Come to the lakes of Carinthia

The Austrian Riviera – you'll experience a picturesque bike tour in Austria's southernmost and sunniest region. Enjoy the impressive scenery and numerous lakes nestling amongst enchanting mountain ranges. You should not miss the local delicacies – at Castle Hochosterwitz and Maria Saal. Interesting towns like Villach and Klagenfurt are expecting you– and of course the beautiful nature of this region. The change of road surfaces between the valleys and lakes to avoid busy main roads brings you sometimes onto bumpy hilly routes, but with a normal fitness level this cycle tour is easily manageable.

1. day  Villach / Villach-Warmbad Arrival

Enjoy the silence within the mountains, crystal-clear seas, in short: nature total – and you will find all of this in the region of Villach-Warmbad, in the center of Carinthia.
Even the Romans and Paracelsus appreciated the relaxation and recreation within these thermal springs. If you have booked a hired bike, the handing over will take place in the afternoon.

2. day  Faaker See 50 km

Leaving the town of Warmbad Villach behind, you will cycle along the feet of the Karawanken eastwards to arrive at the first lake of your tour: The Faaker Lake with Mittagskogel peak towering majestically above the scene. The sea – surrounded by virgin nature of wood and meadows – gives shelter to an Island within the middle of the sea. An Austrian version of Gullivers Iland, where you will find the most famous gothic roadside shrine, which thousands of photographers and artists have used as a photo motive. Don't miss a stop in the "Biergarten" of the "Bauernwirt" in Seeleiten before you start your way back to Villach-Warmbad.

3. day  Ossiacher See 50 km

The first companion of your tour after leaving Villach will be the castle ruin of Landskron. Standing on a mountain high over Villach, the castle will guide you at clear sight far on your tour, and reminds you of your home you left in Villach. Time for a stop. The old monastery and the marvellous church "Maria Himmelfahrt" Is definitely worth being explored. Your next destination is the charming spa resort Steindorf on the eastern side of the Ossiacher Lake. Make a short stop in Bodensdorf at the feet of the Gerlitzen before completing the circuit back to Villach-Warmbad.

4. day  Klagenfurt 55 km

Today you say goodbye to the nearly 1,000 year old town of Villach. At first, you cycle several kilometres along the Drauradweg, then into the Keutschacher Lake Valley. The Hafner Lake, the Keutschacher Lake, the Bassgeiger Lake and the Rauschele Lake form a group around the health resort Keutschach. As an alternative route, you can go along the Wörthersee and visit the famous villages Velden and Pörtschach. Both routes will bring you to the capital of Carinthia – Klagenfurt.

5. day  Lake Klopeiner See 40 km

Today you will get to know Carinthia"s charming capital [90,000 inhabitants]. An Italian architect gave the historical centre a Southern appearance. Heart and symbol of Klagenfurt, the "rose on Wörthersee", is the lindworm on the New Square. Sculptor Ulrich Vogelsang chiselled the favourite lap-dog of the Carinthians from one block - according to tradition. Passing Ebenthal with Castle Grafenstein you'll come to the artificial lake in Völkermarkt. Onto Carinthia's warmest lake, the Klopeiner See, where you"ll spend the night. There's enough time to have a refreshing bath in the lake.

6. day  St. Veit 55 km

First of all, you'll cycle to Zollfeld at the feet of Carinthia's biggest "church-fortress", Maria Saal. The next highlight is Castle Hochosterwitz, one of the most beautiful castles in Austria. It is really impressive, this castle built on a steeply falling, 150 metres high rock. Many castles and mansions in this area will remind you of the influence of the former capital of Carinthia - St. Veit an der Glan. Several historical buildings have been left from Medieval glamour: The well-preserved town wall, the town moat, now used as green area, two large squares with historical houses and numerous arcades, as well as magnificent façades - a real masterpiece is the late-Baroque town hall.

7. day  Villach / Villach-Warmbad 60 km

Go for a short walk around St. Veit and take a look at the numerous courtyards. Then your route takes you westwards along the Glan towards Glanegg. From far away, you can see the castle ruins of Glanegg standing in solitary splendour. Feldkirchen is surrounded by hills, romantic castles and many old ruins. A cycle path along the Glan brings you directly to the Ossiacher Lake and back to Villach.

8. day  Villach / Villach-Warmbad Departure

On request, we will be glad to book additional nights for you in Carinthia.