Cycle from cultural Salzburg to sunny Villach through Austria's stunning alpine landscapes. This medium-difficulty route follows well-maintained cycle paths along the Salzach and Drau rivers, passing through the Gastein valley with its impressive waterfalls and spa towns. Highlights include Golling Castle, the Celtic museum in Hallein, and a scenic train ride through the Tauern tunnel. Daily distances range from 30-60 km on gently hilly terrain, with accommodation in 3*** and 4**** hotels including breakfast and luggage transfer.
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A diversified bike tour with start in Mozart town Salzburg leads you through the lovely Salzach valley, the wild romantic Gasteiner valley and idyllic Drau valley to Villach, which is located in the sunny heart of Carinthia. A tour for real epicures, always accompanied from the great mountain range of the Alps this route leads on comfortable tours towards the south of Austria. And it offers fascinating impressions, scenic highlights, and culinary tastings. Who cycles from Salzburg to Villach sees and explores more: more river romance and great waterfalls, more picturesque old cities and old fortresses, more steep mountain peaks and deep canyons and of course more Salzburger Nockerl and Carinthian cheese dumplings! So, what are you waiting for? Follow the scenic, cultural, architectural, and culinary tastings from Salzburg to Carinthia!
Leisure cyclists and nature lovers will love the cycle tour through the two beautiful regions of Austria. This trip is all about nature, culture and cuisine. Massive mountain peaks, medieval castles and impressive waterfalls are the highlights of the first stage of the Alpe Adria Cycle Path. Tip: Treat yourself to a break now and then and really enjoy the picturesque landscape.
Salzburg Festival City: A walk through the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart holds culture and history at every turn. The alleys and squares invite you to linger. Insider tip: Enjoy a cappuccino in one of the well-known cafes and let the charm of Salzburg’s old town work its magic on you. You will love it!
Golling Castle: The hill castle from the 13th Century is located in the heart of the market town of Golling an der Salzach. In addition to the imposing building, the beautiful market square and the Gollinger waterfall are also worth a visit!
Warm hospitality and regional delicacies: on the way from Salzburg to Carinthia, it is not just the landscape that will lift your mood. The warmth of the locals and the regional delicacies also make foodies happy. Culinary tip: You should definitely try Salzburg Nockerl and Carinthian Kasnudeln.
You cover the approximately 200 kilometres by bike comfortably on well-developed paths over eight days. Stages of between 30 and 60 kilometres are on the programme every day. Fitness is required, because the route has some climbs. What if you need a break? The demanding stretch between St. Johann im Pongau and the Gastein Valley can be covered by train.
Do you have any questions about the tour or need help with booking? The Eurobike team are always at your disposal with information and helpful advice.
More information about the topic Crossing the Alps you'll find here.
Itinerary at a glance
From culturally rich Salzburg to sunny Carinthia, you will be accompanied by the most beautiful views of the mountains; the view of Golling Castle is particularly impressive. Gourmets will get their money's worth with Salzburger Nockerl and Carinthian Kasnudeln (cheese noodles).
Individual arrival to the cultural town Salzburg. Winding alleyways and squares are inviting for a stroll. You should visit a typical café to taste some Austrian delicacies. With every step you breathe in culture and history.
Your bike tour starts in Salzburg and you continue through the shady Salzach lowlands along the river. You cycle to Hallein, which was due to its excavation of salt a rich Celtic city in former times. Main attraction is the popular Celtic museum. Along the river you reach the waterfall, the beautiful market square and the fortress from 13th century in Golling.
From Golling up to Pass Lueg, enjoy the views onto the beautiful mountain range. You will even not notice the slightly climb. The mountains are coming nearer, and the water is getting louder. You pass the so-called “Salzach-Öfen”, an imposing canyon which was built through the river. At the foot of mountain Hochkönig you reach Werfen. A last view onto fortress Hohenwerfen before you continue to Bischofshofen. Within a few kilometres you reach St. Johann. Unmistakably - like double mountain peaks - the towers of the Pongau Cathedral rise up here
Shortly after Schwarzach you leave the Salzach and will be accompanied by the Gasteiner Ache through the wild and romantic Gastein valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle to the renowned spa and winter sports resort of Bad Gastein, at the foot of the Hohe Tauern, which offers a wealth of natural history and architectural sights. It is then only a stone’s throw to Böckstein, where a train from the Tauernschleuse takes you to Mallnitz on the other side of the Alps in just 10 minutes. Back in the saddle you can enjoy rushing downhill to your hotel in the Mölltal.
First off, as you travel along the river Möll you cycle through impressive mountain landscape. In Möllbrücke the Drautal begins, and the sunny south of Austria. Take a leisurely pedal over the last kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. In the middle ages this city was an important junction for pilgrims and also owed their prosperity in part to these.
Enjoy this route – it leads slightly downhill along river Drau. You should plan a stop in Paternion with worth-seeing churches and palaces. Within short distance you reach Villach with beautiful old city, southern flair and homelike pubs and restaurants.
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. Overall, the route is gently hilly, whereby the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gastein valley can be bridged by train.
Prices & Dates
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
Gravel Bike 20-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel
Very sporty, roadworthy premium rental bike with diamond frame
Body size approx. 155 cm - 195 cm
49 cm |
55 cm |
57 cm |
59 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
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accommodation in 3***- and 4****-hotels
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
App for Navigation and GPS-data
Service hotline
Optional extras
Return transfer to Salzburg every Saturday morning, costs EUR 105 per person, extra EUR 39 for your own bike, to be paid for in advance, reservation is necessary
Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
Details
Due to construction work, the Tauernschleuse is expected to be out of service until 04.07.2025. The itinerary will be adapted during this period. You will spend the night in the Gastein Valley instead of the Möll Valley and will be transferred to Spittal.
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Salzburg train station
Salzburg airport
Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 12 to EUR 25 per day
Public parking garage, costs approx. EUR 80 to 115 per week
Good train connection from Villach to Salzburg
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 EUR 20 per room.
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 Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
Service hotline
Optional extras
Printed route book, per room EUR 20
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.
Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
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.
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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!