Salzburg, Austria to Bled, Slovenia Guided Bike Tour
Easiest crossing of the Alps on two wheels.
A self guided cycling tour from the birth city of Mozart to a shimmering alpine lake amid the majesty of the south-eastern Alps, there is something for everyone on this unforgettable alpine ride. Beginning at the baroque city of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will cycle from ornate baroque architecture to a splendid alpine landscape laden with meandering rivers, picturesque valleys, waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. The route goes through quaint villages where you can sample great local food. A network of cycle paths and quiet country roads will take you through the magnificent Salzach, Gastein, and Molltal valleys. South of Villach, you’ll pass through 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 off.
Price: €1465 Euros pp double occupancy
Price Includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodations with breakfast, luggage transfers – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 30 EUR per trip, payable on spot., Welcome meeting and bike handover, Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form, Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
Price Does Not Include:
Bike rental, lunches, dinners
Tour Difficulty
- Difficulty: This bike tour is perfect for riders of all abilities. Daily distances are 45-65 km over mildly rolling terrain with a nice combination of short and long climbs.
- Road Conditions: Majority of the tour is on paved paths and secondary roads. There are sections of good gravel bike paths.
- Recommended Bike: Hybrid or Electric assist Hybrid bikes
Tour Highlights
- The 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Castle
- The scenic ski town of St. Johann
- Downhill ride into the Molltal valley
- Drau Valley and town of Villach
- Views of Dobratsch mountain
- Lake Bled
Itinerary
Day 1- Arrival to Salzburg
We recommend arriving in Salzburg a day or two before the tour begins to acclimate and fully savor the city, especially the charming Altstadt (old town), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 2 – Salzburg – St. Johann in Pongau Distance 65 km, ↑ 560 m, ↓ 390 m
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. You’ll spend the night at the popular alpine sports town of St. Johann.
Day 3 – St. Johann in Pongau – Mallnitz Distance 57 km, ↑ 900 m, ↓ 260 m
Today’s cycling tour leads you through the enchanting Gastien Valley and the striking Liechtensteinklamm (Liechtenstein Gorge) to the lovely spa town of Bad Gastien, adorned with a central waterfall. Continuing on, you’ll traverse the Tauerntunel, emerging on the sunlit southern side of the Alps. Your overnight stay will be amidst the vibrant colors of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Day 4 – Mallnitz – Mohlbrucke / Sachsenburg Distance 30 km, ↑ 160 m, ↓ 780 m
Today, you’ll venture into the historic province of Carinthia, descending gently into the Mölltal Valley. Immerse yourself in the enchanting North-Carinthian rural countryside, offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and scenic tranquility as you pedal through the valley.
Day 5 – Mohlbrucke / Sachsenburg – Villach Distance 54 km, ↑ 180 m, ↓ 250 m
Today’s journey involves a relatively easy descent along the Drau River, passing through the lakeside town of Spittal an der Drau and its impressive ancient Roman city of Teurnia.
The route then takes you to Villach, where the Alpine climate meets the Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal location to explore the vintage car museum.
Day 6 – Villach – Kranjska Gora Distance 54 km, ↑ 590 m, ↓ 280 m
Cross the border briefly to savor an Italian pizza and cappuccino in Tarvisio before following a scenic cycling path along the old railway line that crosses the Italian-Slovenian border. Continue through the lush, green landscapes of the Sava Valley, heading to the village of Kranjska Gora for the night.
Day 7 – Kranjska Gora – Bled Distance 40 km, ↑ 290 m, ↓ 620 m
On your final day, you’ll explore the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River as it joins the Sava Bohinjka to form Slovenia’s longest river, the Sava.
From Mojstrana, you’ll enter the peaceful Krma Valley, with its WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which is now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut beneath Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
Afterwards, pass through the Radovna Valley and take a short detour to the Vintgar Gorge, a 1.6km-long, 150m-deep gorge discovered in 1891 and opened to the public with built walkways.
Day 8 – Departure
The tour concludes after breakfast. Let us know if you would to book an extra night in Bled at the end of the tour.