Carinthia Lakes Cycling Tour

Introduction
Central Austria Austria
This bicycle tour brings you to the most beautiful lakes of Carinthia. Past blue and turquoise lakes, accompanied by a hilly and mountainous landscape, the route captivates with a varied sceneries.  
Start from Villach, the cycling capital of Carinthia, and cycle to lake Millstätter See, lake Weißensee, lake Pressegger See, lake Faaker See and via the valley Keutschacher Seental with 4 lakes to the provincial capital of Klagenfurt. From there, the journey leads over the lake Wörthersee to the Drava cycle path and back to Villach and the lake Ossiacher See.
This tour leads mostly on well laid out bicycle routes, often directly along the lakesides. The route has a couple of slopes to overcome and partially leading several kilometers along paved roads with some traffic. In some sections the route leads along federal roads without a cycle path. In addition, there is a long slope on the route to Weißensee to overcome (transfer optional). The rest of the route is mainly flat, sometimes slightly hilly. The route is ideal for E-bikes.

Accomodation

Accommodations
During this trip, nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations consist of a mixture of 3 and 4 star hotels offering private bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.


Meals
All breakfasts are included.

Riding

E-bike or Sporty Tour: approx. 420km total

Rental bikes:
21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
E-bike (unisex bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 8-day sporty program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Villach
You will arrive at your hotel in Villach. Parking spaces available close to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Villach

Day 2: Villach – Lake Ossiachersee – Gegendtal – Lake Millstätter See
You start in Villach and head out through the small town towards Lake Ossiach, where you will soon see the ruins of Landskron Castle towering high above the countryside. Idyllically embedded in the surrounding mountains, inviting bathing resorts and the romantic Ossiach Abbey welcome you. The dark green colour of the water is something special. You circle Lake Ossiach and then head towards Lake Millstätter See. This route takes you through the so-called Gegendtal, past the two idyllic lakes Afritzer See and Brennsee and the small town of Radenthein to the eastern shore of Lake Millstätter See. Then it is a few more kilometres along the lake to today‘s stage destination.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight near Lake Millstätter See

Day 3: Lake Millstätter See – Weissensee – Lake Presseggersee / Hermagor/ Tröpolach
Today you start at Lake Millstätter See, then you will reach the Lake Weissensee. There are two different variants to reach the lake.
If you choose the first variant, you will cycle along the Drau cycle path, shortly before Greifenburg you will turn in the direction of lake Weissensee and meander through small paths towards the western shore of the lake.
The second variant leads to the eastern shore of the lake. From there you will have to take the boat to the western shore (ticket not included), as there is no road connection between the two shores. This variant passes by the small town of Spittal an der Drau and then via the Stockenboier Landesstrasse.
Both variants are charming, you can choose on the one that suits your daily routine best. As soon as you leave Weissensee a short ascent to the Kreuzbergpass and a rapid descent await you. You will cycle a few kilometres in the dreamy Gitschtal before reaching the stage destination.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Tröpolach

Day 4: Hermagor/ Tröpolach / Lake Presseggersee – Lake Faaker See – Wörthersee
Your cycle tour today takes you along the Gailtal cycle path. The wide valley is unspoilt and the cycle path runs right through the natural landscape along the river. At the beginning of your cycle tour you will pass the Pressegger See lake. Like all Carinthian lakes, it is a bathing lake with warm temperatures. Part of the tour then leads you to Villach at the foot of the majestic Dobratsch mountain through a nature reserve that was created in the course of a historic rock fall. Here, too, you cycle directly along the Gail River, which is wide and shallow at this point and used as a bathing spot by many nature lovers. The cycle path continues towards Lake Faak. It is the emerald among the Carinthian lakes, not very big, but very warm and turquoise like the Caribbean. You cycle around the lake from south to east and then cycle along the Drau cycle path to your destination for today - Lake Wörthersee.
Biking approx. 75 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Wörthersee

Day 5: Wörthersee – Lake Klopeinersee – Klagenfurt
You start your tour through the idyllic Keutschacher Seental, which lies parallel to lake Wörthersee and is characterised by several charming little lakes that form a string of pearl along your route. Then turn south near Klagenfurt.
Past the magnificent pilgrimage church of Maria Rain you descend over the Ferlach power station to the Drau cycle path. Follow it until you reach Tainach, where the tour continues via Stein im Jauntal to lake Klopeiner See. It is one of the smallest lakes but one of the warmest in Europe. The route then leads back along the Völkermarkt reservoir and then along a railway track directly to Klagenfurt, your destination for today.
The old town is characterized by many buildings from the Renaissance and a southern flair. Small bars and shop contribute to the atmosphere. Culture lovers should pay a visit to the Modern Art Museum, while history lovers should visit the Carinthian Museum. Those who prefers to admire the city from above can enjoy the view from the city parish tower.
Biking approx. 85 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight near Klagenfurt

Day 6: Loop Ride
Today you will start in the region of Central Carinthia, rich in castles and many historic places. On the way, you can see the imposing Maria Saal Cathedral, Hochosterwitz castle with its 14 fortifications, the small picturesque Längsee lake and the imposing Taggenbrunn castle ruins.
Then you will reach St. Veit/Glan, the old capital of Carinthia. You can still see the former importance of the town, with its defensive wall almost completely preserved and the main square surrounded by magnificent buildings. The tour then proceeds along the river Glan and turns south again. On your way you can admire the Lake Maltschach, then you will return to Lake Wörthersee and Klagenfurt .
Biking approx. 60-85 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Klagenfurt

Day 7: Klagenfurt – Wörthersee - Villach
The first section of the tour takes you along the northern shore of Lake Wörthersee, through the well-known and popular resorts of Pörtschach and Velden. seaside resorts of Pörtschach and Velden. Along this Wörthersee cycle path, small bathing spots invite you to take a refreshing dip in Lake Wörthersee. From Velden you cycle back along the Drau cycle path and past the Silbersee lake, to Villach, the destination of this cycle tour.
Biking approx. 45 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 8: Departure
Tour end and departure or possibility of extension.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Carinthia Lakes Cycling Tour

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 5+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Villach
Airport: Klagenfurt
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                Klagenfurt area