139

    Discounts

    Child, ages 0-5 sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults (on base tour price) 100%
    Child, ages 6-11 sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults (on base tour price) 50%
    Child, ages 12-14 sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults (on base tour price) 25%
    Child, ages 15-17 sharing a room with 2 full-paying adults (on base tour price) 10%

    Included services

    • 7 nights lodging
    • Daily breakfast buffet
    • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (No limit in pieces of luggage; each piece with a maximum of 20 kg)
    • Route description with card material and GPS-Tracks (1 package each room)
    • 7-day service hotline
    • Well planned route
    • Ticket for train ´Pinzgaubahn´ from Kaprun to Krimml, incl. bike (The ´Pinzgaubahn´ was damaged by a storm in 2021; the repair work will probably not be completed in 2024 either; in this case there will be a rail replacement service or a bus shuttle as a replacement.
    • Zell am See-Kaprun summer card (Includes numerous attractions, excursions & experiences in the area)
    • Rental bike insurance
    • If half-board is booked: 7 x 3-course dinner (Partly with voucher in a close-by restaurant in walking distance)

    Note: where due, visitor's taxes are not included in the tour cost.


    Bike rentals

    Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:

    • Standard touring bike, 7/21-speed, unisex
    • Standard touring bike, 7/21-speed, men's frames, crossbar
    • Standard touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade
    • Electrically assisted bike, Pedelec, unisex*
    • Tandem bikes are available (upon request only)

    *More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

    • Saddlebag (water-repellent), rear
    • Handlebar bag (water-repellent), with clear cover on top for easy map viewing
    • Tools
    • Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
    • Pump
    • Combination lock

    Pedals:
    The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. Toe cages are not available to rent.

    Seats:
    If you plan to bring your own seat, please make sure it will be compatible with a 27.2 to 31.4 mm seat post. If necessary, you may also need to bring your own adapter. The tour company will assist in switching the seat post for you.

    Helmets:
    Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. You can buy a helmet (not rent) from the tour company for €49. It will be a high quality, brand new helmet. You must let us know your helmet preference upon booking. If you do not buy a helmet through the tour company, we recommend you bring your own.

    Specifications on standardntouring bikes

    • Modern, high-resistant aluminum frame
    • V-brakes
    • Aluminium-rims
    • Reliable tires, which ensure high duration
    • Shimano Alivio derailleur on 21-speed
    • Selle Royal Saddles

    *Posture for 21-speed standard bikes will be upright for comfort

    Upgraded components on 27-speed standard bikes

    • Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
    • Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
    • High-quality Suntour suspension fork

    *Posture for 27-speed upgraded standard bikes will be upright and forward


    Tour Company


    Tauern Bike Path

     Daily program Route Map 

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.


    Tauern Bike Path

     Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

    • Stacey Davey 6 months ago

      Beautiful countryside and charming hotels

      I thoroughly enjoyed the villages and sights along our six day Tauren/Salzburg self-guided trip. The countryside was breathtaking, our hotels were charming and our hotel bookings and luggage transfers were seamless. The route also took great advantage of the amazing bike routes and on our 300 kM journey, I think only 10 or 15 kM was on a major highway. The trip was considered “moderate” and involved some climbs on the first few days of our trip—particularly if you wanted to visit some of the suggested sights along the way. The one detracting factor to our experience was the quality of the bikes. They were extremely heavy and cumbersome and did not help with navigating some of the hillier terrain. The bells and the odometers (essential for way finding) did not work properly on the two women’s bikes. The vast majority of the people we came across were on e-bikes and while the route was doable on what I would consider steel townies, it limited some of the sights we visited as after we climbed the almost 4 kM hill to visit the salt mine, we started considering elevation gains before deciding which sights to take in. However, I will say that the seats were comfortable! All in all, I enjoyed the trip and would definitely recommend it to others.

    • Robin Walton 8 months ago

      Most scenic bike tour

      This was our 4th European bike tour and definitely the most scenic! The ride was a little more hilly than mentioned in the website, but fortunately I had an e-bike which made it no problem. My husband did not have an e bike and had no problem.
      Each day was a very different route and made it exciting for what the next day would be. Beautiful Alps, waterfalls, villages with so much charm. We opted to upgrade to the deluxe tour and was well worth the money. Wish we would have stayed an extra day in Kaprun as there was much to see there. Would definitely recommend this tour.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • DORIT AVIELI 9 months ago

      Beautiful area

      We disappointed from the bikes, very heavy, not comfortable not properly handling .
      Hotel das berau was a shame to your company!
      All other details were taken care of perfectly

    • DORIT AVIELI 9 months ago

      Beautiful area

      We disappointed from the bikes, very heavy, not comfortable not properly handling .
      Hotel das berau was a shame to your company!
      All other details were taken care of perfectly

    • gerald murphy 9 months ago

      Tauren bike path

      The ride through this part of Austria was great - the snow capped mountains, green countryside and friendly people made for a great cycling adventure - the only disappointing aspect was the poor detailing in the maps that were provided.

    • Christopher McAdam 10 months ago

      Fantastic Ride

      Loved the hotels loved the ride, loved the all day everyday view. We really like seeing and going through the little alpine towns.

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      6th
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Adam Pernsteiner November 8, 2022

      A Great Scenic Bike Trip with a Lot of Interesting Side Excursions Along the Way

      The Tauern Bike Path in and out of Salzburg, Austria was my 5th bicycle trip in Europe and once of the most scenic and beautiful bicycle tours I have experienced. The bicycle route itself is usually a paved path and primarily follows along river valleys, so the difficulty is easy to moderate and very manageable for a recreational rider like myself. I only walked my bike on a few short climbs and my 18-year old son had no issues with the difficulty. Navigation-wise, the tour company materials were fine and the route is well-marked, although I would recommend keeping a backup navigation aid or two in the form of google maps and perhaps a cycling map app. I was impressed by the high percentage of local Austrians cyclists who were using e-bikes along the path. So, if you are considering an e-bike but wondering if you would stand out - no worries, you will blend right in with the locals!
      The thing that probably sets this tour apart from others in my mind is the impressive number interesting side adventures that you can have along the way - right next to the bicycle path. For us, these included medieval castles and falconry shows, hiking, waterfalls, mountaintop tram rides, and underground cave hiking - and we probably still missed a couple of other excursions we could have done along the way. Some of these are free and most do not cost more than the price of a tram ride.
      As far as food and accommodations, they were excellent. I did the upgraded lodging option because I have back issues and I was thoroughly impressed. I would note that some the spa and health facilities at the properties are world class. The included breakfasts are great and we had no trouble finding restaurants with great food and drinks.
      Overall, I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a scenic ride through Austria without too much difficulty, especially if you want to be able to hope off your bike once and a while and do a few side hikes and other adventures.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      •  (photo by Adam Pernsteiner)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • LeePDX August 20, 2019

      Awesome Family Bike Trip

      Great vacation and memories to last a lifetime. The Tauern Bike Path is great, relatively flat and incredibly beautiful at every turn. Lots of great excursions within relatively easy bike or bus connection to route, including Ice Caves, Caverns, Salt Mines, Waterfalls, Trams, Lakes... Awesome.

      What was the date of your tour?
      8/6-8/12
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Harry August 1, 2019

      Satisfied repeat customer

      This is the third trip that I've done with Greenways and I remain very pleased with the impeccable organization, the thoughtfully planned routes, the helpfully redundant cycling instructions and the very engaging and pleasant territory. I combined the Salzburg to Prague trip with a Salzburg to Salzburg loop around Berctesgaden, and so my overall experience combined spectacular Alpine scenery with miles of classic Bohemian rolling wheat fields punctuated with forest and woodlot. There was a lot in this trip that exceeded my expectations, and virtually nothing that merits any harsh criticism. Getting over the hills north of Linz was a pretty good workout for an old guy!

      As a solo traveler, I didn't have any meals included in the package, and that worked out just fine. The Salzburg loop was all on well-marked bike path, so direction-finding was all but bulletproof. The 'Heart of Europe' trip has some very detailed instructions and a GPS, and almost never presented any confusion. Having Google Maps on a phone helped to disambiguate a few times. There were some good suggestions for things to see, though I didn't always have time to stop and see them. Perhaps the tour deserves a repeat!

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 15-25
      How many tours have you completed?
      many, both package and self-created
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Fletch June 6, 2019

      Fabulous scenery!

      We chose this tour because it stayed in the vicinity of the alps but was in the river valleys. The scenery did not disappoint. It was glorious when we had clear skies. We had some rain and snow when up on the mountains but even then the villages and farmland were wonderful. We spent extra days in Salzburg before the tour and spent an extra day in Zell am See in the middle of the tour. We were so glad we had those extra days because there was so much to see and do. We went up to the ice cave, up to the Krimml waterfall, and up to Kitzsteinhorn and had snow in all three places. It was like a winter wonderland. For the five of us from Florida, it was great.

      The hotels were all good and provided great breakfasts. The luggage transfer went off without a hitch. Our bags were always at the hotels when we got there.

      After a few days self supported from Passau to Salzburg we decided to upgrade to ebikes for this tour to make the climbs more manageable and to make it more likely that we would take side trips to see additional things along the way. We are really glad that the tour company was able to accommodate this last minute request. They were very helpful.

      We found that the signs for the Tauern radweg changed part way through the ride. This is something to watch out for. We made a couple wrong turns but learned to keep our eyes peeled for signs.

      It was a wonderful trip!

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 10, 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      Several
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Photo 1 (photo by Fletch)
      • Photo 2 (photo by Fletch)
      • Photo 3 (photo by Fletch)
      • Photo 4 (photo by Fletch)
      • Photo 5 (photo by Fletch)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Julane January 1, 2019

      Scenic Adventures!

      This tour was one of our all-time favorites for its scenic beauty, unique adventures (salt mine, falconry demonstration, ice cave), charming hotels and quaint small towns. We spent two extra nights in Salzburg before the start of the tour to take advantage of all that the city offered as well as to test our bikes on two separate loop rides. At the end of this tour we did another week-long tour (Salzburg to Vienna, Lakes Option) to see a different but equally beautiful region of Austria.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 21-27, 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      30+
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Rich and Alesa September 15, 2018

      Wonderful trip among the Alps

      This is our fourth self-guided bike trip with Bike Tours (Tuscany/Umbria, Romania, Greece, and now Austria from/to Salzburg). It is the new benchmark.

      The bike trails were glorious and often in the country and along the rivers, usually
      paved. The hotels (except for the last one near Salzburg) were excellent. The bike equipment was first class and very appropriate for the bike trails and occassional gravel.

      We are in our late sixties, so having so much of the trip on bike trails was special. The countryside was green and when we saw the Alps after some cloudy days, it was awe-inspiring.

      This is a special trip.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 2 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Salzburg, bike trail along this river (photo by Rich and Alesa)
      • Typical day on the trail with green everywhere (photo by Rich and Alesa)
      • Waterfall at the top of the trip (photo by Rich and Alesa)
      • Photo 4 (photo by Rich and Alesa)
      • And the longest day is mostly downhill!  The train took us up to the top. (photo by Rich and Alesa)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Fishchico August 18, 2017

      Spectacular Tauren bike route

      This was an amazingly beautiful route through small villages, stunning granite mountains and wildflower meadows everywhere. Not to be missed were Krimmel Falls with vintage train ride and the Werfen Ice Cave. Signage was good, we only missed one directional marker but remembering that "the adventure begins when the plan fails" kept us in good cheer! Meeting locals when inquiring for directions is sometimes the best part.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 21 - June 29, 2017
      How many tours have you completed?
      9
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Typical scene along Tauren path (photo by Fishchico)
      • Augustiner brewpub and beer garden in Salzburg (photo by Fishchico)
      • Along the path (photo by Fishchico)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • paula12 September 19, 2016

      I Would Go Back Tomorrow...

      I've been to Europe a dozen times, but seeing the Salzburg
      area by bike was the best trip yet. Such beautiful scenery.
      Loved the e-bike!

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 12-19
      How many tours have you completed?
      no others
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • diane g September 18, 2016

      Salzburg to Salzburg has fantastic scenery but directions provided are unbelievably poorly developed

      Salzburg to Salzburg over 6 days is higher than a level 2. The terrain is hilly. I do not recommend this self guided tour because the german-speaking outfits they contract with provide totally inadequate self-guiding instructions. They do not know what a cue sheet is. They do not provide any directions as to north, south, east, west; they do not provide any street names. AND, the directions in English are very obviously translated very poorly from the German. In addition, there is no way to find your hotel once off the bike path. You have to depend upon good route finding skills for this hotel finding as well as the entire trip. We had this same experience with bike tours.com 7 years ago and thought they might have gotten better at directions. We gave bike tours feedback at that time, and our friends gave feedback on their german-speaking directions on their self-guided tour, and nothing changed. Hence I am writing this review without making a customer complaint becaue I do not believe bike tours will fix this problem. AND, THIS TOUR REQUIRES ONE TO CONSULT 3 SETS OF INSTRUCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. 2 sets of friends had exactly the same experience. 2 stars are for getting our luggage to each hotel before we arrived; and the hotels were gracious and accommodating.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson September 19, 2016

        This is a tour with one of our most popular operators—we send hundreds of clients with them each year—and they get routinely positive reviews. The Tauern Bike Path is also one of our more popular and long-standing tours.However, this is a new routing of a long-standing tour (that had also received good reviews), and it’s obvious they cut some corners on the directions and tour materials. We apologize for this.

        I’ve actually ridden the Tauern Bike Path three times since its opening about 20 years ago. In fact, my first tour on it was before I started BikeTours.com, and it was part of my inspiration for starting the company. So it saddens me when anyone has a negative experience on it.

        We also apologize for the level of difficulty, which should have been a level 3. In its previous form (the tour actually went mostly in the opposite direction), the tour was a level 2.

      • 3/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 1/5 Ease of navigation
      • 1/5 Tour documents
      • 1/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • Cramaz September 11, 2016

      The Great Tour of Salzburg

      This ride took us through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. While there were a couple of difficult hills, the majority of the ride was quite manageable and structured so that there was plenty of time to sightsee on the way and at each destination. The towns we stayed in all had something a little different to offer and all had plenty of good places to eat and relax. As a self-guided tour, this would be hard to beat. The Tauern bike path is a great way to see this part of Austria.

      What was the date of your tour?
      28th August to 5th September 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection

    Tauern Bike Path

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