Austria - Autumn - In and out of the Gastein Valley - on the bike to Schwarzach and back

Views from the bike in October 2013

Stunning views on the way to Schwarzach

Schwarzach is out of the Gastein Valley on the Salzach River. It's an easy ride down the valley on the cycle path and then through the tunnels at the end. Once out of the valley its an undulating ride through woods and past farms to the small town of Schwarzach. Luckily it has a few Bakerei so it was no trouble to find coffee and a cake. The route home is a little steeper as Schwarzach sits at around 600m Altitude and Bad Hofgastein at 850m but it is still a pleasant ride with great views. Before the tunnels were built at the mouth of the Gastein Valley, in the early seventies, the road took a perilous route high up on the edge of the river gorge. The road is not passable today because of a massive rock fall but it's possible to take a look at the narrow and steep track.

It's very good for encouraging vertigo and not much else. There is little chapel about half way, I imagine everyone got out to pray on the way round. I was quite happy to return to the Klammtunnel and the sweet smell of carbon monoxide and diesel fumes. The tunnel is about 1600m long and uphill but it has a dedicated and safe bike lane.