Alpe-Adria Cycle Route: Salzburg - Grado 10 days

Arrive early, because it is worth it! There is a lot to discover in Salzburg with the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and Mozart's birthplace in the old town, which is well worth seeing. Dreamy cafés with genuine Austrian coffee specialties will put you in the right mood for this trip.

Through shady meadows along the Salzach River, you will enjoy cycling south from Salzburg to Hallein. Take a break here in the medieval heart of the city. Stroll through the narrow streets and across the wide squares of the historic salt and Celtic town. Hallein will surprise you with a romantic old town, historic archways and houses with magnificent facades. Passing the gushing waterfall, you will then roll on to Golling with its pretty market square and 13th century castle.

Today you cycle on the well-built Salzach cycle path more or less always directly along the river bank to St. Johann. Unmistakably - like double mountain peaks - the towers of the Pongau Cathedral rise up from afar. Look forward to the little town and enjoy the special atmosphere of this little shopping paradise. Whether modern or traditional, friendly stores invite you to browse, cozy inns and inviting restaurants promise a nice evening.

Another 7 kilometers of cycling along the Salzach River to Schwarzach. From here the Gasteiner Ache accompanies you through the wild and romantic Gasteiner Valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you will enjoy cycling through the Hohe Tauern National Park to the famous spa and winter sports resort of Bad Gastein. Marvel here at the impressive Belle Époque-era villas built on the steep slopes. Surrounded by peaks that top the three-thousand-meter mark, Bad Gastein is the Monte Carlo of the Alps! Take a worthwhile break here and marvel at the narrow center that has grown up around the waterfall. Then cycle another 4 km to the train station in Böckstein. You will use the train, which will take you comfortably to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz in just 10 minutes. Look forward to your bike ride into the Mölltal, as a rushing downhill will bring you along briskly.

Enjoy the Mölltal, which got its name from the small river Möll. The Möll rises at the Großglockner and flows into the Drava only 80 km later. Let yourself be fascinated by the white water of the Möll and the impressive high mountain landscape. Look forward to the Drau Valley, because this is where the sunny south of Austria begins. Almost by itself your bike will roll downhill along the Drau river. Visit Porcia Castle in Spittal, as it is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Austria!

Most of the time you will roll along the banks of the Drava River from one small highlight to the next. Excavations of an early Christian church near Molzbichl, an archaeological museum and the Dobratsch Nature Park near Villach await you. Stroll through Villach in the afternoon and discover the old alleys and idyllic arcaded courtyards. Enjoy the vibrant life of the more than 800-year-old trading town and visit the late Gothic city parish church, one of the most beautiful hall churches in the country.

You will bridge the ascent to Tarvis by train. The cycle path in Italy is also very well developed and so you cycle comfortably downhill through the Canal Valley, admiring from the saddle the beauty of the Friulian Alpine region with its intact, untouched nature and extensive forests. We will spend the night in one of the pretty villages at the foothills of the Julian Alps.

Almost like iron was transported in the 15th century, today you follow the course of the Tagliamento river before turning off towards Udine shortly after Gemona. But before that, stop in Gemona, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Marvel at the beautiful facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and stroll through the narrow streets of the old town. In 1976 Friuli was hit by a severe earthquake (Richter scale 6.5), the epicenter of which was near Gemona. Gemona and the neighboring communities of Venzone and Osoppo were severely destroyed. Of the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Holy Assumption), the right aisle and the campanile collapsed. In the meantime, everything has been rebuilt as well as possible, including the campanile (bell tower), but in the cathedral the columns are still somewhat crooked. Afterwards you will cycle through fields and meadows from one hamlet to the next. Look forward to Udine, a small town with flair, where "dolce vita" is palpable. Marvel at the Palladio Gate and the Venetian clock tower in Piazza della Liberta, one of the most beautiful squares in northern Italy, and don't miss out on an espresso or capuccino. Stroll through the historic center, marvel at the Duomo and at the Castello on the hill above the city.

Today you cycle through wide reed landscapes and along small water channels towards the Gulf of Venice. On your bike route to the Adriatic coast you should definitely stop in Aquileia. The historic Roman city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Remains of the Roman city have been uncovered in parts such as the forum and the inland port. In Aquileia, also visit the medieval basilica from the 11th century, which is famous for its early Christian floor mosaics. The mosaics are among the most important in the country! Now it's only about 10 km to Grado. Look forward to one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic with an extensive sandy beach and a historic fishing town. End the evening and your trip in the narrow streets with cozy restaurants and Italian flair.

After breakfast your varied cycling tour comes to an end. We will gladly book additional nights in Grado for you. If you want to go back to Salzburg, you have the possibility to book our return transfer.

Several tunnels are being renovated along the main traffic route via the Tauern motorway, which may cause serious delays during the peak travel period in 2024. Please take this into account when planning your journey home from Grado or Salzburg.