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Female cyclist with helmet and panniers on paved path beside turquoise river, surrounded by forested mountains under blue sky with clouds.

Cycling the Alpe Adria ➤ Salzburg to Grado

Salzburg to Grado

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
Female cyclist with helmet and panniers on paved path beside turquoise river, surrounded by forested mountains under blue sky with clouds.

The essentials at a glance

Self-guided cycling tour from Salzburg to the Adriatic coast at Grado, covering approximately 370 km through Austria and Italy. The route follows well-developed cycle paths along the Salzach, Gasteiner Ache, Möll, and Drau rivers, passing through the Gastein Valley and crossing the Alps via train through the Tauern tunnel. Highlights include Salzburg's historic center, Bad Gastein's waterfall, Spittal's Renaissance Porcia Palace, Gemona del Friuli's cathedral, and Udine's architecture, ending at the beach resort of Grado.

From the Alps to the sea! An inter-cultural composition consisting of Austria‘s impressive Alpine region and Italy‘s southern flair. On your bike you simply experience more: more romantic rivers and roaring waterfalls, more pretty historic town centres and defiant castles, more craggy mountain peaks and of course an increase in scenic, architectural and culinary delights. And last but not least: the Adriatic Sea.

Two cyclists with helmets standing on a bridge with love locks, overlooking Salzburg's historic city center and fortress on the hill.
Scenic Austrian alpine valley with turquoise river flowing through green meadows and forests, surrounded by forested mountains under cloudy sky.
Picturesque marina with white sailboats moored in calm blue water, surrounded by colorful Mediterranean buildings under a bright blue sky.
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Two cyclists with helmets standing on a bridge with love locks, overlooking Salzburg's historic city center and fortress on the hill.
Scenic Austrian alpine valley with turquoise river flowing through green meadows and forests, surrounded by forested mountains under cloudy sky.
Picturesque marina with white sailboats moored in calm blue water, surrounded by colorful Mediterranean buildings under a bright blue sky.

The route

You mainly cycle on well-developed cycle paths and quiet side roads. Only a few sections lead you also along roads with heavier traffic or on dirt paths. Overall the route leads you on slightly hilly terrain, the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gasteiner-valley can also be completed and bypassed by train.

See the elevation profile

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways and squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities. You live and breath culture and history literally with every step you take.

Hotel (example): Hotel Ganslhof

Out of Salzburg and off headed South. You cycle along wetlands in the shade along the river Salzach to Hallein, a formerly wealthy Celtic town due to salt mining. Hallein surprises with a romantic historic town centre including little alleyways, archways and oppulent house fronts. Past the roaring waterfall you pass Golling and continue along the well-developed cycle path onwards to St. Johann. Distinctive – just like twin-peaks – the steeples of the Pongau cathedral rise.

Hotel (example): Brückenwirt

Shortly after Schwarzach you bid farewell to the river Salzach, from today onwards the Gasteiner Ache leads you through the wild-romantic Gasteiner-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the renowned spa- and ski resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern-mountain chain, offering a variety of natural history- and architectural sights.

The Gasteiner waterfall is the landmark situtated in the centre of town, which has been the focal point of many artists and poets. Now it is only a short distance to Böckstein, where a train takes you in only 10 minutes through the ‚Tauernschleuse‘ to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz. Back on your bike you enjoy the speedy descent to your hotel in the Mölltal-valley.

Hotel (example): Erlebnishotel Mölltal

Initially you cycle along the river Möll through the impressive alpine landscapes today.
The Drautal-valley starts in the village of Möllbrücke and hence the sunny South of Austria. Nearly effortlessly your bike rolls in a slight descent along the river Drau. In Spittal you get to visit the Renaissance-palace ‚Porcia‘ – sometimes called the ‚most beautiful Renaissance-building north of the Alps‘.

Just a bit more pedalling and soon you have reached Villach, with its enchanting old part of town, Southern flair and inviting pubs and restaurants.

Hotel (example): Hotel Mosser

 

You bypass the ascent to Tarvis by train. In Italy too the cycle paths are well-developed and so you cycle leisurely downhill through the Kanaltal-valley and from your bike get to marvel at the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests. Your Day Finish is one of the picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps.

Hotel (example): Hotel Pittis

At the Southern exit of the Kanaltal-valley is the location of one of the most beautiful historic villages of the Friulian-Julian-Veneto. The focus of the village of Gemona del Friuli is the majestic cathedral Santa Maria Assunta and will blow you away. En route to Udine you come across the first vineyards and vines along the cycle route.

Once you arrive in town feel and experience the ‚dolce vita‘ over a coffee enjoyed on the ‚Piazza‘ or during a stroll through the alleyways whilst marvelling at the late Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Hotel (example): Clocchiatti Next

Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! You cycle through vast reed scenery and along little water canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called ‚second Rome‘, we recommend you definitely plan a break  before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also the historic harbour and the narrow alleyways with lovely restaurants all ooze Italian flair.

Hotel (example): Hotel Rialto

This tour is now over. During the morning you check out from the hotel. It is possible to book extra nights after the tour if you prefer.

Pictures from the trip

Historic Italian town square with white church, bell tower, colorful buildings, palm tree, and Italian flag on flagpole under cloudy sky.
Pedestrian square with colorful historic buildings, outdoor cafe seating with umbrellas, and potted plants under a cloudy blue sky.
Cyclist in pink jacket sitting in grass beside touring bike with orange panniers, overlooking Drau River valley with forested mountains.
Cyclist with yellow panniers riding on paved road through green Alpine valley with snow-capped mountains and forests in Austria.
Multi-tiered waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs beside a white building, surrounded by lush green forest and colorful flowers in foreground.
Red bicycle parked on wooden bridge railing overlooking lush green valley with forested mountains and historic church tower under cloudy sky.
Stone bridge crossing turquoise river in Alpine valley with traditional buildings and dramatic mountain peaks under blue sky with white clouds.
Two cyclists riding through a lush green meadow with dramatic Alpine mountains and forest in the background under a cloudy sky.
Panoramic view of an Austrian alpine town with baroque cathedral featuring twin towers and green dome, surrounded by mountains and forests.
Two cyclists with helmets riding through a green meadow with dramatic forested mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The price includes

Optional extras

  • Upgrade to Ebike (selected when booking the tour)
  • Transportation to/from Salzburg
  • Possible tourist taxes at the hotel
  • Handling fee (€25)
  • Travel and cancellation insurance

Bikes

You can choose between these bikes on the tour
Red unisex touring bicycle with 21-speed gearing, equipped with bright yellow panniers on front and rear, parked on grass.
Unisex 21-speed bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 190cm.

43cm
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red electric bicycle with yellow panniers parked on green grass. The e-bike has a front basket and rear pannier bag, both in bright yellow.
Unisex 8-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red men's touring bicycle with 21 gears parked on grass. Features yellow panniers on rear rack and handlebar bag, black saddle and grips.
21-gear men's bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame.

Body size approx. 165cm - 205cm.

56-51 "sloping" cm
60cm
64cm
Dark gray touring bicycle with rear rack, front suspension, and multiple gears parked on vibrant green grass beside a paved path.
PLUS men's bike 27-gear
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame.

Body size approx. 155cm - 205cm.

46cm
50cm
51cm
55cm
60cm
63cm

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about your trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

 

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
  2. Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
  3. See the price


Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.

The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.

Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form.

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

Please note that helmets are not included and you need to bring your own.

Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

The flights to/from Salzburg are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 3-5 working days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

On this tour you will be accommodated in 3-star and 4-star hotels with breakfast included.

In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.

Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags, specific local vouchers and if you have rented a bike, they will also be handed out at the first hotel. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This tour has difficulty grade 2.

Grade 2
For cyclists who like hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry about going on these tours.

Read more about our Grading System

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

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We have a lot of trips where we have particularly lenient conditions for cancellation.

This means that for a small fee (€50 pr. person), you are free to cancel your trip up to 35 days before arrival.

Please note that this does not apply to all tours. Read more via the link below.

Read more here
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