Alpe Adria Cycle Path: Salzburg to Grado

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. You breathe culture and history at every turn.

You cycle leisurely out of the Mozart city of Salzburg through the shady Salzach meadows, the Salzach is your companion. It goes to Hallein, a Celtic town that used to be rich in salt production. The main attraction is undoubtedly the world-famous Celtic Museum. Beyond the Gollinger waterfall, your overnight stay of the same name is marked by the pretty market square and castle from the 13th century.

From Golling you will cycle up to the Pass Lueg-Höhe, enjoying the view of the beautifully striking Tennen Mountains. Now the mountain is 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 the imposing towering castle, St. Johann is quickly reached. The towers of Pongau Cathedral tower unmistakably, like twin mountain peaks, above all,

Shortly after Schwarzach, you say goodbye to the Salzach, from today the Gasteiner Ache accompanies you through the wild and romantic Gastein Valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein, you will cycle to the famous spa and winter sports resort of Bad Gastein at the foot of the Hohe Tauern, which offers a variety of natural history and architectural sights. Its landmark is the Gastein waterfall in the centre of the village, the inspiration of many painters and poets. Now it is only a stone's throw to Böckstein where a train from the Tauern lock takes you across the Alps to Mallnitz in just 10 minutes. Back on your bike, you can enjoy the quick descent to your hotel in the Mölltal.

First, you cycle along the Möll River through impressive high mountain landscapes, in Möllbrücke the Drautal begins and with it the sunny south of Austria. For the last kilometres, you cycle at your leisure 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 this.

You will cycle almost alone along the Drau with a gentle descent. Halfway through you should definitely take a break in the small town of Paternion with its remarkable churches and castles. Step on the pedals a few more times and you have reached Villach, whose heart is the beautiful old town with its southern flair and the cosy "restaurants" and restaurants.

Climb the mountain to Tarvisio by train. The bike path is well-developed in Italy, so you can comfortably cycle downhill through the Kanaltal and admire the beauty of the Friulian Alpine region from the saddle with untouched nature and extensive forests. One of the pretty villages at the foot of the Julian Alps serves as a residence.

One of the most beautiful historic towns of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is located at the southern exit of the Kanaltal. The cityscape of Gemona del Friuli is formed by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and will certainly inspire you. On the way to Udine, the first vines appear along the cycle route. After arriving in the city, feel "La Dolce Vita" with a cup of coffee on the "Piazza" or walk through the alleys and admire the buildings of the late Gothic and Renaissance styles.

A warm breeze from the Scirocco is blowing your face! You drive through wide reed landscapes and along small water channels towards the Gulf of Venice. In any case, you should plan a stop in the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called "Second Rome", before reaching your destination of the journey. One of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic, the historic fishing village of Grado not only inspires with its expansive sandy beach, historic harbour and narrow streets with cosy restaurants that also radiate Italian flair.