In the lead-up to the ‘bigger’ climbs, I actually stumbled upon the road to Zauchensee by chance. The elevation gain isn’t very significant, around 500 meters over about 11 kilometers, but I decided to feature it on this site nonetheless, mainly because of the beautiful ride. I rode the climb twice, both times on a summer day, yet it was incredibly peaceful and quiet.
The road begins in Altenmarkt, marked by a sign pointing towards Zauchensee. The initial stretch passes through the town, then you cycle into the valley. It’s a very narrow valley with a well-paved road. To the left of the road is a picturesque mountain stream. The gradient here is quite modest, ranging between 5 and 7%.
Thanks to the silence around you—there’s very little car traffic—you can truly immerse yourself in nature. You hear the gentle flow of the water and the rustling of the trees. Small streams emerge from the rocks everywhere. It’s delightful climbing, for once not on the smallest gear, but rather relaxed and enjoyable. The stream shifts to the right side of the road, gradually sinking deeper behind the trees. We continue climbing slowly, and a sign indicates a 12% gradient. Is it going to get really tough from here? It’s manageable; indeed, the next kilometer is steeper, but still manageable.
And then, after a solid ten kilometers, Zauchensee suddenly appears. Don’t expect a large lake; it’s more like a recreational pond. You can cycle a bit further left or right of Zauchensee, into the town of Zauchensee, known primarily as a winter sports resort. The descent isn’t super fast, with long straight stretches but not steep. However, do watch out for cows wandering onto the road here as well. If you’re near Flachau or Altenmarkt, this is a lovely route to include, whether as training for one of the tougher climbs or simply to enjoy a pleasant bike ride.
