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Two cyclists on Hellbrunner Allee in Salzburg, with the fortress in the background

Alpe Adria Cycle Path, Salzburg – Trieste

On the Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path from the Festival City to the former Imperial and Royal port metropolis

New tour
12 Days / 11 Nights
Medium
Two cyclists on Hellbrunner Allee in Salzburg, with the fortress in the background

Salzburg and Trieste are cities that deserve to be explored more than once in a lifetime. Along the Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path, you'll encounter a wealth of stunning places and awe-inspiring vistas, creating indelible memories. This journey seamlessly blends cultural treasures with majestic mountain landscapes and Mediterranean urban charm, harmonizing Austrian coziness with Italian allure. Over the span of twelve days, relish not only the active relaxation but also the alluring delights of local cuisines.

You'll first cycle through the Austrian states of Salzburg and Carinthia before crossing into Italy to traverse Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia all the way to the Adriatic. Your journey begins in the Festival City of Salzburg, initially following the Salzach River to Golling with its waterfall and medieval castle. Passing through St. Johann, you enter the Carinthian Möll Valley and continue through the Drau Valley to Spittal and Villach.

On the next stage to Tarvisio, it's already 'Ciao Bella Italia!' – make a stop at the border and treat yourself to a cappuccino. The Alps will accompany you for a while longer before you begin to feel the Mediterranean charm, especially in the streets of Udine. Marvel at the Roman architecture in Aquileia, then continue your journey towards Grado. Even Empress Sisi enjoyed her time in Trieste! Follow in her footsteps, visit Miramare Castle, and take a leisurely stroll through the port city.

  • The festival city of Salzburg: Salzburg, known as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for 'The Sound of Music,' enjoys worldwide acclaim. Its old town, featuring charming streets and a multitude of attractions extending from Mirabell Palace to the seventeenth-century Baroque Cathedral, is an everlasting delight for exploration. Don't miss the opportunity to ascend Hohensalzburg Fortress for its breathtaking view!
  • The backdrop of the Alps: Quaint villages, idyllic valleys, thundering waterfalls and, last but not least, the gigantic mountain world characterize the stages along the Tennengebirge and through the Hohe Tauern. Stop, soak up the panoramas and remember to take a photo or two for the ones at home.
  • The old town of Grado: The lagoon city promises a truly unique ambiance – Italian shops, local restaurants, a seaside promenade, and even archaeological excavations all invite you to linger and explore.

While the 410-kilometer-long Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path takes you through impressive mountain landscapes, the route is mostly characterized by hilly sections thanks to various tunnels. As you get closer to the sea, the cycling paths and roads become flatter. The travel package includes a train journey on the challenging stretch from Böckstein to Mallnitz.

Depending on your fitness and mood, you can explore the Alpe-Adria-Cycle Path in various ways. A cycling holiday in Carinthia is also worth considering. You can find more information about crossing the Alps here.

Itinerary at a glance

From the festival city to the former K&K port metropolis. Along the way are magnificent mountain panoramas, thundering waterfalls, picturesque village centres and wide sandy beaches.

Individual arrival in the festival, Mozart and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleys and squares invite you to stroll and dreamy cafés to enjoy genuine Austrian coffee specialties. At every turn you breathe culture and history.

Hotel (example): Hotel Goldenes Theater

Through the shady meadows of the Salzach, you will ride leisurely out of the festival and Mozart city of Salzburg, with the Salzach as your companion. The route leads to Hallein, a Celtic town that used to be rich in salt mining. The main attraction is undoubtedly the world-famous Celtic Museum. Passing the Gollinger waterfall, you will quickly reach your overnight destination of the same name. Characterized by its pretty marketplace and the castle from the 13th century.

Hotel (example): Hotel Golingen

From Golling, you cycle up to Pass Lueg-Höhe, enjoying the view of the wonderfully striking Tennengebirge. The mountain is now getting closer and closer to the Salzach and the rumbling of the water is getting louder and louder. You pass the so-called "Salzachöfen", an imposing gorge created by the Salzach. After Werfen with its towering castle, St. Johann is reached soon after. Unmistakably - like double mountain peaks - the towers of the Pongau Cathedral rise up here.

Hotel (example): Brückenwirt

Shortly after Schwarzach, you say goodbye to the Salzach, from today on the Gasteiner Ache accompanies you through the wild and romantic Gastein valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle to the well-known spa and winter sports resort Bad Gastein at the foot of the Hohe Tauern, which offers a variety of natural-historical and architectural sights. The landmark is the Gastein waterfall in the middle of the village, which has been the inspiration for many painters and poets. Now, it is only a stone's throw to Böckstein where a train from the Tauernschleuse will take you to the other side of the Alps, to Mallnitz, in only 10 minutes. Back in the saddle, enjoy the exhilarating descent to your hotel in the Mölltal valley.

Hotel (example): Erlebnishotel Mölltal

First, along the river Möll, you cycle today through impressive high mountain landscapes. In the village of Möllbrücke, the Drau Valley begins and with it the sunny south of Austria. Leisurely, you ride the last kilometers to Spittal an der Drau. The town was already an important transportation hub for pilgrims in the Middle Ages and owed its prosperity in part to them.

Hotel (example): Erlebnis Post - Hotel mit EigenART

Almost by magic, you will cycle in a gentle downhill along the Drava. Halfway along, you should take a break in the small market town of Paternion with its churches and castles worth seeing. Pedal a few more times and you will reach Villach, whose heart is the charming old town with its southern flair and the cozy "Beisln" (pubs) and restaurants.

Hotel (example): City Hotel Villach

First, you will continue along part of the Drava. But soon the bike path leads you along the Gail River in the direction of Italy. "Servus Austria - Ciao Italia" is the motto at the border. In Tarvis, you will be greeted in three languages. Austrians, Slovenes and Italians have lived together here for centuries and all three major European language families - Germanic, Romanic and Slavic - meet here directly.

Hotel (example): Hotel Haberl

Also in Italy, the cycle path is well developed and so you cycle comfortably downhill through the Canal Valley and admire from the saddle the beauties of the Friulian Alpine region with an intact, untouched nature and extensive forests. As an overnight stop serves one of the pretty villages at the foothills of the Julian Alps.

Hotel (example): Hotel Pittis

At the southern exit of the Canal Valley lies one of the most beautiful historic towns of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The town of Gemona del Friuli is dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and will also inspire you. On the way to Udine, the first vines already appear along the bike route. Once in the city, feel the "dolce vita" with a coffee in the "piazza" or during a stroll through the alleys and admire the late Gothic and Renaissance buildings.

Hotel (example): Hotel Suite Inn

Warm breezes of the Scirocco blow across your nose! You will drive through wide reed landscapes and along small water channels in the direction of the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called "Second Rome," you should definitely plan a stop before you reach your destination of the trip. One of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic, the historic fishing town of Grado, is not only known for its extensive sandy beach, but also for its historic harbor and narrow streets with cozy restaurants that exude Italian flair.

Hotel (example): Hotel Rialto

Through the lagoon, you cycle towards the Gulf of Trieste. Back at the sea, a breathtakingly beautiful coastal landscape accompanies you and the world-famous Miramare Castle is another highlight of today's bike tour. The historic port city of Trieste is a worthy conclusion to your trip.

Hotel (example): Hotel Victoria

Day
12
Departure or extension

Route information

Medium

You cycle mainly on well-maintained cycle paths and quiet side roads. Only a few stretches also lead along roads with heavier traffic or unpaved paths. Overall, the route is gently hilly, whereby the most challenging sections between St. Johann and the Gastein Valley and between Villach and Tarvis can be bridged by train.

Prices & Dates

Category: 3***- und 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 |
50 cm |
51 cm |
55 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)
  • 1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer to Salzburg every Saturday morning, costs EUR 219/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
  • Parking, costs approx. EUR 10-20/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 transportation
  • 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 Trieste or 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.

Stefanie Rudinger

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

Stefanie Rudinger
Travel Specialist
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