Carinthia Lakes Cycling Tour

Introduction
Central Austria Austria
This bicycle tour brings you to the most beautiful lakes of Carinthia. Past blue and turquoise lakes, accompanied by a hilly and mountainous landscape, the route captivates with a varied sceneries.  
Start from Villach, the cycling capital of Carinthia, and cycle to lake Millstätter See, lake Weißensee, lake Pressegger See, lake Faaker See and via the valley Keutschacher Seental with 4 lakes to the provincial capital of Klagenfurt. From there, the journey leads over the lake Wörthersee to the Drava cycle path and back to Villach and the lake Ossiacher See.
There are also some shorter options focusing on the Eastern and Western lakes. This route has no sections with steep slopes and has short stages so you can get more time to discover the wonderful surroundings, but also the cuisine and culture.
This tour leads mostly on well laid out bicycle routes, often directly along the lakesides. The route is mainly flat, in a few stages slightly hilly.

For more ambitious and experienced cyclists, we have another option with a couple of slopes to overcome and partially leading several kilometers along paved roads with some traffic. In some sections the route leads along federal roads without a cycle path. In addition, there is a long slope on the route to Weißensee to overcome (transfer optional). The rest of the route is mainly flat, sometimes slightly hilly. The route is ideal for E-bikes.

Accomodation

Accommodations
During this trip, nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations consist of a mixture of 3 and 4 star hotels offering private bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.


Meals
All breakfasts are included.

Riding

Enjoyment Tour: approx. 250km total
E-bike or Sporty Tour: approx. 350km total
6-day Program - East: approx. 200-210km total
6-day Program - West: approx. 165km total

Rental bikes:
21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
E-bike (unisex bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 8-day relax program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Villach
You will arrive at your hotel in Villach. Parking spaces available close to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Villach

Day 2: Lendorf to Millstatt
In the morning you take the train to Lendorf near Spittal an der Drau. From there you cycle on secondary roads to Lake Millstatt, which is completely surrounded by a cycle path. You will discover the untouched south shore without any roads where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake in many places. Along the northern shore you cycle, partly directly along the lake, to the capital of the region, Millstatt am See. Already the Austrian emperor spent his holidays here, and many elegant villas from this era are still preserved.
Biking approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Millstatt

Day 3: Lake Weißensee to Lake Pressegger
In the morning, a shuttle bus takes you up to the lake Weißensee. From there, a boat will take you to the starting point of the bike tour. The trip starts with a short slope before turning downhill again along the dreamy Gitschtal valley, to the small town of Hermagor and then to Lake Pressegger.
Biking approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lake Pressegger

Day 4: Hermagor/Lake Pressegger – Gailtal - Lake Faaker See – Mühlbach/ Wörthersee
Your cycle tour today takes you downhill along the Gailtal cycle path. The wide valley is unspoilt and the cycle path runs right through the natural landscape along the river. At the beginning of your cycle tour you will pass the Pressegger See lake. Like all Carinthian lakes, it is a bathing lake with warm temperatures. Then, the route leads you to Villach at the foot of the majestic Dobratsch mountain. Cross a nature reserve that was created in the course of a historic rock fall. Here, too, you cycle
directly along the Gail River, which is wide and shallow at this point. The cycle path continues towards Lake Faak. It is the emerald among the Carinthian lakes, not very big, but very warm and turquoise like the Caribbean. You cycle around the lake from south to east and then continue along the Drau cycle path to your destination for today - Lake Wörthersee.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mühlbach (Rosegg)

Day 5: Mühlbach/Wörthersee – Rosegg – Drauradweg - Lake Klopeiner See
In the morning you start at Lake Wörthersee and cycle along the Drau cycle path (awarded 5 stars by the ADFC). This tour runs via Rosegg and through the beautiful Rosental, along the Ferlach reservoir and mostly often directly on the Drau and through unspoilt nature to Lake Klopein, one of the warmest bathing lakes in Carinthia.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight near Lake Klopeiner See

Day 6: Lake Klopeiner See – Völkermarkter Strausse - Grafenstein - Klagenfurt - Pörtschach/Velden
A lap around Lake Klopeiner See should not be missed before you then cycle along the Völkermarkt reservoir and via Grafenstein back towards Klagenfurt. The route then continues along the northern shore of Lake Wörthersee, through the well-known and popular seaside resorts of Pörtschach and Velden. Along this Wörthersee cycle path, small bathing spots invite you to take a refreshing dip in Lake Wörthersee before you reach today‘s stage destination. If you want to spend more time in Klagenfurt, you can also shorten your cycling route by taking a train ride or one of the Wörthersee boats (tickets are not included).
Biking approx. 55-65 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach 

Day 7: Lake Ossiacher See Loop
The Seebach leads you out of Villach and soon you will notice the castle ruin of Landskron, dominating the valley below. Surrounded by the idyllic mountain scenery, you will come across inviting bathing resorts and the romantic Ossiach monastery. The dark green colour of the lake water is really inviting to take a last bath before closing the roundtrip in Villach.
Biking approx. 50-60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 8: Departure
Tour end and departure or possibility of extension.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 8-day sporty program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Villach
You will arrive at your hotel in Villach. Parking spaces available close to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Villach

Day 2: Villach – Lake Ossiachersee – Gegendtal – Lake Millstätter See
You start in Villach and head out through the small town towards Lake Ossiach, where you will soon see the ruins of Landskron Castle towering high above the countryside. Idyllically embedded in the surrounding mountains, inviting bathing resorts and the romantic Ossiach Abbey welcome you. The dark green colour of the water is something special. You circle Lake Ossiach and then head towards Lake Millstätter See. This route takes you through the so-called Gegendtal, past the two idyllic lakes Afritzer See and Brennsee and the small town of Radenthein to the eastern shore of Lake Millstätter See. Then it is a few more kilometres along the lake to today‘s stage destination.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight near Lake Millstätter See

Day 3: Lake Millstätter See – Spittal an der Drau - Weissensee east shore – Lake Presseggersee/Hermagor/ Tröpolach
Today you start at Lake Millstatt, then cycle through the Lieser Gorge to the district town of Spittal an der Drau, the centre of which is the beautiful Renaissance Porcia Castle. Afterwards you cycle downstream along the Drau cycle path for a while, then continue along the main road, up to the Weißensee lake (transfer optional). At the top, enjoy a short boat ride across Lake Weissensee, as there is no road connection to the eastern shore. Once you reach the western shore of Lake Weissensee, a short ascent awaits you, before you head then descend along the dreamy Gitschtal valley to the small town of Hermagor and then to Lake Pressegger See.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Tröpolach

Day 4: Lake Presseggersee – Gailtal – Lake Faaker See – Mühlbach/Wörthersee
Your cycle tour today takes you along the Gailtal cycle path. The wide valley is unspoilt and the cycle path runs right through the natural landscape along the river. At the beginning of your cycle tour you will pass the Pressegger See lake. Like all Carinthian lakes, it is a bathing lake with warm temperatures. Part of the tour then leads you to Villach at the foot of the majestic Dobratsch mountain through a nature reserve that was created in the course of a historic rock fall. Here, too, you cycle directly along the Gail River, which is wide and shallow at this point and used as a bathing spot by many nature lovers. The cycle path continues towards Lake Faak. It is the emerald among the Carinthian lakes, not very big, but very warm and turquoise like the Caribbean. You cycle around the lake from south to east and then cycle along the Drau cycle path to your destination for today - Lake Wörthersee.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mühlbach/Wörthersee

Day 5: Mühlbach/Wörthersee – Rosegg – Drauradweg - Lake Klopeinersee
In the morning you start at Lake Wörthersee and cycle along the Drau cycle path (awarded 5 stars by the ADFC!!). This tour runs via Rosegg and through the beautiful Rosental valley, along the Ferlach reservoir and mostly flat, often directly on the Drau river and through untouched nature to Klopeiner See, one of the warmest bathing lakes in Carinthia.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight near Lake Klopeinersee

Day 6: Lake Klopeinersee – Völermarkter Strausse - Grafenstein - Klagenfurt
A lap around Lake Klopein should not be missed before you then cycle along the Völkermarkt reservoir and via Grafenstein to Klagenfurt, today‘s destination. Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia, is located directly on the eastern bay of Lake Wörthersee with a wonderful sandy beach, numerous sights and a beautiful old town that also invites you to go shopping.
Biking approx. 40 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Klagenfurt

Day 7: Klagenfurt – Wörthersee - Villach
The first section of the tour takes you along the northern shore of Lake Wörthersee, through the well-known and popular resorts of Pörtschach and Velden. seaside resorts of Pörtschach and Velden. Along this Wörthersee cycle path, small bathing spots invite you to take a refreshing dip in Lake Wörthersee. From Velden you cycle back along the Drau cycle path and past the Silbersee lake, to Villach, the destination of this cycle tour.
Biking approx. 45 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 8: Departure
Tour end and departure or possibility of extension.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 6-day Eastern program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival at Villach
You will arrive at your hotel in Villach. Parking spaces available close to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Villach

Day 2: Villach to Mühlbach (Rosegg)
You start in Villach and through the small town the way leads out in the direction of lake Faaker See. This lake is not very big, but very warm and turquoise like the Caribbean. You will circumnavigate the lake from south to east and then ride along the Drava cycle path, which will take you to your destination.
Biking approx. 35-40 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mühlbach (Rosegg)

Day 3: Mühlbach (Rosegg) to Lake Klopeinersee
Today your bike tour in Carinthia takes you through the scenic valley of the Rosental. During the cycle tour along the Drava cycle path, you will have the opportunity for some additional sporting or cultural activities: the Feistritz reservoir offers canoe tours while in Ferlach you can visit the gunsmith museum and the Carnica bee museum, giving you an insight into the history of this region. The Tscheppaschlucht gorge is 1.2 km long and impresses with rugged rocks and the 26 m high Tschauko waterfall.
Today‘s cycle tour along the Drau Cycle Path (awarded 5 stars by the ADFC) is mostly flat here, often directly on the Drau and through unspoilt nature to Lake Klopeiner See, one of the warmest bathing lakes in Carinthia.
Biking approx. 55-65 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lake Klopeinersee

Day 4: Lake Klopeinersee to Lake Wörthersee
A lap around Lake Klopein should not be missed before you then cycle along the Völkermarkt reservoir and via Grafenstein towards Klagenfurt.
The cycle tour is comfortable, the path leads flat directly to the provincial capital of Carinthia. The small town is a manageable size, the medieval centre very beautiful with well-preserved houses and today the heart of the city. A stroll around the Old and New Square, where the landmark Lindwurm stands, is a must. After that, you leave the city along the channel Lendkanal and cycle directly to the shore of the Lake Wörthersee. You now have the choice: either you take the cycle path along the northern shore of lake Wörthersee through the famous bathing resorts or you cycle through the untouched lake valley Keutschacher Seental with its four additional lakes. Both variants are charming and converge at the final destination of this stage.
If you want to spend more time in Klagenfurt, you can also shorten your cycling route on Lake Wörthersee by taking a train ride or one of the Wörthersee boats (tickets are not included).
Biking approx. 45 km or alternatively valley Keutschacher Seental (approx. 50 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lake Wörthersee

Day 5: Velden – Lake Ossiachersee – Villach
The first section today takes you back along the Drau cycle path, past the Silbersee lake in the direction of Villach. You turn off towards Lake Ossiach, where you will soon see the ruins of Landskron Castle towering high above the countryside. Idyllically nestled in the surrounding mountains, inviting bathing resorts welcome you as you cycle past the romantic Ossiach Abbey and through the Bleistätter Moor. The dark green colour of the water is something special. You will cycle around Lake
Ossiach and then return to Villach.
Biking approx. 50 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 6: Departure
Tour end and departure or possibility of extension.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 6-day Western program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival at Villach
You will arrive at your hotel in Villach. Parking spaces available close to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Villach

Day 2: Lendorf to Millstatt
In the morning you take the train to Lendorf near Spittal an der Drau. From there you cycle on secondary roads to Lake Millstatt, which is completely surrounded by a cycle path. You will discover the untouched south shore without any roads where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake in many places. Along the northern shore you cycle, partly directly along the lake, to the capital of the region, Millstatt am See (the Austrian emperor already spent his holidays here, and many stylish villas from this era are still preserved) or you can cycle a few more kilometres to Seeboden.
Biking approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Millstatt

Day 3: Lake Weißensee to Pressegger See
In the morning, a shuttle bus takes you up to the lake Weißensee. From there, a boat will take you to the starting point of the bike tour. The trip starts with a short slope before turning downhill again along the dreamy Gitschtal valley, to the small town of Hermagor and then to Lake Presseggersee.
Biking approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lake Presseggersee

Day 4: Hermagor/Lake Pressegger See – Lake Faaker See - Villach
Your cycle tour today takes you downhill along the Gailtal cycle path. The wide valley is unspoilt and the cycle path runs right through the natural landscape along the river. At the beginning of your cycle tour you will pass the Pressegger See lake. Like all Carinthian lakes, it is a bathing lake with warm temperatures. Part of the tour then leads before Villach at the foot of the majestic Dobratsch mountain through a nature reserve that was created in the course of a historic rock fall. Here, too, you cycle directly along the Gail River, which is wide and shallow at this point and used as a bathing spot by many nature lovers. The cycle path continues towards Lake Faak. It is the emerald among the Carinthian lakes, not very big, but very warm and turquoise like the Caribbean. You cycle around the lake from south to east and then continue along the Drau cycle path to your destination for today - Villach.
Biking approx. 60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 5: Lake Ossiach round trip
The Seebach leads you out of Villach and soon you will notice the castle ruin of Landskron, dominating the valley below. Surrounded by the idyllic mountain scenery, you will come across inviting bathing resorts and the romantic Ossiach monastery. The dark green colour of the lake water is really inviting to take a last bath before closing the roundtrip in Villach.
Biking approx. 45 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Villach

Day 6: Departure
Tour end and departure or possibility of extension.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Carinthia Lakes Cycling Tour

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 5+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Villach
Airport: Klagenfurt
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                Klagenfurt area