Salzburg to Grado by Bike in 10 Days

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.