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Footbridge on Lake Wörthersee

Carinthian Lakes

The Austrian Riviera

8 Days / 7 Nights
Medium
Footbridge on Lake Wörthersee

Do you know which part of Austria gets the most sunshine? Guess! In Carinthia, Austria’s southernmost state, of course. The area around the picturesque Carinthian lakes is also known as the Austrian Riviera. And not without reason. Here you can witness the perfect interplay of sun, mountains, water and southern lifestyle. Romantic valleys, sparkling lakes, majestic mountains and picturesque landscapes invite you to an unforgettable cycle tour in the south of Austria.

The enchanting small town of Villach is the starting point for this popular cycle tour. Where the jesters make their jokes during Carnival time, you get a perfect, first impression of Carinthia’s sunny climate. From here you can discover Austria’s warmest swimming lakes, such as the Ossiacher See, Klopeiner See, Faaker See and of course the Wörthersee. A slightly hilly route on mostly separate cycle paths, always with the lake in sight, makes this tour a real pleasure.

  • Villach: The loveable small town impresses with great surroundings and delightful cityscape. You will find crystal clear lakes all around, untouched nature and imposing mountains. An absolute highlight.
  • The famous Wörthersee: Much sung about and highly praised it is, next to the Wolfgangsee, probably one of the most famous lakes in Austria. Turquoise blue water, picturesque banks and the well-known town of Velden invite you to linger.
  • Klagenfurt: The capital of Carintha is also known as ‘The Rose from Lake Wörthersee’. And once you’ve been there, you’ll understand why. The lovely city centre and an almost Mediterranean flair make Klagenfurt a real gem.

Over eight days you will get to know the most beautiful sides of Carinthia and you will be surprised every day. Look forward to southern temperatures, lots of sunshine, lovely landscapes and friendly towns. The daily stages between 35 and 50 kilometres, which run mainly on cycle paths and low-traffic side roads, lead you to Carinthia’s most beautiful lakes and are easy to master with a good basic level of fitness. There is plenty of time to dip your feet into the cool water and enjoy the sun.

Do you also need a healthy dose of vitamin D? Then head off to Carinthia!

Itinerary at a glance

While you enjoy the old town in Villach, the lakes all around want to be discovered by you. In addition to Lake Ossiach and Lake Klopein, the world-famous Lake Wörthersee invites you to swim and stroll, for example in Klagenfurt and Velden.

The stillness of the mountains, the gentle lakeside of the crystal-clear lakes, pure nature – located in the heart of Carinthia the entire region around Villach reflects this entire diversity. Already the Romans, probably the first lakeside tourists appreciated relaxation and recuperation in these thermal baths and even Paracelsus enjoyed here the healing effects of the thermal springs.

Hotel (example): Voco

You leave Villach along the Seebach-stream and enjoy the view onto the castle ruin Landskron. On a clear day the castle ruin is visible above Villach and far beyond. The knights from long ago knew exactly where they took up residence. It is no surprise since the picturesque backdrop has not changed over time: in the forefront the green colour of the Gerlitzen Alpe, in the background the blue of Lake Ossiach. Lake Ossiach, the so called ’bath tube‘, with a total length of eleven kilometres features (just like nearly all of Carinthia’s lakes) drinking water quality. In Ossiach the mountains and the crystal-clear water of the lake with a water temperature of up to 27 degrees in summer delight on the one hand and on the other hand the monastery dating back to the 11th century with its spectacular, late baroque church. Next the pretty resort of Steindorf on Lake Ossiach beckons. Then a short stop in Bodensdorf before today’s tour has finished the full circle in Villach.

Hotel (example): Voco

You start the tour by cycling a few kilometres along the Drau-cycle path headed East. The route continues through unspoilt Carinthian farmland. Your next destination is the bussling town of Velden on Lake Wörthersee. The clear, turquoise-blue water of Lake Wörthersees and the hussle and bussle invite you to a break in the ‚celebrity ‘-town. Through a charming scenery with rolling hills you reach the ‚Keutschach Seental‘. Sometimes it is a languorous wayside cross, sometimes it is a farm house decorated with flowers that catches your eye. The wide valley, the soft rolling hills and wooded mountains, four lovely lakes and in the distance: mountains. Even the close-by sunny South can be felt. Lake Hafnersee, Lake Keutschacher See, Lake Baßgeigensee and Lake Rauschelesee are grouped around the resort Keutschach. The ‚Lend ‘-canal, situated at the eastern shores of Lake Wörthersee, leads you into the state capital of Carinthia, to Klagenfurt.

Hotel (example): Hotel Carinthia

Klagenfurt – "the Rose of Lake Wörthersee" – captivates with its enchanting old part of town. Built by Italian architects in the 16/17th century, it has kept its southern flair over centuries. As legend has it the home of a dragon (Lindwurm), today features winding alleyways, romantic archade courts churches and town houses to explore. After such a big dose of culture you continue by bike. Along the small river Glan you will leave Klagenfurt and after you passed a small range of hills with villages and forest you will reach the river Drau. On the Drau-river cycle path you will cycle to the Völkermarkter reservoir. Now it is only a short distance before you reach the warmest lake of the state, Lake Klopeiner See. The shores of the Lake Klopeiner are very inviting: the surrounding is mostly wooded and from the hilltops you see flashes of white little churches. In the South, the Karawanken-mountain chain rises and above it all you see the sun in the (usually) blue sky. Now there is only enough time for a refreshing swim in the lake.

Hotel (example): Menüwirt

Idyllic cycle paths lead you from Klopeiner See to the Völkermarkter reservoir, where you will cycle along its waterfront and then pass the river Drau for the last time. On the Glan-Gurk-cycle path you will be led around the former duke city Völkermarkt, capital of the Jaunatal and located on a rising ground and further through typical Carinthian villages and landscapes in direction to the castle Hochosterwitz. It is very impressive what the nature and human beings created there! On top of a 150m high chalk rock there is an invulnerable fortress which overcame lots of centuries and can be visited now. Numerous castles and palaces in the surroundings remind us of the former significance of the onetime state capital St. Veit.

Hotel (example): Fuchspalast

 

For centuries St. Veit has been the seat of the Carinthian bishops. The city wall, the medieval main square, the oppulent Rainassance houses, beautiful archade courts, Herzogsburg-castle and many monuments still testify of this period even today. You head west and cycle along the river Glan to Glanegg. Already visible from afar is Glanegg castle ruin, towering here over and above the valley. The cycle path leads you through Feldkirchen which is surrounded by wooded hills, romantic palaces and venerable ruins and directly to Lake Ossiach and back again to your start-and end destination, beautiful Villach.

Hotel (example): Voco

Past Villach’s thermal spa you leave the town and cycle at the foot of the Karawanken-mountains headed East to the last lake of your loop tour, the turquoise-blue Lake Faak. The lake’s backdrop is the Mittagskogel-peak, a genuine rock giant. Extensive, undeveloped meadows and green wooded areas surround the lake and in the middle of the lake you find a wooded island. After a relaxing break at the lakeside and/or a lunch break you start your journey back. You tackle a small ridge on your bikes and hence reach the glistening river Drau with grey-green milky waters. The Drau-cycle path – on flat terrain and very well-developed – leads you along a leisurely route back to Villach.

Hotel (example): Voco

Individual departure or you have the option to extend and spend a few more days in the Carinthian lake district. It is definitely highly recommended!

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Medium

The alternation between the individual river valleys and Lakes – as well as avoiding roads with heavy traffic – brings about a slightly hilly tour course. This journey can be easily enjoyed by cyclists in normal fitness condition. Mostly you cycle along asphaltic bike paths and side roads with less of traffic.

Prices & Dates

Category: 3***-hotels and 4****-hotels

Prices per person in EUR

Our rental bikes

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
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
Unisex bike 7-speed
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel

Body size approx. 155 cm - 190 cm

46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Unisex Electro bike 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
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 |
51 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German,English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train Station Villach
  • Airport Klagenfurt
  • Public car parking free of charge, or public underground car park, approx. EUR 40 per week, to be paid for at the time, no reserveration possible/necessary.

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!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Nicole Maderegger

"I look forward to making your vacation dreams come true."

Nicole Maderegger
Travel specialist
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