Night 1-2
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Situated at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites, this hotel is surrounded by natural beauty and offers modern amenities.
Experience Austria on the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour is the most comfortable and sunniest route to get to know the South of Austria up close and personal. The beautiful hand-picked locations throughout the region ooze plenty of southern flair, creating a light-hearted holiday bliss that you certainly won’t forget!
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour meanders leisurely along the river Drava, leading you through Eastern Tyrol and Carinthia as you pass by rugged mountain terrain. Throughout the tour you will cycle past historic castles, intricate palaces, charming villages, and ancient towns, all of which provide an element of culture that is unique to the region.
Cycling roughly 225 kilometres from Lienz to the Klopeiner See over a period of eight days will seem like a breeze, as the course of the Drau Cycle Path is always flat, following closely along the banks of the River Drava. Do you feel like discovering Austria’s sunny south by bike? Then head off to Lienz to begin the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour!
The first day of your adventure will see you arrive in Lienz, which can be found in Eastern Tyrol at the confluence of the rivers Isel and Drau. With a total of two thousand sunshine hours annually, it is Austria’s sunniest holiday region. The breathtaking panorama looking out onto the Alps and the Lienz-Dolomites will excite your senses!
Today a short train ride takes you from Lienz to Toblach, located just before the Italian border. The river Drau is still a young river in this section, babbling and breaking her way through the narrow Pustertal-valley. Imposing fortresses, castles, and palaces rise majestically above the valley and tell of a rich history of the once rich and powerful. Modest Romanesque chapels, Gothic and Baroque churches, crucifixes and piety columns can all be witnessed while on a short break. The rugged rock faces of the Lienz-Dolomites tower over the landscape, turning today’s cycling stage into an unforgettable experience. Return to Lienze for the night.
From Lienz, you will once again follow the river Drau, which appears in a shade of gray that the locals call “glacier milk” – due to very fine rock particles coming from the gigantic rocks. Along ancient Roman trade routes, you will cycle past ruins, castles, little churches and wayside crosses, making your way through the picturesque Oberdrautal Valley. En route you pass pretty villages such as Pirkach, Oberdrauburg and the first market town on Carinthian soil, Dellach.
Today you will be cycling mostly along the river Drau through the marvellous Carinthian farmland that is home to forests, fields, old farm houses and little hamlets. Cosy wine taverns, called – Buschenschenken – await with proper farm food and invite you to take a break. After passing by time-honoured farm houses decorated with flowers, the well-developed Drau cycle path takes you to Spittal an der Drau. The centre of Spittal features a main square and a particularly beautiful palace, which is considered one of the most impressive Renaissance buildings in all of Central Europe.
Day 5 of your tour will see you cycle through the “Cultural Promenade of Upper Corinthia”. You will leave the area of Spittal along the river Drau and immerse yourself into ancient meadows, forests, and idyllic wetland areas. After passing by Kellerberg Palace along the river Drau you will reach Villach. The heart of Villach features the old town with its Italian flair and the cosy pubs and restaurants. Part of the character of the town is definitely the river Drau, meandering through Villach like a blue ribbon.
Today’s stage will lead you through the enchanting Rosental Valley. The Karawanks Mountain range and the river Drau offer an impressive backdrop for an unforgettable day of cycling. An amazing array of rocks flank the river and offer fascinating views, one of which is home to Hollenburg castle, which rises above as the landmark of the Rosental Valley.
Along beautifully designed dam-paths the cycling tour leads you through meadows, fields, and little hamlets towards the giant Völkermarkter Reservoir. At this point you will bid farewell to your loyal companion the River Drau, allowing you to enjoy the views of the Klopeiner See. Time to drink in the lakescape and leave all your cares behind.
After breakfast, you will pack your things for an individual departure, saying goodbye to the serene shores of the Klopeiner See.
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of the rooms that you need.
Prices below are per person:
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the Book Now button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. Hotel upgrades are available for an extra charge.
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are of a 3 and 4-star standard, and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplemental fee to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Situated at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites, this hotel is surrounded by natural beauty and offers modern amenities.
Overlooking the river and surrounding mountains, this hotel is perfect for a relaxing stay in the Austrian countryside.
Located in the heart of Spittal an der Drau, this hotel features all of the amenities you need for a comfortable stay and offers convenient access to its surroundings.
Located directly on the main square, the hotel initially impresses with its magnificent Renaissance façade. The city palace was built around 1500 and has only recently been renovated into a magical boutique hotel.
This beautiful hotel in the sunny south of the Austrian Alps is a fantastic place to stay thanks to its amenities, including a sauna, pool, and free Wi-Fi.
Located close to the Klopeiner See, this hotel is a great choice if you are looking to get out and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Lienz and after the tour in Klopeiner See are not included, but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour.
How hard is the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour?
We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3–7 hours daily. The elevation gain is minimal, and you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate. The bike path is well-maintained and you can rent an e-bike to make the route easier if you wish.
Do I need a visa to travel to Austria?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour?
7 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
How do I get to Lienz to start this tour?
Fly into Innsbruck Airport (INN) or Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) and take a train or bus to Lienz.
Is the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour in English?
Yes, the travel documents and resources for this trip are in English.
Where does the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour end?
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour ends at Klopeiner See. From there, the closest international airports are either Klagenfurt (KLU), Graz (GRZ) or Ljubljana (LJU). You can also arrange a transfer back to Lienz for an additional fee.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes come in 7-gear and 21/24-gear varieties. You can also rent an e-bike.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Austria?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Austria?
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.
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We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3–7 hours daily. The elevation gain is minimal, and you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate. The bike path is well-maintained and you can rent an e-bike to make the route easier if you wish.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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