Innsbruck to Salzburg Hike & Bike

On arrival in Innsbruck, walk to your hotel which is ideally located to explore the sites of this lively town such as the castle, old town section and the ski jumping station.

This morning you take the tram from Innsbruck, followed by a cable car which takes you up to 2000m/6562ft. From the top of the cable car station you follow an easy high trail passing old stone pines high above the Inn valley. Enjoy refreshments at a mountain hut where you can purchase fresh cheese, and later descend by cable car and return to your hotel by bus. Walking distance: 7.7km/4.8mi

This morning you swap your hiking boots for a bike and follow the cycle trail along the Inn river out of the city. This well signed trail takes you past historic towns where you can visit the famous Swarovski crystal world in Wattens or take a rest in the old streets of the many villages you pass. On one side you will see the Alps and on the other side the Karwendel mountain range. Stay overnight at the entrance of the Zillertal valley.

The route this morning gradually ascends into the Zillertal valley, famous for skiing all year round at the glacier, to the village of Zell am Ziller. The valley offers much more than skiing, with its incredible scenery, alpine pastures and little villages with good restaurants. If you're making good time and wish to do the longer cycle, you can do a loop ride from Zell am Ziller to Mayrhofen, the main village in the valley. From Zell am Ziller, transfer after lunch over the Gerlos Pass to Krimml (approx. 30 mins duration). On arrival in Krimml you will still have time to walk to the waterfalls.

On foot today you will pass the Krimml waterfall (one of the highest in Europe) on your way into the national park, which has trails to reach viewpoints and explore the different levels of the falls. Armed with your map, you can explore deeper into the valley to the edge of the Alps. The mountain hut “Tauernhaus” is the starting point for trails which lead over the Alps eg, the trans alp trek. We recommend taking a taxi into the valley and walking back to Krimml passing by the waterfall from above! You will mainly walk along a nice gravel road with fantastic views. Overnight Krimml. Walking distance: 11.4km/7mi

Back on the bikes today as you follow the Salzach river valley almost from the source, with impressive mountain ranges on both sides of the wide valley. There are many side trips you can take into the National Park of Hohe Tauern and we highly recommend a visit of the park's information centre. Mt Kitzsteinhorn is one of 266 peaks over 3000m/9843ft located in this wild alpine park, Austria's oldest national park. The cycle continues to the old market town of Zell am See with its wonderful lakeside position and views of the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner (3798m/12,461ft).

Outside of skiing in winter, there is no better way to see Zell am See-Kaprun than on foot. The spectacular combination of glacier, mountains and lake is nothing short of unique and guarantees unforgettable insights into Austria's natural environment. Discover the two high mountain reservoirs Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden, embedded in the impressive mountains of the Hohe Tauern and enjoy the great views at 2000m altitude. A bus takes you straight up into the heart of the alpine world. There is also the option to do a guided dam tour which includes a hike to the Mooserboden dam where you have the opportunity to explore inside the dam and learn how “green” electricity is generated. Walk the herbal path (45mins, 237m/778ft ascent) from the Mooserboden reservoir to rustic Fürthermoaralm to see the unique vegetation of the Hohe Tauern mountains. Overnight Zell am See.

Cycling again, you take a route around the lake and later pass small hamlets with old farm houses. There will be some hills in the morning and a sensational view to the so-called Stony Sea Mountain range. In the afternoon you will pass some impressive gorges (open to visit) and a huge cave before arriving at Lofer, where you stay tonight.

Continuing along the river Saalach the cycle takes in a small part of Bavaria. The mountains are not as high as on previous days but form a part of the National park of Berchtesgaden. Cycle through the spa city of Bad Reichenhall where you can visit the old salt mine, have a break in the old town or visit a brewery. Afterwards you are almost in Salzburg and you should visit the open air museum of Grossgmain with old farm houses. For lovers of the movie 'The Sound of Music', you pass a castle with a lake which featured in the film. Welcome to Salzburg!

The trip concludes after breakfast.