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Highlights
Experience Austria on the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour
Experience the natural beauty of the Lienz Dolomites Mountains
View the historic architecture of Toblach
Cycle through picturesque alpine valleys like the Rosental and Oberdrautal
Spend leisure time along the serene shores of the Klopeiner See
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour is the most comfortable and sunniest route to get to know the South of Austria up close and personal. The beautiful hand-picked locations throughout the region ooze plenty of southern flair, creating a light-hearted holiday bliss that you certainly won’t forget!
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour meanders leisurely along the river Drava, leading you through Eastern Tyrol and Carinthia as you pass by rugged mountain terrain. Throughout the tour you will cycle past historic castles, intricate palaces, charming villages, and ancient towns, all of which provide an element of culture that is unique to the region.
Cycling roughly 225 kilometres from Lienz to the Klopeiner See over a period of eight days will seem like a breeze, as the course of the Drau Cycle Path is always flat, following closely along the banks of the River Drava. Do you feel like discovering Austria’s sunny south by bike? Then head off to Lienz to begin the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour!
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour is the most comfortable and sunniest route to get to know the South of Austria up close and personal. The beautiful hand-picked locations throughout the region ooze plenty of southern flair, creating a light-hearted holiday bliss that you certainly won’t forget!
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour meanders leisurely along the river Drava, leading you through Eastern Tyrol and Carinthia as you pass by rugged mountain terrain. Throughout the tour you will cycle past historic castles, intricate palaces, charming villages, and ancient towns, all of which provide an element of culture that is unique to the region.
Cycling roughly 225 kilometres from Lienz to the Klopeiner See over a period of eight days will seem like a breeze, as the course of the Drau Cycle Path is always flat, following closely along the banks of the River Drava. Do you feel like discovering Austria’s sunny south by bike? Then head off to Lienz to begin the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour!
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Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Lienz
The first day of your adventure will see you arrive in Lienz, which can be found in Eastern Tyrol at the confluence of the rivers Isel and Drau. With a total of two thousand sunshine hours annually, it is Austria’s sunniest holiday region. The breathtaking panorama looking out onto the Alps and the Lienz-Dolomites will excite your senses!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lienz
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Experience the Architecture of San Candido
The river Drau is still a young river in this section, babbling and breaking her way through the narrow valley. Defiant fortresses, castels and palaces rise majestically above the valley and herald the desires of the once rich and powerful. Modest Romanesque chapels, Gothic and Baroque churches, crucifixes and piety columns invite for a short break. Over a long distance the rugged, bizarre rockfaces of the Lienz-Dolomites tower over the landscape and hence turn today’s stage into an unforgettable experience.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lienz
Distance: 45 km and the train ride
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle the Oberdrautal Valley to Berg
From Lienz, you will once again follow the river Drau, which appears in a shade of gray that the locals call “glacier milk” – due to very fine rock particles coming from the gigantic rocks. Along ancient Roman trade routes, you will cycle past ruins, castles, little churches and wayside crosses, making your way through the picturesque Oberdrautal Valley. En route you pass pretty villages such as Pirkach, Oberdrauburg and the first market town on Carinthian soil, Dellach.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Berg
Distance: 35 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Travel to Spittal an der Drau
Today you will be cycling mostly along the river Drau through the marvellous Carinthian farmland that is home to forests, fields, old farm houses and little hamlets. Cosy wine taverns, called – Buschenschenken – await with proper farm food and invite you to take a break. After passing by time-honoured farm houses decorated with flowers, the well-developed Drau cycle path takes you to Spittal an der Drau. The centre of Spittal features a main square and a particularly beautiful palace, which is considered one of the most impressive Renaissance buildings in all of Central Europe.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Spittal an der Drau
Distance: 45 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Visit the Old Town of Villach
Day 5 of your tour will see you cycle through the “Cultural Promenade of Upper Corinthia”. You will leave the area of Spittal along the river Drau and immerse yourself into ancient meadows, forests, and idyllic wetland areas. After passing by Kellerberg Palace along the river Drau you will reach Villach. The heart of Villach features the old town with its Italian flair and the cosy pubs and restaurants. Part of the character of the town is definitely the river Drau, meandering through Villach like a blue ribbon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Villach
Distance: 40 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Bike Through the Rosental Valley
Today’s stage will lead you through the enchanting Rosental Valley. The Karawanks Mountain range and the river Drau offer an impressive backdrop for an unforgettable day of cycling. An amazing array of rocks flank the river and offer fascinating views, one of which is home to Hollenburg castle, which rises above as the landmark of the Rosental Valley.
Overnight Location: Hotel in St. Jakob im Rosental
Distance: 30-45 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Take in the Beauty of Klopeiner See
Along beautifully designed dam-paths the cycling tour leads you through meadows, fields, and little hamlets towards the giant Völkermarkter Reservoir. At this point you will bid farewell to your loyal companion the River Drau, allowing you to enjoy the views of the Klopeiner See. Time to drink in the lakescape and leave all your cares behind.
Overnight Location: Hotel at Lake Klopeiner See
Distance: 55 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure Day
After breakfast, you will pack your things for an individual departure, saying goodbye to the serene shores of the Klopeiner See.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of the rooms that you need.2025 Departures: The departures are available every Sunday, from June 1st to September 15th, 2025.
- Single room: from EUR1288*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1039*
Accommodation on the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are of a 3 and 4-star standard, and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplemental fee to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Lienz and after the tour in Klopeiner See are not included, but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Route map/details
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
- 1 train ride Lienz – Toblach incl. your bike
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- 24/7 service hotline
Not included
- Flights and transportation to and from Lienz/Klopeiner See
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist tax
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Return transfer to Lienz
- Bike rental and insurance
- How hard is the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Austria?
- Are meals included on the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Lienz to start this tour?
- Is the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour in English?
- Where does the Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Austria?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Austria?
We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3–7 hours daily. The elevation gain is minimal, and you will have comfortable accommodation to recuperate. The bike path is well-maintained and you can rent an e-bike to make the route easier if you wish.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into Innsbruck Airport (INN) or Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) and take a train or bus to Lienz.
Yes, the travel documents and resources for this trip are in English.
The Drau Cycle Path from Italy to Austria Tour ends at Klopeiner See. From there, the closest international airports are either Klagenfurt (KLU), Graz (GRZ) or Ljubljana (LJU). You can also arrange a transfer back to Lienz for an additional fee.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes come in 7-gear and 21/24-gear varieties. You can also rent an e-bike.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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