Drau Cycle Path Family Tour
Experience the sunny and charming landscapes of Carinthia and East Tyrol
Cycle along the captivating Drau River, with easy and well-maintained paths
Delight in the southern flair and historic charm of towns like Lienz and Villach
Enjoy refreshing breaks at pristine lakes and outdoor pools along the route
Discover regional treasures, such as the impressive Renaissance Porcia Palace in Spittal
Itinerary
Welcome to the sun-kissed town of Lienz, surrounded by the striking Lienz Dolomites. Spend the first day strolling through the charming town, absorbing the Mediterranean atmosphere and admiring the scenic backdrop, before heading for a rest before the big day.
Hotel in Lienz
After a short train ride across the border to Toblach, begin your journey surrounded by the spectacular Italian Dolomites, near the renowned Drei Zinnen mountain massif. Cycle downhill through the narrow Puster Valley, passing picturesque villages, castles, and gothic churches. The Drau River’s waters create a beautiful landscape, perfect for rest stops. In any of the towns you’ll stop at that, the mix of southern flair and alpine culture will be readily apparent.
50 km (31 mi)
Hotel in Lienz
Follow the Drau River, cycling through cool wetlands and cultivated agricultural landscapes. Discover palaces, ruins, and castles along the way, as well as family-friendly attractions like the adventure pool in Oberdrauburg and the Drau River oasis in Dellach.
40 km (25 mi)
Hotel in Greifenburg
Take a refreshing dip in the fjord-like Lake Weissensee, the highest bathing lake in the Alps, before continuing through blooming wetlands and quaint villages. Enjoy a thrilling slide at the adventure pool in Möllbrücke, then cycle through the “Drauenland” to reach Spittal, where you can visit the “Sportbad Drautalperle” or explore the charming historic center.
40 km (25 mi)
Hotel in Spittal
Depart from the culturally-rich town of Spittal, known for its Renaissance Porcia Palace, and cycle towards the Alps-Adriatic town of Villach. Along the way, pass through agricultural landscapes and small villages, including Molzbichl, which houses a museum on the Carantania people. Once in Villach, you’ll be captivated by the charm of the largest city on the Drau. Spend the first of two nights in Villach and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.
40 km (25 mi)
Hotel in Villach
Cycle along the scenic Seebach stream, marveling at the historic castle ruin of Landskron. Admire the pristine waters of Lake Ossiacher See, the green slopes of Gerlitzen Alpe, and the ancient Ossiach monastery. Explore the resort town of Steindorf before completing your loop back to Villach, where you’ll have extra time to explore the town.
45 km (28 mi)
Hotel in Villach
As your unforgettable cycling adventure comes to an end, take some time to reflect on the memories and experiences you’ve collected along the Drau Cycle Path. With a newfound appreciation for the picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and rich history of this beautiful region, bid farewell to Villach and begin your journey home.
Pricing
Included in price
Tour design and organization
Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions
Service and support during your tour
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
6x Accommodation with breakfast
Luggage transfer
Optional Extras
Description
This 7-day adventure takes you along the Drau River, one of the most popular cycling routes in Austria, and part of the larger Drau Cycle Path network that extends into Slovenia.
The tour starts in Toblach, located just after the Italian border, and meanders gently downhill through East Tyrol, Lienz, and Spittal, ending in Villach.
Throughout your adventure, you’ll encounter historic sites, such as castles, ruins, and churches, as well as family-friendly attractions like adventure pools. The diverse and delicious regional cuisine of East Tyrol and Carinthia is another highlight you don’t want to miss.
Highlights of the journey include exploring the sun-kissed town of Lienz, surrounded by the breathtaking Lienz Dolomites, and visiting the Alps-Adriatic town of Villach, which exudes a delightful charm. Don’t forget to take many breaks in pristine lakes and outdoor pools on the way, and get the energy to cycle onwards.
Throughout the tour, you’ll cycle on well-maintained cycle paths made of asphalt, sand, or gravel, with some shorter sections on low-traffic side roads. Running mainly along the Drau riverbank, the stages are relatively flat and sometimes even more downhill than not. Some stages can also be shortened by taking a train ride.
To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience, we arrange all of your accommodations and provide a comprehensive itinerary booklet, complete with a GPS track for effortless navigation. We also offer reliable customer support throughout your journey, so you can focus on enjoying the captivating landscapes and charming towns along the Drau Cycle Path.
This family-friendly cycling tour is an unforgettable experience, combining the natural beauty of Carinthia and East Tyrol with the warmth and charm of the region’s towns and villages. Join us on the Drau Cycle Path Family Tour and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
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.