3 Best Cycling Routes – From Beginners to Professionals

Cycling from Vienna to Salzburg is one of the most iconic multi-day bike adventures in Austria. It combines world-class scenery, charming old towns, alpine foothills, crystal-clear lakes, and perfectly maintained cycling infrastructure.

Whether you’re a first-time bike tourist, a confident recreational rider, or a hardcore gravel enthusiast, there is a route that fits your level, fitness, and sense of adventure.

In this guide, we present three carefully designed Vienna–Salzburg routes optimized for gravel bikes and e-bikes:

• 🟢 Beginner Route – the most popular and easiest classic
• 🟡 Intermediate Route – more variety, hills, and alpine lakes
• 🔴 Advanced Route – technical gravel, mountains, and epic climbs

Each route includes:
✔ daily stages
✔ distances
✔ elevation gain
✔ highlights
✔ difficulty profile
✔ who it’s perfect for

So you can confidently choose your tour – and the right bike rental – before you start.

🟢 ROUTE 1: Beginner Level

Danube Cycle Path + Salzkammergut Lakes (Classic & Most Popular)

Vienna → Linz → Salzburg

Why this route?
This is Austria’s most famous long-distance cycle route. It follows the Danube Cycle Path and later transitions into the rolling lake region of Salzkammergut. It is extremely well signposted, mostly flat, traffic-free, and full of cafés, hotels, and bike services.

Perfect for:

• First-time bike tourers
• Families
• E-bike beginners
• Riders who prefer comfort over challenge

Surface: 85% asphalt, 15% compact gravel
Technical difficulty: Very low
Navigation: Easy, fully signposted
Total distance: ~330 km
Total elevation: ~2,100 m
Recommended duration: 5–6 days

Day 1: Vienna → Krems

Distance: 78 km
Elevation: +250 m
Highlights: Wachau Valley, vineyards, Danube river views

You leave Vienna on a dedicated riverside cycle path and enter the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. Castles, monasteries, and wine villages line the riverbanks.

Day 2: Krems → Linz

Distance: 95 km
Elevation: +300 m
Highlights: Schlögen Loop, baroque town of Linz

A relaxed riverside ride through Upper Austria. The famous Schlögen Loop is one of the most photogenic spots on the entire Danube.

Day 3: Linz → Gmunden

Distance: 75 km
Elevation: +500 m
Highlights: Traun River, Traunsee Lake

You leave the Danube and follow the Traun River into the Salzkammergut lake district. The turquoise waters of Traunsee feel like a reward after two flat days.

Day 4: Gmunden → St. Wolfgang

Distance: 42 km
Elevation: +450 m
Highlights: Wolfgangsee Lake, alpine scenery

Short and scenic. You ride along lakes, forests, and traditional villages.

Day 5: St. Wolfgang → Salzburg

Distance: 40 km
Elevation: +600 m
Highlights: Mondsee, Salzburg Old Town

A gentle alpine crossing followed by a smooth descent into Salzburg.

Who should choose Route 1?

If you want a stress-free cycling holiday with maximum sightseeing and minimal physical strain, this is your route. It’s also the best choice for e-bikes and casual riders.

🟡 ROUTE 2: Intermediate Level

Vienna Woods + Alpine Foothills + Lakes

Vienna → Mariazell → Bad Ischl → Salzburg

Why this route?
This route leaves the flat Danube and heads into the Vienna Woods and Alpine foothills. It adds rolling climbs, forest gravel roads, and more solitude while still offering comfortable daily distances.

Perfect for:

• Recreational cyclists
• Gravel beginners
• E-bike riders wanting more challenge
• Riders seeking variety beyond the Danube

Surface: 60% asphalt, 40% gravel
Technical difficulty: Low–medium
Total distance: ~350 km
Total elevation: ~5,400 m
Recommended duration: 6–7 days

Day 1: Vienna → St. Pölten

Distance: 65 km
Elevation: +600 m
Highlights: Vienna Woods, forest climbs

You leave the city through the Wienerwald with gentle gravel climbs and panoramic views.

Day 2: St. Pölten → Mariazell

Distance: 75 km
Elevation: +1,400 m
Highlights: Alpine passes, Mariazell Basilica

A challenging but beautiful day. Mariazell is Austria’s most famous pilgrimage town.

Day 3: Mariazell → Göstling an der Ybbs

Distance: 55 km
Elevation: +900 m
Highlights: Alpine valleys, waterfalls

Forest roads and mountain scenery dominate this stage.

Day 4: Göstling → Bad Ischl

Distance: 70 km
Elevation: +1,100 m
Highlights: Salzkammergut lakes, spa town

Rolling terrain and postcard-worthy alpine views.

Day 5: Bad Ischl → St. Gilgen

Distance: 40 km
Elevation: +700 m
Highlights: Wolfgangsee Lake

Short but hilly, perfect for relaxed exploration.

Day 6: St. Gilgen → Salzburg

Distance: 45 km
Elevation: +700 m
Highlights: Alpine descent into Salzburg

A scenic finale with long downhill sections.

Who should choose Route 2?

If you want real mountain scenery without extreme difficulty, this route offers the perfect balance of challenge, comfort, and sightseeing.

🔴 ROUTE 3: Advanced Level

Alpine Gravel Epic

Vienna → Hochschwab → Dachstein → Salzburg

Why this route?
This is a true gravel adventure through Austria’s wildest regions. Expect long climbs, technical gravel descents, remote valleys, and jaw-dropping mountain passes.

Perfect for:

• Experienced gravel riders
• Bikepackers
• High-fitness e-bike users
• Riders seeking a physical and technical challenge

Surface: 70% gravel, 30% asphalt
Technical difficulty: Medium–high
Total distance: ~420 km
Total elevation: ~9,500 m
Recommended duration: 7–9 days

Day 1: Vienna → Semmering

Distance: 85 km
Elevation: +1,400 m
Highlights: Semmering Pass, mountain railway views

A tough start with a legendary alpine crossing.

Day 2: Semmering → Wildalpen

Distance: 70 km
Elevation: +1,600 m
Highlights: Hochschwab Massif, wilderness gravel

Remote forest roads and alpine solitude.

Day 3: Wildalpen → Eisenerz

Distance: 60 km
Elevation: +1,300 m
Highlights: Erzberg mine, alpine gravel climbs

Technical gravel sections and steep gradients.

Day 4: Eisenerz → Hallstatt

Distance: 65 km
Elevation: +1,500 m
Highlights: Hallstatt UNESCO town, Dachstein Alps

One of the most scenic days in all of Austria.

Day 5: Hallstatt → Ramsau am Dachstein

Distance: 45 km
Elevation: +1,100 m
Highlights: Dachstein Glacier views

High-alpine plateau riding.

Day 6: Ramsau → Bad Gastein

Distance: 75 km
Elevation: +1,700 m
Highlights: Alpine passes, thermal spa town

Long mountain stage with epic descents.

Day 7: Bad Gastein → Salzburg

Distance: 55 km
Elevation: +1,000 m
Highlights: National park valleys, alpine finale

A dramatic final day into Salzburg.

Who should choose Route 3?

This route is for riders who want a once-in-a-lifetime alpine gravel expedition. It requires good fitness, confident bike handling, and proper equipment.

🚲 Which Bike Should You Rent?

🏁 Final Thoughts: Which Route Is Right for You?