Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour
Bike Through Austria on the Alpe Adria Cycling Tour
Lifetime Deposit
Self-Guided
Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour Overview
For those travellers who want to experience the very best that Austria has to offer by bike, the Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour is an incredible adventure. Beginning in the cultured city of Salzburg, you will wind your way along the rivers and mountains of the Austrian Alps, eventually arriving in the charming town of Villach.
From breathtaking landscape views to delicious alpine foods and traditional Austrian culture, there is so much to do and see while out on this cycling tour, yet you will still wish that it was longer! Book your place on the Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour to discover the natural beauty that awaits in the Austrian countryside!
Trip highlights
Experience the high culture and history of Salzburg
Witness the charm of traditional Austrian villages and towns
Take in the natural beauty of Austria’s mountain landscapes
Taste delicious regional cuisines found nowhere else on earth.
Day By Day Itinerary
After arriving in Salzburg, you will be able to enjoy some free time to explore the historic streets and impressive cultural displays that the city has to offer. You will be able to collect your rental bikes in the afternoon if you booked them.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Salzburg
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
Your bike tour will begin today by leaving Salzburg behind and cycling through the Salzach Wetlands. From here, you will continue on to Hallein, which is well-known as a wealthy Celtic settlement due to the salt mines in the area.
After, you will passdthe Gollinger waterfall to arrive in the town of Golling, which is home to a lovely market square and an historic 13th Century castle.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Golling
- Distance:
- 29 km, 160m of ascent, 120 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you will ride from Golling up to Pass Lueg, enjoying the stunning mountain views along the way. Eventually, you will pass the so-called “Salzach-Öfen”, an imposing canyon that was carved out by the river. At the foot of mountain Hochkönig you reach Werfen, where the biggest ice cave in the world invites you to complete a loop through the bewitching world of shimmering ice (duration about 4 hours). After, you will make your way to Bischofshofen, before continuing on to St. Johann.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in St Johann
- Distance:
- 35 km, 370 m of ascent, 280 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 4 of the tour will see you pass through Schwarzach and the Gasteiner Valley, enjoying beautiful views of the picturesque landscape along the route. After a tough uphill climb to the “Ausgleichsbecken”, which will see you cover 2,5 km with an elevation change of 130m, you will cycle along a portion of the Klamm Tunnel before continuing on to the resort town of Bad Gastein.
Continuing on to Böckstein, you will take a short train ride to Mallnitz on the other side of the Alps. From here, a short downhill ride will bring you to your hotel for the evening.
Important: 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.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in the Mölltal Valley
- Distance:
- 58 km + train ride, 890 m of ascent, 750 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you will travel along the River Möll, cycling through impressive mountain landscapes with incredible views. After travelling through the “sunny south” of Austria, you will eventually arrive in Spittal an der Drau, which was an important junction for pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Here, you can visit the Renaissance Porcia Palace, built in the 16th Century in the style of Italian palazzo – sometimes referred to as ‘the most beautiful Renaissance building north of the Alps’.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Spittal
- Distance:
- 31 km, 190 m of ascent, 340 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
The last day of cycling on your tour will lead you slightly downhill along the River Drau, where you can take in the scenery and visit historical sites along the way. Eventually, you will reach the endpoint of the tour in Villach, with its beautiful old city, southern flair, and charming restaurants.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Villach
- Distance:
- 40 km, 100 m of ascent, 140 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After waking up and enjoying one final breakfast in your hotel, you will pack your things and wave goodbye for an individual departure from Villach.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 6 breakfasts are included.
- Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Salzburg and after the tour in Villach are not included, but can be added as a supplement.
- Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour. This tour also includes 1 train ticket from Böckstein to Mallnitz per guest.
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed Digital travel information documents
- 1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
- App for navigation and GPS
- Phone support
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Bike rental
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Helmet (can be purchased locally)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Bike rental (helmet not included)
- Printed Route Book
- Return transfer to Salzburg after the tour from Villach
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. This route unfolds on mostly well-developed cycle paths, but you should be comfortable riding between 55 to 75 km in a given day.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into the Salzburg Airport (SZG) and take the train into the city.
Yes, the travel documents and resources for this trip are in English.
The Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour ends in the Austrian town of Villach. From there, you can take the train to either the Klagenfurt (KLU), Salzburg (SZG), or Ljubljana (LJU) airports.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are 21-gear male/female bikes, 7-gear unisex bikes, or e-bikes.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Why book Across the Alps: Salzburg to Villach Bike Tour with 10 Adventures?
Self-guided Specialists
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of the logistics are taken care of.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
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