Cycling Holidays Austria
Bike Tours in Austria
About Cycling Holidays Austria
Welcome to Cycling Holidays Austria, your gateway to unforgettable self-guided bike tours through this Alpine country’s breathtaking landscapes and charming towns.
We specialize in family-friendly and trekking bike tours, perfect for cyclists seeking a leisurely pace. Our self-guided tours offer flexibility, independence, and personalized experiences, ensuring you get the most out of your Austrian adventure.
Here is how we make your bike tour in Austria hassle-free:
- We book your accommodations
- Give you a comprehensive itinerary booklet
- Provide you with a GPS track and an easy-to-use navigation app
- Offer reliable customer support throughout the journey
Don’t wait any longer to embark on the cycling holiday of a lifetime. Explore our carefully curated bike tours and book your dream Austrian cycling experience today!
Austria’s Best Cycling Regions
Austria is a dream destination for cycling lovers, offering an unbeatable mix of stunning riverfront trails, breathtaking alpine routes, and vibrant cultural hotspots. Whether cruising along the peaceful Danube or conquering Tyrol’s majestic climbs, it promises a unique experience for everyone.
1. Danube River: Winding Routes of Europe’s Second-longest River
The Danube Cycle Path roams through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO Site dotted with charming wine villages, ancient castles, churches, and Austria’s oldest towns like Passau, Linz, and Krems. Its mostly flat terrain suits everyone wishing to avoid exerting climbs.
Further downstream, the route from Vienna to Budapest reveals a captivating mix of cultural landmarks, connecting three of Europe’s most iconic capitals – Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest.
2. Tauern: Austria’s highest mountain range
The Austrian Tauern region is a must-visit destination, offering stunning alpine landscapes, including the Hohe Tauern National Park, home to Austria’s highest peak, Grossglockner, and the famous Krimml Waterfalls, one of Europe’s tallest cascades. The region features scenic valleys, glacial rivers, and charming villages like Golling, Kaprun, and Zell am See.
You can discover the famous mountain range with our Tauern Cycling Tour.
3. Salzburg and Salzkammergut: Alpine Peaks and Crystal-Clear Lakes
The Salzburg region invites cyclists to experience a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. In the Salzkammergut, the routes guide through a landscape of shimmering lakes like Attersee and Wolfgangsee, framed by majestic alpine peaks.
For a more adventurous journey, the Alpe Adria Cycle Path leads you from Salzburg to Grado in Italy, traversing the Alps with stunning tunnels, viaducts, and idyllic valleys.
3. Tyrol: From Alpine Peaks to South Tyrolean Vineyards
The Tyrol region, spanning Austria and northern Italy, is known for its alpine landscapes, including the dramatic Dolomites and scenic valleys like the Inn and Eisack, offering cyclists opportunities to explore cross-border routes that connect historic towns such as Innsbruck and Bolzano.
Our Tyrol Cycling Holidays route to the Reschenpass, a challenging gateway from the Austrian north to the sunny Italian side of the Alps.
5. Drau River: Riverside Serenity and Idyllic Lakes
Along the way from Lienz to Villach, the Drau River provides easygoing routes, exposing charming towns and pristine lakes, including the fjord-like Weissensee, the highest bathing lake in the Alps. Historical sites, such as castles, ruins, and churches, as well as family-friendly attractions, can be found around the area. With well-maintained, mostly flat paths, it offers a relaxed yet captivating journey through the heart of Austria.
6. Carinthia: Austrian Riviera’s Lakes
Austria’s southernmost region is renowned for its warm climate, crystal-clear lakes like Wörthersee, Klopeiner See, Faker See, and the scenic Drau River. The area is home to Klagenfurt, Carinthia’s capital, and Villach, a vibrant Alps-Adriatic town, offering thermal spas and lively markets.
Check out our Carinthian Lakes Bike Tour for an experience where mountain stillness meets the crystal-clear lakes.
7. Vienna: Burgenland Wines, Salt Lakes, and the Border Triangle
Vienna and its surrounding region, extending toward Hungary and Slovakia, invites cycling enthusiasts with its mostly flat terrain. From the vibrant capital to the tranquil countryside of the Great Hungarian Plain, the Lake Neusiedl Cycling Tour highlights Austria’s only steppe lake and a UNESCO-listed site alongside the world-famous wines of Burgenland.
Austria on Two Wheels
Austria is perfect for cycling tours. The country experiences a mild continental climate, with warm summers and cool, crisp winters. During the cycling season, from late spring to early autumn, you can expect pleasant temperatures, ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). It could only get a little hotter in the peak summer months, with the hottest days in the lowlands between 30 and 35°C.
This comfortable weather makes for enjoyable rides, allowing you to fully appreciate the natural beauty of your surroundings.
But it wouldn’t be complete without indulging in the delicious local cuisine. From traditional hearty dishes to mouthwatering pastries, Austrian food is rich in flavor and history.
Along your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to taste national specialties like Wiener Schnitzel, Käsespätzle, and Apfelstrudel, as well as various regional delicacies. Be sure to sample the local beers and wines, as they perfectly complement the flavors of Austrian cuisine and help you unwind after a day of cycling.
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Things to know
Self-guided cycling tours provide a personalized and flexible approach to cycling holidays. You can explore at your own pace and adapt your route or schedule as you see fit. Our team arranges all details, such as logistics, accommodations, detailed itineraries, GPS routes, and 24/7 support. Thus, you can enjoy a stress-free, immersive experience that offers independence, customization, and authentic encounters with local culture.
Our tours are rated on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 to help you choose the right adventure:
1/5 – Short daily distances of approximately 30 km. Easy, flat terrain suitable for everyone, including those with no prior sports experience.
2/5 – Daily distances up to 40 km. Some light uphill sections, up to 200 m, but not every day. Suitable for anyone in good health.
3/5 – Daily distances around 50 km. Daily altitude gains of up to 500 m. On days with less altitude, distances may be longer. Ideal for recreational cyclists in good physical condition.
4/5 – Daily distances of 60 km or more. Daily altitude gains of 500 m or more, with some stages reaching up to 1000 m. Designed for well-prepared amateur cyclists who are comfortable with uphill riding.
5/5 – Challenging stages with steep climbs and long distances. Suitable for experienced road cyclists seeking a demanding adventure along with breathtaking scenery.
We continuously strive to find the perfect fit for you. We work with multiple accommodation providers that meet our standards, but their availability can vary, especially during peak season. We can also tailor your holiday according to your preferences and budget, ensuring we find the most suitable solution for your taste.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Many of our tours pass through popular tourist destinations with limited accommodation options. The best-selling tours are often fully booked for the summer before spring arrives.
The ease of accommodating dietary restrictions depends on their severity. Vegetarian options are usual in Austria, but vegan dishes can be challenging in rural areas or smaller towns. Please note that lunch stops are often at traditional establishments that may struggle to cater to special requests outside their standard menu. Keep this in mind during your trip.
Generally, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are the ideal times for cycling, depending on the tour. Summer is also a fantastic choice because Austria has a milder climate, especially in the Alps.
Most tours can proceed even in light rain, provided you dress appropriately. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the peak months of summer, so early starts are recommended. If the weather appears to be particularly unfavorable, we can adjust the tour beforehand. You will be in contact with our support in case last-minute changes are necessary.
Our tours cater to different cycling preferences, whether you prefer road, gravel, or mountain biking. Our cycling experts will consider your experience, preferences, and group dynamics to provide tailored recommendations. Additionally, e-bikes are always an option. If there’s a significant difference in fitness levels among group members, some can choose an e-bike while others opt for a regular bike.
The most versatile option is a gravel bike, even if you are coming on a road cycling holiday. Gravel bikes maintain excellent road performance while allowing you to explore scenic backroads that may be less maintained than main routes. They also tend to offer greater comfort, enhancing your overall experience.
If you’re not bringing your own bike and equipment, we can arrange a rental for you. We offer a wide range of bikes, including road, gravel, mountain bikes, and e-bikes, to suit your tour needs. Simply provide us with your usual bike size and any specific preferences, and we’ll ensure you have the perfect bike for a comfortable ride.
Our bike rentals include the agreed-upon bike, delivery before your tour, and pickup afterward. Additional equipment is also provided, such as a helmet, an extra chain, a basic repair kit, and pedals if needed.
We always pick locations and starting points which are reachable by public transport. Our travel agent will extensively advise you on the most optimal option.
All our tours take place in well-developed areas, ensuring you are always close to essential infrastructure and never isolated. Additionally, our agent is available by phone every day to assist with any emergencies. Your travel materials will also include a list of bike repair workshops with contact information, so you can easily access expert assistance for issues like flat tires and other repairs.
Each morning, you will leave your luggage at the hotel reception, where it will be collected by our taxi service and delivered to your next hotel. Your luggage will typically arrive by late morning or early afternoon. For your convenience, your travel materials will include the contact details and schedules of the taxi services handling the transportation.
Most of our tours are recommended for individuals aged 12 and older who have some cycling experience. However, the Drau Cycle Path is a family-friendly option, as it features mostly flat terrain and dedicated cycling paths away from main roads. That said, younger participants should be confident cyclists, and parents are encouraged to assess whether this tour is suitable for their family.
Yes, every accommodation on your tour is bike-friendly and offers secure storage for your bike.