The "Drava/Drau cycle path" from Brixen to Villach (Trentin)
8 days / 7 nights
Dolomites
This tour takes you from South Tyrol, the meeting point of two cultures, along the two rivers Rienz and Drau, to the town of Villach in Austria.
The starting point is the Diocese town of Brixen, embedded in hills and vineyards of the famous Sylvaner wine. Through the Pustertal Valley, also known as the green valley due to its many fields and woods, you pass the town of Bruneck, home to the renowned Church Altar constructer Michael Pacher, and onto the watershed of the Rienz and the Drau rivers in Toblach. From here, the tour gets much easier and descends slowly along the river, to the capital of Eastern Tyrol Lienz in Austria, and continuing on through the Oberdrau Valley and past Spittal and the Millstätter Lake to reach the end of the tour at the town of Villach. Italian flair, Tyrolean and Corinthian specialities as well as many hours of sunshine are a strong feature of this tour.
Your day by day program
Arrive at your hotel in Brixen/Bressanone.
Briefing and handing-over of your route notes and other information will take place at 1800 hours.
Night in Brixen/Bressanone
From Brixen you go past the Kloster Neustift (monastery) and the Mühlbacher Klause to the Pusteria Valley. This was once the boundary between the two provinces of Rätien and Norikum. Having reached the town of Bruneck, you can visit the folklore museum in Dietenheim or cycle to the Sand in Taufers and visit the castle.
Approximately 40km
Today’s tour takes you slightly uphill to Olang and then onto Niederdorf/Toblach. For those with enough energy, an added extra would be a trip to either the Lake Pragser Wildsee; or go to Lake Toblach or Lake Dürren, three beautiful lakes in the area. The last one is very near to the famous “Drei Zinnen” (“Three Peaks”) located close to the Sexten range of the Dolomites
Approximately 30km.
Starting in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, you cycle along the bike path to Innichen and then on to Sillian. Afterwards it is downhill all the way to the Austrian town of Lienz.
Approximately 50km.
You leave where the Isel flows into the Drau and carry on along the bike path to Oberdrauburg (Perchten and Alm museum with old mill) and then to Berg. This was once an important Roman trade route.
Approximately 35km
From Berg you pass through idyllic landscape and dreamy villages to get to Spittal/Drau. There is the possibility of taking a detour to Lake Millstätter to have a swim or a rest. Spittal is famous for its comedies at Schloss Porcia, one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Austria during the summer.
Approximately 50-55km
The last day of the tour takes you to the largest town in Corinthia. Villach is not only well known for its carnival escapades, but also for its fair. There are also many interesting places to visit. A trip to the local lakes (Ossiacher and Faaker See) is also worth undertaking.
Approximately 40km
End of holiday after breakfast. Please contact us to discust your travel arrangements back to the start of the trip, should you need to (not included in the price)
Departure board
Every Sunday from 29/04/2012 to 23/09/2012.
With a minimum of 5 pax we can organise a start of a tour on every other day (only on request and depending on the availability)
Technical information
- At your hotel in Brixen/Bressanone
- On day 8, after breakfast in your hotel at Villach
- In 3 star hotels and guesthouses
- From 2 participants
- Easy tour ideal for beginners and families. The route mainly you alongside the River Drau and there are no steep inclines. The long incline from Brixen to Schabs (about 5 km) at the beginning of the tour can be avoided by taking the train. From Toblach, the path is almost flat with some slight inclines.
- You have only to carry with you the items that you need for the day (picnic, camera etc). Your luggage is transferred to each hotel.
- Bike rental (hybrid with 21 gears) : 65€
- Single room : 115€
- Supplement from 30/06/2012 to the 08/09/2012 : 35€
- Bike rental (electro bike) : 150€
- Half board surcharge for person : 125€
- Parking place at Brixen/week : 17€
- Garage at Brixen/week : 46€
- For additional night in Brixen or Villach, contact us : 0€
- All nights in a 3 star hotel and guesthouses, based on a double room, all breakfasts, daily luggage transfer, route notes and maps created for your trip (only available in English, German or Italian).
- Transport to the starting point, or from the end point of your holiday, any other transfers not envisaged in the programme, insurance, meals (except breakfast) and drinks, the bicycle, possible repairs, the visits of tourist sites, any optional activities within the program and personal expenses.