 ITALY, AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA (APPROX. 290 KM; EASY TOUR; INDIVIDUAL, SELF GUIDED TOUR
Starting in the north east Dolomites, the first part of the tour follows the River Drau through the same named valley, and then on through the Gail Valley on comfortable bike paths in Austria. After a short detour to the Italian border town of Tarvis, you continue on to Slovenia. The picturesque Lake Bled at the foot of the Julian Alps is ideal for a short rest before the transfer to the south side of the Alps to the famous wine area of Collio. The former capital town of Lombard region, Cividale, and the up until recently separated town of Görz, are well worth a visit. The final stage of the tour takes you through spectacular countryside to the Adria coast. On the last day you ride alongside the sea to the former Habsburg port of Trieste.
Character
The tour to Triest is an easy tour, even though the first couple of days include a few kilometres more than usual. The first day you cover 65 km with a difference in altitude of 600 m, but all slightly downhill following the course of the River Drau. The distance can be shortened on the second day by taking the train.
 1st day: Individual arrival in Hochpustertal (Toblach/Niederdorf)
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Car parking facilities available and included in the price. Information evening at 6 p.m. with handing over of all travel documents and rental bike if booked.
2nd day: Hochpustertal – Oberdrauburg (approx. 65 km; 600 m difference in
altitude; slight descent) Starting at the watershed of the rivers Drau and Rienz on the Toblacher Sattel, you ride alongside the Drau through South Tyrol and on to East Tyrol and the town of Lienz. The impressive mountains of the Dolomites line the route.
3rd day: Oberdrauburg – Tarvis (approx. 75 km by bike or 40 km by bike+35 km by train)
After a short transfer to the Gailberg Pass (350 m difference in altitude / 5 km) you then descend to Kötschach Mauthen. Along the Gail Valley bike path you reach the border and then carry on to the town of Tarvis. To shorten the distance you can take the train and stay a bit longer at Lake Pressegger. Tarvis, once the Austrian border town, is worth having a look at.
4th day: Tarvis – Bled (approx. 70 km by bike or 40 km by bike + 30 km transfer)
Here you leave Italy and travel on to Slovenia, past the famous ski area of Kranjska Gora, the bike path passes through the wonderful, and mostly unknown, countryside of Slovenia. You spend the night at the romantic Lake Bled.
5th day: Bled – Cividale del Friuli (approx. 48 km)
After the transfer, which saves you riding over the pass, you get to the town of Socatal, which is well known to all canoeists and adventure sportsmen. In Kobarid you will get an inside into the battles of the 1st World War. In the evening you taste the excellent cuisine and the wonderful wines of this region. The historical town of Cividale with its many cultures is well worth taking a closer look at. A trip to the grotto “S. Giovanni d’Antro“ is also worth visiting.
6th day: Cividale del Friuli - Görz (approx. 42 km, possible deviation to Udine +22 km)
On the way through the Collio Goriziano, centre of the Friuli wine growing region, there are many wine cellars to stop at and taste the excellent wines. After tackling a few hills, you come back to the border town of Görz, and back to the Slovenian border. This town is now thriving after being divided for so many years.
7th day: Görz – Triest (approx. 48 km)
The Karst accompanies you on your way to the Adriatic coast, and before you get to the former Habsburg port of Triest, it is well worth stopping to look at Castle Miramare. It is also worth taking the time to go and visit the largest grotto open to the public, the Grotta Gigante on the Slovenian border.
8th day: Individual departure or extension of your stay. Individual departure or extension of your stay. |
