Alpe Adria cycle path from Salzburg to Grado
Duration: 7 days - Departure from Salzburg (AT) and arrive in Grado (IT) - L= 400km, D = 3000m
A cross-border journey that starts in the Austrian and mountain city of Salzburg, home of the famous Mozart and ends in the Italian and seaside city of Grado, also known as Island of the Sun or First Venice. Development on cycle paths and dirt roads, suitable for touring, gravel and MTB bikes, staying overnight hotel 3**** and 4**** wich offers different solutions and building together an unforgettable experience.
You explore, observe, appreciate all the beauties present, often avoided by traveling by other means, such as the Hohe Tauern and the Salzach and Gastein rivers, skirted in the first few days. Then it climbs towards the Ankogel mountain group, with views of the colossal peaks of Gross Glockner and Gross Venediger. You arrive in splendid Carinthia, crossing the centers of Spittal an der Grau and Villach, thus reaching the Italy-Austria border. Traveling along the suggestive old railway along the Val Canal del Ferro immersed in the Julian Alps, between peaks and waterfalls on the sides of the cycle path. Passage through the beautiful historic towns of Gemona del Friuli, Venzone, Palmanova and Aquileia, Unesco heritage sites. Arrival in Grado, an island in the northern gulf of the Adriatic Sea.
An itinerary that offers interesting and unforgettable attractions, both historical and naturalistic, scattered throughout the development.
Day 1
Udine - Salzburg - Hallein
The departure of the journey begins with the meeting at the Udine train station and the first half day will be spent by train in the direction of Salzburg getting to know and socializing with each other.
Arrived in Austria and after having lunch in the beautiful old town, via the riverside cycle path you reach Alpe Adria and it is from here that the adventure on two wheels begins. its imposing castle and the ice caves.
By train: Udine (7:14) - Villach (8:54) and Villach (9:16) - Salzburg (11:48)
By bike: L = 18 km, D = 50 m;
Day 2
Hallein - St. Veit im Pongau
Proceed towards the south going up the valley of the Salzach river practically always along the watercourse. You approach the colossi dei Tauri stopping just before the start of the climb.
L = 55 km, D = 660 m;
Day 3
St. Veit im Pongau-Obervellach
The most mountaineering day in Alpe Adria which includes the approach to the Alti Tauri. You enter the valley, gaining height and reaching near the giants.
The day ends with a train transfer through a tunnel that will quickly take us to Obervellach, where we will finish the stage.
L = 48 km, D = 820 m;
Day 4
Obervellach – Villach
The stage is almost completely downhill, moving away from yesterday's giants and traveling in the direction of the Julian Alps. Long but smooth stage with arrival in Villach, almost at the end of the stretch in Austria.
L = 73km, D = 310m;
Day 5
Villach – Chiusaforte
The departure is easy to then climb the Coccau pass and then slowly climb up to Camporosso. It goes over and begins the descent towards the Gulf.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the next km represent the best stretch of Alpe Adria along the Canal del Ferro and Val Canale valleys, on the old railway transformed into a heavenly cycle path, between waterfalls, suspension bridges and numerous lighted galleries.
L = 73 km, D = 670 m;
Day 6
Chiusaforte – Udine
Stage to discover the biodiversity of Friuli Venezia Giulia in a single day by bike through the Carnic Alps, the Carnic pre-Alps, the hills and the Friuli plain, always on cycle paths or beaten country paths.
L = 66 km, D = 400 m ;
Day 7
Udine - Grado
The journey ends passing through the low Friulian plain, crossing the starry city of Palmanova and finally arriving at the Lagoons.
The journey ends in the historic center of Grado, a city known as the Island of the Sun.
L = 60 km, D = 60 m;
Return from Grado to Udine by bus with shuttle service or train.
In collaboration with
A week on the saddle to discover the beauties along the Alpe Adria Cycle Path, a prestigious international cycle path awarded in Amsterdam in 2015 as "Cycle Path of the Year"!
The proposal includes my accompaniment, 24-hour assistance service, security, "planning" of: transfers and overnight stays in 3*** and 4**** category inns and hotels, breakfast, train journey for the Tauern route from Böckstein to Mallnitz bike included, return transfer from Grado.
