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ITINERARY
July 24 - BADEN
We’ll meet you at the Vienna airport and transfer you by van to
our hotel in Baden. The old spa town of Baden lies on the edge
of the rolling hills of the Vienna Woods, in the midst of
vineyards and meadows. After assembling bikes, we’ll have time
to explore the town and its elegant villas and buildings, all
fine examples of the Biedermeier (early 1800’s) architecture.
July 25 – TULLN 39mi,
1000ft, or 56mi 2500ft altitude gain
Immediately upon leaving Baden and the surrounding vineyards, we
enter the hilly wooded country of the Wienerwald (Viennese
Forest). Most of the day will be spent meandering along shaded
winding roads, through tiny villages nestled in the valleys.
Even though we are just a few kilometers west of Vienna, the
Wienerwald retains a peaceful, uncrowded character. The small
but beautiful mountains we are cycling through are the eastern
terminus of the mighty Alps chain, which stretch through
Switzerland, down through France and Italy, and finally
disappear into the Mediterranean Sea. In Heiligenkreuz, be sure
to check out the Cistercian abbey, perhaps the best example of
Romanesque-Gothic architecture in Austria. We exit the wooded
hills to the north through the flat farmland to the charming
town of Tulln, sitting on the banks of the Danube River.
July 26 -
MELK 44mi, 500ft, or
53mi, 1600ft
The 'blue' Danube is certainly one of Europe’s most important
rivers, being the major waterway for much of Eastern Europe and
is the second longest (behind the Volga). The section from Krems
to Melk, called the Wachau, is considered the most beautiful
stretch of the entire river. A quick 25 miles in the morning
bring us to Krems and a major pastry stop. Just up river is
Durnstein, the prettiest village along the river and made famous
by the legend of King Richard the Lion Hearted; it was in
Durnstein where he was held captive in the castle dungeon for
many years. We will have the opportunity to see and visit many
churches and castles on today’s ride, including the fortified
church of St Michael, the castle of Hinternaus in Spitz, the
huge fortress at Aggstein, as well as Schloss (castle)
Schjonbuhel, and the amazing baroque abbey of Stift Melk. It is
advisable to arrive early in Melk, since it will take an hour or
two to explore the Abbey, considered the most famous of all
baroque architecture. The village is also quaint, with a
beautiful town square, many little stores and pastry and coffee
shops.
July 27 - STEYR 67mi,
4500ft, or 71mi, 3000ft
Today, both of our routes leave the beautiful ‘blue’ Danube and
head into the low hills to the south. The easier (but longer)
route follows a bike path along the Danube to Ybbs, while the
harder route hits the hills directly out of Melk. This area is
not famous for its beauty, something that is entirely unfair.
We’ll see mostly farmlands and grazing cattle, with rolling
green hills, little romantic villages, quiet roads - all very
pastoral. There will be splendid views and sweeping downhill
runs from beautiful ridges, winding river valleys, shaded forest
roads, all in all, some of the best mellow riding of the tour.
Steyr is an interesting town and deserves some exploring, if
only to find a good bier stube or hofbrauhaus for a cold stein
of beer.
July 28 – GMUNDEN 47mi, 4200ft, or 71mi,
5200ft
We leave Steyr heading south with the Enns River on our left and
beautiful rolling green hills on our right. Certainly a mellow
ride to begin with, but we do cross over these hills and two
other sets of foothills, with some very nice twisting descents.
We call these Swiss rollers, but anywhere else they would be
called serious climbs. The long route includes an out and back
up the Almtal, a scenic valley, to the Almsee. The climb is
gradual with plenty of gorgeous sights for distraction, and well
worth the extra effort. We have quietly entered into the higher
mountains of the Salzkammergut, and the best part of the day is
our destination city of Gmunden, nestled beneath towering peaks
on the shores of the Traunsee. There will be plenty of photo
opportunities along the lively lakeshore and in the bustling
interior of the city.
July 29 - MONDSEE
33mi, 1650, or 67mi, 4000ft
The combination of steep mountains and blue lakes makes for
great scenery and awesome views, and for today’s ride, that is
exactly what we have. We start with an optional ride along the
lake to the picturesque village of Traunkirchen, with great
views of the Traunsee and the near-vertical mountains on the
other side. A long gradual climb over the Hollengebirge (and
descent) brings us to the Attersee. Here the easier route
splits to go along the lake and then on to the charming town of
Mondsee, on the lake of the same name. After a short ride
along the Attersee, the longer route climbs back over the
Hollengebirge to the Wolfgangsee.
In the
picturesque village of St Wolfgang, sitting beneath the cliffs
of the Schafberg, we have the option of taking a small ferry
across the lake, or cycling around (9 miles extra). Mondsee has
a great central plaza. There are many small café / restaurants
with the beautiful church of ‘The Sound of Music’
fame dominating the view.
July 30 - MONDSEE Loop ride, 43mi,
approx. 2000ft
Today can be a total rest day, go nowhere but the nearest café
or the beach and do nothing but relax. Since tomorrows visit
will be all to short one option for today is to take a bus to
Salzburg, and get a head start on tomorrows visit. and still not
have enough time to see everything. If you would prefer an easy
bike ride the loop route is quite exceptional. We pass by five
small lakes, innumerable farmhouses, 7 rolling hills, 16 tiny
villages, three bigger villages and countless good views. This
is an easy ride and everyone should be back in time to enjoy
relaxing in Mondsee.
July 31 - BERCHTESGADEN
33mi, 600ft, or 44mi, 1500ft
Salzburg can easily be declared one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe. It has often been described as a Baroque city
extraordinaire, exemplified by the architecture of the many
beautiful buildings. Salzburg has a great musical heritage, and
is the hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as the home
of the Von Trapp “Sound of Music” family. There are many
wonderful shops, restaurants, and cafes; there are museums,
churches, music festivals; and there is an impressive castle
overlooking the city. One day is certainly not enough to fully
appreciate this wonderful city, but we are only passing through
on our way to another fabulous destination, Berchtesgaden,
nestled high in the German Alps.
August 1- BERCHTESGADEN -
various loop rides or rest day
Berchtesgaden was closed off from most of the world for
centuries because the residents were essentially slaves to the
land owners. As a result true cottage industries developed as a
means for earning income from selling crafts to traveling
merchants. Most notable are the brightly colored wooden boxes
made by hand even today. The town museum depicts the lives of
the slave workers. The nearby salt mines are definitely worth a
visit. Hitler’s 50th birthday present, the nearby Eagle’s Nest,
affords spectacular vistas of the surrounding lands. This
mountain top residence is a big tourist attraction, reached only
by bus, but everyone should visit this spectacular place if
possible. Amid all this history is one of the most beautiful
spots in Europe and if you have the legs for it, there are
plenty of cycling routes, and some of the best hiking in
Germany.
August 2 - BAD AUSSEE
53mi, 3000ft, or 62mi, 3400ft
Today we head deeper into the Salzkammergut, and the rolling
green hills give way to forests, deep valleys and large imposing
mountains. This will be some of the most beautiful mountain and
lake scenery yet, as we pass up a couple of the famous
Salzkammergut lakes, including the stunningly beautiful
Hallstatter See. The villages are smaller and more rural, but
still very charming. If there is one which most deserves to be
on a post card, it is Hallstatt. This mostly Baroque village
clings precariously to the steep mountain slopes on the edge of
the Hallstatter See. Shortly after this wonderful village, we
face the most daunting obstacle of the entire tour, a 1 k climb
of 14%, followed by 500 meters of 23%. Luckily it is short and
walking is permitted; and after this effort, we get to blast
down hill. The longer route takes a side trip to the Gausausee
(9 miles and 400ft extra). Beneath the cliffs of the Dachstein
range, this lake is considered the most beautiful of the many
lakes in this region. Bad Aussee is another quaint spa town,
and relaxing here will not be difficult after the day’s ride.
August 3 - ADMONT 47mi,
1700ft, or 60mi, 4000ft
We stay in the
mountains the entirety of the day, but most of the route will be
in the Enns River valley, so the ride will be somewhat mellow.
It will be the tiny side roads and cute little villages with
their churches, restaurants and pastry shops that will define
today’s ride. At the start of the day, the very scenic ride
around the Grundlsee adds 10 miles, but is an absolute must ride
with no elevation gain. Once in Admont, treat yourself a visit
of the Gothic cathedral, the Stift Admont. The more recently
constructed abbey library is considered one of the finest
examples of Baroque architecture in the world.
August 4 - MARIAZELL/FADENTAL
69mi, 3300ft, or 71mi, 4300ft
East of Admont is the Steiermark region, a rugged mountainous
area with deep, heavily forested valleys. The rock faces of
these mountains provide some of the best climbing in Austria.
Immediately upon leaving Admont we enter the Gesause gorge
beneath the steep mountains of the Eienerzer Alpen. The easier
route then follows the Salza River valley all the way to
Mariazell. This is a very gentle climb (37 miles.1000ft), and
very scenic, following the high rocky peaks of the Hochswab
range. Mariazell is worth the short, extra climb; do a little
exploring and enjoy an ice cream or pastry before heading off to
our secluded hotel. The more difficult route loops to the
north, away from the big mountains, on less traveled roads, but
nonetheless still beautiful.
August 5 - SEMMERING PASS
63mi 4000ft, or 64mi, 5000ft
Today’s ride is much like yesterday’s, high mountains, forested
hills, cute villages, gradual climbs and descents on beautiful
roads following winding river valleys. The final climb is on
tiny roads sometimes following the Semmering railway. Another
option is to actually take the train to the top. Our ‘grand’
hotel at the Semmering Pass has a wonderful setting and will be
a great place to relax, (they have a great spa) take a hike, or
ride one of many possible loops on our two days here.
August 6 - BADEN 50mi,
2500ft
Again a wonderful day of riding, with great views and sweeping
descents, cute villages and tall churches, pastries and coffee,
and of course easy climbs. After the winding descent from the
Semmering our first gradual climb is up the deep gorge,
Hollental, or Hells Valley. Soak in the beauty, for this is the
last day. Take another look at the vineyards, the mountains,
the lovely creeks, and the forests. Breath it in once more and
when we arrive in Baden in the afternoon, take another stroll
through town, order a “café mélange” and enjoy the essence of
Austria, for you will want to return.
August 7 - Departure -
Van transportation provided to Vienna airport
COST
$2995 per person based on Double Occupancy
$550 Single Supplement
INCLUDES
· 2-4 star hotel accommodations
· Breakfast daily (except arrival day)
· All dinners (except departure day and 1 evening)
· Airport/train station transfers to and from gateway hotel
· Bike mechanic and van support with cellular phone
· Ground transportation for all luggage, bikes and participants
· Regional map plus detailed daily route maps & cue
sheets
NOT INCLUDED
· International airfare
· Tips, gratuities, laundry, telephone, & items of a personal nature.
· Lunches and alcoholic beverages (a supplemental fee will be charged for those who want wine with dinner, and can be
prepaid before departure)
PRE-TRIP PLANNING
A complete trip packet will be sent upon receipt of your final payment, including tour t-shirt, hotel lists, maps, and luggage tags. Our guidebook containing information on what to bring, how to
pack your bike for flying, equipment list, and changing currencies, will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit (due by March 1). All participants must possess a current passport.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Erickson Cycle Tours strongly
recommends purchasing insurance for trip cancellation, injury, illness, and loss of effects. A traveler's insurance brochure will be included in your confirmation letter.
AIRFARE
We offer the services of our travel agent, Shannon or Steve of
Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical, expedient air reservations, and we can assist with lodging for pre- and post-tour plans. For flight information, contact
Rogue Travel at 1.800.443.9216, or shannon@mind.net. If you prefer,
you may use the services of your own travel agent. |
