The route runs mainly along well-maintained bike paths and quiet side roads. The section over the Lueg Pass can be shortened by taking the train. This cycling tour is suitable for children ages 16 and up. We recommend using an e-bike for the 8-day version.

Individual arrival at the starting hotel in Salzburg. A bicycle trip could not start more impressively than in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. You are surrounded by so many Baroque monuments in this beautiful old town. Take some delicious Mozartkugeln (typical Austrian confectionary) on your journey to the sea.

You leave the city with a view of Hohensalzburg Fortress. The mountains are already visible in the distance. The first section of the route takes you along the Salzach River. Along the way, you’ll pass Hellbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Salzburg. For more than 400 years, the extraordinary water features have delighted countless tourists. On the Tauern Cycle Path, the journey continues toward Hallein, known for its crooked townhouses and, above all, for its “white gold” – salt. Another highlight is the waterfall in Golling.

The journey continues through the tranquil Gastein Valley. Until the 20th century, it was accessible only via mountain trails and narrow roads. Surrounded by the peaks of the Hohe Tauern, you’ll cycle along the Gasteiner Ache. Passing through Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein, you arrive at the famous spa town of Bad Gastein. Often referred to as the “Monte Carlo of the Alps,” the town is known for its many magnificent hotels from the Belle Époque era, which define the town’s character. The main attraction is the Gastein Waterfall, fed by a total of 17 springs.

In Böckstein, you’ll board the train to travel through the Tauern Tunnel to Mallnitz. Today, you’ll cycle along the Möll River through the impressive high-mountain landscape. This section of the bike path is also known as the Glockner Cycle Path. The route is mostly gentle downhill and leads through the Hohe Tauern National Park. From there, the Drau Cycle Path leads to Spittal with its famous Renaissance castle, Porcia. The stage ends in Carinthia’s second-largest city. Villach is known not only for its carnival but also for its church festival. In addition, numerous sights await you. If you have enough time, we recommend taking a dip in one of the lakes around the city.

Following the Gail River, you leave Villach behind, and soon you bid farewell to Austria and welcome Italy. The Canal Valley stretches across the Italy-Austria-Slovenia border region, with the Italian border town of Tarvisio at its center. Austrians, Slovenes, Friulians, and Italians have lived together here for centuries, as all three major European language families – Germanic, Romance, and Slavic – meet directly here. Continuing through the Canal Valley, you’ll admire the beauty of the Friulian Alpine region from the saddle, with its pristine, untouched nature and vast forests. If you’d like, you can take the train (ticket not included) to Tarvisio or Ugovizza and thus shorten part of the route.

The small town of Gemona del Friuli, situated at the southern end of the Canal Valley and at the foothills of the Julian Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The townscape is dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which is certainly worth a visit. Wine is the highlight of today’s stage. Hillsides covered in vineyards line your path and invite you to sample a glass or two. Udine, with its Venetian influences, exudes tranquility and serenity; while enjoying a coffee in the “Piazza” or strolling through the city center, you can admire significant buildings from the late Gothic and Renaissance periods.

Accompanied by the gentle breeze of the Scirocco, you’ll glide past reed beds and waterways until you reach Grado, a historic fishing town and one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic. Along the way, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmanova and the extensive archaeological sites of the ancient city of Aquileia await your visit.

Day 1: Individual arrival in Salzburg
Day 2: Salzburg – Golling (approx. 35 km)
Day 3: Golling – St. Johann (approx. 35 km)
Day 4: St. Johann – Bad Gastein/Mallnitz (approx. 55 km)
Day 5: Bad Gastein/Mallnitz – Spittal an der Drau (approx. 40 km + train ride)
Day 6: Spittal an der Drau – Villach (approx. 35 km)
Day 7: Villach – Tarvisio/Camporosso (approx. 40 km)
Day 8: Tarvisio/Camporosso – Venzone/Moggio/Tolmezzo (approx. 55 km)
Day 9: Venzone/Moggio/Tolmezzo – Udine (approx. 60 km)
Day 10: Udine – Grado (approx. 55 km)
Day 11: Individual departure from Grado