Salzburg to Lake Bled

Cruise from the birth city of Mozart to a shimmering alpine lake amid the majesty of the south-eastern Alps. Beginning at the historic city of Salzburg, you will cycle through a splendid landscape laden with rivers meandering their way through picturesque valleys, stopping at waterfalls and cycling in the shadows of towering mountain peaks. You’ll pass past historic locations, and through quaint villages where you can sample great local food, before arriving at the fairytale setting of Lake Bled in Slovenia.

The route will take you along cycle paths and quiet country roads, through the magnificent Salzach, Gastein, and Molltal valleys. South of Villach, you’ll enter Italy briefly before turning into Slovenia and continuing on through the heart of the Julian Alps and onwards to the magical, fairytale setting of Lake Bled, with its unique island church and hilltop castle to top it all of.

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg.
NOTE: We recommend arriving in Salzburg a day of two prior to the tour to get over jetlag and to enjoy the city and especially the picturesque Altstadt (old town), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 2: Salzburg - Bischoffshofen / St. Johann in Pongau (55 km)
Head off today through the lovely Salzach Valley to the 900-year old Hohenwerfen Castle, perched on a rock 113 metres high above the market village of Werfen. It’s among Europe’s oldest and most well-preserved castles. Surrounded by the Tennengebirge, Hagengebirge and Hochkönig mountain ranges, this is a sight not to be missed. Time permitting; take a side trip high above the valley to the glacial caves of Eisriesenwelt. You’ll spend the night at the popular alpine sports town of Bischoffshofen.

Day 3: Bischoffshofen / St Johann in Pongau - Mallnitz (55 km)
Following a cycling path through the beauty of the Gastien Valley and the stunning Liechtensteinklamm (Liechtenstein Gorge), you’ll stop at the beautiful spa town of Bad Gastien, with a waterfall forming a unique centrepiece to the town. From here it’s onwards through Tauerntunel, which emerges at the sunny southern side of the Alps. You’ll spend the night in the alpine village of Mallnitz, amid the vivid colours of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Day 4: Mallnitz - MÜHLDORF / Sachsenburg (41 km)
Today it’s into the heart of the ancient province of Carinthia, where you’ll glide downhill into the Molltal Valley amid the majesty of 3000-metre mountain peaks. The highlight of the day will be the Kreuzeck cable-car running high above the Drau Valley, providing outstanding panoramic views.
Day 5: MÜHLDORF / Sachsenburg - Villach (55 km)
A relatively easy descent today which takes you along the Drau River as it meanders its way through the lakeside town of Spitall an der Drau, and its impressive ancient Roman city of Teurnia. Then on to Villach, the meeting point of the valleys where you’ll leave the alpine climate behind for a decidedly more Mediterranean feel! Here you can visit the old timer car museum or take a riverboat cruise.

Day 6: Villach – kranjska gora (65 km)
Pop into the Italian border town of Tarviso for a pizza and cappuccino before following the scenic cycling path which takes you along the old railway line crossing the Italian-Slovenian border and onwards through the emerald beauty of the Sava Valley. The magnificent Dobratsch Mountain will dominate your view as you head on to the resort of Kranjska Gora for the night.

Day 7: kranjska gora - Bled (45 km)
The route then takes you through the beautiful forests of the Krma Valley, past a historic farming museum and onwards to the pearl of Slovenia: Lake Bled. This fairytale setting with its beautiful church sitting on an island in the middle of the lake and guarded by a medieval hilltop castle is the perfect place to shake off those aching muscles. Relax here with a boat ride to the island, or a coffee and Bled’s famous cream cake (kremsnita).

Day 8: Bled. The tour ends after breakfast or possible extension of the trip.

Individual tour: departures on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays between 1.5. and 28.9.2021
No departures between 1.8. - 8.8.2021 and 7.9. - 12.9.2021 due to local events

Price per person in a double room sharing:
Low season
May 1 to June 30 and September 1 to September 28, 2021 785 EUR
High season
July 1 to August 31, 2021 805 EUR

Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels and guesthouses 3* or 4* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer – one piece, max 20 kg / 45 lb.
• information pack including text road notes (in plain English) and corresponding maps. One per booking, every additional set 20 EUR
• train ticket for Bad Gastein to Mallnitz trip incl. bicycle
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes in Slovenia. They are not included on Austrian side of the tour.
• backup service (hotline) during the trip

Supplements:
• single room supplement 165 EUR
• bike rental 90 EUR per week (classic trekking bikes are equipped with lock, pannier, and basic puncture repair kit)
• electric bike 140 EUR