Brilliant Bike Ride to Altaussee


Cycling from Rosenhof, Ebensee to Bad Ischl

With the Salzkammergut Trophy (Austria’s largest mountain bike marathon) taking place around early July every year, we decided to get a taste of what lied in store for some of the competitors by tackling a “small” section leaving the Rosenhof B&B in Ebensee, heading to Bad Ischl and towards Altaussee via Rettenbach Alm and Blaa-Alm, two restaurant/inns that are located on high plateaus in the beautiful Salzkammergut area of Austria. As well as cycling to Altaussee we also took in lake Hallstatt and then finished our cycling route back in Bad Ischl at the Konditorei Zauner for a final Radler 🙂

Taking the bicycles straight out of the Rosenhof we started the day cycling towards Bad Ischl which took us along a lovely and mostly flat forest track above the Traun river.

Crossing over the river Traun on our bikes above a dramatic waterfall.
Crossing over the river Traun on our bikes above a dramatic waterfall.
The forest track provides a lovely bike route to get between Ebensee and Bad Ischl.
The forest track provides a lovely bike route to get between Ebensee and Bad Ischl.
As well as the bike path through the forest there are some nice open vistas too.
As well as the bike path through the forest there are some nice open vistas too.

Mountain Biking Up to Rettenbach Alm and Blaa-Alm

Within an hour we were ready to start our approach to the Rettenbach Alm, where we would be rewarded with a spectacular view, some eggs and a Radler (a type of beer with lemonade suitable for cyclists!). The approach was another forest track though this time with a steady incline but by no means tricky and the view at the plateau is definitely worth it.

View from the Rettenbach Alm.
View from the Rettenbach Alm.
Rettenbach Alm - a great pit stop!
Rettenbach Alm – a great pit stop!

Once we were refuelled it was onwards and definitely upwards towards the Blaa-Alm! Whilst the first half involved a fairly furious pumping of the legs, we just couldn’t manage the last half on our bikes and had to walk them up but it was not too far to go and again the reward made it well worth it.

The cycle and hiking path turned to gravel and we started to notice a gradient!
The cycle and hiking path turned to gravel and we started to notice a gradient!
There was light at the end of the tunnel and Robert too!
There was light at the end of the tunnel and Robert too!
This part of the cycling/hiking track defeated our legs despite looking so easy in the photo...
This part of the cycling/hiking track defeated our legs despite looking so easy in the photo…
...but it wasn't long before the plateau flattened the cycling path once again.
…but it wasn’t long before the plateau flattened the cycling path once again.
The highest point of our cycling route at ~925m.
The highest point of our cycling route at ~925m.
Another well deserved pit stop at Blaa-Alm where the food was superb!
Another well deserved pit stop at Blaa-Alm where the food was superb!

Having ascended something like 200m vertical over 3km we were definitely ready for a break from the bikes! Luckily for us the beautiful Blaa-Alm was ready to oblige and we had another Radler along with some fantastic food. As it was such a nice spot we lingered and recharged our cycling legs for the next section towards Altaussee. The playground up there was probably a child’s dream and there was another high wire climbing course shortly past the Alm which would have been a fun day out too. Once we got back on the bikes we were pleased to find that the route was all downhill towards the dramatic peak of Loser and then the beautiful lake next to Altaussee.

The distinctive peak of the Loser mountain.
The distinctive peak of the Loser mountain.
The view at lake Altaussee is particularly stunning and very peaceful.
The view at lake Altaussee is particularly stunning and very peaceful.

Downhill to Altaussee and Hallstattsee

Having taken in the sights of Altaussee we were tempted by a swim in the lake but unfortunately it was not a day for skinny dipping and we’d forgotten our swim wear! We’ll be sure to go back though as the lake is surrounded by stunning vistas with some nice areas to lay and relax. At this point it would have been possible to catch a train back to Ebensee with the bikes, however, all the downhill had sufficiently recharged our legs so we opted to continue onto Obertraun and enjoy the views at lake Hallstatt.
Crossing the river Traun again but a lot further upstream this time.
Crossing the river Traun again but a lot further upstream this time.
Cycling down to Obertraun through the gorge was impressive.
Cycling down to Obertraun through the gorge was impressive.
Cycling round lake Hallstatt takes you away from the lake side at times but was still beautiful.
Cycling round lake Hallstatt takes you away
from the lake side at times but was still beautiful.
Looking over the lake towards Hallstatt village from the bike path which is suspended in parts above the lake!
Looking over the lake towards Hallstatt village from the bike path which is suspended in parts above the lake!

Biking Back to Bad Ischl

After making our way, which was mostly down, to Hallstatt lake through a beautiful gorge we decided to treat ourselves to another Radler and then debated about taking the train back or continuing to Bad Ischl. The legs had had a good stretch at this point with around 60km worth of cycling but we thought we had the final 15km to Bad Ischl left in them so off we cycled! This final section was almost totally flat as you follow the river for most of the cycle ride and only deviate to pass through the pretty towns of Bad Goisern and Lauffen. It was a nice way to end the day arriving at Konditorei Zauner for a final Radler and a reflection on the days fantastic bike ride through some of the best mountains and lakes we’ve seen in Austria!

Franz Josef hunting scene near Bad IschlInteresting building alongside cycle path to Bad Ischl
Konditorei Zauner - perfect for a Radler and cake!
Konditorei Zauner – perfect for a Radler and cake!

The day was finished with a quick train trip back to Ebensee where we relaxed in the comfort of the Rosenhof B&B and swapped saddle stories with our family on the beautiful Sun terrace whilst enjoying, yup you guessed it(!), another Radler 😉

For more information on this route or the many other routes that start nearby to the Rosenhof B&B we can of course tell you all you need when you stay with us and can provide great maps as well as plenty of hints and tips to make the most of your cycling holiday in this beautiful part of Austria.


About Robert Blee

Addicted to snowboarding, cycling, hiking and most activities involving the stunning lakes and mountains around us, I love living in Ebensee, Austria!