Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Cycle from the Alps to the sea over 10 mesmerizing days
Cycle 375 km on a well-developed route over 8 breathtaking days on the Alpe Adria Cycle Path.
Enjoy the unique interplay of cultural highlights, impressive natural landscapes, and charming towns on bike.
Hop off your bikes to explore the most beautiful Renaissance building in the northern Alps, at the Porcia Castle.
Stroll the winding alleyways of Grado’s charming old town – where pizza, pasta, and wine lovers unite!
The 10-Day Alpe-Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado bike tour invites you to pedal 375 kilometers on a well-developed cycle path from the festival city of Salzburg to La Dolce Vita in Grado, Italy!
From the impressive Carinthian mountains to the Mediterranean flair of the Italian Adriatic – you’ll be treated to the unique interplay of cultural highlights, impressive natural landscapes, and charming towns on this spellbinding self-guided bike tour in Austria and Italy. Staying in hand-picked 3 and 4-star hotels, you’ll unwind each evening in captivating towns where culinary delights abound.
Enjoy the Alpe-Adria trail from Salzburg to Grado at your own pace on bike, pedalling full stream from the incredible Austrian Alps to the picture-perfect Italian Adriatic!
The 10-Day Alpe-Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado bike tour invites you to pedal 375 kilometers on a well-developed cycle path from the festival city of Salzburg to La Dolce Vita in Grado, Italy!
From the impressive Carinthian mountains to the Mediterranean flair of the Italian Adriatic – you’ll be treated to the unique interplay of cultural highlights, impressive natural landscapes, and charming towns on this spellbinding self-guided bike tour in Austria and Italy. Staying in hand-picked 3 and 4-star hotels, you’ll unwind each evening in captivating towns where culinary delights abound.
Enjoy the Alpe-Adria trail from Salzburg to Grado at your own pace on bike, pedalling full stream from the incredible Austrian Alps to the picture-perfect Italian Adriatic!
Read more
Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Salzburg
Individual arrival in the festival city of Salzburg today, known worldwide as the birthplace of none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself! Winding alleyways and squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities.
Check into your hotel here then set out to explore this city’s wealth of medieval and baroque buildings.
Overnight Location: Hotel Goldenes Theather, Salzburg
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle the Banks of the Salzach River to Golling
You’ll leave Salzburg this morning to set out on your first leisurely cycle through the Salzach wetlands with the river Salzach as your constant companion.
You proceed to Hallein, a formerly wealthy Celtic town due to salt mining. The main sight is without question the world-renowned Celtic Museum. Passing the Gollinger waterfall, you soon reach your overnight stay in the town of the same name, characterised by its pretty market square and 13th century castle.
Overnight Location: Hotel Restaurant Hauslwirt, Golling
Distance: 30 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Mountains and Gorges on the Ride to St. Johann
From Golling this morning, you’ll cycle up to the top of Pass Lueg, enjoying the view over the marvellously distinct Tennengebirge-mountains. You cycle past the “Salzachöfen”, an imposing gorge created by the river Salzach. Once past Werfen with its castle rising high, you reach St. Johann, known for its stunning Pongau Cathedral!
Overnight Location: Hotel Brückenwirt, St. Johann
Distance: 35 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cycle the Gasteiner Valley, Bad Gastein, and train to the Mölltal Valley
Hop on your bikes for another thrilling ride today! Shortly after Schwarzach you bid farewell to the river Salzach as the Gasteiner Ache leads you through the wild-romantic Gasteiner Valley.
Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the renowned spa- and ski resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern-mountain chain, offering a variety of natural history and architectural sights. The Gasteiner waterfall is the landmark situated in the centre of town, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets.
Now it is only a short distance to Böckstein, where a train takes you in only 10 minutes through the Tauernschleuse to the other side of the Alps in Mallnitz. Back on your bike you’ll enjoy the speedy descent to your hotel in the Mölltal Valley.
Important: Due to construction work, the Tauernschleuse is expected to be out of service until 04.07.2025. The itinerary will be adapted during this period. You will spend the night in the Gastein Valley instead of the Möll Valley and will be transferred to Spittal.
Overnight Location: Erlebnishotel Kärnten Mölltal, Mölltal Valley
Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Cycle Alpine Landscapes to Spittal
Today you cycle initially along the river through impressive alpine landscapes. The Drautal Valley starts in the village of Möllbrücke and hence the sunny South of Austria. A leisurely cycle carries you through the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau.
Overnight Location: Erlebnis Post Hotel, Spittal
Distance: 30 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Pedal the Drau River to Villach
Nearly effortlessly you proceed in a gentle descent along the river Drau this morning. Halfway it’s highly recommended you take a break in the little market town of Paternion with its remarkable churches and palaces.
Just a bit more pedalling and soon you have reached Villach, with its enchanting old town, Southern flair and inviting pubs and restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel Palais26 Villach, Villach
Distance: 40 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Train to Tarvis and Ride to Gemona
You bypass the ascent to Tarvis by train this morning before hopping back in the saddle for a leisurely downhill ride through the Kanaltal Valley from where you can revel in the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests.
You finish today’s ride in one of the most picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps.
Overnight Location: Hotel Pittis, Gemona
Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Postcard-Like Villages and Vineyards on the Ride to Udine
At the Southern exit of the Kanalta Valley, you’ll discover of one of the most beautiful historic villages of the Friulian-Julian-Veneto! The focus of the village of Gemona del Friuli is the majestic cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, which will no-doubt blow you away.
En route to Udine you’ll come across the first vineyards and vines along the cycle route. Once you arrive in town feel and experience the dolce vita here, enjoying a coffee on the piazza or a stroll through the alleyways whilst marvelling at the late Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Overnight Location: Hotel Clocchiatti Next, Udine
Distance: 55 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Final Ride from Udine to Grado
Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco as you cycle through vast reed scenery and along little water canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, it’s a good idea to plan a break before reaching Grado, perhaps enjoying a picnic along the way.
Back on bikes to reach Grado, you’ll arrive at your final destination — one of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts in Italy! The historic little fishing town of Grado will not only excite you with its sandy beaches, but also its historic harbour and narrow alleyways with lovely restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel Rialto, Grado
Distance: 55 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Departure
It’s time to head home! Check out of your hotel and depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures: The departures are available every Saturday and Sunday, from April 24th to October 5th, 2025.
- Single room: from EUR1858*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1399*
Accommodation on Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star 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 supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado?
Meals
9 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Salzburg and after the tour in Grado are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes 1 train ticket from Böckstein to Mallnitz per guest and 1 train ticket from Villach to Tarvis (with bikes).
Also Included
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed route
- Detailed travel documents (1 set per room)
- App for navigation and GPS
- Phone support
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Bike rental
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Helmet (can be purchased locally)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Bike rental (helmet not included)
- Return transfer to Salzburg after the tour from Grado
- How hard is the Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Austria or Italy?
- Are meals included on the Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Salzburg to start this tour?
- Is the Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado in English?
- Where does the Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Austria or Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Austria or Italy?
We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. This route unfolds on mostly well-developed cycle paths, but you should be comfortable riding between 55 to 75 kilometres in a given day.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
9 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover biking. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into Salzburg Airport (SZG). From here you can arrange a private transfer or take public transport to the first hotel.
Yes, the tour materials provided and tour briefing are in English.
This tour ends in Grado. The closest airport to Grado is Trieste Airport (TRS) which is 22 kilometres away.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are 21-gear male/female bikes, 7-gear unisex bikes, or e-bikes.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a 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
