The car-free cycling adventure day at Lake Attersee

The car-free cycling adventure day at Lake Attersee is not only a highlight for cycling and sports enthusiasts, but also a really nice day out for the whole family. 

On Sunday, 05/05/2024, the 27th Car-Free Cycling Experience Day took place on Lake Attersee. Of course, we didn't want to miss it. Eli is known to be the running enthusiast among us. I, on the other hand, tend to cycle more. So there was no question of me taking part in the cycling adventure day this year. Of course, Emma was also there and I could also look forward to Eli's support, which motivated me even more. I would like to tell you what it was like for us and how we fared in this article.

Directions and parking facilities

By car

Whether you're coming from Salzburg or Vienna/Linz, as is so often the case, take the motorway. More precisely, take the A1 motorway and follow it to the Seewalchen exit. When you reach the main road, turn right towards Kammer, which is closed during the Car-Free Cycling Experience Day on Lake Attersee. Opposite the exit is the commuter car park. With a bit of luck, you'll get a nice spot for your car here. As it was a Sunday, we could also use the car park at Eurospar, Hervis and other shops. We were there at 08:30, half an hour before the official start. The car park was about half full. Despite the many parking options, you should start the day as soon as possible.

With public transport

Travelling to the starting point in Kammer by public transport is also easy. Whether you are travelling from Salzburg or Vienna, the first train will take you to Vöcklabruck station. From here, a train goes directly to the Kammer-Schörfling railway station. After 5 stops and a 15-minute journey, you have already reached your destination. The practical thing about travelling by public transport is that you get off right at the start and can start this great tour straight away.

Key data for the car-free cycling experience day at Lake Attersee

I don't need to say much here. The road around Lake Attersee was closed from 08:30 to 16:30. Around 65,000 cyclists didn't want to miss out on this highlight and took part in the car-free cycling adventure day on Lake Attersee. The official start was at 09:30 in Kammer at the Agerbrücke bridge and the circular route went anti-clockwise. In the direction of Nußdorf, on to Unterach through Weyregg and back to the starting point. Our first stop was in Unterach, after just under 22 kilometres. We took our first break here at around the halfway point. We took a deep breath, recharged our batteries and then continued on. The next stop was at the finish line. There we had a well-earned meal, something to drink and I treated myself to a delicious soft ice cream.

• ✅ Starting point in Kammer at the Agerbrücke bridge
• ✅ Highest point about 500 m
• ✅ Distance 48 kilometres
• ✅ 250 metres in altitude
• ✅ 2.5 - 3 hours pure travelling time
• ✅ Swimming possibility
• ✅ Various places to stop for refreshments
• ✅ Possible with children
• ✅ with dogs possible - in trailer, basket, ...
• ⚠️ Oncoming traffic from other cyclists from time to time
• ⚠️ Thousands of cyclists are travelling around Lake Attersee, so keep your eyes open and be considerate here 

⚠️ ATTENTION: We expressly point out that we accept no liability for accidents or possibly closed trails. Before hiking, check the availability of the trail and reflect on your own fitness.

What else Lake Attersee has to offer

Bathing facilities

There are several here and everyone has different preferences. I can highly recommend Litzlberg as a lido. It's a great place to cool off, but it's always quite crowded in summer. Personally, I always look for a public bathing area. Emma is always with me and dogs are usually not allowed in lidos. The bathing spots I always go to are between Alexenau and Seeleiten. But there are a few other options, even if they are slowly becoming a rarity on Lake Attersee.

Culinary delights

We have already travelled to several restaurants around this beautiful lake. I would like to list a few of them here, as they really impressed me. Every single one of them has something special for me, which makes a simple meal a unique experience.

• Cafe Eiszeit, breakfast directly at the Attersee in Seewalchen. Choose from three different breakfast sizes: Small - Medium - Large. Depending on the size, you can then choose from a certain number of different pastries and 2, 4 or 6 extras. All three options include a hot drink of your choice. A small highlight is the guest garden, which is located directly on the lake.
• The Brandlkramerey, breakfast on Lake Attersee in Seewalchen. The lovingly home-prepared delicacies make brunch feel like home. The fact that Verena and her team endeavour to use seasonal and regional produce makes it taste even better. 
• The Röhre - Culinary delights between Attersee and Mondsee. The look and style are simply fantastic, the staff are super friendly and the selection of breakfast menus is not only large but also incredibly delicious.

Hiking possibilities

Apart from the car-free cycling adventure day at Lake Attersee, there are a number of other sporting activities and tours available to you here. I would like to recommend two of my absolute favourite hikes here. I've been on both adventures several times and they couldn't be more different. A lot of metres in altitude with a fantastic mountain pasture as a destination and a great family outing with a mermaid waiting for you.

• Hike to the Eisenaueralm via the Burggrabenklamm gorge. In the warmer months, the hike up to the Eisenaueralm is simply fantastic - it's not on my to-do list every year for nothing. On narrow paths and over bridges, you hike along the Burggrabenklamm gorge to the top - where a relaxed final spurt to the huts awaits you. I have enjoyed this view several times.
• Excursion to the Nixenfall - in Steinbach am Attersee. Even as a child, I loved the trip to the Nixenfall. You don't have to walk too long, no metres in altitude and a fantastic destination - everything a perfect day needs. A beautiful forest path leads you to the „entrance“ of the Nixenfall. You then walk along a stream and over steps and bridges to the waterfall, where a mermaid invites you to rest and enjoy.

My summary of the car-free cycling experience day at Lake Attersee

What can I say about it? It's always a bit difficult around the Attersee. Whether as a car driver who is annoyed by the many bikers. Or from the cyclist's point of view, who sometimes has to fear for his life on this route because there are simply too many reckless drivers. So it's only natural that the Car-Free Cycling Experience Day was a little highlight for me. I love cycling - whether it's a leisurely ride, a nice mountain ride or a tour lasting several days.

The offer to close the road around Lake Attersee once a year is simply fantastic. Just under eight hours in which families and cycling enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore these beautiful places around the lake in peace and quiet and enjoy time with their loved ones. A big thank you must also go to all the restaurants, catering stations and especially to all the helpers - such as the emergency services, police and fire brigade. Thanks to all these people, the Car-Free Cycling Experience Day at Lake Attersee was a wonderful adventure for everyone. In conclusion, I can only say: „It was an honour and I'll see you next year when we can all pedal around Lake Attersee together again.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ⛰️ Michael 🚴 and 🌱 Elyas 🏃🏽‍♂️ (@muatsdrawig.at)

If you are interested in such cycle tours, then be sure to check out my multi-day Cycle tour to Italy - from Salzburg to Jesolo to.