Cyclist with helmet and yellow panniers on paved path with wooden fence, surrounded by green forest and mountains under blue sky.

Wooden boardwalk leading through tall green reeds to a blue alpine lake, with forested mountains and white clouds in the background.

Cycling path signpost showing direction to Tarvisio, Slovenia with mountain peaks in background. Blue pedestrian and bicycle sign above brown directional sign.

Scenic view of Klopeiner See with clear turquoise water, wooden pier extending into the lake, and forested mountains under blue sky with clouds.

Cyclist in pink shirt and helmet relaxing on wooden bench at Faaker See with bicycle, mountains and lake in background.

Itinerary

Take a stroll through the pretty old town today and enjoy the southern flair in one of the many terrace cafés.

Past Villach’s thermal spa you leave the town and cycle atthe foot of the Karawanken-mountains headed East to the last lake of your loop tour, the turquoise-blue Lake Faak. The lake’s backdrop is the Mittagskogel-peak, a genuine rock giant. Extensive, undeveloped meadows and green wooded areas surround the lake and in the middle of the lake you find a wooded island. After a relaxing break at the lakeside and/or a lunch break you start your journey back. You tackle a small ridge on your bikes and hence reach the glistening river Drau with grey-green milky waters. The Drau-cycle path – on flat terrain and very well-developed –leads you along a leisurely route back to Villach.

In the morning, take the comfortable train to Spittal. The town was already an important transport hub for pilgrims in the Middle Ages and owes its prosperity in part to them. You cycle along the Drau almost by yourself on a gentle downhill section of the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path. Halfway along, you should take a break in the small market town of Paternion with its churches and castles worth seeing. Pedal hard a few more times and you will reach Villach again.

You cycle a few kilometres eastwards along the Drau Cycle Path and then continue through unspoilt Carinthian farmland. The clear, turquoise waters of Lake Wörthersee and the colourful hustle and bustle of Velden invite you to take a break in the celebrity town. You reach the Keutschacher Seental valley through a charming, gently undulating landscape. Sometimes a dreamy wayside shrine catches the eye, sometimes a farmhouse decorated with flowers. The Hafnersee, Keutschacher See, Baßgeigensee and Rauschelesee lakes are grouped around the Keutschach bathing resort. Continue along the Lend Canal to Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia.

You leave Villach along the Seebach stream and enjoy the view of the Landskron castle ruins. In the foreground the green of the Gerlitzen, in the background the blue of Lake Ossiach. The huge ‘bathtub’ is eleven kilometres long and has drinking water quality. In Ossiach, the mountains and the clear water of the lake, which is up to 27 degrees in summer, and the 11th-century monastery with its magnificent late Baroque church are a delight. Next up is the lovely seaside resort of Steindorf on Lake Ossiach. A short stop in Bodensdorf before your tour comes full circle in Villach.

The train takes you to Italy in the morning. ‘Servus Austria - Ciao Italia’ is the motto at the border. In Tarvisio you will even be greeted in three languages. This is because Austrians, Slovenians and Italians have lived together here for centuries and all three major European language families - Germanic, Romanic and Slavic - come together here. Treat yourself to a creamy cappuccino before the Alpe-Adria cycle path takes you back to Austria along the wild River Gail, accompanied by magnificent mountain panoramas.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.

Tour character

Easy to moderate

You cycle mainly on tarmac, well signposted cycle paths. On the stage to Klagenfurt and around Lake Faak, the route is gently undulating, otherwise mostly flat.

Prices & dates

Sustainability with Rückenwind
Your travel package already includes a digital route book – practical, always up to date, and environmentally friendly. If you would prefer a printed copy, simply let us know in advance. After paying a surcharge of €20 for a book, you will receive it on site.

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included

6 nights at the Hotel Palais26****
breakfast included
Welcome briefing
Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-Tracks, routebook
Train journey Villach - Spittal incl. bike
Train journey Klagenfurt - Villach incl. bike
Train journey Villach - Tarvisio incl. bike
Navigation app and GPS data
Rental bike insurance
Service hotline

Not included

Arrival and departure
parking fees
Spa and local taxes where applicable
transfers
Optional sightseeing
Travel insurance and personal expenses

Extras

Parking

Garage approx. € 45,-/week, no reservation possible, payable in advance
Hotel parking spaces, approx. € 15,- per day.
Free public parking outside the city centre

Arrival / departure

Arrival by train to Villach (www.oebb.at)
Klagenfurt airport, by bus to Klagenfurt West and by train to Villach, duration approx. 1,5 hours (www.stw.at/www.oebb.at)

Hotels

Your host: Hotel Palais26****

Located directly on the main square, the hotel first impresses with its magnificent Renaissance façade. The city palace was built in the 15th century and has only recently been remodelled into an enchanting boutique hotel. Relax not only in the cosy, modern superior rooms, but also in the small wellness area and on the exclusive roof terrace with its magnificent mountain views. You will be spoilt with culinary delights in the Charles restaurant.www.palais26.at

Further information

Further important information in accordance with the "Pauschalreisegesetz" (Package Travel Act) can be found here!