Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia

Bicycle Lake Ossiach in Austria
  • Length 8 days
  • From USD$4550
  • Style/Level Classic 2.0
  • Countries Austria
    Slovenia
  • Begin/End Klagenfurt, Austria / Bled, Slovenia
See related tours

This cycling tour has you border hopping through Austria, Slovenia and also features a quick jaunt to Italy for lunch. We’ll experience the fascinating influences of Slavic, German and Italian cultures. Join us to relish alpine landscapes with a hint of the Mediterranean. We’ll bicycle along idyllic alpine lakes in Austria’s Carinthia region and northern Slovenia. Quiet roads and river paths lead us through picturesque villages, traditional farmhouses, imposing medieval castles and cozy hotels. We’ll introduce you to some of Europe’s most overlooked and pleasant cities.

If you would like to explore further the beauty of Slovenia, check out our Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia Plus! Ljubljana which extends this itinerary by three days.

Highlights

  • Klagenfurt, Lake Woerther, Sankt Veit, Villach, Lake Faak, Drava river bike path, Tarvisio, Lake Bled, Border hopping between Austria, Italy and Slovenia

  • Julian Alps

Includes

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

We use a number of bike paths on this trip which means that the support van is less readily available.

Gentle cycling along bike paths, through mountain valleys and around lakes. You will encounter some short (a mile or less) steeper climbs.


Date Price Private room fee Note
Jun 21-28, 2025 USD$4550 USD$550 Book by November 1st and save $200 per person.
Sep 13-20, 2025 USD$4550 USD$550 2 more to confirm the departure! Book by November 1st and save $200 per person. Re-Cycle discounts no longer available. 
DateJun 21-28, 2025
PriceUSD$4550
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1st and save $200 per person.
DateSep 13-20, 2025
PriceUSD$4550
Private room feeUSD$550
Note2 more to confirm the departure! Book by November 1st and save $200 per person. Re-Cycle discounts no longer available. 

Download Itinerary

We’ll send you a link to a full day by day tour itinerary that can be downloaded and printed so you can review all the details online and offline. This packet also includes details about what to expect on tour and arrival and departure details.
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  • Total distance 272 km (169 miles)
  • Average daily distance 54 km (34 miles)
  • Tour style Classic
  • Tour level 2.0

Highlights: Gateway to Lake Woerther; beautiful city center; welcome dinner

Meet us today in Klagenfurt on the shores of Lake Woerther. Arrive in Klagenfurt a bit early to enjoy the hometown to Gustav Mahler and Robert Musil. Klagenfurt boasts one of Austria’s prettiest old towns and was thrice awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma for its arcaded Renaissance courtyards which today accommodate modern boutiques, trendy bars, and rustic beer gardens.

Meals : Dinner
Lodging : Sandwirth Hotel

Highlights: Carinthian countryside, Maria Saal, Hochosterwitz Castle, Sankt Veit

As we leave Klagenfurt we’ll immerse ourselves into typical Austrian countryside where farms are surrounded by hills and lush forest. Take time to explore the hamlet of Maria Saal, an important pilgrimage site and center for Christianity since the 8th Century. Cycle by the splendid Renaissance Castle of Hochosterwitz, perched on top of a rocky outcrop. It is secured by 14 gates and never been taken. Our destination is the charming town of Sankt Veit, the former capital of Carinthia until 1518.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Kunsthotel Fuchspalast

Highlights: Lake Ossiach, Villach, Drava River bike path

Leave Sankt Veit on a quiet country road as we approach Lake Ossiach. Enjoy a ride along the northern lakeshore, catching up with the Drava river path that starts in Italy and goes all the way to Serbia where it joins the Danube river. We’ll head to the center of Villach, a modern and flourishing city with an ancient history as a crossroads between Austria, Slovenia and Italy.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Goldenes Lamm

Highlights: Drava river bike path, Velden, Lake Woerther riviera

Today’s loop will take you to secluded Lake Faak. Enjoy rare views as you ride around and make your way to the wider Lake Woerther. The underwater hot springs enhance the lake’s allure making it one of the most desired holiday spots of the area. Try your luck in Velden, dubbed Austria’s Monte Carlo, and gamble at the lakeside casino. We’ll head back to our hotel and enjoy dinner together on our last evening in Austria.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Goldenes Lamm

Highlights: Forest roads, mountain surroundings, Tarvisio, forest of Tarvisio

Enjoy the perfectly manicured landscape of southern Austria’s Carinthia region before you cross the border into Italy, where a Rails to Trail bike path leads you to the border and market town of Tarvisio. We’ll continue through the Tarvisio forest and cross the border into Slovenia on a dedicated bike path built on a former rail line. Your destination today is the peaceful alpine town of Kranjska Gora, crowned by the Julian Alps, where mountain culture comes with a Slavic flavor.

The September 14, 2024 departure will stay at Ramada Resort.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Best Western Hotel Kranjska Gora , Ramada Resort

Highlights: Ski jumps, Italian lakes, stunning high mountain scenery, charming hamlets

Today is a rest day. And you can choose to hang out in Kranjska Gora or ask your Tour Leaders to recommend a hike, taking in the characteristic Slovenian hayracks, now preserved as part of the national heritage. If you want to get on the bike there is an optional ride that will take you back into Italy to the stunning alpine lake – Laghi di Fusine. On the way back the route takes you by one of the biggest ski jumps in the world near Planica, where the ski-flying world championships take place every year. You can simulate the ski jump attached to a zip line if you are feeling extra adventurous.

The September 14, 2024 departure will stay at the Ramada Resort.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Best Western Hotel Kranjska Gora , Ramada Resort

Highlights: Lake Bled, wine tasting

An easy ride takes us along the Sava Dolinka Valley to the old town of Radovljica, a peaceful, medieval haven. We’ll continue to Lake Bled, Slovenia’s leading mountain resort. Enjoy postcard views of the lake. You can hike up to the castle, take a typical pletna boat to the island, or just go for a refreshing swim in the lake. Our sommelier will lead us through a delicious tasting of Slovenian wines before dinner tonight.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Lovec Bled

Highlights: Lake Bled, Bled Castle, Kremna Rezina cake

Our tour ends this morning, we hope you’ll consider staying a few days to explore Lake Bled and its surroundings and find the perfect Kremna Rezina cake!

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.



Pre-trip planning checklist

Austria travel planning page



  • Stunning scenery, quiet roads and through countries with a great biking culture.

    Heather B., Kirkcaldy, UK – June 2022
  • This tour exceeded my expectations. The scenery was magnificent, food terrific, definitely an experience plus.

    Bonnie A., Wall Walla, WA – Sept 2019
  • This tour exceeded my expectations. The scenery was magnificent, food terrific, definitely an experience plus.

    Bonnie A., Wall Walla, WA – Sept 2019