Night 1
Hotel in Salzburg
Sleep in one of the most romantic cities in Austria, known for its baroque architecture and recognized by UNESCO. Gaze out your window at the birthplace of Mozart!
Get your heart pumping on this 10-day ride from Austria to the Adriatic Sea
Picture this: you pick up a bike in the mountainous region of Austria, then spend 10 days riding south to reach the Adriatic Sea on the Italian coast. Yes, please! On the 10-day Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days tour, you’ll cycle a well-mapped route, staying in a new town or city each night. You’ll encounter some more challenging days as you have to cover 355–400km! The ever-evolving landscapes will be enough inspiration to hop back in the saddle each day.
From small mountain towns in the Alps to the coastal fishing village of Grado, you’ll have new incredible sights to soak up each day of your riding. Keep the momentum going with delectable fare and conversations with your local hotel hosts. The Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days gives you the chance to see a great stretch of land but enough time to recuperate and absorb all that you learn and see. To top it off, on the last day, you get to relax on the beach!
Begin the tour in Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart and a truly Baroque city. Spend the evening wandering the cobbled streets in the Old Town before heading to bed.
After breakfast, you’ll collect your bike and head south into incredible landscapes full of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. Your luggage will be transferred for you so you can ride unencumbered during the tour. When you arrive in Golling, you’ll have plenty of time to stroll the streets and soak in the Alp-village vibes.
Find some local delicacies and head to your hotel to get a good night’s sleep.
Leaving Golling behind, continue through the mountains as the larger peaks draw nearer. Enjoy a pleasant ride along the Salzach River, then continue to a village tucked in the green mountains. You’re in nature now.
You’ll be wowed by an impressive waterfall where you can stop for a quick splash before ascending to St. Johann, a recreation town with a ski resort.
Fuel up on breakfast, then ride along an undulating path through the quiet Gastein Valley, where you’ll start recognizing iconic Alps scenery. Mountains surround you as you cycle alongside a river, eventually reaching the Gastein Waterfall—a spot that has inspired artists for years.
Take a short break from riding in the afternoon when you hop on a train in Böckstein to shorten the trip to Mölltal/Mallnitz. At the local station, you’ll have a downhill ride into town to find your hotel.
Your route continues along the rivers, which flow all over Austria. You’ll continue next to another mighty river today, the Möll River, which cuts through forested mountains.
You’ll ride into Spittal an der Drau, known for its remarkable castle. Find an enticing menu at a local restaurant and head to bed with a full stomach.
After breakfast, you’ll leave the mountains behind (for now) and enter more pastoral landscapes. Pedal into Carinthia province, which you’ll soon notice is a lake lover’s dream.
Arrive in Villach with extra time to ride to a nearby lake for a sunset swim.
Have your last breakfast in Austria—you’re headed for Italy! Cycling along a river (yes, another one!), you’ll soon enter Italy close to the three-country corner of Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, all of which share the Alps. Pedal through an immense valley of verdant greenery, inhaling cool mountain air as you ride into Italy.
To shorten today’s trip, you can take a train for a section (ticket not included), or you can ride the whole way. Either way, you’ll end up in Moggio Udinese, Tolmezzo, or Venzone (depending on availability) for the night.
Waking up in a pleasant Italian village and having fresh espresso with breakfast is a heck of a way to start your day. Leave your hotel and ride through the Alps, stopping in your choice of villages to refuel with as many espressos as you can handle.
In the afternoon, you’ll cycle through a vineyard area—why not stop and have a taste? Arrive in Udine for the night, an enchanting town of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with a piazza awaiting your arrival tomorrow morning for an espresso. Hey, while in Italy, right?
After your early morning coffee in the piazza, mount your bike for your last full day. As you leave the Alps behind, the landscapes will start to flatten, turning into canals and marshlands. Grado, a historic fishing village on the coast, is your final destination. You’ll arrive early enough to revel in a few relaxing hours on the beach—perhaps a welcome break from your mountainous adventure through the Alps.
Spoil yourself with a local seafood feast to celebrate your accomplishments!
Your tour ends after breakfast and check-out. You’ll have to organize your own transportation to the next part of your journey.
This self-guided tour in Austria and Italy is always run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person depends on your travelling dates and room types.
Prices below are per person.
Important note: this tour begins every Wednesday between April 29 th and October 1st. Please note that alternative departure days are available on request for groups of 5 and more.
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels. Tourist tax, if requested at the hotel, is not included and will have to be paid upon arrival (normally this amounts to less than $25USD per person).
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 supplement of $425USD to have a single room where possible (included in the single traveller prices listed).
Sleep in one of the most romantic cities in Austria, known for its baroque architecture and recognized by UNESCO. Gaze out your window at the birthplace of Mozart!
At the confluence of two mighty rivers sits Golling, an Austrian market town nestled among the Alps. Stroll the charming streets or visit the nearby waterfall.
Relax in this little mountain town that turns into a busy ski resort every winter. During the rest of the year, enjoy the lush valley scenery of the Austrian Alps.
Spend a wonderful night in this charming village enveloped by the Austrian Alps. You’ll think you stumbled into a picture book here.
Get a taste of the big city in Carinthia province. Don’t miss the Porcia Castle, an iconic relic of renaissance architecture.
Stroll the streets of the seventh-largest city in Austria and absorb the almost-eastern European vibes. Settle into your hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Put your feet up in a superb hotel in a small Italian village tucked away in the Alps. Wake up surrounded by the Alps and breathe the fresh mountain air.
Sense a unique ambiance in this city that blends Italian, Austrian, and Slovene cultures. Take a tour of the piazza and sample all kinds of gourmet offerings.
Grado, an old fishing town built on a lagoon, consists of canals, delectable restaurants, impressive architecture, and a sandy beach.
9 breakfasts are included.
Accommodation for 9 nights is included in the tour. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
While you cycle between hotels, transportation for your luggage is included. The train ride between Böckstein and Mallnitz for you and your bike is included, but if you choose to take the train in Italy on Day 7, the ticket is not included. Airport transfers are not included.
How hard is the Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3.5–6 hours daily, plus one extra-long day up to 9 hours (or you can purchase a train ticket and cut the ride down to 6 hours). The elevation gain is moderate, and you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate in.
Do I need a visa to travel to Austria or Italy?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Is the Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days guided?
No. You will be provided with all necessary information to complete your self-guided tour.
I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. That said, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Are meals included on the Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days?
9 breakfasts are included.
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 Salzburg to start this tour?
Fly into Salzburg Airport (SZG). You will need to arrange your own transportation to your hotel.
Where does the Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days end?
The tour ends in Grado, Italy. The nearest airport is Trieste Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS).
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes available are 21-gear standard bicycles or e-bikes.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Austria and Italy?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Austria and Italy?
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.
When is the best time to travel to Austria and Italy for this tour?
The best time to travel to Austria and Italy for biking is during the spring, summer, and early fall, from about May through September.
All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.
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Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.
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88 total ratings, 0 with reviewsStephen L.
I’ve been using 10A route guides for a while, but had never booked a tour. My wife and I booked a self-guided hike in Greece and were so impressed with how we were able navigate the route without a guide with the detailed and easy to follow itinerary. We enjoy travelling independently, and 10A made that happen.
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I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
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We rate this tour as a 3/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3.5–6 hours daily, plus one extra-long day up to 9 hours (or you can purchase a train ticket and cut the ride down to 6 hours). The elevation gain is moderate, and you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate in.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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