Alps Adria Salzburg - Grado

In a week across the Alps to the Adriatic Sea – that sounds like hard work! It is not quite as exhausting if you choose the Alpe Adria cycle route. On the well marked paths the crossing of the Alps is also feasible for pleasure cyclists, because the ascent to the main ridge of the Alps is divided into two daily stages, the last one will be done by using the train. On your journey you will cross the idyllic Salzach valley, Bad Gastein, the impressive high mountain landscape of the Hohe Tauern, the sunny trautal and the wildly rugged canal valley. Cycling on the via Julia Augusta you pass Palmanova and Aquileia and get to the fishing village of Grado.

TOUR PROFILE: The tour runs along bike paths or very quiet side roads, through small viallges and picturesque landscape. The most challenging section over the Pass Lueg can also be bypassed by train. The tour is suitable for children over 16 years.

Individual arrival at the starting hotel in Salzburg. A bicycle trip could not start more impressively than in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. You are surrounded by so many Baroque monuments in this beautiful old town. Take some delicious Mozartkugeln (typical Austrian confectionary) on your journey to the sea.

With a view of the fortress Hohensalzburg you leave the city. In the distance the mountains are already visible. The first section takes you along the Salzach. On the way you will pass the former summer residence of the Salzburger Bishops, Hellbrunn palace. For more than 400 years, the extraordinary water games have been a delight for young and old. On the Tauern cycle path, the journey continues in the direction of Hallein, known for its crooked town-houses and above all for the white gold- salt. Another highlight on the way is the waterfall in Golling. 

Today‘s stage begins in the direction of Schwarzach. From Schwarzach you take a shuttle bus to Spittal an der Drau. As soon as you are back on your bike, you cycle the last section of the stage on the Drau cycle path to Villach.

The journey continues through the tranquil Gastein valley. Until the 20th centruy, it was only accessible along mountain paths and narrow roads. Framed by the peaks of the Hohe Tauern, you cycle along the Gasteiner Ache (river). Passing Dorfgastein adn Bad Hofgastein you reach the famous helath resort Bad Gastein. The „Montecarlo of the Alps“, as the place i soften called, is known for its many splendid hotels from the „Belle Epoque“. The main attraction here is the Gastein waterfall, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets.

In Böckstein you'll take the train at "Tauernschleuse" to get to Mallnitz. Then you cycle along the river möll through the impressive mountain landscapes. This section of the cycle path is also known as the Glocknerradweg. It goes mostly slightly downhill and leads through the Hohe Tauern National Park up to Möllbrück. From there the Drau cycle path leads to Spittal, famous for its Renaissance castle of Procia. The stage ends in the second largest city in Carinthia. Villach is not only famous for its Carnival, but also known for its Villacher Kirchtag (folklore festival). In addition, numerous places of interest await you. If you still have enough time, we recommend you to take a swim in one of the lakes around the city.

Following the river Gail you leave Villach behind and shortly after you say goodbye to Austria and enter Italy. In the three-nation corner Italy-Austria-Slovenia extends the Kanaltal valley, whose main centre is the town of Tarvisio, on the Italian border. Here Austrians, Slovenes, Friulians and Italians have been living together for hundreds of years, because all the three big European language families – Teutons, Romans and Slavs – join there. The town of Tarvisio is not only one of the most important mountain resorts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, but it is also famous for tis winter offer in this region. Continuing through the valley of kanaltal you can admire the beauty of the Friuli-Alps-Region with an intact, unspoilt nature and vast, intact forests. If you want, you can take the train (ticket not included) to Ugovizza and shorten a part of the route.

The small town of Gemona del Friuli, situated at the southern end of the Kanaltal Valley and at the foothills of the Julian Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The town is dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which is well worth a visit. The wine prevails on today’s stage. Hills full of vineyards line your way and invite you to taste some local wine. The town of Udine, characterised by Venetian influences, radiates peace and tranquility; over a coffee in the „piazza“ or a stroll through the city centre you can admire its impressive buildings of the late Gothic and Renaissance.

Accompanied by the breeze of the Scirocco you pass through reed landscapes and water canals and arrive in Grado, a historic city of fishers and one of the most popular beach resorts on the Adriatic sea.

Individual departure or possiblity to extend your stay on the Adriatic Sea.

• 7x Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels of the 3*** and 4**** category
• 7x Breakfast 
• videobriefing
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• Well planned routes
• Train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz, bicycle included from 04.05-16.07.25 without Tunnel
• Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
• Navigation App
• Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
  

• Rental bike (21- gears women’s or men’s bicycle) - € 99,-
• E-Bike - € 249,-
• Return transfer from Grado to Villach - € 179,- per person + € 39,- per own bike

You will stay in guesthouses and hotels of the 3*** and 4**** category. Tourist tax – if requested – has tob e paid on the spot.

Arrival by car: In Austria, motorway A1 or A10, from Germany motorway A8.                                                                                    By train: Salzburg main station                                                                                                                                                                    Airport: Salzburg, München, Wien (good train connections)

Parking: chargeable parking place at Mainstation or Airport. No reservation possible.

Return transfer Grado - Salzburg:
Return transfer every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Grado to Salzburg by shuttle bus - € 179,- per person plus € 39,- per own bike. Reservation and payment upon booking.

2 persons

Arrival possible every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 27.04.-05.10.2025
Special dates are possible for groups of 5 or more people!