How difficult is this tour?

This is an easy cycling tour along dedicated cycleways and quiet secondary roads. Daily distances range from 40 to 60 km on mostly flat or gently downhill terrain. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, including families with children aged 14 and above.

What type of bicycle is recommended?

A trekking bike with 21 gears is available for rental. A performance TOP bike costs and e-bike with 500W battery and 100 km range are also available. You may also bring your own bicycle.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You will stay in 3-star hotels, occasionally 4-star. All nights include breakfast in double or twin rooms. Tourist taxes may need to be paid locally at check-in.

How do I reach Villach?

By car via the Viamichelin route planner. By train with good rail connections to Villach — check oebb.at, deutschebahn.de, or trenitalia.com. By air to Klagenfurt, Salzburg, or Ljubljana airports.

How do I return from Grado to Villach?

A return shuttle bus runs on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (prices on requests). Minimum 2 persons. Alternatively, take a bus from Grado to Cervignano-Aquileia station and then a train via Udine to Villach.

When can I start this tour?

Departures are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 22 April to 30 September 2026.

Is luggage transfer included?

Yes, daily luggage transfer from hotel to hotel is included in the package. One piece of luggage per person is transported.

Is the tour suitable for families?

Yes. The route follows easy cycleways and quiet roads, suitable for families with children aged 14 and above. The terrain is mostly flat or gently downhill from Austria to the coast.

Alpe Adria: Villach to Grado

Friuli Venezia Giulia / Carinthia

See all the photos

Tour

Trekking bike, E-bike

Duration

6 days / 5 nights

Distance

210Km

Selfguided

2/5 Medium-Easy

Moderate-Easy, between 25 and 65 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 150 and 300 meters.

Linear

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

Short Description

Cross the Alps from Austria to the Adriatic Sea on one of Europe's most celebrated cycling routes — the Alpe Adria trail. In just six days, you will ride from the Austrian town of Villach, where the Drava and Gail rivers meet, through the dramatic mountain scenery of the Carnic Alps and into the sun-warmed plains of Friuli Venezia Giulia, all the way to the white sand beaches of Grado on the Adriatic coast. This is a journey of extraordinary contrasts. You will begin among Alpine peaks and pine forests, cross the Italian border at Tarvisio where three cultures — Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian — have blended for centuries, then follow river valleys and vineyard-lined roads past medieval towns, Renaissance cathedrals, and the elegant Venetian-influenced city of Udine. The final stretch carries you through the UNESCO city of Aquileia and the star-shaped fortress of Palmanova before the salty breeze of the Adriatic welcomes you to Grado. An easy, flat-to-downhill itinerary along dedicated cycleways and quiet secondary roads, perfect for families and leisure cyclists looking for a memorable cross-border adventure.

Tour Program

Day 1: Arrival in Villach
You will arrive in Villach, the charming Austrian city at the confluence of the Drava and Gail rivers. Parking is available near the hotel. Take your time to explore the lively old town, stroll along the riverbanks, and settle into the relaxed Carinthian atmosphere before your cycling adventure begins.

Day 2: Villach – Tarvisio/Camporosso (40 km)
You will follow the Gail river out of Villach, and within a few kilometres you will cross the Italian border. Here, at the crossroads of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian territories, the Val Canale opens up with the town of Tarvisio at its heart — a place where three cultures have always met and mingled. You will feel this diversity in the architecture, the languages, and the flavours of the local cuisine.

Day 3: Tarvisio/Camporosso – Tolmezzo/Venzone (55 km)
You will leave Tarvisio, a town surrounded by valleys and forests that serves as the departure point for today's stage. The route leads you through some of the most renowned ski resorts and scenic destinations in the region. Crossing the Val Canale, you will admire the beauty of the Friulian Alps and the unspoilt nature of dense woodland. The cycling path carries you deeper into the mountains, revealing panoramic views at every turn.

Day 4: Tolmezzo/Venzone – Udine (60 km)
You will soon reach Gemona, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Friuli. The majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is well worth a visit. Today's guiding thread is the local wine tradition: the road is flanked by lush vineyards whose vines invite you to stop and taste the nectars born in these hills. The stage ends in Udine, a city deeply influenced by Venice, whose relaxed and elegant style still shines through its late-Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Sit down for a coffee in the famous "Piazza" and stroll through the centre to admire its masterpieces.

Day 5: Udine – Grado (55 km)
Accompanied by the warm Scirocco wind, you will ride through characteristic landscapes all the way to Grado, a town once devoted to fishing and now a well-known seaside resort on the Adriatic. Along the way, you will pass through the star-shaped fortress city of Palmanova — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the ancient Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called "Second Rome", with its Roman ruins, early Christian churches, and lonely landscapes at the edge of the lagoon. Both await your visit.

Day 6: Departure from Grado
Your tour ends after breakfast. Individual departure, or you may choose to extend your stay and enjoy the beaches and lagoon of Grado.

✅ What is included in the trip?

🏨 Overnight stay and breakfast
💼 Luggage transfer
📲 GPS or navigation APP
📞 Local telephone assistance 7/7
🗺️ Maps
🧍‍♂️ Welcome briefing

❌ What is not included?

✈️ Journey to/from the starting point
🍽️ Meals and drinks not listed as Included
🖼️ Entrance fees and extras not listed
🛡️ Travel insurance
🌎 Tourist taxes

Alpe Adria: Villach to Grado

Alpe Adria cycling route from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea
Villach, Austrian city at the confluence of the Drava and Gail rivers
Tarvisio, a town at the crossroads of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian cultures
Carnic Alps and dense Friulian forests along the Val Canale
Gemona and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Friulian wine country with vineyards along the cycling path
Udine, an elegant city with Venetian-influenced architecture
Palmanova, UNESCO star-shaped Renaissance fortress city
Aquileia, the ancient Roman "Second Rome" with ruins and mosaics
Grado, Adriatic seaside resort with white sand beaches

📋💸 Cancellation fees

Terms of cancellation:

Non-refundable likeonabike platform fee: 100 €

• More than 28 days before the departure date: 20% penalty of the total package

• 27 to 14 days before the departure date: 30% penalty of the total package

• 13 to 08 days before the departure date: 50% penalty of the total package

• 07 to 0 days before the departure date: 100% penalty of the total package

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!

Request information

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

How difficult is this tour?
This is an easy cycling tour along dedicated cycleways and quiet secondary roads. Daily distances range from 40 to 60 km on mostly flat or gently downhill terrain. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, including families with children aged 14 and above.
What type of bicycle is recommended?
A trekking bike with 21 gears is available for rental. A performance TOP bike costs and e-bike with 500W battery and 100 km range are also available. You may also bring your own bicycle.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
You will stay in 3-star hotels, occasionally 4-star. All nights include breakfast in double or twin rooms. Tourist taxes may need to be paid locally at check-in.
How do I reach Villach?
By car via the Viamichelin route planner. By train with good rail connections to Villach — check oebb.at, deutschebahn.de, or trenitalia.com. By air to Klagenfurt, Salzburg, or Ljubljana airports.
How do I return from Grado to Villach?
A return shuttle bus runs on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (prices on requests). Minimum 2 persons. Alternatively, take a bus from Grado to Cervignano-Aquileia station and then a train via Udine to Villach.