Innsbruck to Salzburg Hike & Bike
Innsbruck to Salzburg Hike & Bike
Innsbruck to Salzburg Hike & Bike
10 Days Starting in Innsbruck and ending in Salzburg
Visiting: Innsbruck, Zillertal Valley, Krimml, Zell am See, Lofer, Salzburg
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ISH
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Austrian Alps high above Innsbruck lend themselves to mountain hiking whilst the valleys connecting alpine towns en route to Salzburg are ideal for cycling. This is a trip which combines both activities to ensure you get the most out of the region. From the ski town of Innsbruck to the historic town of Salzburg there are numerous natural and cultural attractions. Hike to one of the highest waterfalls in Europe, pass tiny ski villages in the Zillertal Valley, take a guided tour of the Moserboden dam or visit an old salt mine or beer brewery. At night soak in the hospitality of our specially chosen hotels whilst dining on local culinary delights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Innsbruck
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation Name: hotel
On arrival in Innsbruck, walk to your hotel which is ideally located to explore the sites of this lively town such as the castle, old town section and the ski jumping station.
Day 2 : Cable Car To High Above The Inn Valley, Walk The Zirbenweg Stone Pine Path, Return To Innsbruck By Cable Car (2.5-4Hrs)
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you take the tram from Innsbruck, followed by a cable car which takes you up to 2000m/6562ft. From the top of the cable car station you follow an easy high trail passing old stone pines high above the Inn valley. Enjoy refreshments at a mountain hut where you can purchase fresh cheese, and later descend by cable car and return to your hotel by bus.
Walking distance: 7.7km/4.8mi
Day 3 : Cycle Along The Inn River Past Historic Towns To The Entrance Of The Zillertal Valley (45Km/28Mi)
Location: Zillertal Valley
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you swap your hiking boots for a bike and follow the cycle trail along the Inn river out of the city. This well signed trail takes you past historic towns where you can visit the famous Swarovski crystal world in Wattens or take a rest in the old streets of the many villages you pass. On one side you will see the Alps and on the other side the Karwendel mountain range. Stay overnight at the entrance of the Zillertal valley.
Day 4 : Gentle Uphill Cycle Into The Zillertal Valley, Transfer Via Gerlos Pass From Zell Am Ziller To Krimml (25-40Km/15.5-25Mi)
Location: Zillertal Valley
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The route this morning gradually ascends into the Zillertal valley, famous for skiing all year round at the glacier, to the village of Zell am Ziller. The valley offers much more than skiing, with its incredible scenery, alpine pastures and little villages with good restaurants. If you're making good time and wish to do the longer cycle, you can do a loop ride from Zell am Ziller to Mayrhofen, the main village in the valley. From Zell am Ziller, transfer after lunch over the Gerlos Pass to Krimml (approx. 30 mins duration). On arrival in Krimml you will still have time to walk to the waterfalls.
Day 5 : Pass The Krimml Waterfall And An Alpine Valley In The National Park (1.5-4.5Hrs)
Location: Krimml
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
On foot today you will pass the Krimml waterfall (one of the highest in Europe) on your way into the national park, which has trails to reach viewpoints and explore the different levels of the falls. Armed with your map, you can explore deeper into the valley to the edge of the Alps. The mountain hut “Tauernhaus” is the starting point for trails which lead over the Alps eg, the trans alp trek. We recommend taking a taxi into the valley and walking back to Krimml passing by the waterfall from above! You will mainly walk along a nice gravel road with fantastic views. Overnight Krimml.
Walking distance: 11.4km/7mi
Day 6 : Cycle Along The Salzach River Valley To Zell Am See (65Km/40.5Mi)
Location: Zell am See
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Back on the bikes today as you follow the Salzach river valley almost from the source, with impressive mountain ranges on both sides of the wide valley. There are many side trips you can take into the National Park of Hohe Tauern and we highly recommend a visit of the park's information centre. Mt Kitzsteinhorn is one of 266 peaks over 3000m/9843ft located in this wild alpine park, Austria's oldest national park. The cycle continues to the old market town of Zell am See with its wonderful lakeside position and views of the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner (3798m/12,461ft).
Day 7 : Hike Around Zell Am See-Kaprun (2-4Hrs)
Location: Zell am See
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Outside of skiing in winter, there is no better way to see Zell am See-Kaprun than on foot. The spectacular combination of glacier, mountains and lake is nothing short of unique and guarantees unforgettable insights into Austria's natural environment. Discover the two high mountain reservoirs Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden, embedded in the impressive mountains of the Hohe Tauern and enjoy the great views at 2000m altitude. A bus takes you straight up into the heart of the alpine world.
There is also the option to do a guided dam tour which includes a hike to the Mooserboden dam where you have the opportunity to explore inside the dam and learn how “green” electricity is generated. Walk the herbal path (45mins, 237m/778ft ascent) from the Mooserboden reservoir to rustic Fürthermoaralm to see the unique vegetation of the Hohe Tauern mountains. Overnight Zell am See.
Day 8 : Cycle Around The Lake Then Past Hamlets And Impressive Gorges To Lofer (45-60Km/28-37Mi)
Location: Lofer
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling again, you take a route around the lake and later pass small hamlets with old farm houses. There will be some hills in the morning and a sensational view to the so-called Stony Sea Mountain range. In the afternoon you will pass some impressive gorges (open to visit) and a huge cave before arriving at Lofer, where you stay tonight.
Day 9 : Cycle Along The River Saalach To Salzburg (50Km/31Mi)
Location: Salzburg
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continuing along the river Saalach the cycle takes in a small part of Bavaria. The mountains are not as high as on previous days but form a part of the National park of Berchtesgaden. Cycle through the spa city of Bad Reichenhall where you can visit the old salt mine, have a break in the old town or visit a brewery. Afterwards you are almost in Salzburg and you should visit the open air museum of Grossgmain with old farm houses. For lovers of the movie 'The Sound of Music', you pass a castle with a lake which featured in the film. Welcome to Salzburg!
Day 10 : Trip Concludes
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights hotels -
9 breakfasts - Continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, meats, cheeses, coffee, tea and juices.
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9 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
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Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
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24 speed bike with panniers, lock, helmet and repair kit (e-bikes available - supplement applies)
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Information pack including route notes, maps per room booked (GPS data files)
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Transfer Gerlos Pass including bike (day 4)
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Tourist card Krimml (free or reduced prices in local sights)
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Innsbruck and from Salzburg
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
What's Not Included
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Meals not listed as included
Lunch and dinner daily - allow €5-€10 for lunches daily and €15-€25 for dinners.
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Drinks
Not included in the package.
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Travel insurance
Mandatory for all participants.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Transfers not noted as included
Includes train Zell am See - Hochfilzen (optional on day 8), optional reservoir excursion or cable car Zell/See, bus Tulfes, taxi Zell/See and taxi Krimml (optional), Cable cars - Innsbruck / Glunzeger.
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Transfers by taxi or public transport
If you need to skip a stage.
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Guide
This is a self-guided holiday.
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GPS device
Can be rented - supplement applies.
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Local hotel taxes
€1-€5 per person per night.
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Excess luggage
Supplement applies for excess luggage.
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Items of a personal nature
Such as telephone calls, souvenirs, and laundry etc.
Accommodation
9 nights hotels
A combination of 3 and 4 star hotels all with ensuite facilities. In Austria note that a twin room is not always associated with having two beds. Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bedframe but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room.
Grading
GRADE 3 - This trip involves 5 cycle stages of between 25 and 65km (15.5 to 37m), and 3 walking stages of up to 4.5hrs. You mainly follow river cycle trails and there are only short ups and downs. There will be a transfer for the only mountain pass on the tour. The walking is not arduous, and is generally on gravel roads or hiking trails. To get the most out of this trip you should have a good level of fitness which you have obtained through exercising 3-4 times per week as a minimum.
What You Carry
As the trip is fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. In Austria, a twin room may not always have two separate beds; it often consists of one or two mattresses on the same bedframe with separate duvets.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 9 continental breakfasts. Lunch and dinner are not included, and you should allow €5-€10 for lunches and €15-€25 for dinners daily.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is included for one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
The tour provides an emergency hotline for assistance during the trip. Additionally, an information pack with route notes and maps is provided.
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What kind of cycling equipment is provided?
A 24-speed bike with panniers, lock, helmet, and repair kit is provided. E-bikes are available for an additional supplement.
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Is travel insurance required for the tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all participants on the tour.
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What is the difficulty level of the tour?
The tour is graded as level 3, involving 5 cycle stages of 25 to 65km and 3 walking stages of up to 4.5 hours. The cycling mainly follows river trails with only short ups and downs, and the walking is generally on gravel roads or hiking trails.
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What should I carry during the daily activities?
You should carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.