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View of Grado from a boat

Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path with Charm

Cycle from Salzburg to Grado

9 Days / 8 Nights
Medium
View of Grado from a boat

From Mozart to the historic harbour city at the sea! Most different landscapes and best cycle paths will delight you on this wonderful cycle tour from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. Narrow valleys, broad river landscapes, smooth hills and high mountains will be enjoyed with every pedal rotation. High culture and geniune traditions will accompany day by day and tasty cuisine will make you strong for the next stage of yoru active holidays. This cycle tour is very diverse and impressive!

Along Austria's cycle paths towards Italy: After enjoying a coffee in Salzburg’s old town, take the bike towards St. Johann im Pongau. Accompanied by fantastic natural scenery, you will continue cycling to the Carinthian region. Genuine customs, tasty cuisine and warm hospitality: you can experience all of this on a cycle through Austrian nature. As you pedal you come closer and closer to Italy. Once in Grado you will be overwhelmed with joy! The Italian flair, the charming old town and the wonderful warmth will brighten your mood. Now it’s time to enjoy La Dolce Vita!

  • Porcia Renaissance Castle: The stopover in Spittal an der Drau is all about culture. All Renaissance lovers can look forward to this! In this city you can pay a visit to the most beautiful Renaissance building in the northern Alps, Porcia Castle. A must-see!
  • Grado: In the charming fishing town, you can set your soul free. The restaurants in the alleyways of the old town spoil you with pizza, pasta and fine wines. Just lovely! The historic harbour and the extensive beach on the Adriatic coast make this town very special.

Over eight days you will cover around 375 kilometres on well-developed cycle paths. With daily stages of 55 to 75 kilometres there is plenty time for relaxation and enjoyment. Need a rest? During the two long train journeys you can treat your body to a well-deserved break and gather your strength.

On our ‘Cycle Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of cycling.

Itinerary at a glance

Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways and squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities. You live and breath culture and history literally with every step you take.

Out of Salzburg and off headed South. You cycle along wetlands in the shade along the river Salzach to Hallein, a formerly wealthy Celtic town due to salt mining. Hallein surprises with a romantic historic town centre including little alleyways, archways and oppulent house fronts. Past the roaring waterfall you pass Golling and continue along the well-developed cycle path onwards to St. Johann. Distinctive – just like twin-peaks – the steeples of the Pongau cathedral rise.

Shortly after Schwarzach you bid farewell to the river Salzach, from today onwards the Gasteiner Ache leads you through the wild-romantic Gasteiner-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the renowned spa- and ski resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern-mountain chain, offering a variety of natural history- and architectural sights. The Gasteiner waterfall is the landmark situtated in the centre of town, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets.

In the morning it is only a short distance to Böckstein, where a train takes you in only 10 minutes through the ‚Tauernschleuse‘ to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz. Back on your bike you enjoy the speedy descent into the Möll-valley. You cycle along the river Möll through the impressive alpine landscapes today. The Drautal-valley starts in the village of Möllbrücke and hence the sunny South of Austria. Leisurely you cycle the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. Already in the Middle Ages this town has been an important transport interchange for pilgrims and which in parts helped create its prosperity.

Nearly effortlessly you proceed in a gentle descent along the river Drau. Half way we recommend you take a break in the little market town of Paternion with its remarkable churches and palaces. Just a bit more pedalling and soon you have reached Villach, with its enchanting old part of town, Southern atmosphere and inviting pubs and restaurants. 

You leave Villach along the river Gail and in a little while you leave Austria and welcome Italy. In the triangle of Italy, Austria and Slovenia sprawls the canal valley, the Italian city of Tarvis builds the centre of it. Austrians, Slovenians and Italians are living here next to each other since centuries, so all three big European families of languages – Germans, Romans and Slavs – are meeting up here.

In Italy too the cycle path is perfectly developed and hence allows you to leisurely cycle downhill through the Kanaltal-valley and from your bike marvel at the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests. Your cycle tour ends in one of the picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps. With the train you will go further to Udine. When the city is reached you can enjoy the „dolce vita“ with a cafe on a „Piazza“ or stroll through the alleys and admire the buildings of the late Gothic period and the Renaissance.

Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! You cycle through vast reed scenery and along little water canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called ‚second Rome‘, we recommend you definitely plan a break before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also the historic harbour and the narrow alleyways with lovely restaurants all ooze Italian flair.

Day
09
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Enchanting nature, charming old towns and fascinating cultural sites will pass you from Salzburg to the Adriatic Sea. Porcia Castle in Spittal will put you in the mood for Italy; while in Grado, you will enjoy the view of the sea.

Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways and squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities. You live and breath culture and history literally with every step you take.

Out of Salzburg and off headed South. You cycle along wetlands in the shade along the river Salzach to Hallein, a formerly wealthy Celtic town due to salt mining. Hallein surprises with a romantic historic town centre including little alleyways, archways and oppulent house fronts. Past the roaring waterfall you pass Golling and continue along the well-developed cycle path onwards to St. Johann. Distinctive – just like twin-peaks – the steeples of the Pongau cathedral rise.

Shortly after Schwarzach you bid farewell to the river Salzach, from today onwards the Gasteiner Ache leads you through the wild-romantic Gasteiner-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the renowned spa- and ski resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern-mountain chain, offering a variety of natural history- and architectural sights. The Gasteiner waterfall is the landmark situtated in the centre of town, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets.

In the morning it is only a short distance to Böckstein, where a train takes you in only 10 minutes through the ‚Tauernschleuse‘ to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz. Back on your bike you enjoy the speedy descent into the Möll-valley. You cycle along the river Möll through the impressive alpine landscapes today. The Drautal-valley starts in the village of Möllbrücke and hence the sunny South of Austria. Leisurely you cycle the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. Already in the Middle Ages this town has been an important transport interchange for pilgrims and which in parts helped create its prosperity.

Nearly effortlessly you proceed in a gentle descent along the river Drau. Half way we recommend you take a break in the little market town of Paternion with its remarkable churches and palaces. Just a bit more pedalling and soon you have reached Villach, with its enchanting old part of town, Southern atmosphere and inviting pubs and restaurants. 

You leave Villach along the river Gail and in a little while you leave Austria and welcome Italy. In the triangle of Italy, Austria and Slovenia sprawls the canal valley, the Italian city of Tarvis builds the centre of it. Austrians, Slovenians and Italians are living here next to each other since centuries, so all three big European families of languages – Germans, Romans and Slavs – are meeting up here.

In Italy too the cycle path is perfectly developed and hence allows you to leisurely cycle downhill through the Val-Canale-valley and from your bike marvel at the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests. Your cycle tour ends in one of the picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps. With the train you will go further to Udine. When the city is reached you can enjoy the „dolce vita“ with a cafe on a „Piazza“ or stroll through the alleys and admire the buildings of the late Gothic period and the Renaissance.

Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! You cycle through vast reed scenery and along little water canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called ‚second Rome‘, we recommend you definitely plan a break before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also the historic harbour and the narrow alleyways with lovely restaurants all ooze Italian flair.

Day
09
Departure or extension

Route information

Medium

You mainly cycle on well-developed cycle paths and quiet side roads. Only a few sections lead you also along roads with heavier traffic or on dirt paths. Overall the route leads you on slightly hilly terrain, the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gasteiner-valley can also be completed and bypassed by train.

Prices & Dates

Hotels Category Charm: see description

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)
  • 1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
  • 1 train ride Venzone – Udine incl. your bike
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available

Optional extras

  • Return transfer to Salzburg every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, costs EUR 169 per person, extra EUR 29 for your own bike, to be paid for in advance, reservation is necessary.
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Salzburg train station
  • Salzburg airport
  • Hotel car park about EUR 15 per day, to be paid for at the time, no reservation possible/necessary!
    Public park garage about EUR 70 per week
  • The return journey by public transport is only possible with a change of trains

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.

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)
  • 1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
  • 1 train ride Venzone – Udine incl. your bike
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer to Salzburg every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, costs EUR 175 per person, extra EUR 39 for your own bike, to be paid for in advance, reservation is necessary.
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Salzburg train station
  • Salzburg airport
  • Hotel car park about EUR 20/day, to be paid for at the time, no reservation possible/necessary!
    Public park garage about EUR 95/week
  • The return journey by public transport is only possible with a change of trains
  • Tunnel construction sites on the Tauernautobahn: Several tunnels are currently being renovated along the main traffic route via the Tauernautobahn, which can cause serious delays of up to three hours during peak travel times. Please take this into account when planning your return journey. Booked return transfers may also be affected by this. It is also possible to travel by public transport from Udine. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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.

Our hotels

Relax in one of our charming accommodations on your cycling tour

Stefanie Rudinger

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

Stefanie Rudinger
Travel specialist
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Monday - Friday: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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