Alpe Adria Cycle Path for Families

From Salzburg to Villach on the Alpe Adria route

The Alpe Adria Cycle Path connects Mozart's city of Salzburg in Austria with the Adriatic Sea in Italy. In part 1 you cycle in six stages from Salzburg to Carinthia's second city, Villach. The Alpe Adria Cycle Path leads you through an impressive landscape via old railway lines and numerous tunnels.

Details about the family-friendly bike tour from Salzburg to Villach

A varied bike tour from the Mozart city of Salzburg takes you through the lovely Salzach Valley, the wildly romantic Gastein Valley and the idyllic Drau Valley to Villach, located in the sunny heart of Carinthia. Admire the grandiose mountain scenery and the glittering lakes and rivers. 

Those who cycle between Salzburg and Villach experience the quiet romance of the river and rushing waterfalls, rugged mountain peaks and deep gorges and of course 'Salzburger Nockerl' and Karinthische Kaasnudeln. Follow the beautifully landscaped cycle path from Salzburg to Carinthia suitable for the whole family!

The highlights of the family-friendly bike tour cycling holiday at a glance

  • Mozart city of Salzburg: The Dom, Benedictine abbey of St. Peter, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Von Trapp family residence, Mirabel Palace and Hellbrunn Palace

  • Porcia Renaissance and Castle: The stopover in Spittal an der Drau is all about culture. All Renaissance lovers can rejoice! In this town, you can visit the most beautiful Renaissance building in the northern Alps, Porcia Castle.

  • Mölltal: In this valley, you have a beautiful view of the impressive mountain panoramas.

Worth knowing about the family-friendly bike tour from Salzburg to Villach

In eight days, you will cover approximately 175 kilometres on well-developed cycle paths and quiet service roads. With daily stages of 20 to 30 kilometres, there is plenty of time for relaxation and enjoyment. During the two train journeys, you can enjoy a well-deserved break.

This tour has been graded as Easy. Find out more about our cycling holiday difficulty levels.

You can read more about the Alpe Adria Cycle Path in our detailed guide.

Tour information
Easy
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total cycling distance: approx. 175 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

Individual arrival in the festival, Mozart and the cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleys and squares invite you to stroll and dreamy cafes to real Austrian coffee specialities. At every turn, you breathe culture and history.

You cycle at your leisure out of Salzburg through the shady Salzachauen, the Salzach is your guideline. It goes to Hallein, a Celtic city that used to be rich through salt production. The main attraction is undoubtedly the world-famous Celtic Museum. Past the Gollinger waterfall, your overnight stay of the same name is quickly reached. Golling is known for its pretty market town and 13th-century castle.

TIP! Visit the natural spectacle Gollinger Wasserfall in the Torren (Roaring stream) district. (Adults approximately €7.00 / Children €5.00 to be paid on site) The beautiful and impressive waterfall plunges down over 75m in two stages, a sometimes rather steep forest path leads you up, and halfway through you cross the waterfall via bridges, along the force of the water all the way to the top of the waterfall.

ca. 30 km

From Golling, you cycle up to Pass Lueg-Höhe and enjoy the view of the beautiful and striking Tennen Mountains. The mountains are getting closer to the Salzach and the rumbling of the water is getting louder. You pass the so-called "Salzachöfen", an imposing gorge created by the Salzach. After Werfen with its towering castle, St. Johann is quickly reached. From Golling to Werfen, the journey over the Lueg Pass can be bridged/shortened by train (on your own, approx. min. 15 km).

ca. 35 km

The Salzach still accompanies you to Schwarzach and you continue by train to the romantic Gasteintal. You cycle via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein to the well-known spa and winter sports resort of Bad Gastein at the foot of the Hohe Tauern, which has a large number of natural history and architectural sights. The landmark is the Gastein waterfall in the centre of the village.

ca. 20 km
Train ride Schwarzach-Gasteiner Tal

On this short stage, you can really enjoy the surrounding mountains again. From Bad Gastein, it is only a stone's throw to Böckstein, where a train takes you through the Tauernschleuse to Mallnitz on the other side of the Alps in just 10 minutes. Back in the saddle, enjoy the long descent to your hotel in the Möll Valley.

ca. 20 km
Train ride Böckstein-Mallnitz

Today you first cycle along the river Möll through impressive high mountain landscapes. The Drautal begins in the village of Möllbrücke and thus the sunny south of Austria. Calmly roll the last kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. The city was already an important transport hub for pilgrims in the Middle Ages and partly owed its prosperity to them.

ca. 30 km

You slowly roll down along the Drau almost alone. Halfway through you should take a break in the small market town of Paternion. Pedal a few more times and you are already in Villach, the charming old town with its southern flair at its heart.

ca. 40 km

After breakfast, your journey comes to an end. Or do you want to enjoy the sun in Villach for a few more days?

Route information

You mainly cycle on well-developed cycle paths and quiet side streets. Only a few parts of the stages also lead to busy roads or unpaved roads. In general, the route is slightly undulating, bridging the most demanding section between St. Johann and the Gastein Valley by train.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: Alpe Adria for Families

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Place of arrival: Salzburg
  Season 1
29.04.2023 - 12.05.2023
30.09.2023 - 07.10.2023

Saturday
Season 2
13.05.2023 - 26.05.2023
09.09.2023 - 29.09.2023

Saturday
Season 3
27.05.2023 - 08.09.2023

Saturday
Alpe-Adria Cycle Path for Families, AT-AARSV-08X-FAM
Base price
789.00
839.00
899.00
Extra bed 0-5 years 0.00 0.00 0.00
Extra bed 6-11 years 429.00 429.00 429.00
Extra bed 12-14 years 649.00 649.00 649.00
Extra bed from 15 years 719.00 769.00 829.00
Single room surcharge 269.00 269.00 269.00
  • You will stay in carefully selected 3*** and 4**** Hotels and Gasthofes

Child prices are valid in a room with 2 full-paying adults. Costs for children under 6 years (e.g. cot) are to be paid on site.

Season 1
Apr 29, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Saturday
Season 2
May 13, 2023 - May 26, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Saturday
Season 3
May 27, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Saturday
Alpe-Adria Cycle Path for Families, AT-AARSV-08X-FAM
Base price
Extra bed 0-5 years
Extra bed 6-11 years
Extra bed 12-14 years
Extra bed from 15 years
Single room surcharge
789.00
0.00
429.00
649.00
719.00
269.00
839.00
0.00
429.00
649.00
769.00
269.00
899.00
0.00
429.00
649.00
829.00
269.00
  • You will stay in carefully selected 3*** and 4**** Hotels and Gasthofes

Child prices are valid in a room with 2 full-paying adults. Costs for children under 6 years (e.g. cot) are to be paid on site.

Season 1
Apr 29, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Season 2
May 13, 2023 - May 26, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Season 3
May 27, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Salzburg
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
-25% Discount for child 12-14 years in additional bed
-50% Discount for child 6-11 years in additional bed
Villach
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
-25% Discount for child 12-14 years in additional bed
-50% Discount for child 6-11 years in additional bed
85.00
59.00
65.00
45.00
89.00
55.00
69.00
45.00
85.00
59.00
65.00
45.00
89.00
55.00
69.00
45.00
99.00
59.00
75.00
49.00
89.00
55.00
69.00
45.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Salzburg
  Season 1
Apr 29, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023

Saturday
Season 2
May 13, 2023 - May 26, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

Saturday
Season 3
May 27, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Saturday
Salzburg
Double room p.p. 85.00 85.00 99.00
Single room surcharge 59.00 59.00 59.00
-25% Discount for child 12-14 years in additional bed 65.00 65.00 75.00
-50% Discount for child 6-11 years in additional bed 45.00 45.00 49.00
Villach
Double room p.p. 89.00 89.00 89.00
Single room surcharge 55.00 55.00 55.00
-25% Discount for child 12-14 years in additional bed 69.00 69.00 69.00
-50% Discount for child 6-11 years in additional bed 45.00 45.00 45.00
Filter
21-Speed Unisex Bike
Unisex E-Bike
27-Speed Bike PLUS
Child Bike
21-Speed Men's Bike
99.00
239.00
159.00
89.00
99.00
Prices per person in GBP

Our rental bikes

Services / Information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights accommodation as described, including breakfast
  • Train ride Böckstein-Mallnitz including bicycle
  • Train ride Schwarzach-Gasteiner Tal including bicycle
  • Personal welcome meeting (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer(s) max. 1 piece of luggage 20 kg per person
  • Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, suitcase labels)
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

 

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, is to be paid locally
  • Costs for children under 6 years (eg cot) are payable locally
  • (Optional) Transfer back to Salzburg every Saturday morning, costs €99 per person, surcharge for own bicycle €29 per bicycle. Reservation required, payment in advance
Arrival information
  • Airport: Salzburg, Vienna or Munich Airport(s)
  • Train: Salzburg station
  • Parking: Parking space approx. €15 per day, to be paid on site, reservation not possible. Public garage approximately €70 per week
  • Return: The return journey by public transport from Villach to Salzburg has good connections, direct trains run every two hours, and the journey time is approximately 2.5 hours. Costs approximately €35 per person, excluding the bicycle. Check out www.omio.com
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Salzburg

Hotel Goldenes Theater 4****

www.gt-hotel-salzburg.com

Golling

Hotel Pension Golingen 3***

www.golingen.at

St. Johann

Hotel Brückenwirt 4****

www.hotel-brueckenwirt.at

Bad Gastein

Hotel Mondi 4****

www.gastein.mondihotels.com

Mölltal

Erlebnishotel Mölltal 3***

www.erlebnishotel.at

Spittal

Hotel Ertl 4****

www.hotel-ertl.at

Villach

Hotel Seestuben 3***

www.seestuben.at

 

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