Saalfelden to Zell am See round trip
Saalfelden to Zell am See round trip is ideal if you want a leisurely day with beautiful scenery. You meander around the countryside surrounded by the stunning mountains of the Steinernen Meer (The Stone See). Through the rolling hills towards Zell Lake and onwards to the majestic Kitzsteinhorn and its glacier. Past farmland and small villages, it all has a charm to it in such an idyllic setting.
There are huge amounts of photo opportunities en route, take time to stop and enjoy what is around you. I recommend taking a picnic and stopping at the bench, just after the hamlet of Gerling. You will know it when you see it! This is the best viewpoint in both directions. There is a tree for some shade on really hot days.
You can do this trip in either direction, depending on where you are staying in the area.
Saalfelden
We started the route close to the Railway Station in Saalfelden. The surface is part side road and part bike track, all of which are in good condition. Watch out for cow poo on the road and track; otherwise, you might need to wash down your bike afterwards. On warm days there will be a lot of bikers out there, but there is always enough room for everyone.
Just out of Saalfelden, and you pass the Ritzensee, which is worth a photo in spring with the blossoms out. Have a 5-10 minute pause there to soak it up. Past the Ritzensee, there is a fabulous photo opportunity over the town and up to the Steinernen Meer. In spring, the field is a mass of yellow and will be a great screen saver for your laptop.
My top tip
My favourite views are around the little hamlet of Gerling. There are so many photo opportunities in both directions, plus benches to have a rest and take in the views. There are lots of farms in this area, which means a variety of crops at different times of year. This will change the views and add something new every time. There is also an enclosure of donkeys, horses and goats on the way. Take a few minutes to watch the goats and their antics. It should bring a smile to your face.
Zell Lake
Once you see the hospital at the end of the lake, you then turn right. Head along the road until you see signs for Schloss Prielau. This takes you back towards Saalfelden, a slightly different route. It passes the Schloss, which is more like a chateau rather than a castle. If you have time, it’s worth a stop as they have beautiful grounds.
Maishofen to Gerling
You pass the village of Maishofen and back to Gerling. This time head for the village of Maria Alm rather than straight back to Saalfelden. Look out for the rather unusual and surprising collection of Wallabies. I have no explanation other than they got lost en route to their native Australia!
The village of Maria Alm has a pretty centre and is worth a visit for a coffee or ice cream. After that, it is a short ride back to Saalfelden, but it finishes off the day nicely.
Alternatives to extend the day
Want to extend the day? You can either cycle around Zell Lake or go on further to Kaprun. Zell am See is always worth a stop; an ebike charging station in the pedestrian area is perfect if you need to top off your battery. Take 20 mins to go for a coffee on the lakeside while your battery charges. Alternatively you can cycle the whole way round the lake through Thumersbach to Schüttdorf and round to Zell am See.
