Alpe-Adria cycle path discovery

Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways and squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities. You live and breath culture and history literally with every step you take.

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. Passing the Gollinger waterfall, you soon reach your overnight stay in the town of the same name, characterised by its pretty market square and 13th century castle.

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.

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.

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.

Nearly effortlessly you proceed in a gentle descent along the river Drau. Half way we recommend taking 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 bars and restaurants.

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.

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.

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.