Through Carinthia every 2 or 4 hours

Motorcycle tour through the Gailtal Alps and Lienz Dolomites

Border experience "Gailtaler Achter" - A day trip through the Gailtal Alps and Lienz Dolomites in the border region between Carinthia and East Tyrol offers motorcyclists real pleasure for all the senses.

Countless bends, even hairpin bends, leisurely tours on the smallest country roads away from the hustle and bustle and through villages worth seeing - all this spices up this rideable "Gailtaler Achter" immensely. Take your time for this tour along exclusively scenic routes and have a good look around.

Gailberg saddle

The 1,000m high Gailbergsattel saddle is a short, but crisply winding route between the Drautal valley and the Plöckenpass. A total of 14 hairpin bends have to be negotiated on the 14 km long connecting route between Oberdrauburg and Kötschach-Mauthen, with some steep gradients and landscapes that are well worth experiencing.

Kötschach-Mauthen

Hiking, climbing, canyoning & rafting, mountain biking, golfing and fly fishing - the opportunities to fill your vacation days around Kötschach-Mauthen to the brim with activities are rarely more varied than here in the border region between East Tyrol and Carinthia in the heart of the Gailtal Alps. And from a culinary point of view, the annual "Genussfestspiele" are yet another reason for an intensive visit.

Lesach Valley

It is one of the most scenic valleys in the entire Eastern Alps, and the views of the snow-covered peaks of the Carnic Alps are particularly impressive in the transitional seasons. In addition to the scenic routes, you will also be amazed by listed villages such as Obertilliach. And over the 1,530m high Kartitscher Sattel, the route then leads into the Hochpustertal valley.

Motorcycle tour through the picturesque Gailtal valley

The Julian Alps intensively - This round tour leads through the picturesque Gailtal valley directly up to the Nassfeld Pass, the gateway to a detour deep into the Julian Alps, into the three-country corner of Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

Both the Nassfeld and Predil passes offer magnificent curves, while the somewhat remote Mangart toll road leads to the highest passable point in the Julian Alps. A dead end that we should definitely treat ourselves to once.

And back we go via Gailtal to the idyllic Pressegger See, for a swim if you like. This is a contrasting program at its best.

Nassfeld Pass

The first thing that catches the biker's eye at the top of the pass, a good 1,500 meters above sea level, is the beautifully situated Nassfeldsee, a clear - but also freezing cold - mountain lake in which the surrounding mountain peaks are wonderfully reflected, especially in the mornings and evenings. A haven of peace, an oasis of tranquillity in the midst of high alpine worlds and an ideal place to reflect on the bends you have just successfully completed.

Passo del Predil

A little-used border crossing between Italy and Slovenia leads over the Predil Pass. The first route of the pass was built as early as 1319, from 1326 the Predil Pass road was actively used, and between 1678 and 1684 it was further extended and re-routed. Today, the road connects Cave del Predil in Italy with Bovec in Slovenia. To the left and right of the pass road are some well-preserved fortifications from the 19th century.

Mangart road

At over 2,675m, the Mangart is one of the highest and most characteristic peaks in the Julian Alps, right on the border between Slovenia and Italy. A toll road leads to the west side of the imposing mountain, branching off a good two kilometers east of the Predil Pass. The winding and boldly designed road, which is almost two-lane and well asphalted, leads to the highest accessible point of the Julian Alps and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Julian Alps

The Julian Alps are one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Southern Limestone Alps, right on the border between Slovenia and Italy. The Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar gave them their name when he established a fortified Roman province in the region of Friuli with its capital at Cividale del Friuli. Nowadays, the Julian Alps are a very popular destination for mountaineers in particular, but the landscapes are also more than inspiring for bikers.

Motorcycle tour along the Drau into the Gailtal and Italy

We swing out of Villach along the Drau, cross the idyllic Gailtal Alps down into the Gailtal, then cross the border into Italy and the Julian Alps. We make a flying visit to western Slovenia and climb the Wurzen Pass from the south before being greeted once again by views of the magnificent Carinthian lakes.

And the end of our tour is the "Villach Alpine Road", an insider tip for Carinthian bikers that we should definitely not miss out on. Endless bends, breathtaking views and a sunset at its finest await us.

Villach

Villach was already a popular settlement site in the Neolithic Age. Not only the view from the Dobratsch down to the town, but also a walk through the historic alleyways shows why this is still the case today. Nowadays, the strategically important town on the Drau in the border triangle of Italy, Slovenia and Austria not only has a flair and vibrancy worth seeing, its location close to Carinthia's most beautiful lakes - Lake Ossiach and Lake Wörthersee are basically just a stone's throw away - gives it a very special charm.

Villach Alpine Road

11 hairpin bends lead us up to the highest point of the Villach Alpine Road at a good 1,732m. To this day, the panoramic road is one of the insider tips for Carinthian bikers. The well-maintained route leads up to Villach's local mountain, the Dobratsch. Along the route, there are always fantastic views of the town of Villach, the Julian Alps and the striking southern side of the Dobratsch. Several large themed rest areas invite you to take a break in the midst of a more than magnificent mountain world.

Wurzen Pass

Although its highest point is "only" 1,073m, both ramps offer steep gradients, the northern ramp even has many bends. The border station between Austria and Slovenia sits right at the top of the pass, and along the entire route there are extensive defense facilities that have been converted into a museum. The bunker museum on the Wurzen Pass provides a fascinating insight into the highly explosive days of long ago.

Kranjska Gora

As early as the 14th century, people began clearing the forests in the region and settling here. The town gained strategic importance during the First World War, when Russian prisoners of war had to build an army road from the Sava Valley to the Soča Valley. With the construction of the railroad, Kranjska Gora became a famous tourist resort, which today is particularly important in winter. In summer, it delights visitors with its magnificent scenery and wide range of leisure activities.

Motorcycle tour from Lake Faak to the highlight of Lake Wörthersee

This tour is not only a standard tour during the famous "European Bike Week", it is a compulsory ritual for thousands of bikers who then conquer the surrounding countryside. From Lake Faak we swing on to the highlight of Lake Wörthersee, one of Carinthia's tourist gems.

We cycle almost completely around Lake Wörthersee, enjoying the wonderful lakeside road, especially in the south, before heading up into the mountains along the northern shore of the lake as a contrasting program. From there, the views of all this Carinthian splendor are particularly breathtaking, so that the day of touring may never end despite its manageable length.

Spittal an der Drau

The vibrant district capital is a true experience for all the senses. An experience whose roots go back to a "Spittl", a hospital for the poor built here on the old trade route from Venice to Augsburg. Today, there is no trace of poverty and misery to be found. In the historic center, there are numerous cafés and restaurants with sun terraces that invite you to take a pit stop. Or for an enjoyable break in the midst of the town's packed calendar of culture and events.

Lake Millstätter See

It is one of the sunniest lakes in Austria and its lakeside road leads through pretty villages such as Seeboden, Millstatt and Dellach. The cul-de-sac of the toll road Goldeck-Panoramastraße in the south of the lake also offers bikers very special views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and is one of Carinthia's most beautiful excursion roads. A good 15 km long and with a maximum gradient of 10%, it leads us up to 1900 meters in altitude with magnificent views.

Gmünd Castle

Also known as the "Old Castle", this is a medieval castle ruin high above the village of Gmünd in Carinthia. Probably built around 1252, it was first mentioned in a document in 1292. Besieged by the Hungarians for seven years from 1480, the castle finally falls under heavy gunfire. In 1950, the town bought the site and revived the ruins for theater performances, concerts and readings. The mighty tower was refurbished as a lookout tower and since 1992 a popular castle restaurant high up on the hill has been open for visitors to stop for refreshments.

Sommeregg Castle

In addition to a well-known restaurant, the knights' games and medieval market at Sommeregg Castle in August and the torture museum, the largest of its kind in Central Europe with around 800 square meters of exhibition space, are particularly popular with young and old alike. More than 100 original exhibits not only keep the history of the castle alive, they also spread a good dose of spookiness.
Maltatal with high alpine road

The Malta Valley is also known as the "Valley of Waterfalls", as no other region in Carinthia has more waterfalls in such a small area. The panoramic Hochalmstraße leads to the most beautiful viewpoints of these elemental forces of nature, the Schleier and Melnik Falls, the "High Bridge" and pools and pools dug deep by the eternal waters.

The route then curves boldly through six historic natural stone tunnels and nine hairpin bends, climbing a good 1200 meters in altitude to the mighty Kölnbrein dam, the region's bikers' meeting point right next to the circular tower of the towering Malta mountain hotel. And a cleared gravel road along the shore of the reservoir leads even further into the summit worlds of the Hohe Tauern to the idyllic Kölnbreinhütte with its Alpine inn and snack menu.

Nockalm panoramic road

In 1970, work began on a high-altitude road through the deserted area of the Nockberge mountains, which was opened 10 years later. Bikers are invited to take a break at central vantage points along the more than magnificent panoramic road with reserved parking spaces and information terminals. In between, the road winds up and down between countless Nock'n and reaches its highest point at the "Eisentalhöhe" at 2,042m, also with rustic refreshment stops and genuine Carinthian fare.

Motorcycle tour through winding passes and dreamy valleys

Dreamy valleys, high alpine peaks, an intense view across to Slovenia and winding passes form the basis of this round tour through south-eastern Carinthia.

The idyllic Bodental valley, one of Carinthia's most beautiful cul-de-sacs, is a delight right at the start, before we cross the Karawanken via the Loibl Pass. The picturesque old town of Trzic is well worth a visit before we head back to Carinthia via the Seebergsattel. Finally, we take a leisurely commute back to the starting point.

An extremely leisurely day tour for explorers in the saddle.

Bodental valley

Tucked away in the northern Karawanken mountains, at the southernmost tip of Carinthia, lies a gem that is easy to miss in our hectic times: the Bodental valley. First mentioned in documents in 1330, the valley was an important lead and iron ore mining area until the beginning of the 20th century. As the tunnels filled up more and more with mine water, ore mining was finally stopped at the beginning of the 20th century and the idyllic valley was renaturalized to become a recreation area for all the senses. Perfect for simply letting your biker soul dangle.

Loibl Pass

The best thing about this 1,370m high pass, apart from its 9 hairpin bends in the midst of idyllic scenery, is the fact that motorcyclists have it almost to themselves. A ban on trucks and a nearby tunnel have drastically reduced the volume of traffic on what was once the most important Karawanken crossing. And that's a good thing, we should enjoy it to the full.

Trzic

Even in the early Middle Ages, the market was divided into three zones: the market center, the hammer mill section and the church complex. Today, the old town of Trzic is richly blessed with classicist façades, whose strange metal shutters and doors were ordered as a fire protection measure after a devastating fire in 1811. This is not the only reason why the old town of Trzic, which is well worth seeing, has been a listed building since 1985.

Obir stalactite cave

Employees of the Bleiberg Mining Union once discovered the numerous passages of the stalactite cave system. And although parts of the cave were damaged by the mining work, the Obir Cave is still one of the most beautiful cave systems in Austria today, with corridors, chambers and branches that have not yet been fully explored. Small lakes and a stalactite that grows like a hook are some of the beauties of the Obir Cave.

Hochobir Alpine Road

Near the Schaidasattel, the paved road branches off up to the Eisenkappler Hütte, a 15 km long panoramic road with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. From the hut with its rest area, guest rooms and overnight accommodation, a leisurely 1.5-hour hike leads to the summit of the Hochobir at 2,142m, one of the most beautiful panoramic mountains in the Carinthian lowlands.