Q: **What type of trip is this?

A: It is an individual (self-guided) cycling tour.

Q: **What is the duration and distance?

A: 8 days / 7 nights, approx. 345–410 km.

Q: **Where does the tour start and end?

A: Start in Salzburg; finish in Grado.

Q: **When are the 2026 departures?

A: Arrivals every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 29/04/2026 (first departure) to 03/10/2026 (last departure).

Q: **What is included?

A: 7 nights in guesthouses and 3\*\*\* and 4\*\*\*\* hotels (double room with private facilities), breakfast, video briefing, luggage transfers hotel-to-hotel, train Böckstein–Mallnitz (bike included), well-prepared route, detailed travel documents (maps, route description, places, important phone numbers), navigation app, and telephone assistance for the entire tour.

Q: **What is not included?

A: Travel to the start, return journey at the end, lunches and dinners, drinks, tourist taxes and extras, entrance fees not indicated, bike rental, insurance, and anything not explicitly listed as included.

Alpe Adria: Salzburg to Grado

Salzburg; Salzach Valley; Gastein Valley; High Tauern; Carinthia; Friuli Venezia Giulia; Grado (Adriatic Coast)

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Tour

E-bike, Trekking bike

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Distance

454Km

Selfguided

3/5 Medium

Moderate, between 35 and 85 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 300 and 1000 meters.

Linear

The starting point is different from the ending point, with overnight stays in different hotels and daily stages.

Short Description

You will cross a continent of contrasts in just one week: from Salzburg's baroque charm to the shimmer of the Adriatic. The Alpe Adria cycle path guides you along rivers, through alpine valleys, and past dramatic peaks—then gently carries you towards the sunlit plains of Friuli Venezia Giulia. One moment you are riding beneath the High Tauern, the next you are rolling into historic towns and Roman heritage sites, until the sea breeze announces Grado, the island of the sun.

Tour Program

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
You will arrive independently in Salzburg.

Day 2: Salzburg – Bischofshofen/St. Johann (approx. 60 km)
With views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, you will leave the city and follow the Salzach. You will pass Hellbrunn Palace and ride towards Hallein. You can also walk to the Golling waterfall via a footpath.

Day 3: Bischofshofen/St. Johann – Bad Gastein (approx. 55 km)
You will ride into the Gastein Valley along the Gasteiner Ache, framed by the peaks of the High Tauern. Passing Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein, you will reach the spa town of Bad Gastein and its famous waterfall.

Day 4: Bad Gastein – Villach (approx. 79 km + train; mostly downhill)
You will cycle to Böckstein and take the train through the Tauernschleuse to Mallnitz (bike included). From there, you will ride along the river Möll through mountain scenery, then follow the Drava cycle path via Spittal (Castle Porcia) to Villach.

Day 5: Villach – Venzone/area (approx. 40–60 km + optional train ticket not included; or approx. 85–90 km)
Following the Gail, you will leave Villach and cross into Italy after a few kilometres. In the Canal Valley you will reach Tarvisio, where Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian influences meet. You will continue through the valley with views of the Friulian Alps and dense forests. You can shorten the stage by train to Tarvisio or Ugovizza (not included).

Day 6: Venzone/area – Udine (approx. 55 km)
You will soon reach Gemona, with its Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. The day's ride follows local wine production, with vineyards lining the route, before you finish in Udine.

Day 7: Udine – Grado (approx. 55 km)
You will ride through characteristic landscapes to Grado on the Adriatic. Along the way you can visit Palmanova (UNESCO World Heritage) and the excavation areas of ancient Aquileia.

Day 8: Departure from Grado
You will depart individually, or you can extend your stay.

✅ What is included in the trip?

Overnight stay and breakfast
Local telephone assistance 7/7
GPS or navigation APP
Luggage transfer
🚇 Train Böckstein–Mallnitz (bike included)

❌ What is not included?

Transfers not listed as Included
Journey to/from the starting point of the tour
Meals and drinks not listed as Included
Entrance fees ferries and anything not listed as Included
Travel insurance
Tourist taxes

💸 Cancellation fees

Time Range
Full refund

Alpe Adria: Salzburg to Grado

Baroque Salzburg and views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress
Hellbrunn Palace and the Salzach river cycling
Gastein Valley scenery and the Bad Gastein waterfall
Train passage Böckstein–Mallnitz through the Tauernschleuse (bike included)
High Tauern landscapes along the river Möll and the Drava cycle path
Villach and nearby lakes in Carinthia
Crossing into Italy via the Canal Valley and Tarvisio
Gemona and the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta
Udine's historic centre with Venetian influence
Palmanova (UNESCO World Heritage) and ancient Aquileia
Arrival in Grado on the Adriatic coast, known as the "island of the sun"

Package only on request.

Some of our tours are not available or bookable at the moment. If you are interested in this tour, then ask our team for more information on upcoming availability, or on a similar tour available or bookable immediately!

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Accommodation categories

To guarantee maximum flexibility, we work with carefully selected hotels across Europe. The exact list of properties is confirmed after booking.

Economy

⭐⭐

Economy

2–3★ hotels, charming guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts. Simple, comfortable and locally run — ideal for travellers who prefer investing in the experience rather than the room.

Standard

⭐⭐⭐

Standard

3–4★ hotels, countryside farmhouses and B&Bs. A balance of quality and value, with welcoming ambience and excellent breakfasts to fuel your daily stages.

Superior

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior

4–5★ hotels and 3★ Superior properties. Premium comfort, refined interiors and attentive service — for travellers who want a little extra after a great day in the saddle.

How it works

🔍1

Choose your tour

Browse our curated selection of self-guided cycling holidays across Europe and find the route that suits your pace and style.

📋2

Request a quote

Tell us your travel dates, group size and any preferences. Our team will send you a personalised quote within a few hours.

🎒3

Receive your travel pack

Once confirmed, you receive everything you need: GPS tracks, hotel vouchers, route maps, luggage transfer details and our 7/7 assistance number.

🚲4

Ride & discover

Pedal at your own pace and enjoy the journey. We handle the logistics — you focus on the experience.

🙋 Frequently asked questions

Q: **What type of trip is this?
A: It is an individual (self-guided) cycling tour.
Q: **What is the duration and distance?
A: 8 days / 7 nights, approx. 345–410 km.
Q: **Where does the tour start and end?
A: Start in Salzburg; finish in Grado.
Q: **When are the 2026 departures?
A: Arrivals every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 29/04/2026 (first departure) to 03/10/2026 (last departure).
Q: **What is included?
A: 7 nights in guesthouses and 3\*\*\* and 4\*\*\*\* hotels (double room with private facilities), breakfast, video briefing, luggage transfers hotel-to-hotel, train Böckstein–Mallnitz (bike included), well-prepared route, detailed travel documents (maps, route description, places, important phone numbers), navigation app, and telephone assistance for the entire tour.