Alpe-Adria: Salzburg - Grado

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 can bridge the climb to Tarvisio by train. The cycle path is also well developed in Italy, so you can cycle comfortably downhill through the Canal Valley and admire the beauty of the Friulian Alpine region with its unspoiled nature and extensive forests from the saddle. You will spend the night in one of the pretty villages at the foothills of the Julian Alps. Marvel at the beautiful façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Gemona and stroll through the narrow streets of the old town. In 1976, Friuli was hit by a severe earthquake (6.5 on the Richter scale), whose epicenter was near Gemona. Gemona and the neighboring communities of Venzone and Osoppo were severely damaged. The right aisle and the campanile of the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Assumption of Mary) collapsed. Everything has now been rebuilt as well as possible, including the campanile (bell tower), but the columns in the cathedral are still slightly crooked.

Shortly after Gemona, turn off towards Udine. You will then cycle criss-cross through fields and meadows from one village to the next. Look forward to Udine, a small town with flair, where you can feel the “dolce vita.” Marvel at the Piazza della Liberta, one of the most beautiful squares in northern Italy, with its Palladian gate and Venetian clock tower, and don't miss out on an espresso or cappuccino here. Stroll through the historic center and marvel at the cathedral and the castle on the hill above the town.

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.