Carinthian Lakes Bike Tour
Discover Carinthia, Austria’s warmest and most southern region
Explore the captivating town of Villach, nestled among pristine lakes and mountains
Admire the renowned Lake Wörthersee and the charming town of Velden
Immerse yourself in Klagenfurt’s delightful city center and almost Mediterranean climate
Perfect for families and cyclists of varying abilities, featuring achievable daily stages
Itinerary
Welcome to Villach, nestled in the heart of Carinthia, where the stillness of the mountains meets the crystal-clear lakes. Embrace the region’s natural beauty that has drawn visitors for centuries, including the Romans who sought relaxation in the local thermal baths.
Hotel in Villach
Start your journey along the scenic Seebach stream, admiring the historic castle ruin of Landskron. As you approach Lake Ossiacher See, take in the pristine waters, the green slopes of Gerlitzen Alpe, and the ancient Ossiach monastery. Explore the delightful resort of Steindorf before completing your loop back to Villach.
45 km (28 mi)
Hotel in Villach
Head east along the Drau Cycle path, passing through the authentic Carinthian farmland on your way to the vibrant town of Velden on Lake Wörthersee. Enjoy the celebrity buzz, then ride through the charming Keutschach Seental valley and its picturesque lakes. Finally, follow the Lend canal to Klagenfurt, Carinthia’s capital.
50 km (31 mi)
Hotel in Klagenfurt
Stroll through Klagenfurt’s historic old town, soaking in its Italian-inspired architecture. Pedal alongside the Glan river, meandering through quaint villages and forests. When you reach the Drau river, continue to the Völkermarkter reservoir, and finally, unwind at the warm shores of Lake Klopeiner.
35 km (22 mi)
Hotel in Klopeiner See
Follow idyllic cycle paths from Klopeiner See back to the Völkermarkter reservoir, crossing the Drau river one last time. Journey along the Glan-Gurk cycling path, passing the historic city of Völkermarkt and picturesque Carinthian villages, before arriving at the majestic castle Hochosterwitz. End your day in St. Veit, the former state capital.
50 km (31 mi)
Hotel in St. Veit
Discover St. Veit’s rich history as the seat of Carinthian bishops, with its city wall, the medieval main square, Renaissance houses, and Herzogsburg-castle. Cycle along the Glan river, passing Glanegg castle ruin and Feldkirchen. Return to Lake Ossiacher See and Villach to complete the day.
55 km (34 mi)
Hotel in Villach
Head east from Villach, cycling at the foot of the Karawanken mountains to reach the mesmerizing turquoise-blue waters of Lake Faaker See. Bask in the stunning scenery, complete with a wooded island and the towering Mittagskogel peak. Conclude your adventure by returning to Villach via the well-maintained Drau cycle path.
50 km (31 mi)
Hotel in Villach
Say goodbye to the unforgettable landscapes and experiences of your Carinthian Lakes Bike Tour, carrying memories that will last a lifetime.
Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
Discover the Austrian Riviera on our Carinthian Lakes Bike Tour, an unforgettable adventure through the sunniest (and southernmost) region of Austria. The journey takes you through breathtaking landscapes, past picturesque valleys, and shimmering lakes.
Embrace the warm climate and sunny days as you cycle through charming towns and villages, and cool off in the lakes after a day of riding. All this makes it a perfect summer getaway.
The tour features an easy-to-moderate route, with a large portion of the journey along well-maintained bike paths. This makes it suitable for families and cyclists of all skill levels.
Over eight days, you’ll explore the most beautiful aspects of Carinthia, from its stunning landscapes to its friendly towns.
Highlights of the journey include the enchanting town of Villach, surrounded by multiple crystal-clear lakes, unspoiled nature, and impressive mountains. Don’t miss the famous Lake Wörthersee, a popular tourist destination with its turquoise blue waters and the picturesque town of Velden. Experience Klagenfurt, Carinthia’s capital, with its lovely city center and southern charm.
Daily stages range from 35 to 50 kilometers, primarily on bike paths and low-traffic side roads, making the journey manageable with a basic fitness level.
To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience, we book all of your accommodations and provide you with a comprehensive itinerary booklet with a GPS track for easier navigation. We also offer reliable customer support throughout your journey, ensuring you can focus on enjoying the breathtaking landscapes and charming towns of Carinthia.
If you’re short on time, the tour can be easily modified, as the first day of cycling begins and ends in Villach, giving you the option to skip it if needed. This also allows you to leave extra luggage behind if desired.
Location
Things to know
Self-guided cycling tours provide a personalized and flexible approach to cycling holidays, allowing you to explore at your own pace and adapt your route or schedule as you see fit. With our team taking care of all logistics such as accommodations, detailed itineraries, GPS routes, and 24/7 support, you can enjoy a stress-free, immersive experience that offers independence, customization, and authentic encounters with local culture.
Our tours are described by the next difficulty levels: Leisurely, moderate, or challenging.
A tour can have harder and easier days, so our rating represents the difficulty of an average tour day. For now, all our tours are rated either leisurely or moderate, so the challenging category doesn’t yet apply.
Leisurely means that the tours mostly take part on flat and paved cycling paths, asphalt roads, or easy-going gravel tracks. They are suitable for everyone.
Moderate means that the tours may have some uphill climbs or feature some technically more demanding terrain. If you are of average fitness, these are all doable.
Challenging means that the tour days either feature long distances and many climbs or are done on technical terrain; Possibly on some downhill sections where skill with a mountain bike is required.
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 where accommodation options are limited. The best choices often get booked for summer before spring arrives.
The ease of accommodating dietary restrictions depends on their severity. Vegetarian options are fairly common in Austria, but vegan dishes can be challenging to find 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 of their standard menu. Keep this in mind during your trip.
Most tours can proceed even in light rain, provided you dress appropriately. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon in the peak months of summer, so early starts are recommended. If the weather appears to be particularly unfavorable, we can try to adjust the tour beforehand.