Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways invite you to a stroll and lovely cafés to sample genuine Austrian sweet treats and cakes.
Hotel (example): Hotel Goldenes Theater
Rental bike not included!
From Salzburg to Villach
Cycle together with your family along the first section of the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path from Salzburg to Villach, which is known far beyond the borders of Austria and is extremely popular. Starting from the city of Mozart, this varied cycle tour takes you through the lovely Salzach Valley, the wild and romantic Gastein Valley and the idyllic Drau Valley to Villach. Your constant companions, rugged mountain peaks, rousing rivers, rushing waterfalls and deep gorges. And as a reward, delicious Salzburg dumplings and Carinthian cheese noodles await you and your children. So, what are you waiting for? Both young and old will get their money's worth on this tour!
Details of the family cycle tour on the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path
Follow the well-maintained cycle path from Salzburg to Carinthia with the whole family and discover unique natural and cultural highlights. On this tour, you cover a total of 175 kilometers on your bike, with the most challenging section between St. Johann and the Gastein Valley, for example, being bridged by train. Because at the end of the day, the fun and enjoyment of this family cycle tour should prevail.
The highlights of the cycle tour from Salzburg to Villach
Salzburg: An absolute highlight awaits you on the day of arrival, the Mozart city of Salzburg. Historical buildings such as the cathedral or the fortress, but also family-friendly museums can be admired and visited there.
Hallein Celtic Museum: Meet the ancient Celts, experience prehistory and feel the history of the city at the world-famous Celtic Museum in Hallein. Thanks to the numerous and exciting exhibitions, there is definitely something for everyone here.
Gollinger and Gastein waterfalls: The rushing waterfalls in Golling and Gastein also play a major role on this tour. While the Golling waterfall is located in a wooded area in the municipality of the same name, in Gastein it flows through the middle of the village and is therefore also considered a landmark.
Salzachöfen: The gorge-like breakthrough of the Salzach through the northern limestone Alps between the Hagen and Tennengebirge mountains will amaze the whole family. This is why some sections of the Salzachöfen are protected as natural monuments.
Interesting facts about the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path for families
Cycle the beautiful Austrian section of the Alpe-Adria Cycle Path in 8 days. This section is perfect for families with children, as the route is easy and gently undulating without any strenuous climbs. Therefore, this tour is easy to manage for both adults and children.
Individual arrival in the festival-, Mozart- and cultural city of Salzburg. Winding alleyways invite you to a stroll and lovely cafés to sample genuine Austrian sweet treats and cakes.
Hotel (example): Hotel Goldenes Theater
You leisurely leave Salzburg and cycle through the Salzach river pastures providing shade with the river Salzach as your companion. You are headed for Hallein, a former Celtic town which prospered due to the mining of salt. The main sight is without doubt the world-renowned Celtic museum. Past the Golling waterfall your same-named Day Finish is reached very quickly. Shaped by its pretty market square and the castle dating back to the 13th century. A possible excursion leads you into the stunning Bluntau-valley.
Hotel (example: Hotel Golingen
From Golling you cycle up to the top of Pass Lueg, enjoy the view onto the marvellous distinct Tennengebirge-mountain range. Closer and closer the mountain now moves towards the river Salzach and the roaring noise of the water becomes ever louder. You cycle past the so-called "Salzachöfen", an impressive gorge carved out by the river Salzach. After Werfen with its towering castle you have soon reached St. Johann. From Golling to Werfen the route via Pass Lueg can be bypassed by train (autonomously, approx. 15km less).
Hotel (example): : Brückenwirt
Today the river Salzach still accompanies you until Schwarzach, you continue by train into the wild-romantic Gastein-valley. Via Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein you cycle into the famous spa- and winter sport resort Bad Gastein situated at the foot of the Hohen Tauern mountains, offering a multitude of natural and architectural sights. Landmark is the Gastein waterfall in the middle of the resort.
Hotel (example): : Salzburger Hof
During this short stage you can really enjoy the surrounding mountain world once more. From Bad Gastein it is only a stone’s throw to Böckstein, where the train takes you through the Tauern-lock to the other side of the Alps to Mallnitz in only 10 minutes. Back on your bike you enjoy the long descent to your hotel in the Mölltal-valley.
Hotel (example): Landhotel Pacher
Initially today you cycle along the river Möll through impressive alpine mountain sceneries. The town of Möllbrücke is the start of the Drautal-valley and hence Austria’s sunny South. Leisurely you now cycle the final few kilometres to Spittal an der Drau. This town was already an important transport hub for pilgrims in the Middle Ages and owed its prosperity to them in parts.
Hotel (example): Erlebnis Post - Hotel mit EigenART
Nearly effortlessly you now gently proceed slightly downhill along the river Drau. Halfway we recommend a little break in the little market town of Paternion. Then one final time pedalling strong and you have reached Villach in no time, with its charming historic centre oozing a Southern flair.
Hotel (example): City Hotel Villach
Departure or extension.
Overnight stays in 3*** and 4**** hotels
Flights are not included.
This is a self-guided tour.
Breakfast
Return transfer to Salzburg every Saturday morning, costs per person € 105,-, for own bike additionally € 39,-; reservation required, payable in advance.
With rental bike incl. rental bike insurance:
Men's bike 21-speed
derailleur gears with freewheel
High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame
Body height approx. 165 cm - 205 cm
56-51 "sloping" cm | 60 cm | 64 cm
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Derailleur gears with freewheel
High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry
Body height approx. 148 cm - 190 cm
43 cm | 46 cm | 51 cm | 56 cm
Unisex 8-speed electric bike
hub gears
High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry
Body height approx. 148 cm - 195 cm
46 cm "xs" | 46 cm | 51 cm | 56 cm
PLUS 20/27-speed rental bike
Derailleur gears with freewheel
Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame
Body height approx. 155 cm - 205 cm
46 cm | 50 cm | 51 cm | 55 cm | 60 cm | 63 cm
Eurobike children's rental bike 24"
Children's bike
Derailleur gears with freewheel
High-quality children's bike, the number of gears depends on the size of the bike
Body height approx. 115 cm - 150 cm
20 inch | 24 inch | 26 inch
Follow-Me
for use with children's bike
For children who can already ride a bike independently but would like to be pulled along the route by their parents, we always offer a Follow-Me in combination with a Eurobike 20-inch children's bike (body size approx. 115 cm - 125 cm) and a rental bike for the parents.
Personal tour information (DE, EN)
Luggage transfer
Well-prepared route description
Detailed travel documents 1 x per room (DE, EN, FR)
Navigation app and GPS data
Service hotline
Tourist tax, if due, not included in the tour price!
Detailed information
Due to construction work, the Tauern lock is expected to be out of service until 04.07.2025. The itinerary will be adjusted during this period. You will be taken to Spittal by transfer and spend two nights there with the option of an excursion into the Drau Valley.
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Salzburg train station
Salzburg airport
Hotel parking lot, costs approx. € 12,- to € 25,- per day
Public garage, costs approx. € 80,- to € 115,- per week
Good train connection from Villach to Salzburg
Tunnel construction sites on the Tauernautobahn: Several tunnels are currently being renovated along the main traffic route on the Tauernautobahn, which can cause serious delays of up to three hours during peak travel times. Please take this into account when planning your return journey. Booked return transfers may also be affected by this. It is also possible to travel by public transport from Villach by train. We will be happy to provide you with further information at any time.
Rental bike not included!
1 train ride Schwarzach - Gastein Valley incl. bike
1 train ride Böckstein - Mallnitz incl. bike
Austria