The tour begins in Salzburg the famous city of theatre festivals. Just outside the Salzburg city limits the individual peaks surrounding a matrix of pristine lakes beckon you into the rolling alpine foothills of the region. What could be more delightful than riding along placid lakeshores, your soul stretching out to the magnificent mountainsides lining your route. The Ten Lakes Circuit offers just that, taking you through the historical Salzkammergut and the Trumer Lakes region. Only a few kilometres away from the city, the holidaymaker is spoilt by the unique setting. The soft hill landscape of the Salzburger Voralpenland has a charm of its own. Small peaks project tower above the background of the clean lakes and invite again and again to stop and take in the scenery. You bike past lush green meadows, mighty woods and jagged rocks. You will not believe your eyes. This way biking becomes a pleasure, you literally forget the strain on some of the  ascents that naturally belong to a real bike tour. You bike through pastures and moorlands, to the Silent-Night town, Oberndorf and to the old Kaiser town Bad Ischl. Yes, you bike through a fairy tale world come alive, a cliché world that has become true. The 10-Lake-Tour is an active way to relax experiencing nature and visiting places of interest. You can dive into the world of Bavarians or mentally follow the footsteps of the composer of “Silent Night, Holy Night”. Or you can take a chance on a trip to Schafberg and visit Schloss Orth where the TV series starring Klaus Wildbolth in the main role has been shot.

The Ten Lakes Circuit is an enlivening experience combining natural wonders with historical reminiscence. Explore the roots of ancient races. Immerse yourself in the musical biography of famous composers. Make an excursion to the charmed Castle Orth. At every stage a memorable moment awaits you.

Route Features: The route along the lakeshores and the river Salzach are completely flat. Between the lakes the terrain is mostly hilly, with occasional steep climbs which will leave you panting. Depending on the actual route followed roughly a third of the route consists of groomed bicycle paths. The remainder is a mix of meadow and forest lanes and little traveled country roads. Only a few short sections involve more heavily trafficked highways.

Day 1: Arrival to Salzburg or Trumer Lakes

Guided tour: Individual arrival to Salzburg, tour briefing and distribution of Bikes.

Self-guided tour: Individual arrival to Salzburg or Trumer Lakes ( the daily stages change according to the tour course.)

Cycle lazily along the Salzach river to Oberndorf the birthplace of "Silent Night" and the chapel where it was first performed via Arnsdorf and a visit to the "Silent-Night" museum. Then back on your bike and cycle to the Michaelbeuern Abbey and to the Trumer Lakes region of lakes Obertrumersee, Mattsee, Grabensee and Wallersee. Also a straighter shorter way is possible.

From Lake Mattsee, you cycle into the Nature Reserve of Lake Egelsee passing the eastern tip of Lake Wallersee and through the "Finsterloch" (dark hole) on to the shores of Lake Irrsee. Pedal through the town of Mondsee and visit the church in which the wedding scene of "The Sound of Music" was filmed… beautiful beyond belief. Also take time to explore the Castle and Smokehouse. Now continue cycling along the shore of Lake Mondsee until you come to lake Attersee. Spend the night here on this beautiful shoreline surrounded by the spectacular Alps… all reflected on the pure blue lakes below.

The day begins with a short ride to the dock and a ferry boat ride to the village of Weyregg on the opposite shore. From there you ride through the Aurachtal Valley to Lake Traunsee which features the lakeside towns of Gmunden with its famous ceramics factory and Orth castle set far out into the lake, the regal Alps forming a spectacular background, … Altmünster and its bicycle museum… and Traunkirchen where you can visit its panoramic peak "Fischerkanzl".

Today you begin with a train ride to lake Hallstätter. From Obertraun and the  Hallstatter See (Dachstein ice caves), you cycle to the most beautiful village of the world, to Hallstatt (oldest salt mine). Your destination is Bad Goisern or one of its neighboring villages.

Note: No overnight in Bad Goisern for the group tour, therefore two overnights at lake Wolfgangsee.

On the bicycle path to St. Gilgen ("Mozartdorf"), you leave your bike and go on a walk in Kühleiten. There you get your bike (which has been transported for you) and ride downhill to Hintersee and through the Strubklamm gorge into Wiestal valley. You follow the Glasenbachklamm gorge returning to the Salzachtal valley and a visit to Schloss Hellbrunn, with its fortress, cathedral, zoo and famous fountains. The final destination is Salzburg, the city of Mozart and the site of the famous theatre festivals. It has an excellent network of bike paths with easy access to the many places of interest (citadel, palaces, cathedral, Getreidegasse shopping zone).

Day 8: Salzburg

Breakfast and departure… your choice — Vienna is only half-a-day by train but Munich is only about 50 miles… Why not arrive through one portal and depart through the other…