Mozart Bike Path
The Mozart Bike Path takes you through southern Bavaria, Tirol, Salzburg and Upper Austria. There are loads of sections to choose from, and this is just one of them. For planning purposes buy a book with all the different sections then you can piece them together to make up a tour that is anywhere between 1-10 days long.
The Mozart City – Salzburg
I have travelled and worked in 29 different countries in the world. Yet Austria holds my heart, and Salzburg is my favourite city. Why?
- The city has history, culture, and a modern approach all rolled into one.
- Iconic scenes in films and books, and you can bring those to life
- Surrounded by mountains so you have the best of both worlds
- Small enough to cycle and walk around comfortably
Tradition
Each summer, we cycle from home in the Pillersee Valley to Salzburg along a section of the Mozart Bike Path. We generally spend 1 or 2 nights in the city and cycle home. It is only a mini-break, but it always feels like I have travelled a long way and seen a great deal, plus I get a top-up of city life.
Every time we go to Salzburg, we find something new. Whether that is a new street, cafe, food, view or bike shop, the small things matter to me in this city, and I love it. This has now become our new tradition. What tradition would you like to make?
Mozart Bike Path
The Path
The Mozart path from Pillersee to Salzburg is through some impressive mountains and makes for a scenic journey with plenty of points of interest and, of course, the required coffee stops. The Pillersee to Waidring part is not strictly on the Mozart route but is too pretty to miss out. My top tip would be from St Johann in Tirol, head to Fieberbrunn, and then turn left up to St Ulrich and along the lakeside. It is a slight detour but worth it.
Lofer
Once you reach Lofer, there is a chocolate shop called Bergers: https://www.confiserie-berger.at/en/cafe-anna-3. They sell delicious chocolate and have a cafe with an outside terrace with tremendous views of the surrounding mountains. There is also an extreme corner of the Saalach River in Lofer, which happens to be a canoeist’s playground. There is a good viewing spot of that part of the river, and it’s exciting to watch the experts tackle that part of the river.
Surface
The surface of this section of the Mozart Path is a mixture of tarmac and hard-packed dirt track. At points, you are travelling alongside the River Saalach, and in other parts, you will find yourself in the woods and beside farms. There are some steeper parts, but it’s all relatively simple. Just ensure you give way to other cyclists and walkers during the busy season.
A small part of Germany
You cross over the border into Germany in an area called the “Kleine Deutsche Eck” (small German corner). In this area, you will pass by the Saalach Stausee (Reservoir), part of the Saalach Power Plant. The chalk mountains surrounding the lake dump a lot of fine silt, which means the lake’s colour is a stunning light green when it settles. Perfect for photos.
Just after the lake, you come to Bad Reichenhall, this spa town has its own impressive Thermal bath complex. The old town is worth wandering around or take lunch with you, grabbing a bench in the shade, and watching the world go by. The Alpensole Inhilation Structure is impressive and on a hot day you can walk the length of the brine wall, the cool air mixed with the brine will have you breathing clearly in minutes. The park with it’s collection of plants, bushes and trees from all around the globe is pretty and even if gardening is not your thing, you will find something of interest. If you are lucky you may well catch a concert in the park, so grab a seat and listen to the talented musicians.
The final section
The Mozart Path from here to Salzburg is a little flatter through woods to the open fields on the outskirts of Salzburg. There is a lot of farming land, and it is an excellent place to pick up some fresh veg from one of the local farm shops or stands. You head for the city via small paths along canals and streams where you can see how the locals live in the suburbs.
Into the city via the Schloss Leopoldskronn (think Sound of Music). You can’t visit the city without seeing this pretty spot; of course, you must get “the photo”. (see below). Best to be in good voice and belt out a couple of classics from the movie, especially on your bike – it is part of the whole trip.
Sights to See
There are hundreds of sights in Salzburg which are all worth seeing. For the top 10 plus a lot more information on those, go to https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/top10.
My three favourite things to do are pretty simple:
- Get off your bike and wander through the Linzer Gasse in the “Old Town.” There are a lot of small shops, bars, and restaurants, and this is where you will find fewer tourists who want to see the sights. Therefore, it feels more relaxed.
- Get on the bike track at the side of the River Salzach and go 5-10 kilometres in each direction; this will give you a view of the city and surrounding area, which no day visitor will experience.
- Salzburg is bike-friendly, so a trip past the Steigl Brewery or out along the treelined streams towards the airport will give you a different perspective on the city. The tourist office offers an ‘instagrammable Salzburg tour’. Please pick up the leaflet at the Tourist Info office or visit their website. https://www.salzburg.info/en/hotels-offers/guided-tours/city-walks/instagrammable-salzburg-bike
