Following the Upper Drautal you cycle with pleasure, partly along the river bank, partly a little further away through smaller villages. At the stage destination Spittal / Drau you should take time to tour the city. The renaissance castle Porcia is especially worth a visit.

Spittal an der Drau, © Foto Auer

Today you drive further downstream to Villach, the city with the southern flair. Take a break at one of the most beautiful snack stations on the Drau Cycle Path halfway. When you arrive at your destination, experience Carinthia's “cycling capital” with a cozy coffee on the main square and stroll through the alleyways of the old town.

Drau cycle path in Villach, © Region Villach

Following the river Gail you will soon say goodbye to Austria and after a gentle ascent you will soon greet Italy. In the border town of Tarvis, located in the border triangle between Italy, Austria and Slovenia, all three major European language families - Germanic, Roman and Slavic - meet directly. The cycle path runs particularly impressive in this section, namely on old, now abandoned railway lines.

Gail cycle path, © Franz Gerdl

Cycling through the canal valley, the "Canale del Ferro", you can now admire the beauties of the Friulian Alpine region with its intact, untouched nature and extensive forests. In Venzone, with its eventful history, we recommend taking a stroll through the old town.

Abandoned railway lines

On today's stage, hills full of grapevines line your path and invite you to taste one or the other drop. Udine, which is characterized by Venetian influences, exudes calm and prudence, while having a coffee in the “piazza” or strolling through the city center, you can admire important buildings from the late Gothic and Renaissance periods.

Main square Udine, © Pixabay

Before you sniff the sea air tonight, we recommend making a stop in the historic city of Aquileia and visiting the Roman excavations. Accompanied by the Scirocco breeze, you then glide past reed landscapes and water channels and soon reach the historic fishing town of Grado. With its miles of sandy beaches, Grado is one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic and attracts with a wide range of delicious restaurants and bars.

Aquileia, © Archivio-PromoTurismoFVG, Gianluca_Baronchelli

Extension, individual journey home or return transfer from Grado to Oberdrauburg

View of the sea in Grado