Salzburg to Lake Bled Cycling Tour
(2 ratings)
Salzburg's UNESCO old town and the Salzach Valley
Hohenwerfen Castle and the Liechtenstein Gorge
The Hohe Tauern National Park and the Mölltal valley
Villach and a cappuccino stop in Tarvisio
Finish at fairy-tale Lake Bled Departure
Sundays from
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Starting Point
Arrival in Salzburg
Total Distance
301 km
Activity Level
Medium
Easiest crossing of the Alps on two wheels
A self guided cycling tour from the birth city of Mozart to a shimmering alpine lake amid the majesty of the south-eastern Alps, there is something for everyone on this unforgettable alpine ride. Beginning at the baroque city of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will cycle from ornate baroque architecture to a splendid alpine landscape laden with meandering rivers, picturesque valleys, waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks.
The route goes through quaint villages where you can sample great local food. A network of cycle paths and quiet country roads will take you through the magnificent Salzach, Gastein, and Molltal valleys. South of Villach, you’ll pass through Italy briefly before turning into Slovenia and continuing on through the heart of the Julian Alps and onwards to the magical, fairytale setting of Lake Bled, with its unique island church and hilltop castle to top it all off.
Where does the Salzburg to Lake Bled tour start and end?
The tour starts in Salzburg, Austria, and ends at the famous Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Is this a self-guided cycling tour?
Yes, this is a self-guided cycling holiday including GPS tracks, route notes, accommodation and full local support.
What countries does the tour pass through?
You will cycle through Austria and Slovenia, enjoying diverse alpine landscapes and cultural highlights.
Who is the Salzburg to Lake Bled tour suitable for?
The tour is ideal for recreational cyclists looking for a scenic multi-day ride with manageable daily stages.
When is the best time to cycle from Salzburg to Lake Bled?
The best time is from May to September, when weather conditions in the Alps are ideal for cycling.
Itinerary
Arrive in Salzburg and settle into your hotel. If your schedule allows, we recommend an extra night before the tour so you can explore the UNESCO-listed Altstadt, Mozart's birthplace, Mirabell Gardens and Hohensalzburg Fortress at an unhurried pace.
Head off today through the lovely Salzach Valley to the 900-year old Hohenwerfen Castle, perched on a rock 113 metres high above the market village of Werfen. It’s among Europe’s oldest and most well-preserved castles. Surrounded by the Tennengebirge, Hagengebirge and Hochkönig mountain ranges, this is a sight not to be missed.
You’ll spend the night at the popular alpine sports town of St. Johann.
Today's cycling tour leads you through the enchanting Gastein Valley and the striking Liechtensteinklamm (Liechtenstein Gorge) to the lovely spa town of Bad Gastein, adorned with a central waterfall.
Continuing on, you'll take the train through the Tauern railway tunnel, emerging on the sunlit southern side of the Alps.
Your overnight stay will be amidst the vibrant colors of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Today, you'll venture into the historic province of Carinthia, descending gently into the Mölltal Valley.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting North-Carinthian rural countryside, offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and scenic tranquility as you pedal through the valley.
Today's journey involves a relatively easy descent along the Drau River, passing through the lakeside town of Spittal an der Drau and its impressive ancient Roman city of Teurnia.
The route then takes you to Villach, where the Alpine climate meets the Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal location to explore the vintage car museum.
Cross the border briefly to savor an Italian pizza and cappuccino in Tarvisio before following a scenic cycling path along the old railway line that crosses the Italian-Slovenian border. Continue through the lush, green landscapes of the Sava Valley, heading to the village of Kranjska Gora for the night.
On your final day, you'll explore the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River towards Mojstrana.
From Mojstrana, you'll enter the peaceful Krma Valley, with its WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which is now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut beneath Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
Afterwards, pass through the Radovna Valley and take a short detour to the Vintgar Gorge, a 1.6km-long, 150m-deep gorge discovered in 1891 and opened to the public with built walkways.
The tour ends after breakfast in Bled. Continue independently or reserve one of the optional private transfers listed below.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)Departures on <strong>SUNDAYS</strong> from 11 July to 3 October 2027.
Earlier departures are unavailable due to the closure of the Böckstein–Mallnitz Tauern railway tunnel from 8 February to 9 July 2027.
Other start days are possible for groups of four or more, subject to availability.
- Seve nights accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouses in two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast.
- Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 30 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
- Welcome meeting and bike handover.
- Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per adult person. Every additional download 15 EUR.
- Local tourist and other taxes.
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Train ticket from Boeckstein to Mallnitz (including bike) approximately 14 EUR
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
All seasons: 490 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 230 EUR;
Season B: 290 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 120 EUR. Bikes have 18 gears (XL frames 11 gears).*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike or gravel bike rental 290 EUR. *
Every additional day 50 EUR.
* Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
- Printed information package in English, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
Price is per person per night.
- 3* Hotel in Salzburg
Season A: Double Room 95 EUR. Single room 115 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 105 EUR. Single room 125 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Villach
Season A: Double Room 90 EUR. Single room 115 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 105 EUR. Single room 125 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Kranjska Gora
Season A: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 210 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 125 EUR. Single room 215 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Bled
Season A: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 210 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 125 EUR. Single room 215 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price per third person only.
Train ticket from Boeckstein to Mallnitz (including bike).
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
301 km
2,499 m
2,388 m
Accommodation
Carefully selected 3-star and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, with ensuite rooms and breakfast. The exact accommodation may vary according to availability while the published comfort level is maintained.
- Day 1: 3★/4★ hotel in Salzburg
- Day 2: 3★/4★ hotel in St. Johann im Pongau
- Day 3: 3★/4★ hotel in Mallnitz
- Day 4: 3★/4★ hotel in Mühldorf / Sachsenburg
- Day 5: 3★/4★ hotel in Villach
- Day 6: 3★/4★ hotel in Kranjska Gora
- Day 7: 3★/4★ hotel in Bled
Travel Options & Local Transfer
The starting point of the trip is Salzburg in Austria.
Getting to Salzburg
By plane: closest airport is Salzburg (SZG). It is 3 km from the city center. Several major airlines serve it: Austrian, British Airways, German Wings, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Low-cost Ryanair serves the city all year round. From the airport, you can travel to the city center by bus or take a taxi.
By train: main station is called Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, it is in the city center. It is on the mainline Vienna (two-hour trip) to Munich (one-hour trip).
By car: Salzburg is at the junction of several main roads. Motorways A1 and A10 meet here.
Back from Bled
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From Bled you can travel to the airport by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfersee below.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach-Ljubljana mainline, four km away from the town center, you’ll need to take a bus or call us, we’ll give you a lift for free. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town center. From Jesenice border station there is one direct train to Salzburg (and onward to Munich) and several more with one stopover in Villach.
By car: Bled is on the A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke.
Avaliable Transfers
Bled to Ljubljana Airport
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Bled to Ljubljana City
1-3 persons 130 EUR
4-8 persons 170 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier
- Helmet
Only for self-guided tours: per two bikes – one repair kit, one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, Allen keys and tire levers. + one combination lock.
Other available rental bikes
What Our Guests Say
Travelled with us? Share your experience
A group of 5 did the Salzburg to Lake Bled tour. 2 were on hired E bikes 1 was on a hired hybrid, the rest were on their own bikes. All the bikes provided were excellent and had enough power and battery capacity for the 2 ladies to ride comfortably. The hybrid bike was well suited to the ride.
The ride itself was beautiful, even though we had heavy rain on the first 2 days. The section through the gorge on the main road in the rain, wasn't the most pleasant, but the traffic treated us with respect, so we didn't feel afraid.
All the accommodation was excellent with MIKLIČ HOTEL at Kranjska Gora being our favourite.
We all had a lovely time and would like to thank the Helia crew for such a lovely tour.
A great trip overall. Everything well organised. The train tunnel transfer can be problematic so suggest booking it at least the day before. The ice cave is worth the effort to do but you will need to be underway early and keep moving. Only one bag gets transported each day so try to minimise what doesn't fit in that one bag as you'll have to carry it on your bike in the provided panier.