Alpe-Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado

8 days / 7 nights

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Cycle from Salzburg to Grado on the iconic 410-kilometer Alpe-Adria route, crossing the Alps, exploring Roman ruins, and finishing at the Adriatic Sea.

Starting point

Salzburg

Finish point

Grado

Season

From April to October

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Gravel / E-bike

Google ReviewsTripAdvisor Reviews
  • Cycle from Salzburg to Grado, crossing Austria and Italy on a scenic 410-kilometer route
  • Explore the UNESCO-listed city of Salzburg with its baroque charm and musical heritage
  • Ride through diverse landscapes, from the Hohe Tauern mountains to Friuli’s vineyards
  • Immerse yourself in history at Roman Aquileia and cultural gems like Gemona and Udine
  • Traverse the Alps with ease using a train connection through the Tauernschleuse
  • End your journey at the Adriatic coast, relaxing in Grado’s sandy beaches

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Tour design and organization
Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions
7 nights in 3/4* hotels with breakfast
Service and support during your tour
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Luggage transfer

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

E-bike
Gravel bike
Regular bike
Single supplement

The Alpe-Adria Cycle Path offers an extraordinary journey from Salzburg, caught in an alpine embrace, to the sunny shores of the Adriatic in Grado.

This iconic 410-kilometer route blends the natural beauty of the towering Alps, rolling vineyards, and coastal lagoons with the cultural richness of historic Italian towns and picturesque Austrian villages.

Designed to be accessible for most cyclists, daily distances range from 40 to 70 kilometers, with well-maintained paths ensuring a smooth ride throughout the journey.

Starting in Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its baroque architecture and musical heritage, the route takes you through Austria’s scenic Salzach Valley and into the breathtaking Hohe Tauern National Park.

The train connection through the Tauernschleuse ensures a comfortable transition over the Alps, leading to Italy’s tranquil Val Canale and beyond.

Cultural highlights include the historic Roman city of Aquileia, with its impressive basilica and ancient ruins, and Gemona del Friuli, lovingly rebuilt after an earthquake as a symbol of resilience.

The vibrant city of Udine offers a touch of Italian “dolce vita,” with its lively piazzas and Venetian-inspired architecture. The journey culminates in Grado, a charming seaside town known for its sandy beaches, Venetian harbor, and fresh seafood.

The route is designed for comfort and convenience, with accommodations arranged in cyclist-friendly hotels and luggage transfer services provided. Detailed route materials, including GPS tracks, ensure easy navigation, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Whether riding through Austria’s alpine valleys, Italy’s vineyard-covered hills, or the peaceful lagoons of the Adriatic, the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and cycling enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Ratings & Reviews

Google Reviews

5.0 average rating

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Greg Martin

Verifed customer · 10 months ago

Great holiday. Really easy to follow routes, good choice of hotels and the en route places to eat and visit was really helpful. Super responsive to questions during my holiday. Would definitely use them again.

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Karen

Verifed customer · 1 year ago

Had a ball! We rode from Ljubljana to Bled via the mountains - 5 days/4 nights. Daja did a great job communicating with us and ironing out any hitches as soon as they were identified. E-Bikes were great (and v necessary!), accomm was great and the scenery was extraordinary! Being less fit, I wished I had opted for a days’ break at Lake Bohinj. My legs and butt would have appreciated it. Can’t wait to return and do another riding tour with this company!

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Melissa Jackson

Verifed customer · 19 days ago

We did the alps to the adriatic bike tour and let me tell you it was fantastic. The bikes were great, the organization of the company was great, the hotels they picked were (mostly) perfect. We honestly had a 10/10 experience. Our bags were in our hotel room every afternoon we arrived!! We had no issues, the app they use to give you information about your ride and help you get from point A to point B were extremely impressive. We never felt lost, or confused, or off track and we had zero cell service for the most part!!

Jensie Weygers's profile photo

Jensie Weygers

Verifed customer · 2 months ago

Andrija V.'s profile photo

Andrija V.

Verifed customer · 4 months ago

Mitch Taylor's profile photo

Mitch Taylor

Verifed customer · 9 months ago

All available guidance options

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations; You enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.

HANDPICKED ADVENTURES

HANDPICKED ADVENTURES

Only the best adventures across the world, cherry-picked by our team with an in-depth knowledge of the regions.

SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL

SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL

Explore independently and with confidence while we keep everything running from behind the scenes.

VALUE YOUR TIME

VALUE YOUR TIME

With everything on your plate, let us handle the vacation planning, so your valuable time stays exactly where you need it.

TRUSTED BY MANY

TRUSTED BY MANY

We are a financially protected company operating since 2014, and with thousands of satisfied customers in the past, we still put you first.We are a financially protected company operating since 2014, and with thousands of satisfied customers in the past, we still put you first.

from 1.150 € /person