Alpe Adria 10-day Self-guided Cycling Tour (Level 2)

Overview

From the Alps to the sea! An inter-cultural composition consisting of Austria's impressive Alpine region and Italy's southern flair. On your bike you simply experience more: more romantic rivers and roaring waterfalls, more pretty historic town centres and defiant castles, more craggy mountain peaks and of course an increase in scenic, architectural and culinary delights. And last but not least: the Adriatic Sea. You mainly cycle on well-developed cycle paths and quiet side roads. Only a few sections lead you also along roads with heavier traffic or on dirt paths. Overall the route leads you on slightly hilly terrain, the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gasteiner-valley can also be completed and bypassed by train. 9 nights in 3* and some 4* accommodation, Breakfast, Welcome briefing, Luggage transfer, Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book, Train rides Bockstein - Mallnitz, Villach - Tarvis, both incl. your bike, Service hotline Arrival in Salzburg, Departure by bus from Grado to Cervignano and further by train to Salzburg, duration approx. 7 hours with 2 changes in Udine and Villach. Parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 15 per day, public garage, costs approx. EUR 85 to EUR 155 per week. Public park garage about EUR 80-115 / week. Return transfer to Salzburg every THU, FRI, SAT and SUN morning, costs EUR 185 per person, EUR 49 for your own bike, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance. Minimum number of participants: 2 people. Due to construction work, the Tauernschleuse is expected to be out of service until 09.07.2027. The itinerary will be adapted during this period. You will spend the night in the Gastein Valley instead of the Moll Valley and will be transferred to Spittal in the morning. Extra nights (price depends on your booked date): Salzburg - From 105 EUR p.p (+89 EUR single person), Grado - From 125 EUR p.p (+79 EUR single person). Daily departure. If you would like to rent a Bike (119 EUR) or E-bike (319 EUR) please contact our office when booking: [[email protected]]. Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe Day 1 Arrival in Salzburg Day 2 Salzburg – Golling (approx. 35 km) You leave the festival- and Mozart city of Salzburg and leisurely cycle through the Salzach wetlands in the shade with the river Salzach as your constant companion. You proceed to Hallein, a formerly wealthy Celtic town due to salt mining. The main sight is without question the world-renowned Celtic Museum. Past the Gollinger waterfall you arrive at your Day Finish Golling characterised by its pretty market square and castle dating back to the 13th century. Day 3 Golling – St. Johann (approx. 35 km) From Golling you cycle up to the top of Pass Lueg, enjoy the view onto the marvellously distinct Tennengebirge-mountains. The mountain moves closer and closer to the river Salzach and the roaring of the water becomes more and more noisy. You cycle past the so-called "Salzachöfen", an imposing gorge created by the river Salzach. Once past Werfen with its castle rising high you soon have reached St. Johann. Distinctive – just like twin-peaks – the steeples of the Pongau-cathedral rise. Day 4 St. Johann – Mölltal (approx. 60 km + train trip) Shortly after Schwarzach you bid farewell to the river Salzach, from today onwards the Gasteiner Ache leads you through the wild-romantic Gasteiner-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the renowned spa- and ski resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern-mountain chain, offering a variety of natural history- and architectural sights. The Gasteiner waterfall is the landmark situtated in the centre of town, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets. Now it is only a short distance to Böckstein, where a train takes you in only 10 minutes through the "Tauernschleuse" to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz. Back on your bike you enjoy the speedy descent to your hotel in the Mölltal-valley. Day 5 Mölltal – Spittal (approx. 30 km) Today you cycle initially along the river through impressive alpine landscapes. The Drautal-valley starts in the village of Möllbrücke and hence the sunny South of Austria. Leisurely you cycle the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. Already in the Middle Ages this town has been an important transport interchange for pilgrims and which in parts helped create its prosperity. Day 6 Spittal - Villach (approx. 40 km) Nearly effortlessly you proceed in a gentle descent along the river Drau. Half way we recommend you take a break in the little market town of Paternion with its remarkable churches and palaces. Just a bit more pedalling and soon you have reached Villach, with its enchanting old part of town, Southern flair and inviting pubs and restaurants. Day 7 Villach – Gemona (approx. 60 km + train trip) You bypass the ascent to Tarvis by train. In Italy too the cycle paths are well-developed and so you cycle leisurely downhill through the Val-Canale-valley and from your bike get to marvel at the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests. Your Day Finish is one of the picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps. Day 8 Gemona/ Surrounding – Udine (approx. 60 km ) At the Southern exit of the Val-Canale-valley is the location of one of the most beautiful historic villages of the Friulian-Julian-Veneto. The focus of the village of Gemona del Friuli is the majestic cathedral Santa Maria Assunta and will blow you away. En route to Udine you come across the first vineyards and vines along the cycle route. Once you arrive in town feel and experience the "dolce vita" over a coffee enjoyed on the "Piazza" or during a stroll through the alleyways whilst marvelling at the late Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Day 9 Udine – Grado (approx. 55 km) Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! You cycle through vast reed scenery and along little water canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called ‚second Rome‘, we recommend you definitely plan a break before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also the historic harbour and the narrow alleyways with lovely restaurants all ooze Italian flair. Day 10 Departure or extension

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included