8-Day Carinthian Lakes Cycling Tour

After your arrival in Villach, you will instantly take note of the stillness of the mountains, the serene shores of the crystal-clear lakes, and the pure nature surrounding you – located in the heart of Carinthia the entire region around Villach reflects this diversity. Take your time exploring the town before settling in for the journey ahead

Today you will leave Villach along the Seebach-stream towards Ossiacher See and enjoy the view onto the castle ruin Landskron, which on a clear day is visible above Villach and far beyond. Ossiacher See, the so-called ’bath tub‘, features drinking water quality and a temperature of up to 27 degrees in the summer. After, a short stop in Bodensdorf before today’s tour has finished the full circle in Villach.

You start the day by cycling a few kilometres along the Drau-cycle path, heading east as the route continues through unspoilt Carinthian farmland. Your next destination is the bustling town of Velden on Lake Wörthersee. The wide valley, soft rolling hills, wooded mountains, and four lovely lakes – Lake Hafnersee, Lake Keutschacher See, Lake Baßgeigensee and Lake Rauschelesee – make for incredible scenery. The Lend canal, situated at the eastern shores of Lake Wörthersee, leads you into the state capital of Carinthia, Klagenfurt.

Klagenfurt – "the Rose of Lake Wörthersee" – captivates with its enchanting old part of town. Built by Italian architects in the 16/17th century, it has kept its southern flair over centuries. After such a big dose of culture, you will continue by bike along the small river Glan to leave Klagenfurt, passing a small range of hills with villages and forests until you reach the river Drau. On the Drau-river cycle path you will cycle to the Völkermarkter reservoir, before continuing on to the warmest lake of the state, Klopeiner See.

Idyllic cycle paths lead you from Klopeiner See to the Völkermarkter reservoir, where you will cycle along its waterfront and then pass the river Drau for the last time. On the Glan-Gurk-cycle path you will be led around the former duke city Völkermarkt, capital of the Jaunatal and located on a rising ground and further through typical Carinthian villages and landscapes in direction to the castle Hochosterwitz. On top of a 150m high chalk rock there is an invulnerable fortress that has stood for centuries and begs to be visited. The numerous castles and palaces of the surrounding area will remind you of the significance of the onetime state capital St. Veit.

For centuries St. Veit has been the seat of the Carinthian bishops, and it is also home to a rich history and impressive architecture that includes the city wall, the medieval main square, the opulent Renaissance houses, Herzogsburg-castle and much more. You will make your way west and cycle along the river Glan to Glanegg. Already visible from afar is Glanegg castle ruin, which towers above the valley.

The cycle path leads you through Feldkirchen which is surrounded by wooded hills, romantic palaces and venerable ruins and directly to Lake Ossiacher See and back again to the start and end point of the tour, beautiful Villach.

Past Villach’s thermal spa, you will leave the town and cycle at the foot of the Karawanken-mountains to visit the last lake of your tour, the turquoise-blue Faaker See. The lake’s backdrop is the Mittagskogel peak, a genuine rock giant. Extensive, undeveloped meadows and green wooded areas surround the lake, and in the middle of the lake you will find a wooded island.

After a relaxing break at the lakeside and/or a lunch break, you will start your journey back to Villach. Here, you will tackle a small ridge on your bikes to reach the glistening river Drau, following the Drau cycle path through flat terrain to arrive back in Villach.

After breakfast, you will pack up for an individual departure from Villach or spend a few extra days if you have chosen to extend your stay in the Carinthian Lake District.