Beyond the cultural riches of Austria’s music city Salzburg, the rural gems of SalzburgerLand await, an idyll of lakes, mountains, flower meadows and national parks with all manner of attractions from farm tastings and enchanting villages to castles and salt mines. Travellers can discover 10,000km of hiking trails, 7,000km of biking trails, 500 lakes and 550 mountain huts with some 164 with the Salzburger Almsommerhütte endorsement, the prestigious mark of authentic hospitality assuring traditional home-made food and a warm welcome. For sports fans the big new attraction this year is the SalzburgerLand Gravel Tour, designed for the hugely popular gravel bikes that enable cyclists to combine on- and off-road adventures.
The tour rolls freedom, nature and fun into one with breathtaking Alpine scenery at every turn. Visitors can create their own itinerary to suit mood, time and energy, adapting two options, both starting and finishing in Salzburg: die Harte (the hard one; 650km/12,700vm) or die Zarte (the gentle one; 460km/6,700vm). Alternatively riders can simply enjoy a one-day cycling fix All routes are available on Komoot.
com , the user-friendly online route planner, and connect with SalzburgerLand’s 7,000km network. For accommodation, choose from a wide range of bike-friendly providers ‘To the Mountains!’ is SalzburgerLand’s rallying cry inviting visitors and locals alike to discover nature at their own pace. A highlight is the Salzburg Almenweg /Alpine Pastures.