Cycle along the Karawanken mountain range to the turquoise waters of Lake Faaker See on this self-guided Austrian holiday. Visit the warmest lake in Carinthia, Klopeiner See, and cycle along the beautiful River Glan. Visit romantic castles, ruins, medieval villages and cultural sites and enjoy cycling through the undulating hills of this picturesque scenery before ending a memorable holiday in the Roman town of Villach to enjoy its thermal spring waters.
The Romans and later Paracelsus sized up the healing power of the thermal springs in Villach.
We leave the town and bike along the mountain range Karawanken eastwards to the first lake on our tour, the turquoise Lake Faaker See.
Do not miss to stop at the beer garden in Seeleiten before you go back to Villach.
The first destination is the castle ruin Landskron.
Along the Lake Ossiacher See to Ossiach (Benedictine convent and the collegiate church ‘Assumption’). Via Steindorf – a charming lakeside town – you continue to Bodensdorf and back to Villach.
You cycle a few kilometres on Drau bike path towards East. Your next aim is Velden – pulsating village on Lake Wörthersee. Through slightly hilly landscape you continue into the valley of Keutschach.
You can take a bath in Lake Hafnersee, Lake Keutschacher See, Lake Baßgeigensee and Lake Rauschelsee which are located around the bathing resort of Keutschach.
Along Lend Canal you reach the capital of Carinthia – Klagenfurt. Alternative you can also cycle along the northern banks of Lake Wörthersee via Velden, Pörtschach and Krumpendorf to Klagenfurt.
After strolling through Klagenfurt you cycle to the castles Ebenthal and Grafenstein (an arcade courtyard worth seeing) and to the Völkermarkter Stausee (reservoir) on to the warmest lake in Carinthia, the Lake Klopeiner See.
Day 6: Klopeiner See – St. Veit/surroundings approx. 40-55 km
Today you cross the last time river Drau. You cycle in a slightly undulating territory in direction Maria Saal. Today you also pass the duke chair and castle Hochosterwitz (excursion about 15 km extra) on your way to St. Veit.
St. Veit was the capital city for centuries and domicile of the Carinthian bishop. Even today this time is evident through the city wall, the medieval square, the gorgeous houses, the castle of the duke and lots of monuments.
Along the river Glan you cycle to Glanegg (castle ruin) and Feldkirchen, surrounded by romantic castles, ruins and hills. On Glan bicycle path back to Villach.
The alternation between the individual river valleys and Lakes - as well as avoiding roads with heavy traffic - brings about a slightly hilly tour course. This journey can be easily overcome with a “normal†biker's constitution. Mostly you cycle along asphaltic bike paths and side roads with less of traffic.
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
We recommend flying to Vienna airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Carinthian Lakes cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation in your selected hotel
– Breakfast buffet or an extensive breakfast
– If half board is booked: every day a 3 course meal
– Luggage transfer between the hotels
– Detailed travel documents (route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers)
– Bike transfer into the iefbrunnau/opportunity for limited number of persons to get a lift
– GPS-data is available
– Rental bike insurance
– Service hotline
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
E - Bike (Colour may vary)
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gearing information available on request.
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season 1 | 10.04 – 23.04 | 02.10 – 09.10 | £660 | Wednesday & Sunday |
Season 2 | 24.04 – 21.05 | 11.09 – 01.10 | £705 | Wednesday & Sunday |
Season 3 | 22.05 – 10.09 | £750 | Wednesday & Sunday |
Single Room Supplement: | All | £225 |
Bike Type | Price |
Rental Bike: | £85 |
Rental Bike PLUS: | £135 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £190 |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Villach | £75 | £120 |
Date From | Date To | Price |
10 April 2022 | 09 October 2022 | £0 |