Cycle from Salzburg to Villach along the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path through Austria's alpine landscapes. The route follows the Salzach and Drau rivers, passing the Golling and Gastein waterfalls, Salzachöfen gorge, and the Celtic Museum in Hallein. Daily distances range from 20-40 km on well-maintained cycle paths. Two train rides bridge challenging sections through the Gastein Valley and Tauern mountains. Suitable for families with good cycling skills and fitness.
Do you have questions about this tour?
Cycle with your family the first section of the well-known and extremely popular Alpe-Adria-Cycle path from Salzburg to Villach. Starting in the city of Mozart, this varied cycle holiday takes you through the lovely Salzach valley, the wild-romantic Gastein valley and the idyllic Drau valley to Villach. Your constant companions, rugged mountain peaks, rushing rivers, roaring waterfalls and deep gorges. And as a reward, the delicious sweet treat ‚Salzburger Nockerl‘ and the Carinthian dish of ‚Kasnudeln‘ await you and your children. So, what are you waiting for? On this tour, young and old get their money’s worth!
Follow the well-developed cycle path from Salzburg to Carinthia with the entire family and discover unique natural and cultural highlights. On this tour you cover a total of 175 kilometres on your bike, whereby the most demanding stretch between St. Johann and the Gastein valley, for instance, is bridged by train. After all, this family cycle holiday should mostly be about fun and enjoyment.
Salzburg: An absolute highlight awaits you already on your day of arrival, the Mozart city of Salzburg. Historical buildings such as the cathedral or the fortress as well as family-friendly museums can be admired and visited there.
Celtic Museum Hallein: Meet the ancient Celts, experience prehistory and feel the history of the city in the world-famous Celtic Museum in Hallein. Thanks to the numerous and exciting exhibitions, there is defintely something for everyone.
Golling- and Gastein Waterfalls: The roaring waterfalls in Golling and Gastein also play a major role on this holiday. While the Golling waterfall is located in a piece of forest in the municipality of the same name, in Gastein it flows through the middle of the village and is therefore also considered a landmark.
‚Salzachöfen‘: The gorge-like breakthrough of the river Salzach through the Northern Limestone Alps located between the Hagengebirge- and Tennengebirge mountain chains will amaze the whole family. That is why the ‚Salzachöfen‘ are protected in sections as a natural monument.
In 8 days you cycle along the beautiful Austrian part of the Alpe-Adria cycle path. This section is perfect for families with children as it is an easy and gently undulating route without any strenuous ascents. Therefore, this tour is easy to manage for both adults and children.
Would you like to find out more about other family holidays? No problem, all family cycle tours in Europe at a glance!
Itinerary at a glance
There is much to see along the Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path, from the Golling and Gastein waterfalls to the rushing rivers and the Salzachöfen. In the Hallein Celtic Museum, you can actively immerse yourself in the history of the region.
Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways invite you to a stroll and lovely cafés to sample genuine Austrian sweet treats and cakes.
You leisurely leave Salzburg and cycle through the Salzach river pastures providing shade with the river Salzach as your companion. You are headed for Hallein, a former Celtic town which prospered due to the mining of salt. The main sight is without doubt the world-renowned Celtic museum. Past the Golling waterfall your same-named Day Finish is reached very quickly. Shaped by its pretty market square and the castle dating back to the 13th century. A possible excursion leads you into the stunning Bluntau-valley.
From Golling you cycle up to the top of Pass Lueg, enjoy the view onto the marvellous distinct Tennengebirge-mountain range. Closer and closer the mountain now moves towards the river Salzach and the roaring noise of the water becomes ever louder. You cycle past the so-called "Salzachöfen", an impressive gorge carved out by the river Salzach. After Werfen with its towering castle you have soon reached St. Johann. From Golling to Werfen the route via Pass Lueg can be bypassed by train (autonomously, approx. 15 km less).
Today the river Salzach still accompanies you until Schwarzach, you continue by train into the wild-romantic Gastein-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the famous spa- and winter sport resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern mountains, offering a multitude of natural and architectural sights. Landmark is the Gastein waterfall in the middle of the resort.
During this short stage you can really enjoy the surrounding mountain world once more. From Bad Gastein it is only a stone’s throw to Böckstein, where the train takes you through the Tauern-lock to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz in only 10 minutes. Back on your bike you enjoy the long descent to your hotel in the Mölltal-valley.
Initially today you cycle along the river Möll through impressive alpine mountain sceneries. The town of Möllbrücke is the start of the Drautal-valley and hence Austria’s sunny South. Leisurely you now cycle the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. This town was already an important transport hub for pilgrims in the Middle Ages and owed its prosperity to them in parts.
Nearly effortlessly you now gently proceed slightly downhill along the river Drau. Halfway we recommend a little break in the little market town of Paternion. Then one final time pedalling strong and you have reached Villach in no time, with its charming historic centre oozing a Southern flair.
You cycle mainly on well-maintained cycle paths and quiet side roads. Only a few sections are on roads with heavier traffic or unpaved paths. The length of the cycle stages is between 20 and 40 km, the topography ranges from flat to hilly, with the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gastein Valley being bridged by train. We recommend that children have a good basic level of fitness, good cycling skills and safety in traffic.
Prices & Dates
* Child prices valid if they are staying in same room as 2 full price adults. Charges for children under 6 (for example Child bed) to be paid for at the time.
Prices per person in EUR
Our Rental bikes
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel
High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry
Body size approx. 148 cm - 190 cm
43 cm |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Men's bike 21-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel
High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame
Body size approx. 165 cm - 205 cm
56-51 "sloping" cm |
60 cm |
64 cm
Rental Bike PLUS 20/27-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel
Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame
Body size approx. 155 cm - 205 cm
46 cm |
50 cm |
51 cm |
55 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm
Unisex Electric Bike 5/8-speed
Hub gears with freewheel
High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry
Body size approx. 148 cm - 195 cm
46 cm "xs" |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Children's bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel
High-quality children's bike whose number of gears is determined by the size of the bike
Body size approx. 115 cm - 150 cm
20 inch |
24 inch |
26 inch
Follow-Me
Children's bike + Follow-Me
For children who are already able to ride the bike on their own, but would also like to be pulled along the route by their parents, we offer a Follow-Me always in combination with an Eurobike 20 inch children's bike (body size approx. 115 cm - 150 cm) and a rental bike for the parents.
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accommodation in 3*** and 4**** hotels
Breakfast
Welcome briefing
Luggage transfer
Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
1 train ride Schwarzach – Gasteiner Tal incl. your bike
1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
Service hotline
Optional extras
Printed route book, per room EUR 20
With rental bike incl. rental bike insurance
Return transfer to Salzburg every Saturday morning, costs EUR 115 per person, extra EUR 45 for your own bike, to be paid for in advance, reservation is necessary.
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Arrival by train to Salzburg (www.oebb.at)
Salzburg airport and by bus to the city center (www.salzburg-verkehr.at)
Munich airport and by train to Salzburg (www.bahn.de)
Parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 15 per day, public garage, costs approx. EUR 80 to EUR 115 per week.
Departure by train from Villach to Salzburg, duration approx. 2,5 hours. (www.oebb.at)
Things to note
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Active vacations are among the most environmentally friendly and healthiest ways to travel. Traveling on two wheels means moving in a climate-conscious way while conserving resources.
Our carefully selected accommodations, like us, are committed to lived sustainability. They are deeply rooted in their regions, work with local suppliers, provide attractive employment opportunities for local residents, and thereby strengthen local value creation.
With the Eurobike On Tour app, we offer a digital version of our travel documents, allowing you to navigate confidently while on the road. By moving to digital formats, we help conserve valuable natural resources.
Eurobike has been certified as a sustainable tour operator with the internationally recognized Travelife certification. To achieve this, more than 261 requirements were carefully met.
Even though hiking vacations are among the most climate-friendly forms of travel, they still generate CO₂ emissions. These are carefully measured using the “Carmacal” calculator. Through our commitment to selected climate protection projects, we aim to give something back to the environment.
Immerse yourself in the Italian dream of la dolce vita, or let yourself be drawn along the beautiful Blue Danube—your next dream cycling tour is waiting for you. Book our top tours for 2027 now!
Immerse yourself in the Italian dream of la dolce vita, or let yourself be drawn along the beautiful Blue Danube—your next dream cycling tour is waiting for you. Book our top tours for 2027 now!