Feel the south, experience nature:
The Drau Cycle Path in Carinthia
The “Drava” cycle path mostly winds its way along the Carinthian main river, which gives it its name, from Toblacher Feld in South Tyrol to the Croatian-Slovenian border near Varaždin or Legrad. Cycling "without borders": the Drauradweg certainly lives up to this motto - because 222 kilometers of the approximately 510-kilometer route are covered on Carinthian soil, but the tour connects four countries in total: Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. idyllic landscape. Well-developed paths. Uniform signage. A long section of this special route has rightly been listed as a 2016-star quality tour by the German Bicycle Club (ADFC) since 5.
Good things come to those who wait
If you are looking to set a personal best, you can easily complete the tour through Austria's southernmost province in four days. However, if you also want to tick enjoyment off your cycling checklist, you should definitely plan a little more time. Because along the route there are countless opportunities to get to know the country and its people and unforgettable features that make the trip a real experience.
Explore, experience, enjoy
The first section of the tour around the Toblacher Feld in South Tyrol offers a pleasant starting signal thanks to its width and its gradient and is also very suitable for families with small children. You can get a taste of Carinthian air for the first time in Oberdrauburg. From there you can look forward to a detour to the nearby herb village of Irschen at the foot of the Kreuzeck group. Because this hidden natural jewel invites you to enjoy with all your senses with its great natural treasures.
With a view of the Gailtal Alps, which are characterized by their striking rocky peaks, you head towards Spittal an der Drau. A stopover at the imposing Renaissance castle of Porcia is practically a must.
After 40 kilometers of leisurely pedaling along the Drau, you reach Villach, where one excursion option follows the next: relax your tired calves in the warm thermal water in the KärntenTherme, enjoy a wonderful view of Carinthia from the summit of the 2000 meter high Gerlitzen Alpe or maybe Experience a boat trip on Lake Ossiach or a paddling tour on the Drau - there is guaranteed to be something for every taste and every age group on this cycling stage.
The wind carries you further on a varied route in the direction of Völkermarkt. Anyone who appreciates a little cooling off in between is guaranteed to get their money's worth, because there are wonderful nearby bathing lakes. A jump into the cool water is particularly worthwhile at the Wörthersee and Faaker See.
If you not only want to dive deep into the water, but also into Carinthian history, you are in good hands at the site of Hallstatt-era graves, Frög near Rosegg, which is well worth seeing. On the onward journey through the Rosental on well-navigable causeways, another visitor highlight awaits in Ferlach – the gunsmith town with a world reputation.
©Villach Region E-Bike Drau Cycle Path © Martin Hoffmann
Southern Carinthia cycling hotspot
Anyone who thinks they have explored all the special excursion destinations at this point will be amazed when they arrive in southern Carinthia. Because in the region around Lake Klopeiner See - Europe's warmest bathing lake - you should definitely keep your camera out for souvenir snapshots: the Drau floodplains with diverse fauna, breathtaking views of the Karawanken, Völkermarkt with its city museum or the highest railway bridge in Europe are there just a few impressions that you can gather here along the Drau Cycle Path. The well-developed network of cycle paths shows that the southern Carinthia region has been a cycling focus for many years. This can be explored either individually or with a bike guide and offers both leisure cyclists looking for relaxation and adventurous bikers ideal conditions for an unforgettable active holiday in a beautiful natural setting.
We continue from the Austrian border in Lavamünd in one or two daily stages in the direction of Maribor, where a detour to the impressive old town with old wine cellars is recommended. The final stage finally leads to Varaždin in Croatia.
Drau Cycle Path in Lavamuend ©TV Lavamuend
Well planned is half the cycle: with Carinthia cycle tours to the ultimate cycling pleasure
Of course, there is also plenty of inspiration for a successful tour along the Drau Cycle Path at www.kaernten-radreisen.at/drauradweg/. Carinthia Radreisen offers a wealth of bike tours along the Drau, where convenient luggage transport from hotel to hotel is included.
As an additional planning aid for an optimal holiday and leisure experience in Carinthia www.touren.kaernten.at interactive maps, aerial photos or tours shown in 3D.
PS: In order to keep all doors open when it comes to excursion destinations, it is best to look at the Carinthia Card to back up. With more than 110 Carinthian top sights included, it can hardly be surpassed in terms of diversity.
Drau Cycle Path © Kaernten Werbung Franz Gerdl