The SOFT

the gravel tour through SalzburgerLand for sporty enjoyment

The SalzburgerLand invites all gravel bike enthusiasts to an unforgettable multi-day round trip that makes the country and its gravel regions experienceable in a completely new way. For 'The Soft,' five to seven days of gravel experience should be planned, and it can be individually tailored. 460 kilometers and 6,700 meters of elevation need to be conquered.

The route leads on a circular course from the city of Salzburg through the spectacular Strubklamm to the deep blue lakes of the Salzkammergut. It continues over the old Postalm road (Alte Postalm Straße) into the Tennengau, on bike paths along the Enns and Salzach rivers and around Zellersee to Mittersill. Passing the Leoganger Steinberge and along the Tauern cycle path through the Salzburger Saalachtal, you finally return to Mozarts hometown Salzburg. In all gravel regions, not only great accommodations and bike hotels await you, but there are also additional loops and other highlights to discover. This way, everyone can create and expand their gravel experience themselves. All according to the motto, everything is possible, nothing is mandatory!

The Soft – step by step through the gravel-regions

The city of Salzburg

Already the first section is challenging and requires a good amount of stamina. But not to worry, you’ll be more than rewarded with magnificent views and great natural experiences. The adventure starts in the city of Salzburg, which can ideally be reached by train or bus using public transport. The ride along the Salzach bike path is an initial highlight. Especially the view from the Müllner Steg of the impressive backdrop of the old town with the Hohensalzburg Fortress is something you shouldn’t miss. And the Cathedral, Mirabell Palace, and Mirabell Gardens are also in close proximity and invite you to delve into the culture of the Mozart city.

Then, it’s finally time to head out into nature. Those arriving the day before will find the right accommodation for every budget with Hotel St. Virgil, Hotel Hohenstauffen, the Green Hotel zur Post, and Hotel Pension Adlerhof.

Road cycling region SalzburgerLand-Salzkammergut

Passing Glasenbach, the route leads through the imposing Strubklamm gorge eastward into the mountains and into the road cycling region SalzburgerLand-Salzkammergut. At the Felsenbad in Faistenau, it’s a must to dismount from the saddle and experience the power and force of water at this extraordinary location. Along the Alm (river), you soon reach Lake Hintersee, where you ride on a magnificent stretch of gravel along the track of the old forest railway by the lake’s shore.

For those spending the night here, DAS Hintersee Hotel is highly recommended. Refreshments are available at the Lago Bar on the western shore. The following section, with views of the Faistenauer Schafberg, is challenging due to the elevation gain but rewarding. At the end of it, the cozy Hatznalm invites you for a stop. Just before reaching Fuschl am See. The road bike & triathlon Hotel Jakob and the Hotel Seewinkel await you in close proximity to the lake.

„Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. “

John F. Kennedy

Lake Wolfgangsee

The first glimpse of Lake Wolfgangsee in St. Gilgen is unforgettable. Here, you should have your camera within easy reach. The route runs along the southern shore through Abersee to Strobl. However, you can also enjoy the region on board the WolfgangseeSchifffahrt ferry and give your tired legs a break. A dip in the cool waters of the lake is a must anyway. For example, at the swimming spots near the parking lots along the bike path on the B158 or at the Gasthof Gamsjaga. For accommodations, the Aberseehof, the Wiesenhof, or the Stroblerhof are recommended.

Tennengau

From Strobl, the route ascends to the picturesque Postalm. Upon arrival, a visit is a must. For example, at the Almkäserei Schnitzhofalm, a culinary highlight of the Via Culinaria. From there, the path runs through 15 solitary kilometers down the Lienbach and Aubach valleys to Pichl bei Abtenau into the Tennengau. The historic Old Postalm Road has long been closed to public traffic and is a true biking paradise. Our hotel recommendation for Abtenau is the Aktivhotel Gutjahr. And if anyone feels like continuing to St. Martin am Tennengebirge, the Berghotel Lämmerhof and the Wohlfühlresort & Feriengut Martinerhof are waiting there with two more hotels that take care of tired bikers and get them ready for the next day.

Salzburger Sportwelt

The route leads into the Pongau and into the Salzburger Sportwelt via Annaberg im Lammertal. Over the Langeggsattel, the route first goes to Filzmoos and then past the ‘Warmen Mandling’ and around the Roßbrand to Radstadt via an extraordinary gravel path. The old mountain city invites you to linger. For example, at the Gasthof Stegerbräu. After a challenging climb over the panoramic gravel path, there’s nothing better than sitting on the terrace at the Sattelbauer and enjoying the view. Shortly thereafter, Flachau becomes a popular stage end thanks to the Hotel Montanara. The popular bike hotel Tauernhof is being renovated in 2024 and will reopen at the end of the year.

Refreshed or well-rested, you’ll reach Eben and Hüttau, Bischofshofen, and finally St. Johann im Pongau. Here, with the Hotel Alpendorf, the Brückenwirt, and the Hotel Hubertus, several very good accommodation options await. On the following route along the Tauern cycle trail through the Salzach valley, you should definitely take the small detour to the Liechtenstein gorge and the new Helix before reaching the Zell am See-Kaprun region.

Zell am See-Kaprun

After leaving Bruck an der Glocknerstraße behind and thoroughly enjoying the panorama of Austria’s highest mountains, Lake Zeller See is circumnavigated counterclockwise. A dive into the cool waters with a view up to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is mandatory. For example, at the Lido Thumersbach or on the north shore. Refreshed, you can then immerse yourself in the city flair of Zell am See around the town square a little later. Or enjoy the 3-kilometer detour over the Kesselfall bike path and the Sigmund-Thun Gorge to the Klammsee in Kaprun. Depending on what you’re in the mood for. Our accommodation tips for the region are the Sporthotel Kitz in Bruck, the Sportresort Alpenblick in Zell am See, and the Kaprunerhof in Kaprun.

Mittersill

With the Salzach in sight, you gravel westward into the Mittersill-Hollersbach-Stuhlfelden region. Here, you should keep looking to the left to not miss the most beautiful perspectives of the mountain world around the Kitzsteinhorn and the mighty Großvenediger. Arriving in Mittersill, the National Park Worlds offers deep insights into the flora and fauna of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Not far from there is the Hotel Bräurup, which, thanks to its own pub brewery, not only offers a good tip for overnight stays but is a guarantee for a cozy evening. This is also true for the Hotel Heitzmann on the town square and the Sporthotel Kogler, as well as for the Wanderhotel Kirchner in Bramberg, located a bit further west.

In Mittersill, the path leaves the Salzach valley and runs over the Pass Thurn into Tyrol. After Jochberg, the winter sports resort Kitzbühel is reached. With views of the world-famous Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbüheler Horn, you can stroll relaxed through the downtown area or perhaps even spend the night at the Hotel Schweizerhof. The route continues through St. Johann in Tyrol and Fieberbrunn, back into the SalzburgerLand.

Austria’s largest bike-region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Before arriving in Saalbach in Austria’s largest bike region, the ascent up to the Spielberghaus must be mastered. Up here, where the MTB star Vali Höll grew up, it’s all about biking, good food, and cozy gatherings. Definitely make a stop, perhaps even for the night? For those who want to go down into the valley, the Hotel eva, village in the center of Saalbach or later the Hotel Ritzenhof in Saalfelden is highly recommended.

Salzburger Saalachtal

Now it’s time to enter the Salzburger Saalachtal, with the towns of Weißbach, St. Martin, Lofer, and Unken. Here, alongside relaxing kilometers on the Tauern bike path, a series of natural spectacles await, each justifying a pause in its own right. For example, the Seisenberg Gorge in the mountaineering village of Weißbach bei Lofer. Or the nearby Lamprechts cave. On warm days, the Vorderkaser natural bathing area invites you to swim and chill. Those looking for accommodation in the region will find the Friedlwirt or the Naturhotel Schütterbad, both in Unken.

Back in the city of Salzburg

Via Bad Reichenhall, you finally reach the city of Salzburg again. A great conclusion, which is fittingly celebrated at the Café am Kai by the Müllnersteg with a view of the city. If you have some time left, you should definitely indulge in the flair of the city with all its cultural, scenic, and culinary facets or pay a visit to Hellbrunn Palace with its world-famous water games.

„It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.“

Ernest Hemingway

How to get to the City of Salzburg?

The train enables an environmentally friendly and stress-free arrival to this unique gravel adventure. Both on the Soft and on the hard gravel tour, there are several entry and exit points at train stations (for example, Salzburg, Radstadt, St. Johann in Salzburg, or Saalfelden), so that customisation of the tour is easily possible. Besides the train, the Salzburg region is also accessible by an extensive long-distance bus service and by airplane from all over the world. From the (bus) train stations, you continue to your destination with Postbus hiking buses.

Accommodation in our gravel regions

Our accommodations and hoteliers are as bike-friendly as the entire region. The bike hotels in the SalzburgerLand offer a wide selection of suitable accommodations.