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Highlights
Explore mountains, lakes, and vineyards on this road biking adventure from the Dolomites to Trieste.
Cycle exhilarating mountain rides as you climb Gailbergsatte, Passo del Predil, and Mount Bhinjsko Sedlo.
Swim in one of Austria’s warmest lakes when you ride to Pressegger See.
Ride through stunning vineyards as you explore the Collio Goriziano wine region.
Visit the beautiful lakes and castle during your stay in Bled, Slovenia.
The 8-day self-guided Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour covers the mountain regions of three countries during one epic road biking adventure. There are few better ways to experience this magical part of Europe!
Begin your journey in the amazing Dolomite mountains where you’ll enjoy thrilling rides and incredible views. As you ride south from Austria, you’ll come across charming mountain villages and serene mountain lakes. Each day will bring new spectacular views as you ride towards the Julian Alps and gorgeous Lake Bled. Your adventure finishes with some easier rides through the sprawling vineyards to the Adriatic Coast. This energetic tour is packed with amazing scenery, exciting rides, and historic towns for you to discover.
The 8-day self-guided Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour covers the mountain regions of three countries during one epic road biking adventure. There are few better ways to experience this magical part of Europe!
Begin your journey in the amazing Dolomite mountains where you’ll enjoy thrilling rides and incredible views. As you ride south from Austria, you’ll come across charming mountain villages and serene mountain lakes. Each day will bring new spectacular views as you ride towards the Julian Alps and gorgeous Lake Bled. Your adventure finishes with some easier rides through the sprawling vineyards to the Adriatic Coast. This energetic tour is packed with amazing scenery, exciting rides, and historic towns for you to discover.
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Dolomites to Trieste Road Biking Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Hochpustertal
Arrive anytime to check in to your hotel and get your bike prepared for the rides ahead. You can spend the remainder of your day enjoying the town, perhaps finding some local fare for dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hochpustertal
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 First Ride in East Tyrol
Your ride will begin with a short warm-up on your way to Abfaltersbach before amping up on the ascents. You’ll ride past green mountains towering towards the sky and charming villages as you travel to Lesach and Gailtal Valley.
Finish your day with a final big climb up Gailbergsattel and the exciting ride down into Oberdrauburg.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Oberdrauburg
Distance: 85 km, 1200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Ride to the Lake Pressegger See
Enjoy cycling along the River Gail as you journey south. You’ll want to stop for a swim in Lake Pressegger See, known as the “Bath of the Gailtal.” This lake can as warm as 28˚ Celsius!
After drying off, you can choose between two routes. If you wish to skip the first steep section up WeiBensee you can purchase a ticket to take a shortcut by boat. Both rides will conclude in Feistritz an der Gail.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Feistritz an der Gail
Distance: 70 km, 390m of ascent
Or 75 km, 1000m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cycle the Passo del Predil and Triglav National Park
Today you’ll ride out of Carinthia and up the Passo del Predil, which marks the Italian and Slovenian borders. Your route will take you into Triglav National Park as you ride into the Julian Alps. You’ll be treated to incredible views today of Kranjska Gora, Jesenice, Triglav Mountain, and countless lakes and waterfalls.
End your day on the shored of beautiful Lake Bled, where Slovenia’s most iconic sight awaits- the castle in the middle of the lake.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bled
Distance: 125 km, 2200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Explore the Julian Alps
After spending the night at the spectacular lakes in Bled, it’s time to start your ride to the Bohinj Valley. You’ll be awed by the spectacular cliffs and peaks as you cycle towards the saddle of Mount Bohinjsko Sedlo.
Race down into the Soca Valley, and then ride from Slovenia back into Italy. Enjoy the local produce during dinner in Cividale del Friuli.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cividale del Friuli
Distance: 120 km, 1700m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Ride Through Wine Country
Begin your day with a ride on the pilgrimage path to the historic Castelmonte Abbey. Then you’ll be cycling through the lush vineyards of the Collio Goriziano wine region. You’ll pass by many local wineries where you may want to stop for a visit and a sample!
End the day with a glass of wine and enjoy the local cuisine, often representing the best of all nearby countries.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gradisca d’Isonzo
Distance: 110 km, 1500m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Follow the Coast to Trieste
By now you’ve left the mountains far behind and you’ll begin to smell the sea breeze as you approach the Adriatic coast. Today’s ride will be along the coastline through the unique Karst landscape, dotted with limestone cliffs and caves.
You may wish to stop to visit Castle Miramare before you finish your ride in Trieste.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Trieste
Distance: 90 km, 850m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure
Today your tour concludes after breakfast. If you wish to extend your stay to explore Trieste, additional nights can be booked.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures The departures are available every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, from May 9th to August 9th and from August 16th to September 27th, 2025.
- Single room: from EUR1188*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR939*
Accommodation on the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences and clean, comfortable rooms. Each hotel has been selected to feature an interesting city or town along your route so you can experience all the different local cultures.
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 supplement of EUR179 to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Hochpustertal and after the tour in Trieste are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour. Transfers to and from the airport are not included.
Also Included
- Pre-planned route
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Videobriefing
Not included
- Boat ticket for alternate route on Day 3
- Admissions or entry fees
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel (normally about 2-3 EUR per person)
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before the tour in Hochpustertal
- Additional nights after the tour in Trieste
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Round trip airport transfers
- Road bike rental
- How hard is the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy, Austria, or Slovenia?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Hochpustertal to start this tour?
- Is the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour guided?
- Where does the Cycling the Dolomites to Trieste tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy, Austria, or Slovenia?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy, Austria, or Slovenia?
We rate this tour as a 5/5. This tour consists of energetic road cycling in a mountainous region. You should be prepared to ride up to 130km per day. This itinerary also includes longer, more strenuous climbs. This tour is recommended for riders with road biking experience. The track is mostly side roads, but there can be significantly more traffic during July and August.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
This tour begins in Hochpustertal, also known as Dobbiaco/Toblach, or Niederdorf/Villabassa. The nearest airports are Innsbruck Airport (INN), Antonio Canova Airport in Treviso (TSF), and Venice Marco Polo Airport(VCE). It can be accessed from all airports by train or by car. You can also book a transfer as a supplement.
No. You will be provided with all necessary information and support to complete your self-guided tour.
This tour ends in Trieste, Italy. You can fly out of Trieste Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS). There is a shuttle bus that returns to Hochpustertal every Saturday that you can book for €79. You can also book a transfer as a supplement.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are Bianchi Intenso Carbon – Veloce/Shimano 105 10V Compact or similar.
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.
Customer Ratings
FunActive Tours operates adventure tours in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. Thanks to the ideal
location of FunActive headquarters right in the Dolomites and branch offices in Venice Mestre and
Trieste, FunActive Tours can offer excellent walking and cycling tours not only in the mountains, but
also towards Austria, Slovenia, and Istria.
FunActive offers efficient, high-quality service to clients from all over the world, making it one of the
best choices for those seeking an experienced local provider. Attention is given down to the smallest
details, and the tours are designed to suit travellers of many abilities according to how adventurous
they wish to be. FunActive can find you an incredible tour regardless of age, skill level, or time of
year. Come discover Italy and beyond!
