Alpine idyll and river romance - the Tauern cycle path

Bike Touring Collection by Kristof

3-6

days

3-6 h

/ day

201 mi

5,475 ft

7,975 ft

At the foot of the highest mountains in Austria on the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park, the unique Tauern Cycle Path begins. In around 200 miles (320 kilometres), it takes you from idyllic alpine landscapes, through the Mozart city of Salzburg to the three-river town of Passau. You follow the River Salzach as it develops from a babbling mountain stream into a strong, stately river and flows into the Inn.

In this Collection, I have divided the Tauern Cycle Path into five intermediate stages that are between 30 and 50 miles (50 and 80 kilometers) long. As there is lots to discover on the way and several excursion options at the end of the routes, you could also shorten each stage. This would also make the routes very suitable for families.

Your journey begins at over 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) in Krimml, which you can reach by train. Right at the beginning, you will witness a breathtaking natural spectacle: the Krimml Waterfalls. Following the Salzach River, you then cycle from the Pinzgau to the Pongau, where the Salzach bends to the north. On the way to Salzburg, there are several cities worth seeing such as Zell am See, Bischofshofen and Hallein. Salzburg, the city of Mozart, is worth a trip on its own. From there, you will follow the Austrian-Bavarian border, past the baroque Schärding, until you reach the three-river town Passau. This is where the Tauern Cycle Path ends – a route brimming with cultural highlights, Austrian hospitality, culinary delicacies and unique landscapes.

On The Map

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Der Tauernradweg

195 mi

5,200 ft

7,750 ft

Last updated: January 18, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 1: Von Krimml nach Zell am See – der Tauernradweg
Intermediate
04:00
42.6 mi
10.6 mph
900 ft
1,900 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Your journey on the Tauern Cycle Path begins at the foothills of the Hohe Tauern National Park in Krimml. You can easily reach Krimml with the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, a narrow-gauge railway that takes you and your bike from Zell am See to Krimml in just under one and a half hours. Once there, you drive…
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Etappe 2: Von Zell am See nach Bischofshofen – der Tauernradweg
Intermediate
03:16
33.0 mi
10.1 mph
1,150 ft
1,825 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
At the beginning of today's stage you drive the short distance back to Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße. But you can also take a small but worthwhile detour and circle Lake Zell clockwise. No matter which way you choose, you will come to Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße at the level of Fischhorn Castle…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 3: Von Bischofshofen nach Salzburg – der Tauernradweg
Intermediate
03:16
33.3 mi
10.2 mph
1,150 ft
1,550 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
With the change from Pinzgau to Pongau, the Salzach makes a bend to the north. You also change the direction of travel and continue to follow the wild river. Today's stage is flat with a few short ascents. The first begins almost ten kilometers after the start of the stage and leads you to Hohenwerfen…
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Etappe 4: Von Salzburg nach Braunau am Inn – der Tauernradweg
Difficult
05:07
50.2 mi
9.8 mph
1,325 ft
1,575 ft
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
In front of you is the king's stage of the Tauern Cycle Path. You leave Salzburg along the banks of the Salzach. With the Hohensalzburg Fortress behind you, you first drive past the Mirabell Gardens, which houses several small gardens, such as the rose garden or the funny dwarf garden.

A few kilometers…
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Etappe 5: Von Braunau nach Passau – der Tauernradweg
Intermediate
04:24
42.1 mi
9.6 mph
950 ft
1,125 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The last stage of the Tauern Cycle Path is all about the Baroque. After leaving the Salzach behind you, follow the Inn to its mouth. Several side arms of the Inn make the path a true nature experience. Frauenstein Castle, which is known for its outdoor dining area, is a good place to take a break. Along…
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