Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour
Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

8 days

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Explore the Alps on the 8-Day Alpe Adria Cycling Tour

The Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour is the ultimate cycling experience for anyone looking to take in the natural and cultural beauty that Austria and Italy have to offer.

While on the tour you will travel 375km along the Alpe Adria Cycle Path, passing through pristine alpine landscapes until you arrive at the Adriatic Coast. In addition to the incredibly diverse scenery, you will also experience a cultural shift that ranges from the high culture of Salzburg to traditional alpine ways of living, and finally to the laidback Mediterranean lifestyle that can be found along the coast in Grado.

Take in the history, beautiful landscapes, rich cultures, and delicious foods of this incredible corner of Europe on the Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour!

Highlights of the Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

Experience the buzzing culture of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart
Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Austrian Alps
Cycle across the border to Italy and explore the valleys and villages of Friuli
Make your way to the Adriatic Coast to enjoy the Mediterranean flair of Grado

Prices

From $1,250USD
8 days
Difficulty
Self-Guided
Hotels
  • No Booking or Credit Card Fees
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Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Salzburg

Today you will arrive in the festival city of Salzburg, known worldwide as the birthplace of none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself! Winding alleyways and historic squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities.

After checking into your hotel, take some time to explore this city’s wealth of medieval and baroque buildings.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Salzburg
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Celtic Town of Hallein and the Golling Waterfall

Today will mark the beginning of the cycling portion of your tour, taking you out of the cultured city of Salzburg and into the countryside. You will cycle along the banks of the River Salzach to reach the ancient Celtic settlement of Hallein, which prospered due to salt mines in the area.

Afterward, you will pass the Golling Waterfall and continue on to St Johann, where you will be able to take in the impressive architecture of the Pongau Cathedral.
Overnight Location: Hotel in St Johann
Distance: 65km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Explore the Gasteiner Valley and Take a Train to Mallnitz

Day 3 of the tour will take you through Schwarzach and the Gasteiner Valley, where you will enjoy beautiful views of the picturesque landscape along the route. After a tough uphill climb to the Ausgleichsbecken, you will cycle along a portion of the Klamm Tunnel before continuing on to the resort town of Bad Gastein.

After making your way to Böckstein, you will take a brief train ride to Mallnitz, which is located on the other side of the Alps. From here, a short downhill ride will bring you to your hotel for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in the Mölltal Valley
Distance: 60km + Train Ride
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Cycle to Villach

Today you will cycle along the winding River Möll, making your way through impressive mountain landscapes that offer amazing views. After travelling through the “sunny south” of Austria, you will eventually arrive in Spittal an der Drau, which was an important junction for pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Here, you can visit the Renaissance Porcia Palace, which was built in the 16th Century and is often referred to as ‘the most beautiful Renaissance building north of the Alps’. After cycling a bit further you will arrive in the charming town of Villach
Overnight Location: Hotel in Villach
Distance: 70km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Take in the Alpine Beauty of Friuli

Day 5 of the tour will see you bypass the ascent to Tarvis by train, before hopping back in the saddle for a leisurely downhill ride through the Kanaltal Valley. During this ride you will enjoy the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests.

You finish today’s ride in one of the most picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gemona
Distance: 60km + Train Ride
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Visit the Village of Gemona del Friuli

At the southern exit of the Kanaltal Valley is one of the most beautiful historic villages of the Friulian-Julian-Veneto. The focal point of the village of Gemona del Friuli is the majestic cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, which will certainly blow you away! En route to Udine, you will come across the first vineyards along the cycle route. Once you arrive in town, you will feel and experience “la dolce vita” over a coffee enjoyed on the piazza or during a stroll through the alleyways whilst marveling at the late Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Udine
Distance: 55km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Cycle to Grado

Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! Today you will cycle through vast reed scenery and along canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called “second Rome”, you can take a break from cycling before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town of Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also with its historic harbour and narrow alleyways lined with lovely restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Grado
Distance: 55km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Departure Day

After enjoying one final breakfast in your hotel, you will pack your things and bid farewell to Grado for an individual departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Book Now

This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.

2025 Departures:
The departures are available daily, from April 26th to October 5th, 2025.

  • Single room: from $1,675 USD*
  • Sharing a double room: from $1,250 USD*

*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.

Book Now

Accommodation on the Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Goldenes Theater Hotel Salzburg in Salzburg

Walking distance to the Mirabell Palace and the Salzburg Cathedral, this comfortable, centrally-located hotel brings the best of Salzburg to your doorstep.

Hotel Brückenwirt in St. Johann ★★★★

This chalet-style hotel features incredible views of the Salzburg Alps and modern amenities like an outdoor pool.

Erlebnishotel Mölltal in Obervellach ★★★

This hillside hotel invites guests to relax in laid-back rooms and to enjoy the use of a cozy restaurant, bar and terrace.

Hotel Voco ★★★★

This stunning hotel can be found along the banks of the River Drava and has modern amenities for a luxurious stay.

Hotel Pittis in Osoppo ★★★

This hotel in Osoppo has modern amenities that will make for a memorable stay, such as a flat screen TV, mini bar, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Clocchiatti Next in Udine ★★★

A contemporary, centrally located hotel in Udine featuring sleek rooms and modern amenities.

Hotel Rialto in Grado ★★★★

Located in the seaside town of Grado, this hotel is within walking distance to restaurants and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

What’s Included in the Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour?

Meals

7 breakfasts are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Salzburg and after the tour in Grado are not included but can be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour. This tour also includes 1 train ticket from Böckstein to Mallnitz per guest and 1 train ticket from Villach to Tarvis (with bikes).

Also Included

  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Route map/details
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • 1 train ride Böckstein – Mallnitz incl. your bike
  • 1 train ride Villach – Tarvis incl. your bike
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • 24/7 service hotline

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas if required
  • Bike rental
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Guide services

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades
  • Bike rental
  • Return transfer to Salzburg after the tour from Grado

Frequently Asked Questions about Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

Is this tour for me?

We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. This route unfolds on mostly well-developed cycle paths, but you should be comfortable riding between 55 to 75 kilometres in a given day.

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