Austria and Italy
Start date: August 3rd - August 10th, 2024
Duration: 8 days
Distance: 394 km
Grading: Intermediate
Whats included?
• 7 nights accommodation
• Touring bike hire - fitted with rack, panniers and repair kit.
• Fully guided trip with experienced guide
• 1 local transport connection
• Breakfast and snacks each day
Overview
Explore the Austrian Alps, Carinthia and down to the Italian north coast all on one of the world’s best cycle paths. Home of the Austrian and Italian Alpes, with its magnificent valleys and mountain vistas, you'll be awe-struck by the dramatic surrounding landscapes. In such a mountainous area, this trip is ironically very forgiving, following the valleys that cut through the mountains. Perfect for the intermediate cyclist who enjoys manageable riding, taking in the surroundings and experiencing the local culture. The route follows the Alpe-Adria-Radweg trail, an unforgettable and diverse route linking the Austrian city of Salzburg to Grado on the Italian coast; going from the mountains to the sea and passing through the most beautiful areas in the region. Which explains why this trail was awarded the European Cycle Path Award of the year in 2015. Watch Video here
Halfway through the tour you’ll get to experience Austrian culture at its best at the Villacher Kirchtag; Austria's largest traditional festival. Put simply, it's a authentically Austrian and really truly spectacular! The second half of the tour leads us into Italy and down to the Adriatic Sea, riding along abandoned railway lines and trails are arguably some of Europe’s best landscapes. This is truly an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!
Day 1 - Salzburg to Werfen
After meeting in Salzburg and preparing our bikes and bags, we head south and join the well renowned Radweg cycle path. The first leg is a glimpse into the diversity you can expect for the entire trip as you take in the mighty mountains, sunny valleys and warm lakes
Day 2 - Werfen to Badgastein
The day starts with a tour of the spectacular and extremely historic Werfen Castle. The most challenging day of the trip continues along the Radweg cycle path and the scenery becomes almost unbelievable whilst heading along the Salzach river and the Gastein valley. Pedaling towards the day's finishing point, the ride takes a very steep climb to Bad Gastein, a beautiful place featuring glacial views and a waterfall at its very centre. There is an option to catch the train part way if you wish (extra cost). It’s festival season so you never know what you might find along the way!
Day 3 - Mallnitz to Villach
Today is the longest day of the tour and is top favourite on the calendar. It starts with a train ride through the tunnel to Mallnitz on the south-side of Alps. There is the option of catching the train further if you wish (extra cost). When you pop out the other side of the mountains, the true magnificence of Carinthia adorns on you as you take in the backdrop of 3000m mountain peaks. The route follows the Lower Mölltal valley then joins onto the Drau Bike Path along the Drava river bank. Outstanding attractions on the way include the wonderfully dramatic Groppensteinschlucht gorge and the idyllic lake of Millstatter See.
Day 4 - Rest day in Villach
Enjoy the amazing scenery and relax by the lake if you wish before it's time to get ready for the most authentic festival that Austria has to offer! Check it out here: link to festival
Day 5 - Villach to Tarvisio
This part of the route follows the Gail river on the southern side of the Villacher Alpe and includes parts of the Dobratsch Nature Park. After weaving through beautiful small villages, the ride approaches the Italian border crossing at Thörl-Maglern. There are some steeper sections on this day so you’ll be glad for the shorter distance and day’s rest beforehand.
Day 6 - Tarvisio to Venzone
A very picturesque day’s riding as it follows the Alpe-Adria cycling route which in this section is a bike path that was built on a former disused railway line. With mountains either side of you, it’s an opportunity to really soak in your surroundings, with no cars or disturbances on a paved (mostly flat) track, cutting through the mountains with breath-taking views.
Day 7 - Venzone to Udine
The morning starts out riding the cycleway that runs from Venzone to Gemona del Friuli. Opened in 2016, this is another stretch of the old railway line given a new life as a beautiful stretch of high-quality cycleway. The route then follows the course of the Tagliamento river on a blissfully quiet strada bianca (white road) that takes you through meadows and woodlands. From here there’s a mixture of cycle paths, gravel tracks, bridleways and quiet roads leading us on a downhill ride to Udine, our destination for the night.
Day 8 - Udine to Grado
The last day of the tour continues to descend towards the stunning coast and down to where the tour finishes - a fantastic way to end the trip as we pass several attractive villages. We will stop for lunch at Palmanova which is known for the hexagonal street plan and Piazza Grande. Continuing towards Grado, the cycle path runs right through Aquileia, once one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire and boasts an impressive cathedral and ancient ruins. From Aquileia it’s an easy cruise along the cycleway to Grado to celebrate what will have been an amazing 8 days on two wheels!
| Day | Route | Distance (Km) |
| Day 1 | Salzburg - Werfen | 46 |
| Day 2 | Werfen - Badgastein | 58 |
| Day 3 | Mallnitz - Villach | 79 |
| Day 4 | Rest day in Villach | |
| Day 5 | Villach - Tarvisio | 37 |
| Day 6 | Tarvisio - Venzone | 60 |
| Day 7 | Vanzone - Udine | 55 |
| Day 8 | Udine - Grado | 59 |
| Total | 394 | |
Grading
Moderate/Challenging adventure (4/5). This tour is certainly challenging but you don’t have to be an expert to be able to do it! Day 2 is the most challenging but there is an option to get the train if you are feeling the pinch. Day 1 and Day 6 also have some challenging undulations but the remainder of the ride is relatively forgiving. Regular cycling, gym sessions or other cardiovascular activity is recommended prior to attending this tour.
Logistics
The tour commences at a designated hotel in Salzburg. Bicycles and panniers will be delivered to the hotel and you will need to pack your belongings into the two panniers provided. This tour is a point to point adventure and your luggage will need to be carried in these panniers for the entire length of the journey. After spending the morning in Salzburg with some time to explore the city at your own will, we then head out on the Tauern cycle path towards the Austrian Alpes to Werfen. In the late afternoon we will then head to the spectacular Werfen Castle. Day 2 is the most challenging of the tour and there is an option of catching the train part of the way (additional cost) to Badgastein. On Day 3 we will catch a 10 mins train from Badgastien to our starting point, Mallnitz before spending the next day riding through Carinthia to Villach. At Villach the is a rest day which is the Kirchtag festival and you can enjoy at your own leisure. The tour recommences on Day 6 as we head in to Italy. We ride on the spectacular Alpe-Adria cycle trail for the next four days all the way to the Adriatic Sea at Grado. When arriving in to Grado we return the bikes and spend the final evening together before departing from one of the numerous options for departure close by.
What to bring?
Travel light! Packing appropriately for this trip could make or break your tour. Personal luggage will need to be carried for every day of the 7 days of riding in panniers provided. One of the challenges with this area is whilst the weather is mostly fine and sunny, we are riding through the alpine region of Austria and Italy and the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Appropriate riding gear to suit all conditions and also summer essentials are imperative items to bring. A full list of items to bring will be provided after you book and we will be on hand to help you chose the right clothing and gear for an enjoyable trip.
What to budget for?
• FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED. The closest airports are:
- start point: Salzburg or Munich
- end point: Trieste or Venice
• Other meals are not included - Budget for around 30 euros per day
• Traveller’s Insurance (compulsory)
Prices
Earlybird Single £1,495*
Earlybird Twin £1,250pp*
Full Payment - Single £1,750
Full Payment - Twin £1,475pp
Deposit £300
*earlybird prices are limited to four spots per tour and/or before June 2nd
Alpe-Adria Cycle Path - European Cycle Path of the year 2015