Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Salzburg to Salzburg in Austrian Alps, Austria.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is June to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Culture, Classic road trip, Adventure.

Austrian Alpine Loop: Salzburg, Hallstatt and the Grossglockner

Q: How long is the Austrian Alpine Loop: Salzburg, Hallstatt and the Grossglockner route?

This route takes 9 days taking in 6 stops.

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The route · 6 stops

1
Salzburg
2 nights
Austria's most musical city, with a UNESCO baroque Altstadt spread beneath the great Hohensalzburg Fortress. Use two days for the fortress, Mirabell Palace gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, and afternoon at Hellbrunn Palace. The Untersberg cable car lifts you to 1,776 m with views over the Salzburg plain and Bavaria.
Austria's most musical city, with a UNESCO baroque Altstadt spread beneath the great Hohensalzburg Fortress. Use two days for the fortress, Mirabell Palace gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, and afternoon at Hellbrunn Palace. The Untersberg cable car lifts you to 1,776 m with views over the Salzburg plain and Bavaria.
Arrive at Hohensalzburg Fortress before 9am. The Salzburg Card covers museums, cable cars and public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours (buy at the airport or tourist office).
2
Hallstatt
1 night
The world's most photographed Alpine village clings between Lake Hallstatt and a sheer mountain wall. UNESCO-listed since 1997. Morning at the 7,000-year-old Salzwelten salt mine via funicular, hire a wooden boat on the lake, and climb the Skywalk viewing platform. Arrive by 9am or after 4pm to avoid coach crowds.
The world's most photographed Alpine village clings between Lake Hallstatt and a sheer mountain wall. UNESCO-listed since 1997. Morning at the 7,000-year-old Salzwelten salt mine via funicular, hire a wooden boat on the lake, and climb the Skywalk viewing platform. Arrive by 9am or after 4pm to avoid coach crowds.
Book accommodation at least two months ahead for summer. Parking is in Lahn (south end) or use the park-and-ride at Hallstatt Gosau with a ferry connection to the village.
3
Zell am See
2 nights
Lakeside resort at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe and gateway to the Grossglockner. Take the Schmittenhöhe cable car for 360-degree Alpine panoramas, swim or paddleboat on the Zeller See, and visit Kitzsteinhorn glacier for summer skiing or hiking. Use a half-day to explore Kaprun village and its reservoir.
Lakeside resort at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe and gateway to the Grossglockner. Take the Schmittenhöhe cable car for 360-degree Alpine panoramas, swim or paddleboat on the Zeller See, and visit Kitzsteinhorn glacier for summer skiing or hiking. Use a half-day to explore Kaprun village and its reservoir.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road toll is around €46.50 per car (2026). Leave by 8am to reach the high viewpoints before afternoon cloud builds over the peaks.
4
Lienz
1 night
Capital of East Tyrol set at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites. Explore arcaded Hauptplatz and the 16th-century Liebburg Palace, then visit Bruck Castle for the regional museum and Egon Schiele collection. Afternoon hiking on Hochstein or a swim at Tristacher See rounds off this quieter corner before heading west to Innsbruck.
Capital of East Tyrol set at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites. Explore arcaded Hauptplatz and the 16th-century Liebburg Palace, then visit Bruck Castle for the regional museum and Egon Schiele collection. Afternoon hiking on Hochstein or a swim at Tristacher See rounds off this quieter corner before heading west to Innsbruck.
The Grossglockner traverse from Zell via Heiligenblut is the scenic route into Lienz. If conditions are poor, the Felbertauern Tunnel (€13, 5 km long) gives an all-weather alternative.
5
Innsbruck
2 nights
Tyrol's capital combines medieval grandeur with direct mountain access. The Goldenes Dachl anchors a preserved Altstadt, while the Nordkettenbahn cable car lifts you from the city to 2,256 m in 25 minutes. Day trip to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens (25 km east) and Ambras Castle's 16th-century Spanish Hall.
Tyrol's capital combines medieval grandeur with direct mountain access. The Goldenes Dachl anchors a preserved Altstadt, while the Nordkettenbahn cable car lifts you from the city to 2,256 m in 25 minutes. Day trip to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens (25 km east) and Ambras Castle's 16th-century Spanish Hall.
The Innsbruck Card (24/48/72 h) covers the Nordkette cable car, city museums and all buses. Park at Congress Garage beneath the Altstadt, or the P+R at Rossau.
6
Salzburg
Return to Salzburg via the Inn Valley motorway, completing the Alpine loop. Drop the rental car at the airport (5 km east of the Altstadt) or continue by train to Vienna in 3 hours.
Return to Salzburg via the Inn Valley motorway, completing the Alpine loop. Drop the rental car at the airport (5 km east of the Altstadt) or continue by train to Vienna in 3 hours.
Salzburg Airport (SZG) is 5 km east of the centre. Confirm your rental car includes an Austrian motorway vignette, or buy one online before travel.

Austrian Alpine Loop: Salzburg, Hallstatt and the Grossglockner

The route · 6 stops

Salzburg

Hallstatt

Zell am See

Lienz

Innsbruck

Salzburg

Route highlights

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Austria: Salzburg to Innsbruck via the Grossglockner

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Austrian Alpine Loop: Salzburg, Hallstatt and the Grossglockner

The route · 6 stops

Salzburg

Hallstatt

Zell am See

Lienz

Innsbruck

Salzburg

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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