Alps to the Adriatic Sea

Introduction
Central Austria Austria
In a week across the Alps to the Adriatic Sea - that sounds like hard work! It is not quite as exhausting, if you choose the Alpe Adria cycle route. On the well marked paths the crossing of the Alps is also feasible for pleasure cyclists, because the ascent to the main ridge of the Alps is divided into two daily stages, the last one will be done by using the train.

On your journey you will cross the idyllic Salzach valley, Bad Gastein, the impressive high mountain landscape of the Hohe Tauern, the sunny Trautal and the wildly rugged canal valley. Cycling on the Via Julia Augusta you pass Palmanova and Aquileia and get to the fishing village of Grado.

The tour runs along bike paths or very quiet side roads, through small villages and picturesque landscape. The most challenging section over the Pass Lueg can also be bypassed by train.

Accomodation

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

Description
Accommodations consist of a mixture of guesthouses as well as 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

Rental bikes:
E-bike (UNISEX bike, 500 W battery; range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 8-day program with E-bikes - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
Individual arrival at the starting hotel in Salzburg. A bicycle trip could not start more impressively than in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. You are surrounded by so many Baroque monuments in this beautiful old town. Take some delicious Mozartkugeln (typical Austrian confectionary) on your journey to the sea.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Salzburg

Day 2: Salzburg – Werfenweng
With a view of the fortress Hohensalzburg you leave the city. In the distance the mountains are already visible. The first section takes you along the Salzach. On the way, you will pass the former summer residence of the Salzburger Bishops, Hellbrunn palace. For more than 400 years, the extraordinary water games have been a delight for young and old.
On the Tauern cycle path, the journey continues in the direction of Hallein, known for its crooked town-houses and above all for the white gold - salt. Passing below the Tennengebirge mountains, you will cycle towards your destination Werfenweng, but first you will have to overcome a few metres in altitude. High above you will see the impressive 11th century castle of Hohenwerfen.
Biking approx. 50 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Werfenweng

Day 3: Werfenweng – Bad Gastein
The journey continues through the tranquil Gastein valley, only accessible along mountain paths and narrow roads until the 20th century. Framed by the peaks of the Hohe Tauern, you cycle along the Gasteiner Ache (river).
Passing Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you reach the famous health resort Bad Gastein. The „Montecarlo of the Alps“, as the place is often called, is known for its many splendid hotels from the „Belle Époque“. The main attraction here is the Gastein waterfall, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets. If you are there early enough, you can still take the cable car to the summit and enjoy the alpine panorama.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bad Gastein

Day 4: Bad Gastein – Millstätter See
In Böckstein you have to board the train, which takes you in about 11 minutes comfortably under the spectacular peaks of the Hohe Tauern into the Mölltal valley. Instead of following the original Alpe Adria cycle path, we suggest an alternative through the tranquil Dösental. On the old railway track, an 8 km long descent, leads down to the Glocknerradweg and along the Möll river. The varied landscape will not let you get bored. Today‘s destination is Millstatt, situated by the lake of the same name. At around 141 m the Millstätter See is the deepest lake in Carinthia.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Millstatt

Day 5: Millstätter See – Tarvis
On today's stage you cycle around the lake for a while and then overcome a small ridge which brings you into the Drau Valley. After this detour, the Alpe-Adria route leads along the leisurely flowing Drava, where some surprises await you. Soon the direction of travel changes and you head south. First along the Gail river, which is ideal for cooling off on hot summer days, and then across the border to the „Bella Italia“. In the border triangle Austria-Slovenia-Italy lies the small town of Tarvis.
Biking approx. 60-70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Tarvis

Day 6: Tarvis - Udine
Although this stage is one of the longest of this journey, there are very few ascents to overcome. Strengthened by cappuccino and brioche, you start the stage through the Kanal Valley, framed by the majestic peaks of the Julian Alps. On the disused railway line you cycle through a total of 22 tunnels. Don‘t miss the culinary delights along the way.
Shortly before reaching Venzone, you cross the Tagliamento, one of the last natural rivers in Europe, before reaching the Friulian plain. Not only the vegetation changes, but also the temperatures continue to rise. Enjoy the evening at the „Piazza della Libertà“ in Udine, with its typical Italian atmosphere.
Biking approx. 120 km or approx. 80 km + train (ticket not included)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Udine

Day 7: Udine - Grado
You will continue your journey cycling through the vineyards. The first highlight of today‘s stage is Palmanova, with its star-shaped fortress from the 16th century. Across the hexagonal main square, the route leads out of the Unesco World Heritage Site towards Aquileia. The town, built in 180 BC, was one of the most important economic centres of the Roman Empire. Numerous excavation sites and a huge floor mosaic in the Byzantine Basilica are vivid witnesses of this time. A 5 km long straight line leads through the lagoon to Grado, the destination of your journey. After a total of 420 km you have reached the Italian Riviera.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Udine

Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay on the Adriatic Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast

----------------------------------

Sample Itinerary: 8-day program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
Individual arrival at the starting hotel in Salzburg. A bicycle trip could not start more impressively than in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. You are surrounded by so many Baroque monuments in this beautiful old town. Take some delicious Mozartkugeln (typical Austrian confectionary) on your journey to the sea.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Salzburg

Day 2: Salzburg – Bischofshofen/St. Johann
With a view of the fortress Hohensalzburg you leave the city. In the distance the mountains are already visible. The first section takes you along the Salzach. On the way you will pass the former summer residence of the Salzburger Bishops, Hellbrunn palace.
For more than 400 years, the extraordinary water games have been a delight for young and old. On the Tauern cycle path, the journey continues in the direction of Hallein, known for its crooked townhouses and above all for the white gold - salt. Another highlight on the way is the waterfall in Golling.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bischofshofen/St. Johann

Day 3: Bischofshofen/St. Johann – Bad Gastein
The journey continues through the tranquil Gastein valley, only accessible along mountain paths and narrow roads until the 20th century. Framed by the peaks of the Hohe Tauern, you cycle along the Gasteiner Ache (river).
Passing Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you reach the famous health resort Bad Gastein. The „Montecarlo of the Alps“, as the place is often called, is known for its many splendid hotels from the „Belle Époque“. The main attraction here is the Gastein waterfall, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bad Gastein

Day 4: Bad Gastein – Villach
From Bad Gastein you continue to Böckstein and get on the train along the Tauernschleuse (railway line) to Mallnitz; then you cycle along the river Möll through the impressive mountain landscapes. This section of the cycle path is also known as the Glocknerradweg. It goes mostly slightly downhill and leads through the Hohe Tauern National Park. From there the Drau cycle path leads to Spittal, famous for its Renaissance castle of Porcia. The stage ends in the second largest city in Carinthia. Villach is not only famous for its Carnival, but also known for its Villacher Kirchtag (folklore festival). In addition, numerous places of interest await you. If you still have enough time, we recommend you to take a swim in one of the lakes around the city.
Biking approx. 79 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 5: Villach – Venzone
Following the river Gail you leave Villach behind and shortly after you say goodbye to Austria and enter Italy. In the three-nation corner Italy-Austria-Slovenia extends the Kanaltal valley, whose main centre is the town of Tarvisio, on the Italian border. Here Austrians, Slovenes, Friulians and Italians have been living together for hundreds of years, because all the three big European language families – Teutons, Romans and Slavs – join there. The town of Tarvisio is not only one of the most important mountain resorts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, but it is also famous for its winter offer in this region. Continuing through the valley of Kanaltal you can admire the beauty of the Friuli-Alps-Region with an intact, unspoilt nature and vast, intact forests.
If you want, you can take the train (ticket not included) to Tarvisio or Ugovizza and shorten a part of the route.
Biking approx. 40-60 km with train or 85-90 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Venzone

Day 6: Venzone - Udine
The small town of Gemona del Friuli, situated at the southern end of the Kanaltal Valley and at the foothills of the Julian Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The town is dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which is well worth a visit. The wine prevails on today‘s stage. Hills full of vineyards line your way and invite you to taste some local wine. The town of Udine, characterised by Venetian influences, radiates peace and tranquillity; over a coffee in the „piazza“ or a stroll through the city centre you can admire its impressive buildings of the late Gothic and Renaissance.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Udine

Day 7: Udine - Grado 
Accompanied by the breeze of the Scirocco you pass through reed landscapes and water canals and arrive to Grado, a historic city of fishers and one of the most popular beach resorts on the Adriatic sea. Along the way the city of Palmanova - UNESCO World Heritage Site- and the extensive excavation areas of the ancient city of Aquileia await your visit.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Udine

Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay on the Adriatic Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast

10 days/9 nights Variant
Day 1: Individual arrival to Salzburg
Day 2: Salzburg - Golling (approx. 35 km)
Day 3: Golling - St. Johann (approx. 35 km)
Day 4: St. Johann - Bad Gastein/Mallnitz (approx. 55 km)
Day 5: Bad Gastein/Mallnitz - Spittal a. Drau (approx. 40 km + train)
Day 6: Spittal a. Drau - Villach (approx. 35 km)
Day 7: Villach - Venzone/surroundings (ca. 40-60 km + train, ticket not included; or approx. 85-90 km )
Day 8: Venzone/surroundings - Udine (approx. 55 km)
Day 9: Udine - Grado (approx. 55 km)
Day 10: Individual departure

Rates and Dates for Alps to the Adriatic Sea

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

Other Info
Meeting: Salzburg
Airport: Salzburg
Transfer:

Climate:
                                            Sankt Johann area