Austria: Hook of Holland to Lofer

Isar river in Landshut, near Munich, Germany

Austria: Hook of Holland to Lofer

This tour starts in the serene city of the Hook of Holland in Rotterdam, through the bold landscapes of Germany with its picture-book towns before finishing in the quietly stunning town of Lofer in Austria. This is a wonderful destination for lovers of the great outdoors with ample opportunity for skiing, watersports on the mountain-fed lakes and rivers, as well as endless trails for hiking, biking and horse riding whilst admiring these magnificent mountain views.

Our two suggested road trips both start at the Hook of Holland in The Netherlands and end at Lofer in Austria. One is a more leisurely route through Düsseldorf and Erlangen, for people with time to explore, and the other is a more direct route, passing Stuttgart and Munich, for people who want to get there quicker.

Stopover 1: Ter Leede Leerdam, The Netherlands (Club ref: H28)

Hook of Holland - Rotterdam

Stay at: Ter Leede Leerdam, The Netherlands (Club ref: H28)

  • Located in a nature reserve, Ter Leede Leerdar is close to the river Linge and is a quiet, small, car-free campsite. It's a perfect campsite for couple who want to get away from it all and enjoy the natural surroundings.
  • Just 5 minutes drive from the campsite is the village of Leerdam, known for its glass and Leerdammer cheese, here you will find all the facilities you need.
  • Visit Asperen in Gelderland and enjoy the cultural tourist attractions including the Nationaal Glasmuseum and the Statenbijbelmuseum.
  • 45 minute drive from the campsite is the village of Kinderdijk, a world heritage site known for its iconic 18th century working windmills.

Visit Ter Leede Leerdar campsite

Stopover 2: Biggesee, Germany (Club ref: G25)

Düsseldorf - Cologne - Biggesee

Stay at: Biggesee, Germany (Club ref: G25)

  • Set on the shores of lake Biggesee, the Biggesee campsite is perfect for fans of water sports where you can try out kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, scuba diving and there's even a floating island to enjoy.
  • The campsite is surrounded by forests from the Ebbegebirge Nature Park with plenty of hiking and cycling paths to explore.
  • Experience the stunning stalactie caves with a tour through the Atta caves, just 20 minutes drive away, which houses one of the largest dripstone caves in Germany.
  • Take a day trip to the medieval, fairy-tale town of Freudenberg, just 40 minutes drive away and venture to the old part called "Alter Flecken" that consists of 50 wooden houses that are all the same size and were restored after a fire.

Visit Biggesee campsite

Stopover 3: Azur Camping Wertheim, Germany (Club ref: G24)

Biggesee - Frankfurt

Stay at: Azur Camping Wertheim, Germany (Club ref: G24)

  • Situated on the banks of where the Main and Taub rivers meet, Azur Camping Wertheim is the perfect spot to idle the afternoon away, watching the huge barges and boats go by.
  • On-site facilities include two modernised washrooms, a children's playground, a beach volleyball court, table tennis, outdoor fitness gym and access to a large outdoor swimming pool for guests that is situated next door.
  • The campsite is located on the Romatische Strasse, also known as the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest and most popular holiday route that takes in 29 towns over 460 kilometres.
  • The old town of Wertheim is nearby to the campsite and you can enjoy the historic marketplace before taking a trolley train up to Wertheim Castle, one of the largest intact castle ruins in Germany.
  • Just 10 minutes drive away is 12th century Bronnbach Monastery with its guided tours, wonderful beer garden and tempting wine shop.

Visit Azur Camping Wertheim campsite

Stopover 4: Knaus Campingpark Nürnberg, Germany (Club ref: G27)

Erlangen - Nüremberg

Stay at: Knaus Campingpark Nürnberg, Germany (Club ref: G27)

  • Set on the outskirts of the city of Nürnberg, Knaus Campingpark Nürnberg is a peaceful campsite embedded in a dense mixed forest.
  • The facilities on-site include free showers, washing machines and dryers. There is also a bar and bistro area with a terrace for you to enjoy light meals. The on-site team will happily supply you with a map to the U Bahn station, as well as information about the local area. 
  • Head to the city of Nürnberg, the second largest city in Bavaria which is just 20 minutes drive away. Walk around the medieval walled city that is steeped in history, see the beautiful timber framed buildings and the gothic church dating back to 1250.
  • Visit the Nürnberg Zoo nearby which is home to over 2000 animals and is open all year round or budding astrologers should take a trip to The Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium.

Visit Knaus Campingpark Nürnberg campsite

Stopover 5: Knaus Campingpark Viechtach, Germany (Club ref: G26)

Nüremberg - Viechtach

Stay at: Knaus Campingpark Viechtach, Germany (Club ref: G26)

  • In the largest protected forest area in Central Europe, Knaus Campingpark Viechtach is set in the low mountainous area of Bayerischer Wald National Park.
  • This dog-friendly campsite is open all year, where guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, a sauna, a bar and restaurant and an indoor children's playroom.
  • Just 20 minutes drive from the campsite is the popular attraction, Waldwipfelweg, which a beautiful walking route where you can discover the surrounding at a height of up to 30 metres, giving you spectacular views over the Bavarian Forest and the Danube Valley.
  • Other attractions to visit in Viechtach is the Höllensteinsee lake which offers plenty of activities in the summer months or the Gläserne Scheune museum.

Visit Knaus Campingpark Viechtach campsite

Stopover 6: Grubhof, Austria (Club ref: G04)

Salzburg - Lofer

Stay at: Grubhof, Austria (Club ref: G04)

  • With a charming riverside setting and stunning alpine views, Grubhof is a delightful campsite with impeccable facilities. 
  • Guests can enjoy the luxurious spa, especially after a days skiing, whilst water sport activities available close by include whitewater rafting and canyoning. 
  • You'll receive a free Salzburger Saalachtal summer card, for stays between May to October. The card gives you free bus and train rides, free use of the Almenwelt Lofer ski lifts, a visit to the Lamprecht's Cave or have a swim in the Steinbergbath Lofer outdoor swimming pool.
  • Take a day trip to the city of Salzburg, just over a hour away from the campsite. Best known as the birthplace of Mozart, with a museum committed to his childhood and instruments, this pretty baroque city is teeming with museums and castles to visit. Fans of the musical should book themselves on a 'Sound of Music' tour.

Visit Grubhof campsite

Stopover 1: Heumens Bos, The Netherlands (Club ref: H01)

Hook of Holland - Rotterdam

Stay at: Heumens Bos, The Netherlands (Club ref: H01)

  • The beautiful family-friendly campsite of Heumens Bos is set in a peaceful forest location, surrounded by woodland trees, with an idyllic view of a neighbouring windmill.
  • Make use of the selection of facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a good playground and games room, a bar and restaurant, as well as  bike and go-kart rental facilities.
  • Head to the nearby town of Nijmegen which dates back to the Roman period and sits between three rivers, the Rhine, Mause and Waal. Stroll down the Lange Hezelstraat, the oldest shopping street in the Netherlands and have a wild swim in the River Waal.
  • Spend the day at De Hoge Beluwe National Park where you can discover the beautiful 55 km² landscapes consisting of heathlands, sand dunes and woodlands. Spot the stunning inhabitants of this park including red deer, roe, deer, wild boar, Eurasian wolves.
  • Just under 30 minutes drive away is the Airbornemuseum Hartenstein, which served as the headquarters of the British 1st Airbourne Division in World War II. There is also a small but captivating museum with an extensive collection of exhibits which is well worth a visit.

Visit Heumens Bos campsite

Stopover 2: Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany (Club ref: G08)

Düsseldorf - Cologne - Bonn

Stopover 2: Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany (Club ref: G08)

  • Located in the pretty hillside town, Rüdesheim am Rhein is a family-run campsite, set in the Rheingau region which has an immensely peaceful atmosphere.
  • It's only a short walk into the town which is best known for its winemaking and is surrounded by castles, ruins and museums. Take a trip on the cable car to view the stunning scenery of the vineyards and the Rhine river.
  • Visit the famous Drosselgasse, a quaint, narrow street that runs through the old town of Rüdesheim am Rhein that is dotted with quaint restaurants, taverns and historical structures all along this 15th century cobbled street.
  • Enjoy one of the best train journeys in the world with the hour long train ride from Rüdesheim to Koblenz. You'll lose count of the number of castles as you pass along the river.
  • Spend the day in the metropolitan city of Frankfurt, which is just under one hour 30 minutes drive away. Home of the Frankfurter sausages, discover some of the other culinary delights on offer including their traditional Apple Wine.

Visit Rüdesheim am Rhein campsite

Stopover 3: Kleinenzhof, Germany (Club ref: G23)

Frankfurt - Heidelberg - Karlsruhe

Stay at: Kleinenzhof, Germany (Club ref: G23)

  • Kleinenzhof is a generational family-run campsite that is set in a magnificent wooded valley surrounded by hills, in the north of the Black Forest. It has a flowing stream running through and is a popular area for walkers and mountain bike enthusiasts.
  • Guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool that is open all year round as well as an on-site restaurant. Children will be entertained in the super indoor activity area, animal petting area and the new outdoor playground.
  • Get back to nature in the town of Bad Wildbad, just over 10 minutes drive from the campsite. Here you can discover the spa gardens along the river Enz, the treetop path, the pedestrian suspension bridge and the Fairy Tale path.
  • Take a trip on the Sommerbergbahn, one of the most modern funiculars in Germany. Transporting passengers from the centre of Bad Wildbad to the top of Sommerberg, 300m above the valley, offering breath-taking views.

Visit Kleinenzhof campsite

Stopover 4: Grubhof, Austria (Club ref: G04)

Stuttgart - Munich - Lofer

Stay at: Grubhof, Austria (Club ref: G04)

  • Grubhof is a wonderful campsite with excellent facilities, nestled in a charming riverfront location that has stunning views of the mountains.
  • After a tiring day, guests can make use of the luxurious spa facilities, handy if you've been on the slopes. There is also a number of water sport activities nearby, including whitewater rafting and canyoning, that you can try.
  • For visits between May and October, you'll be given a complimentary Salzburger Saalachatal summer card. This will give you a number of free activities including free travel on trains and buses, use of the Almenwelt Lofer ski lifts, admission to Lamprecht's Cave, swimming in the Steinbergbath Lofer outdoor pool, and many more.
  • Explore the beautiful city of Salzberg with its numerous castles and museums. It's takes around an hour by car to get there from the campsite but is worth the trip with a number of popular attractions including the Mozart museum, the "Sound of Music" tour and the Salt Mines.

Visit Grubhof campsite

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