With Malin around Zell am See

Day 1: Arrival in Schüttdorf/Zell am See

The train journey from Vienna to Zell am See was very pleasant, and on the regional train from Salzburg to Zell am See, the views of the Alpine foothills already put us in the mood for the week ahead between Lake Zell and the surrounding mountains. Even the arrival in Zell am See was spectacular, as the railway station is located right on the lakeshore.

Although the lake was very tempting, we first took the other exit and caught the bus to our hotel. Just ten minutes later, we arrived at Hotel Schütthof, where we received a warm welcome at check-in. After being given all the important information, as well as the Zell am See Summer Card and Guest Mobility Card, we were invited to enjoy a welcome drink.

After taking in the beautiful view from our room’s balcony across the surrounding mountain scenery, the wonderful autumn weather encouraged us to go for a walk along the lakeside promenade into the old town.

After returning to the hotel by bus, a delicious five-course dinner gave us our first taste of the excellent food and service that we would enjoy for the rest of the week as part of our half-board stay.

Day 2: Cycling Tour to Maria Alm and Saalfelden

After fuelling up at the generous breakfast buffet, we collected our rental bikes, complete with panniers and handlebar bags, from the bike rental shop just a few minutes away. After the helpful staff member had explained everything we needed to know about the bikes, she also gave us the rental company’s phone number. In case of a breakdown, we could simply call them and they would bring us a replacement bike.

Well equipped, we set off on our first cycling tour, initially following the shores of Lake Zell. Within the first few kilometres, we stopped several times to take photos of the lake with the mountains rising around it.

After leaving Lake Zell behind and passing Prielau Castle, we continued towards Maria Alm along the well-signposted Tauern Cycle Path. The Steinernes Meer mountain range remained in view throughout, along with countless other picturesque scenes: lush green meadows, grazing cows and donkeys, and traditional Pinzgau farmhouses overflowing with colourful flowers.

After a short ride through Maria Alm, with its distinctive, sharply pointed church tower, we continued to Saalfelden. Unfortunately, our many photo stops meant that we arrived too late to redeem the voucher included in our tour for a packed lunch of regional specialities from the Saalachtaler Bauernladen farm shop.

After buying some food elsewhere, we cycled the few remaining kilometres to Lake Ritzensee and enjoyed our picnic on the lakeshore, with idyllic views across the water and mountains.

We then played a round of mini golf at the nearby course, complete with views of the Steinernes Meer and plenty of charming 1980s retro atmosphere, before setting off on our return journey to Zell am See.

Now with the Kitzsteinhorn in view, we soon reached Lake Zell again. Since the western shore was already in the shade, we returned to the hotel via the eastern shore. Our room key also gave us access to the hotel’s secure bike storage room, where we could leave our bicycles overnight.

Day 3: Cycling Tour into the Fusch Valley

As rain was forecast from the afternoon onwards, we chose one of the shorter routes from the suggested cycling tours and headed into the Fusch Valley.

After passing Bruck an der Grossglocknerstrasse, the cycle path followed the Grossglockner High Alpine Road towards Fusch. With views of the surrounding 3,000-metre peaks beneath dramatic rain clouds, the scenery was particularly atmospheric.

It was a shame that the rain had already started, as we would have loved to continue a little further along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. At least we now have a rather ambitious sporting goal for our next visit to the region: cycling up the Grossglockner!

For this trip, however, we turned back towards Schüttdorf, stopping briefly in the centre of Bruck to visit its beautiful Gothic church. We reached the hotel just in time before the rain really started pouring down.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the hotel’s wellness area, which has two saunas, a steam bath and a relaxation room overlooking the mountain range opposite, now partly hidden by clouds.

Day 4: Cycling to Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn, followed by a Cycling Tour to St. Johann im Pongau

After the previous day’s rain, cloudy weather was still forecast in the valley for the morning, but the Kitzsteinhorn webcam showed brilliant sunshine.

After a substantial breakfast, we therefore cycled through the morning mist to Kaprun and the cable car valley station. As we ascended by cable car, we soon found ourselves looking down onto the clouds that were still hanging over the valley.

When we stepped out at the mountain station, we found ourselves walking through the first snow of the season. The previous day’s precipitation had fallen as snow up here at an altitude of 3,029 metres.

From the “TOP OF SALZBURG” viewing platform, we enjoyed sweeping views across the mountain world: the Steinernes Meer, the Leoganger and Loferer Steinberge, the Karwendel mountains, the Zugspitze, Grossvenediger and many more.

While my sister went on a short mountain hike, I decided to go on another cycling tour. By the time I returned to the valley, the sun was shining there too, and I cycled onwards to Bruck.

Following the Salzach River, I continued via Taxenbach, Lend and Schwarzach to St. Johann im Pongau. The constant ups and downs were rewarded time and again with wonderful views, including panoramas of the Hohe Tauern.

Once I reached my destination, I was very glad to be able to take the train back to Zell am See. This even left enough time for a quick sauna session before dinner. This time, we watched the mountains glowing in the evening sun from the relaxation room.

Day 5: Cycling from Mittersill towards Krimml

Although we had both cycled the section of the Tauern Cycle Path between Mittersill and Krimml before, we decided to ride part of it again because we had enjoyed it so much.

Due to rail replacement services between Zell am See and Fürth/Kaprun because of maintenance work, we could only take our bicycles onto the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn from Fürth.

In hindsight, we were glad about this, as the short ride there took us through a landscape transformed by mystical early-morning mist.

During the train journey to Mittersill, the mist gradually cleared, and we were able to cycle along the Salzach River in bright sunshine. Once again, the route offered beautiful panoramic views, with some of the mountain peaks already lightly dusted with snow.

Although we did not have enough time to cycle the entire route to Krimml, our final cycling tour still provided us with countless wonderful photo opportunities.

After returning our rental bikes, one last excellent dinner was waiting for us back at the hotel.