As a child, I first visited the Krimml Waterfalls with my parents, and from that moment, I knew I had to return someday. When I began preparing our travel documents for the Tauern Cycle Path, it quickly became clear: this year, the route from Krimml to Salzburg would be my “Team Member on Tour” travel. My friends, who join me every year, were easy to convince—and now, the day has finally arrived. Off we go to Krimml…
Upon arriving in Krimml, we head straight to our hotel for the day. It’s only midday, but Martin, the manager of the Panoramahotel Burgeck, has already prepared our rooms. After quickly dropping off our bags, we set off on foot toward the waterfalls. Yes—on foot! Today, the bikes stay put.
After a 15-minute stroll through the charming village of Krimml, we arrive at the entrance. First, we head straight to the lower waterfall. Here, water cascades down the rocks from a height of 140 meters (460 feet)—it's loud and wet but absolutely breathtaking. The waterfalls reach their peak flow in June and July. No matter how close I try to get, it never feels near enough. Just like when I was a child, I’m once again awestruck by the power of nature.
Happily, we hike up to the middle waterfall and continue toward the upper falls. The path is steep but manageable, and we’re rewarded with stunning views along the way. Unfortunately, the rain starts to fall, and just before reaching the very top, we decide to turn back.
On the way back to the hotel, the sun comes out again. We stop for a break on a small bench just before the hotel and enjoy the view of Krimml and the waterfalls.
By 7:30 a.m., we’re already settled on the hotel’s beautiful terrace, savoring our first coffee of the day. Refreshed and fueled by a delicious breakfast, we hop on our bikes and set off. It’s the perfect start—the route of our self-guided tour winds idyllically through Hohe Tauern National Park along the Krimmler Ache. We pedal through alternating stretches of forest and vibrant meadows, all framed by stunning mountain views. Already, we can tell this is going to be an amazing tour!
We pedal through charming little Pinzgau villages like Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Bramberg am Wildkogel until we reach Mittersill, where we take a midday break—it’s roughly halfway through today’s stage.
We press on, shadowed by dark clouds as we make our way toward Kaprun. Fortunately, we find brief shelter at a farmhouse, avoiding the rain. Once in Kaprun, we pause again. The weather has eased somewhat, but there’s sadly no time to visit the high alpine reservoirs. As a consolation, we look forward to a “water laser music show” in Zell am See after dinner—a wonderful way to end our first day of cycling.
In the morning, we quickly snap a few photos at Lake Zell before setting off toward Lofer. We pedal through the idyllic village of Maishofen and soon arrive in Maria Alm, a renowned pilgrimage site celebrated for its beautifully painted houses. From there, we roll on to Saalfelden, where we pause briefly by the sparkling Ritzensee and the charming town square, dominated by its striking wine-red town hall.
Our journey continues along the Saalach River, with the dramatic Steinernes Meer mountains always in sight. Just before Weißbach, we stop for a hearty lunch at Gasthof Geronimo—fuel for the day’s highlight: the Seisenberg Gorge. Stretching about 600 meters (around 2,000 feet), the gorge offers a choice: a loop trail or an out-and-back hike. The first half feels tame—especially if you’ve explored other gorges—but then the trail squeezes tightly between towering rock walls. Above, a narrow slit lets in shafts of light, while below, water thunders through the narrow canyon with powerful force. The scene is breathtaking and, with sunlight filtering through, carries an almost mystical atmosphere. At the top, we refresh ourselves by dipping our feet into the icy mountain stream before retracing our steps and continuing the ride.
Lofer is just around the corner. We unwind with a leisurely stroll through its historic center, savor an Aperol Spritz on the terrace of the Steinerwirt, and wrap up another unforgettable day on two wheels.
Today is sadly our last day of cycling. But first, we savor a hearty breakfast at the Steinerwirt hotel to fuel up for the day ahead. The forecast promises soaring temperatures. We set off through the stunning Saalachtal Valley toward Bad Reichenhall. Just outside Lofer, we pause for photos at the Teufelssteg—a beautiful wooden bridge spanning a wild stretch of the Saalach River. The sky is cloudless, and by mid-morning the heat is already intense. We’re grateful that the cycle path frequently winds through long stretches of shady forest, offering welcome relief. The close proximity to the river also provides refreshing moments along the way. Arriving in the spa and salt city of Bad Reichenhall, our first stop is the beer garden, where we cool down with a nice cool drink.
As we stroll through Florianiplatz, we naturally pick up some salt as a souvenir. After quickly snapping a photo of the historic old saltworks, we continue on to Salzburg. The route leads us past Schloss Leopoldskron along the River Glan and into the Mozart city. With the temperature climbing above 30°C (86°F), we’re more than ready to reach the hotel. After a refreshing shower, we conclude this stunning cycling journey with a relaxed tour of Salzburg.
Experiencing the raw power of water up close is what made the rocks by the lower waterfall in Krimml my favorite spot on this tour. With an awe-inspiring drop of 380 meters (1,247 feet), these are the tallest waterfalls in Europe. The thunderous rush of water, the mist rising in clouds of millions of droplets that catch the sunlight and paint vibrant rainbows—it’s a natural spectacle that captivates not just me, but everyone who visits. My tip: Arrive early in the morning and set aside a full day to truly take in the magic of the falls.
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