Drau cycle path

Since 2024, eight day tours, the so-called side trips, have been inviting you to explore the surroundings of the Drau Cycle Path even more intensively. The varied tours inspire you to stay an extra night at one or other stage location and also get to know the countryside away from the Drau Cycle Path. The tours take you to the surrounding Carinthian lakes, such as Lake Millstätter See or Lake Wörthersee, to East Tyrol and even across the border to Italy and Lavamünd on the border with Slovenia. All just a "side trip" away from the Drau cycle path.

If you take a look at the map of the Drau cycle path, you will find the starting point in the South Tyrolean Dolomites. The popular long-distance cycle path starts in Dobbiaco in Italy, where the Drava also has its source. The route here is wide and leads slightly downhill, making it ideal for families. You then leave South Tyrol in the direction of East Tyrol and enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the Lienz Dolomites. The route continues through the Hochpustertal valley to the sunny town of Lienz, which is particularly known for its Mediterranean flair.

Via Oberdrauburg you reach the next region on this cycle tour: beautiful Carinthia. Here you cycle down the wide Drau Valley, passing numerous adventure highlights along the way. How about the interesting themed trail through the floodplain landscape in Berg? Or a visit to the herbal village of Irschen?

Along wooded slopes and alpine formations, you will then reach Spittal an der Drau on the Drau cycle path. The Renaissance Porcia Castle with its comedy plays awaits all culture fans here - the perfect opportunity for a well-earned break during your cycling holiday.

After the cultural experiences in Spittal an der Drau, the Drau cycle path takes you on to Villach! Along the way, you will pass fantastic bathing lakes, which provide an extra dose of coolness during the eventful cycle tour. Whether it's Lake Faak, Lake Wörthersee or Lake Ossiach - you're sure to enjoy a refreshing dip. If you prefer pleasantly temperate water, you can look forward to the KärntenTherme in Warmbad-Villach!

Other highlights on the Drau cycle path include the Landkorn castle ruins with the ingenious eagle flight show, Ferlach and the bird paradise of Neudenstein with its ornithological observatory - which you pass before reaching the Jauntal valley and Lavamünd in the south-east of Carinthia. This is where the Lavant flows into the Drau. The idyllic market town is predestined for a refreshing break. A dip in the refreshing natural bathing lake is a particularly good way to do this.

After some exuberant swimming fun in Austria, you then cross the border into Slovenia at Dravograd. Here you cycle through the Slovenian Drau Valley and come across several nature parks and dreamy villages along the way. In the city of Maribor, there is once again an extensive cultural programme to experience. From the cathedral, which is well worth seeing, to the town hall square and the city castle - every cultural heart will beat faster here. From here, the route heads towards the home straight: to the town of Varadžin in the north of Croatia.