Alpe-Adria: Salzburg - Grado

Look forward to the city of Salzburg. There are winding alleys, places to stroll, dreamy cafes with real Austrian coffee specialties, colorful culture and diverse history at every turn.

Through meadows along the Salzach, you cycle leisurely from Salzburg south 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 city. Hallein will surprise you with a romantic old town, historic archways and houses with magnificent facades. Continue past the rushing waterfall and Golling. On the well-developed Salzach cycle path, you cycle almost always directly along the riverside to St. Johann. Unmistakable - like double mountain peaks - the towers of the Pongau Cathedral can be seen from afar. Look forward to the town and enjoy the special atmosphere of this little shopping paradise. Whether modern or traditional, friendly shops invite you to browse, cozy inns and inviting restaurants promise a nice evening.

You cycle 7 kilometers by bike along the Salzach river to Schwarzach. From here, the river Gasteiner Ache accompanies you through the wild and romantic Gastein Valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you continue through the Hohe Tauern National Park to the well-known spa and winter sports resort Bad Gastein. Marvel at the impressive villas from the Belle Époque period that were built on the steep slopes. Surrounded by peaks that tower above 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 emerged around the waterfall. The total fall of the Gasteiner Ache is 341 m and is spread over three steps. Then you cycle another 4 km to the train station in Böckstein. You use the train, which takes you comfortably to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz in just 10 minutes. Look forward to your bike route in the Mölltal, because a rushing descent will get you there fast.

Enjoy the Möll valley, which got its name from the Möll river. The Möll rises on the Großglockner and flows into the Drau only 80 km later. Let yourself be fascinated by the wild water of the Möll and the impressive alpine mountain landscape. Look forward to the Drau valley, because this is where the sunny south of Austria begins. Almost by itself, your bike will bring you downhill along the Drau. Visit Porcia Castle in Spittal, because it is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Austria! Then you cycle along the riverbanks of the Drau from one small highlight to the next. You can explore excavations of an early Christian church near Molzbichl, an archeology museum and the Dobratsch nature park near Villach. Stroll through Villach in the afternoon and discover the old streets and idyllic arcaded courtyards. Enjoy the pulsating life of the more than 800-year-old trading town and visit the late Gothic parish church, one of the most beautiful hall churches in the country.

You can bypass the ascent to Tarvisio by train. In Italy, too, the cycle path is well developed and so you cycle comfortably downhill through the Canal Valley and admire the beauties of the Friulian Alpine region with untouched nature and extensive forests from the saddle. One of the pretty villages at the foothills of the Julian Alps will be your hotel.

Almost the same route as the iron which was transported in the 15th century, today you will follow the course of the Tagliamento before turning shortly after Gemona towards Udine. But first take a break in Gemona, because it is one of the most beautiful historical places in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Marvel at the beautiful facade of the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral 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 almost destroyed. The right aisle and the campanile of the famous cathedral Santa Maria Assunta (Holy Mary Assumption) collapsed. Everything has been rebuilt as well as possible, including the campanile (bell tower), but the columns in the cathedral are still a bit crooked. Then you cycle back and forth through fields and meadows from one village to the next. Look forward to Udine, a small town with flair, where “dolce vita” can be felt. In Piazza della Liberta, one of the most beautiful squares in northern Italy, you can marvel at the Palladio Gate and the Venetian clock tower, and don't miss out on having an espresso or cappuccino here. Stroll through the historic center, marvel at the cathedral and 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. Take a break in the small town of Palmanova (approx. 5500 inhabitants), which was laid out as a planned town and bastion at the end of the 16th century and whose star-shaped layout has been preserved to this day. Special planning features were once relatively wide, regular streets so that the soldiers could get from the center (parade ground) to the defensive fortifications (city walls) as quickly as possible. On your cycle 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 partially uncovered, such as the forum and the inland port. In Aquileia, you can 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.

If you would like to spend more relaxing days on the Adriatic, you are welcome to book additional nights in Grado.

The Tauern lock will remain out of service until 04.07.2025 due to construction work. During this time, you will not spend the night in Mölltal on day 3, but in the Gastein Valley. On the next day (day 4), a transfer will take you to Spittal. From there you cycle on towards Villach.