Carinthian Lakes Loop Ride, 8 days

Carinthia is affectionately known as Austria’s “Sunshine State”—and it’s easy to see why, as this southern region enjoys the highest number of sunshine hours in the country. The Carinthian Lakes area is a cyclist’s paradise, where lush landscapes, shimmering waters, and charming towns come together with a hint of Mediterranean flair. Your cycling journey begins in Villach, the vibrant heart of Carinthia, before leading you to the renowned Wörthersee. Even the most hesitant cold-water swimmer will be tempted to dive into Lake Klopein, Austria’s warmest bathing lake, offering breathtaking views of the Karawanks from its shores. Along the way, Carinthia’s rich cultural heritage unfolds through castles, palaces, and monasteries, as well as the picturesque old town streets of Klagenfurt.

This is a self-guided cycling trip on an e-Bike.

Duration: 8 days

Cycling Season: Wednesday and Sunday departures from April to October

You need to have a spirit for adventure, independence and self-management on this self-guided trip.

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Villach

The silence of the mountains, the gentle lakeside of the crystal-clear lakes, pure nature – located in the heart of Carinthia the entire region around Villach reflects this entire diversity. Already the Romans, probably the first lakeside tourists appreciated relaxation and recuperation in these thermal baths and even Paracelsus enjoyed here the healing effects of the thermal springs.

Meal: Nil

Day 02 Around Lake Ossiach

You leave Villach along the Seebach-stream and enjoy the view onto the castle ruin Landskron. On a clear day the castle ruin is visible above Villach and far beyond. The knights from long ago knew exactly where they took up residence. It is no surprise since the picturesque backdrop has not changed over time: in the forefront the green colour of the Gerlitzen Alpe, in the background the blue of Lake Ossiach. Lake Ossiach, the so called ’bath tube‘, with a total length of eleven kilometres features,just like nearly all of Carinthia’s lakes, drinking water quality. In Ossiach the mountains and the crystal-clear water of the lake with a water temperature of up to 27 degrees in summer delight on the one hand and on the other hand the monastery dating back to the 11th century with its spectacular, late baroque church. Next the pretty resort of Steindorf on Lake Ossiach beckons. Then a short stop in Bodensdorf before today’s tour has finished the full circle in Villach.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 45 KM

Day 03 Villach – Klagenfurt

You start the tour by cycling a few kilometres along the Drau-cycle path headed East. The route continues through unspoilt Carinthian farmland. Your next destination is the bussling town of Velden on Lake Wörthersee. The clear, turquoise-blue water of Lake Wörthersees and the hussle and bussle invite you to a break in the ‚celebrity ‘-town. Through a charming scenery with rolling hills you reach the ‚Keutschach Seental‘. Sometimes it is a languorous wayside cross, sometimes it is a farm house decorated with flowers that catches your eye. The wide valley, the soft rolling hills and wooded mountains, four lovely lakes and in the distance: mountains. Even the close-by sunny South can be felt. Lake Hafnersee, Lake Keutschacher, Lake Baßgeigensee and Lake Rauschelesee are grouped around the resort Keutschach. The ‚Lend ‘-canal, situated at the eastern shores of Lake Wörthersee, leads you into the state capital of Carinthia, to Klagenfurt.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 50 KM

Day 04 Klagenfurt – Lake Klopein

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. As legend has it the home of a dragon (Lindwurm), today features winding alleyways, romantic archade courts churches and town houses to explore. After such a big dose of culture you continue by bike. Along the small river Glan you will leave Klagenfurt and after you passed a small range of hills with villages and forest you will reach the river Drau. On the Drau-river cycle path you will cycle to the Völkermarkter reservoir. Now it is only a short distance before you reach the warmest lake of the state, Lake Klopeiner. The shores of the Lake Klopeiner See are very inviting: the surrounding is mostly wooded and from the hilltops you see flashes of white little churches. In the South, the Karawanken-mountain chain rises and above it all you see the sun in the (usually) blue sky. Now there is only enough time for a refreshing swim in the lake.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 35 KM

Day 05 Lake Klopein – St. Veit

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. It is very impressive what the nature and human beings created there! On top of a 150m high chalk rock there is an invulnerable fortress which overcame lots of centuries and can be visited now. Numerous castles and palaces in the surroundings remind us of the former significance of the onetime state capital St. Veit.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 50 KM

Day 06 St. Veit – Villach

For centuries St. Veit has been the seat of the Carinthian bishops. The city wall, the medieval main square, the oppulent Rainassance houses, beautiful archade courts, Herzogsburg-castle and many monuments still testify of this period even today. You head west and cycle along the river Glan to Glanegg. Already visible from afar is Glanegg castle ruin, towering here over and 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 Ossiach and back again to your start-and end destination, beautiful Villach.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 55 KM

Day 07 Lake Faak

Past Villach’s thermal spa you leave the town and cycle at the foot of the Karawanken-mountains headed East to the last lake of your loop tour, the turquoise-blue Lake Faak. 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 find a wooded island. After a relaxing break at the lakeside and/or a lunch break you start your journey back. You tackle a small ridge on your bikes and hence reach the glistening river Drau with grey-green milky waters. The Drau-cycle path – on flat terrain and very well-developed – leads you along a leisurely route back to Villach.

Meal: Breakfast

Cycling Distance: 50 KM

Day 08 Depart Villach

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for your onward journey or check out (1100 hours) and the tour concludes.

Meal: Breakfast

Recommendation: option to extend your stay in Villach or other parts of Austria/Europe.

Inclusions

~ 7 nights stays in 3* and/or 4* accommodation;

~ 7 breakfasts;

~ trip briefing on the day of arrival;

~ e-bike rental with bike insurance;

~ luggage transfer from day 3 to day 6;

~ well-planned route information;

~ detailed travel documents (maps, description, sights and important telephone numbers);

~ emergency service hotline for the duration of the cycle tour.

Exclusions

~ air/land travel to Villach, Austria;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ meals not mentioned in the itinerary;

~ tourism tax, if required;

~ unscheduled transfers;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip is good for minimum 2 cyclists to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter Austria, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply your visa HERE if you require.

~ 21-speed bicycle is available. A price reduction will be applied.

~ All cyclists are strongly required to wear helmets and covered shoes when cycling.

~ Because cycling requires certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Cyclists must ensure they are medically and physically able to ride.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the cyclists. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered by the Travel Wander due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Small bags cannot be attached to the main luggage for transfers – they will be charged as separate pieces of luggage. If you have more than 1 piece of luggage that requires to be transferred, it must be booked and paid before departure.

~ Option to extend your stay in Villach or other parts of Austria/Europe.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander and the Co-ordinator. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the cyclists. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because cycling requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for cyclists with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Cyclists must ensure they are medically and physically able to cycle.

~ If cyclist presents difficulty in completing the ride of the day, we strongly discourage the cyclist from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the cyclist (and travel companions) in mind. The cyclist can fast track to the next accommodation making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at cyclist’s own expense. Cyclists can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ Cyclist may choose to terminate the ride early during any time of the planned cycling day or make it a rest day, and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at cyclist’s own expense. Should the cyclist wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the cyclist’s own expense. Cyclists can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted cycling distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	Cycling, Self-Guided
Country	Austria
Cycling Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus
Season	04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October

Carinthian Lakes Loop Ride, 8 days