This was the first time that we’ve ever cycled over any of the same ground as on a previous trip. So for an hour or so we descended the Salzach valley, as we had in 2014. But this time we turned south, climbing steeply up the valley side to reach a high alpine valley with an entrance gorge that was so narrow that the road was tunneled for nesrly 2 miles. Luckily the tunnel had a segregated cycle lane, but it was noisy.
Now we were on the Alpe-Adria cycle path, from Salzburg to the sea. We were expecting it to be busy, but not so – just one party of young women.

Bad Gastein is the spa town at the head of the valley. It has seen better days – huge faded hotels. The road climbs very steeply up through the town, which is built right across a spectacular waterfall.

A stop for Coca Cola part way up saved the day. At Bockstein we reached our highest point for this trip at 4133 feet. Here we boarded the car (and bike) shuttle train that ducks under the Alps for just 3 miles or so, linking two blind ended valleys. It’s like a miniature Channel Tunnel train, but it’s been here since 1920. 10 minutes later we were south of the main Alpine chain and swooping down a switchback road to Obervellach.

This is a wonderful, old fashioned guesthouse in this tiny, rural village, looked after by a very kind older woman.