Krimml is a small town next to Europe’s highest waterfall. A must, while there, is to have a break from the bike and to walk to the top of the falls along a broad footpath. There are lots of bus trips, so a 10am start is recommended! The views as you climb are excellent and there are plenty of opportunities for photoshoots and refreshment. Once at the top you come to a beautiful plateau where you can walk for miles beside the river that feeds the fall. There are alpine gasthofs where you can obtain food and drink.
There is a long steep climb from Unter Krimml to Krimml so we would recommend starting the ride from Wald, a village about 3km down the hill from Krimml. This saves a long climb at the end of the ride on the return journey!!! We have done this ride, with variations, on four occasions. It is not a ride where you will encounter many cyclists. It is, along with the Mosel, our joint favourite. The scenery is wonderful... even in the rain! It takes in the rivers Saalach, Salzach and Inn. There is plenty of available accommodation all the way.
When we did this ride we returned by train to Wald, changing train at Zell am See to the Pinzgauer bahn. This train now only goes as far as Mittersill (I think!) as part of the line was damaged by flooding recently. Travelling by train with the bikes is fairly easy – many trains will accommodate bikes – the worst bit is taking them between platforms, where, although there are narrow ramps alongside the steps, it can be fairly tricky at times to manoeuvre the bikes up and down with the paniers on. Trains can be booked in advance - www.bahn.de (click the English option!) - but we have often done it once we are over there. Not a problem.
Our base is Gasthof Schranz (www.gasthofschranz.com) Wald in Pinzgau, 3km down the long hill from Krimml! We book there in advance as this is where we leave the car for the duration of the trip. The ensuite double rooms, with breakfast for two are excellent value at approx 50 Euro. Request a quiet room at the back of hotel. The menu is large and varied and beer, wine and food are all reasonably priced.
Day 1: to Kaprun (60km)
The ride from Wald is wonderful. The cycle tracks take you through magnificent scenery, along the River Saalach through alpine meadows with hills and mountains on both sides. There are many villages along the way where you can rest, shop, eat, drink and enjoy the scenery before arriving in Kaprun.
Day 2: to Lofer (55km)
The ride to Lofer is very picturesque, taking you along the lake at Zell am See and then a variety of tracks through forests and meadows. Once again the scenery is stunning.
Day 3: to Oberndorf (or Laufen) (70km)
The ride to Laufen/Oberndorf is very picturesque, much of it beside the river – some hills on rough track and some forest tracks prior to Bad Reichenhall - all the way to Salzburg where a 2 night stop would obviously give the opportunity for sightseeing – we carried on as we had already “done” Salzburg!. From Salzburg it is the Salzach Radweg. This portion is all along the side of the river, easy riding, if a little boring. Oberndorf is Austrian while Laufen is German. The towns are connected by a bridge
Day 4: to Burghausen (45km)
The ride to Burghausen is again along the riverside and easy riding. Burghausen is a very pleasant town to wander around with a large market square and interesting buildings.
Day 5: to Obernberg (55km)
Setting off to Obernberg, you must cross the river again and turn right. Take the first left up a narrow, steep road. We walk, too early in the morning to face challenges! It is an enjoyable ride joining the river Inn before Braunau.
Day 6: to Passau (55km)
www.edlhof.de
The ride to Passau, is along the river, with quite a few ups and downs. Passau is a lovely city where three rivers meet, and worth stopping there for lunch! It is then 12 km further, down the Danube (Donau) to the place we stay, Erlau. We book this one in advance, “a quiet room at the back, please”, as it is close to a busy road. Recommend a couple of days here, at least, to enable you to explore Passau.