Tour information
Undoubtedly, the „Drau Bicycle Path“ is one of the most spectacular bicycle routes in Europe and has been classified from ADFC as 5-star-quality-route. The cycle path starts at the source of the river Drava in Dobbiaco and ends in Klagenfurt. In both places Gustav Mahler, the composer, found most of his inspiration. The river Drava accompanies you on the way to the Lake Wörthersee.
First you cycle in the East Austrian capital of Lienz and from here the tour takes you through Spittal a.d. Drau and Villach to Klagenfurt. On the way you will encounter several lakes where you can have a refreshing bath. Or you just enjoy the sun on the banks of the Millstätter-, Ossiacher,- Faaker- or Wörther Lake.
This tour is ideal for beginners and families.The route mainly takes you alongside the river Drau and there are no steep inclines.
Included and Not Included Services
Accommodation in guesthouses or hotels 3*** category
Breakfast buffet or full breakfast
If you have booked half board: minimum of 3 course evening meal
Personal tour information
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Well planned routes
Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
Navigation app; GPS data
Arrival to the starting point of the tour
Departure at the end of the tour
Drinks, tourist tax and all extras
Lunch, Dinner (if not booked)
Not mentioned entries
Rental bikes and travel insurance
All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“
Route highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel. For those arriving earlier, it is well worth cycling into the valley Höhlensteintal to visit the idillyc lake Dürrensee. Also the lake Pragser Wildsee, in whose crystal-clear waters the whitewashed walls of the Seekofel, are mirrored. and will be visited. The brave among you can go to the Adventure Park in Dobbiaco to climb the high rope course. It is also possible to visit the Gustav Mahler Wild Animal Park.
Day 2: Hochpustertal – Lienz/surroundings
(approx. 50 - 55 km)
Starting in Villabassa or Dobbiaco you cycle along the bike path to San Candido and then on to Sillian. Afterwards the cycling path runs downhill all the way to the sunny Austrian town Lienz. Attractions for the whole family:
- Wichtelpark in Sillian, one of the most beautiful playgrounds of the Hochpustertal
- Loacker “World of Goodness” and Moccaria in Heinfels
- Galitzenklamm, a waterfall with an adventure park for the whole family
- Alpine Coaster “Osttirodler” in Lienz
- Petting zoo near the station of the Osttirodler
Day 3: Lienz/surroundings – Berg im Drautal
(approx. 35 km)
You leave from where the Isel flows into the Drau and carry on with the bike path to Oberdrauburg (“Perchten and Alm” museum and old mill) and then to Berg. This was once an important Roman trade route.
Attractions for children: Roman city and museum Aguntum, located about 5 km after Lienz or outdoor swimming pool in Berg.
ADVICE: The hotel (Ferienpark Putz) is a point of sale for the Kärnten-Card (not included in the package price), a card that provides you with several advantages, e.g. discounts/gratuities on entry fees (Folk culture museum in Spittal, boat trips, Monkey-Mountain in Villach and many more). With this card you are also granted a 50% discount on public transport in Carinthia.
Day 4: Berg im Drautal – Spittal a.d. Drau/surroundings
(approx. 45 km)
From Berg you pass through idyllic landscape and dreamy villages on route to Spittal a. d. Drau. Soon after leaving Berg you will reach Greifenburg, where a high rope course is located. There is also the possibility of taking a detour to lake Millstättersee for a quick swim or a short rest. Spittal a. d. Drau is famous for its comedies at Castle Porcia, one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Austria to visit.
Day 5: Spittal a.d. Drau/surroundings – Villach
(approx. 40 km)
This day takes you to Villach, the second largest town in Carinthia. Villach is not only well known for its carnival, but also for its funfair. There are also many other interesting places to visit. Enjoy a trip to the local lakes Ossiacher See and/or Faaker See. If you should still have plenty of time we recommend visiting castle Landskron with its eagle show and/or the nearby “Monkey Mountain”.
Day 6: Villach – Lake Ossiach round trip – Villach
(approx. 45 km)
Follow the river Seebach out of Villach and shortly afterwards, the ruin of Landskron castle will appear reigning regally over the countryside. Shortly afterwards you will reach lake Ossiacher See which lies idyllically amid the mountains. The clear warm water invites you to stop and have a swim before returning to Villach.
Day 7: Villach – Wörthersee – Klagenfurt
(approx. 45 km)
For the first few kilometres, follow the Drau through the countryside that has kept its naturalness. After reaching the famous lake Wörthersee, there is plenty of fun for the entire family; sandy beaches, boats for hire and trips around the lake. In the evening, enjoy a walk around the romantic old town and discover its southern charm.
Other possibilities:
Minimundus, the miniature world at lake Wörthersee
Reptile Zoo Happ, Austria’s largest reptile zoo
Planetarium Klagenfurt
Day 8: Klagenfurt
Individual departure from Klagenfurt or extension of your stay.
General information
By car: on the Brenner/Brennero motorway (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone – take the exit “Brixen-Pustertal”, then through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on the location of your hotel or drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa, depending on the location of your hotel.
By train: take the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste/Fortezza. Change the train to the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria - Lienz and get off either at Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco depending on the location of your hotel. Timetable available on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at,www.trenitalia.com.
By plane: low cost flights are available to Treviso, Venice Marco Polo, Trieste Ronchi dei Legionari and Innsbruck. We can organise your airport transfer to the first hotel (on request and not included in the price).
Guesthouses or hotels 3*** category.
Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot!
Free and unguarded parking facilities for the duration of the bicycle tour at a nearby public parking area.
Return transfer by shuttle bus every Sunday from Klagenfurt to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/ Villabassa at a price of € 69.00 per person (bicycle included – reservation and payment upon booking).
Alternative: Good train connections from Klagenfurt over Villach/Lienz to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/ Villabassa at a price of approx. € 37.00 per person (limited availability for bicycles on the trains). Timetable on www.trenitalia.com, www.oebb.at, www.deutschebahn.de.
• 21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
• Rental bike TOP
• Electric bike (unisex bike, 500 W battery; range up to 100 km)
• bike, children’s bike seat, kid-van and trailer are available on request
Quotation
Send RequestUnfortunately, this tour is currently unavailable. However, we welcome you to submit an individual request.
Tour information
- Duration 8 days
- Minimum age ideal for beginners and families
- Difficulty Level Easy
- Distance 260 - 265 km