Salzburg to Venice Bike Tour

Day-To-Day Itinerary

We advise booking an extra night in Salzburg!

Day 1: Salzburg - Bischofshofen, 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 2: Bischofshofen - Bad Gastein, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 3: Bad Gastein - Spittal an Der Drau, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 4: Spittal an Der Drau - Villach, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 5: Villach - Kranjska Gora, 29 mi. (46 km) 
Day 6: Kranjska Gora - Bled, 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 7: Bled - Brda (Alpe Adria), 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 8:  Brda - Portogruaro, Hills to the Coast, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 9: Portogruaro - Venice (Lido di Jesolo or Mestre), 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 10: Departure
 

Day 1: Salzburg - Bischofshofen, 34 mi. (54 km). 
Salzburg has one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its baroque architecture. It is also, of course, the birthplace of the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who some claim is the greatest musician ever born. The city is dominated by the well preserved Hohensalzburg castle, the main attraction of the city. This represents Europe’s largest fortification and probably the most beautiful. Since this tour does not include the first overnight in Salzburg, we strongly advise that you book this so as to enjoy more time in the city of music.

The route delightfully leads on a leisurely ride southwards next to the Salzach River, then into the mountains of Salzburg’s Limestone Alps, past numerous natural monuments, high rock faces, and impressive gorges. 

This first day is packed with attractions.  Glasenbachklamm, the canyon-like valley, is located right at the gateway to the city of Salzburg. The gorge became famous for the discovered fossilized remains. The outstanding reputation of beer brewed by Bräustübl Kaltenhausen is due to the countless travelers who have stopped by over the centuries and spread the word. Those who already miss Christmas can stop at the Silent Night Museum in Hallein, where original manuscripts and documents attest to the creation of the world’s most famous Christmas song, Silent Night!  Salt is a big deal in Salzburg, as the city features the world’s oldest salt mine: Bad Dürrenberg.

The Salzach river cut its way through the northern Limestone Alps and created a gorge known as Salzachöfenor (or alternatively Salzachklamm). The route leads along and above the gorge to Pass Lueg. Just before reaching the final destination there are two more attractions to visit, Eisriesenwelt, the world's largest ice cave, and the Hohenwerfen Castle, which sits proudly at the top of a rocky, 113 meters high dome. In Werfen, there is something else also reaching up to the sky, the Obauer Restaurant, which is one of the best in Austria.

Elevation: 460 m

Day 2:  Bischofshofen - Bad Gastein, 32 mi. (52 km)
On the second cycling day, the route initially leads to Schwarzach through reservoirs along the middle Salzach river and then takes a climb only to enter the Gastein valley later on. The final destination for the day is the town of Bad Gastein, a beautiful place featuring the Gastein Waterfall at its very center. The mountains of the Salzburg Alps are your constant backdrop.  In the Gastein valley, the glaciated peaks of the Hohe Tauernmountains can be seen, while other points of interest mainly include various thermal spas,  in Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein, and Bad Gastein. Entrische Kirche, the largest natural cave in Salzburg’s Central Alps, is a natural monument and a “place of natural power”.

Elevation 570 m

Day 3: Bad Gastein - Spittal an Der Drau, 37 mi. (59 km)
At the end of the Gastein valley, the bikers hop on the train for a short ride through the tunnel under the Alps (Tauernschleuse). After that, the route continues through the Carinthia region on the southern side of the Alps. The route leads through the Lower Mölltal valley, which is nestled amidst some 3000-meter mountain peaks.

Outstanding attractions and rewarding stopping points await on the way, including the wonderful adventurous gorge called Groppensteinschlucht along the Mallnitzbach, the Obervellach town center, the Falkenstein castle, and the Barbarossa Canyon.  At the county seat of Spittal, one can find a beautiful renaissance castle by the name of Porcia, which was built in the 16th century in the Italian palazzo style and is sometimes described as the most beautiful Renaissance building north of the Alps.

Elevation: 270 m

Day 4: Spittal an Der Drau - Villach, 24 mi. (39 km)
From Spittal, the tour runs along the Drau Bike Path, which is well developed and clearly marked. For most of this stage, you will ride along the right river bank. Many highlights can be seen on the way, mainly those interesting to history enthusiasts and nature lovers, such as the excavations of an early Christian church outside Molzbichl in the lower Drautal valley. The Carantana museum, church, and archaeological open-air exhibition ground form a remarkable ensemble, which gives the visitor an impressive and striking insight into the Early Middle Ages.

If in somewhat low spirits, the hot springs in Villach will make you feel rejuvenated. The city, which is quite a gem, captivates a visitor with its easy-going, Mediterranean beat. Here, you can enjoy some truly memorable moments while exploring the old town, strolling through the narrow streets, admiring the modern architecture, watching people at one of the numerous city squares, sitting beside the Drau river, visiting the interesting shops and tasting the local cuisine.

Elevation: 145 m 

Day 5: Villach - Kranjska Gora, 29 mi. (46 km) 
The tour mostly follows the river Gail along the southern side of Mt Dobratsch, with a good part of the route running through the Dobratsch Nature Park. Cycling through small villages, the tour gradually approaches the Italian border, finally crossing it at Thörl-Maglern. The beautiful, unique Gothic frescoes inside the Church of Saint Andreas are extremely interesting in terms of the crucifixion symbolism.

Following an abandoned railway line just a few kilometers beyond the border, the tour reaches the town of Tarvisio, one of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s most important ski areas and mountain resorts. Surrounded by the Julian Alps and rich in wide valleys and woods, the town has a modern look yet an ancient soul, full of traditions that are well worth discovering. However, there will be enough opportunity to enjoy Italy at the end of the tour, which now turns towards Slovenia.

Two beautiful glacial lakes can be found just outside Tarvisio. The valley of the Fusine lakes is one of the most fascinating places in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and the visit takes only a short detour. After crossing the border in Rateče, Slovenia, the route passes the entrance into the beautiful glacial valley of Planica, which serves as a venue to ski flying competitions, and reaches the Zelenci springs nature reserve , one of the sources of the Sava river, which can be found just next to the road. The springs are beautiful in all seasons and at any time of the day, especially at sunset.

The last leg of the tour for the day passes the famous FIS ski slope of Podkoren before reaching the alpine village of Kranjska gora, a very popular ski and outdoor resort situated at the foot of the Julian Alps.

Elevation: 640 m  

Day 6: Kranjska Gora - Bled, 22 mi. (36 km)
On the sixth cycling day, the tour heads on to Lake Bled, the most famous tourist attraction in Slovenia. From Kranjska Gora, a pleasant cycling road leads to another alpine village of Mojstrana, where the tour enters what is arguably one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Slovenia, the Radovna river valley. Since the area is part of the Triglav National Park, mass tourism is partially limited here. The valley is very popular due to its beautiful unspoiled nature, with one of the most imposing parts being the 1.6 kilometers long Vintgar gorge. Reaching the final destination of the day, it would be a pity not to visit the famous island in the middle of Lake Bled, featuring a church, or taste the famous Bled cake.

Elevation: 330 m

Day 7: Alpe Adria, 22 mi. (36 km)
One of the most beautiful views of the lake opens from the railway station located just above it, where you will board a train again to travel from the heart of the Alps to the warm Mediterranean area of the Central Soča valley. The Bohinj railway, which connects Jesenice in Slovenia with Trieste in Italy, was built from 1900 to 1906, during the Austria-Hungary era, as part of a the new strategic railway called Neue Alpenbahnen, to connect the western part of Austria as well as that of the southern Germany with the then Austro-Hungarian port of Trieste. The scenic ride, which features numerous views of gorges and plains, runs through multiple tunnels, the longest one being over 6 kilometers long.

You disembark the train in Kanal, a medieval town with a rich cultural heritage situated on the two banks of the Soča river, which are linked by a bridge. The Soča, which has a distinct emerald green color and is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, is at its most beautiful in the gorge below the town. The Soča valley is the first destination in Slovenia to earn the title of the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), due to its sustainable development in tourism. The responsible approach is also reflected in the cycling trail arranged along the river and the railway routed along the accumulation lake and running all the way to the Solkan bridge, which offers a view of Mt Sveta Gora. The tour passes the old railroad bridge featuring the largest stone arch in the world.

Passing through the town of Solkan, the Soča flows towards Italy, leaving behind the Alps and the Pre-Alpine world. Just like the Soča, the trail here leaves Slovenia only to enter it once again at the city of Gorizia, having briefly entered Italy turning towards Collio and finally towards the Goriška Brda region.

Elevation: 450 m

Day 8: Hills to the Coast, 44 mi. (70 km)
The last stage of the tour leaves Slovenia and enters Friuli-Venezia Giulia, one of the 20 Italian regions. Although parts of it are heavily industrialized, agriculture is well established here. The small villages, as well as beautiful mansions and villas, speak of the rich historical background, offering a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. After all, Venice is just around the corner.

After a descent among vineyards, the small village of Cormons offers the first attraction of the day, i.e. Palazzo Locatelli.  A pleasant ride across the plains with hardly any elevated parts leads to the picturesque fortress town of Palmanova, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative list, and continues among small towns, slowly approaching the coastline of the Marano lagoon. The largest lagoon in Friuli-Venezia Giulia is also the northernmost part of the Mediterranean. Almost one-seventh of the lagoon consists of nature reserves established to protect the local flora and fauna. The sole settlement along the lagoon coast is the town of Marano Lagunare. The small village not only has the largest fishing fleet in Friuli, but also the largest fish market in the region.

One of the most distinctive environments in the entire lagoon area, with a notable naturalistic character, is the Foci dello Stella regional nature reserve. The Foci dello Stella reserve covers the delta of the Stella river and the surrounding lagoon area, a lush, extensive reed bed intersected by a tortuous water network that extends gently into the lagoon. The final stage of the day is highlighted by natural heritage sites since the tour passes the Baredi/Selva di Arvonchi woods, a lowland forest of Bassa Friulana, which is what remains of the ancient Silva lupanica, a great forest that once covered the entire plain extending between the Livenza river and the Isonzo (Soča) river.

Elevation: 220 m

Day 9: Portogruaro - Venice (Lido di Jesolo or Mestre), 43 mi. (69 km) 
The last day is all about the Adriatic coast. Starting in Latisana, the tour passes a small town of Castello di Brussa featuring a castle, crosses the Livenza river and reaches the town of Caorle with a pretty and colourful historic center and fascinating fishing traditions. After that, the area is packed with beaches, small fishing settlements turned into tourist hubs and other tourist facilities, such as Pra ‘delle Torri Golf Caorle, Foresteria Golf Dlub Jesolo, Aqualandia and many more. This area is known as Lido di Jesolo, a 15 kilometers long beach that closes the Venezia Lagoon from the south, ending just across the famous Lido and the city of Venezia. The lively in-lagoon traffic gives a special feel to the area, offering many opportunities to reach the city of Venice and other famous attractions in the lagoon. This location is where the tour ends, which provides ample time to taste local food and wine or enjoy a swim in the sea.

Elevation: 150 m

Day 10: Departure

Want to extend your stay? You can book an extra night in Mestre through us. 

If you would like to add Croatia to your itinerary, please ask!

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• Salzburg to Venice