There is no better way to experience the heart of Europe than from the saddle of a bicycle. Over two weeks in late May, our group of five riders from Mumbai embarked on an unforgettable cycling tour across Austria, riding from the grand streets of Vienna to the striking alpine backdrop of Innsbruck. Our trusty steeds were loaded down with quite heavy pannier bags, carrying everything we needed for the journey ahead. Every day brought a new tapestry of deep woods, rolling fields, sweeping mountain vistas, perfectly paved bike paths, and charming small villages. And every night? A veritable celebration of the day’s adventures with hearty local food, excellent red wines, and crisp Austrian beer.
Day 1 & 2: May 17 & 18 – Arrival and Assembly in Vienna (30 km)
Our journey began with an early morning flight out of Mumbai, touching down in the Austrian capital by 8 PM.The excitement was palpable as we settled into our hotel right in the historic center of the town. Waking up early the next morning, we fueled up with a fantastic hotel breakfast before tackling the most crucial task: building our steeds. Teamwork was in full swing as all five of us pitched in, assembling two bikes first, followed by the remaining three. I was thrilled to get my Trek 520 touring bike dialed in, knowing its sturdy frame would be perfect for the miles ahead. By noon, we were rolling on a shakedown city tour, gliding along the beautiful Danube river and walking our bikes through the iconic St. Stephen’s Church square. It was a brilliant way to explore Vienna while testing our newly assembled bikes to iron out any minor mechanical issues. As with every night on this tour, we wrapped up our first riding day with a lovely dinner with red wine, beer
Day 3: May 19 – Vienna to Krems an der Donau (84 km)
We kicked off the first official leg of our tour with a grand, ceremonial start from the magnificent Hofburg in Vienna. Within minutes, we transitioned onto the legendary Danube river path, a remarkably well-maintained trail that was an absolute joy to ride. The route was bustling with life; we passed countless fellow bicycle travelers hauling heavy panniers like us, alongside local riders speeding by on sleek road bikes. The 84-kilometer route threw a bit of everything at us, including some rather windy sections and a brief spell of afternoon rain. Yet, soaking in the mix of dramatic cloudy skies and bright sunny intervals only added to the romance of the Austrian countryside. The scenic transition from urban Vienna into the dense woods and quiet riverside villages was breathtaking. True to our daily ritual, the evening was spent recounting the day’s headwinds and triumphs over hearty local food, cold beers, and excellent red wine.
Day 4: May 20 – Krems an der Donau to Grein (90 km)
Leaving Krems behind, we embarked on a 90-kilometer stretch towards Grein, diving deeper into the heart of the Austrian countryside. The bike paths meandered seamlessly through sprawling green fields and dense, fragrant woods that offered much-needed shade. Riding with heavy pannier bags requires a steady rhythm, and our group quickly found a comfortable touring pace. Every turn of the pedal brought a new postcard-worthy view of quaint, small villages nestled against the riverbanks. Navigating these pristine trails, we marveled at the traditional architecture and the serene, untouched beauty of the valleys. While the distance was long, the mostly flat river trails allowed us to keep a consistent cadence. Arriving in the historic town of Grein, the fatigue in our legs was quickly forgotten.
Day 5: May 21 – Grein to Linz (60 km)
Our ride from Grein to Linz was a slightly shorter 60-kilometer jaunt, allowing us to truly soak in the riverside panoramas. The route continued to spoil us with immaculate bike paths that hugged the water’s edge, weaving through deep woods and vibrant, open agricultural fields. Along the way, we passed through numerous charming small towns where locals greeted us with friendly smiles. My Trek 520 touring bike handled the fully loaded panniers beautifully, absorbing the minor bumps of the country paths with ease. As the landscape slowly transitioned from quiet rural hamlets to the more bustling outskirts of Linz, we kept our group tight and our spirits high. The weather remained cooperative, casting a glorious light over the river and making the miles fly by. Pulling into Linz, we quickly found a spot to unwind. The evening transformed into our customary celebration—a table full of great food, clinking glasses of beer, and the soothing warmth of red wine.
Day 6: May 22 – Linz to Gmunden (75 km)
We rolled out from the bustling Linz city square, pausing just long enough to snap some group photos before hitting the trail. The route guided us away from the city and immediately onto beautiful bike paths that carved through expansive fields, thick woods, and idyllic villages all the way to Gmunden. We were blessed with bright, sunny skies throughout the day, which illuminated the countless green fields and made for an incredibly delightful visual experience. Cruising alongside river trails with Vijay and Bhavin, the camaraderie made the heavy loads we were hauling feel just a bit lighter. The pleasant riding was sharply interrupted toward the end of the day by some unexpectedly steep climbs just before Gmunden. Pushing our loaded touring bikes up those gradients was a serious effort, but the subsequent final descent into the town was exhilarating. Gmunden welcomed us with its stunning, crystal-clear lake situated perfectly at the center of the town.
Day 7: May 23 – Gmunden to Salzburg (80 km)
Leaving the beautiful lakeside of Gmunden, we set our sights on the iconic city of Salzburg, an 80-kilometer journey through Austria’s captivating heartland. The day’s ride was characterized by rolling hills, expansive meadows, and uninterrupted views of distant mountains starting to frame the horizon. Navigating the meticulously maintained bike paths, we passed through sleepy villages that felt entirely removed from the modern world. The heavy pannier bags were a constant reminder of the physical endeavor, but the rhythmic spinning of the pedals and the fresh, crisp air kept our motivation high. Entering the outskirts of Salzburg, the architectural grandeur of the city slowly revealed itself, a striking contrast to the rural woods and fields of the morning. Arriving in Mozart’s birthplace felt like a monumental milestone for our five-man squad. We spent the evening indulging in a lovely italian dinner.
Day 8: May 24 – Rest Day in Salzburg (35 km)
Our designated rest day in Salzburg wasn’t entirely spent off the saddle, as we still logged a leisurely 35 kilometers exploring the city and its immediate surroundings. We rode without bags with great relief on the Salzburg bike trails, which made the bikes feel remarkably agile and nimble. The day was a perfect mix of gentle riding and walking through Salzburg’s historic streets, soaking in the baroque architecture and vibrant local culture. Taking a break from the long-distance grind allowed our legs to recover while still enjoying the freedom of exploring by bicycle. In the evening, we rode a couple of kms to cross over to Germany for drinks and snacks just for the craze of visiting another country. We visited local cafes, strolled through grand squares, and simply appreciated the beauty of the city at a relaxed pace. As evening fell, we gathered once more to feast. The nightly celebration felt even more special on a rest day, filled with laughter, excellent local cuisine, and generous pours of red wine and beer to prep us for the mountains ahead.
Day 9: May 25 – Salzburg to Bischofshofen (58 km)
Departing Salzburg, our route took a decisive turn towards the imposing Alps, marking a 58-kilometer transition into more challenging terrain. The flat river paths gradually gave way to rolling hills as we pedaled deeper into the valleys. Surrounded by thick alpine woods and dramatic mountain scenery, the views became increasingly spectacular with every kilometer. We meandered through charming mountain villages, where wooden chalets with flower-lined balconies became the standard backdrop. The gradients began to pitch upward, offering a small taste of the climbing that awaited us in the days to come. Despite the increasing elevation and the weight of our gear, our group maintained a steady pace, encouraging each other along the way. Pulling into Bischofshofen, surrounded by towering peaks, we felt a profound sense of accomplishment. We quickly sought out a hearty meal to replenish our spent calories, washing down the local delicacies with our beloved red wines and cold beers.
Day 10: May 26 – Bischofshofen to Zell am See (57 km)
Knowing we faced significant elevation, we started early to tackle the challenging ride to Zell am See. The terrain quickly ramped up, throwing serious climbs at us with punishing gradients reaching up to 15%. Lugging our loaded touring bikes up those steep, rolling mountain roads required immense, perceptible effort from every rider. To compound the physical challenge, this part of Austria was enduring a strange heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 35 degrees. Yet, the grueling 650 meters of total elevation gain over the 57 kilometers were offset by the sheer visual delight of the route. We climbed through breathtakingly lovely mountains, vibrant green pastures, and valleys framed by a few dramatic snow peaks. Our destination, the town of Zell am See, greeted us with its absolutely lovely alpine lake. Exhausted but triumphant, our nightly celebration of great food, red wine, and beer was particularly hard-earned and deeply appreciated.
Day 11: May 27 – Zell am See to Worgl (77 km)
Our 77-kilometer journey into the Tirol region began with a tactical 30-minute morning train ride, allowing us to connect directly with the bike trail at a small town. From there, it was a spectacular day of riding through lush, vibrant green valleys nestled beneath towering mountains with snow and rock peaks. The Austrian bike paths were flawless, guiding us safely through some of the most picturesque landscapes of the entire tour. We made a deliberate stop at the quaint, historic town of St. Johann, which truly felt like a step back in time. We lingered there, admiring the beautifully preserved old buildings and monuments, taking pictures, and slowing down to just marvel at the route. The miles ticked by smoothly as we soaked in the alpine majesty, eventually wrapping up the day’s ride around 4 PM in Worgl. We spent the evening recounting the day’s scenic wonders over platefuls of hot food, sharing laughs, beers, and red wine late into the night.
Day 12: May 28 – Worgl to Innsbruck (68 km)
The final 68-kilometer riding leg from Worgl to Innsbruck was an awesome experience from start to finish. The route funneled us through dramatic alpine corridors, expansive green fields, and dense, quiet woods along beautifully paved river trails. As we pedaled closer to the Tirolean capital, the anticipation among our group grew with every passing town. The heavy panniers that had felt so burdensome on the climbs now felt like proud testaments to our journey across Austria. We rolled triumphantly into Innsbruck, culminating our epic ride in the city’s grand square right in front of the famous gold-plated building. It was a deeply emotional and triumphant moment for the whole crew. That night, our traditional celebration reached new heights. We toasted our monumental achievement with the finest red wine, overflowing steins of beer, and an unforgettable celebratory feast.
Day 13 & 14: May 29 to May 31 – Innsbruck Free Day and Journey Home
We spent our final full day enjoying a well-deserved, free rest day in the spectacular city of Innsbruck. Free from our bikes and heavy bags, we explored the alpine city on foot, soaking in the incredible blend of imperial architecture and towering mountain backdrops. It was a time to reflect on the hundreds of kilometers we had traversed, the majestic woods, the tough climbs, and the flawless bike paths that connected them all. We spent our last evening indulging in one final Austrian feast, raising our glasses of red wine and beer to a successful tour and the unforgettable memories made along the way. Next day, we took a train back to Vienna to pack our bikes, ready to catch our flights back to Mumbai, leaving Austria with our hearts full and our legs wonderfully tired.