You cycle quickly downhill on the Alpe Adria cycle path through the beautiful mountains of the southern Alps to Sachsenburg, where you reach the Drau cycle path. You should make a stop in Spittal/Drau at the latest and visit the Renaissance Porcia Castle. We continue along the Drau, mostly close to the river, to Villach, whose lively city center exudes a southern flair.

Evening sun in Villach (c) Villach region, Michael Stabentheiner

Following the Gail River, you will soon say goodbye to Austria and say hello to Bella Italia. The canal valley extends in the border triangle of Italy, Austria and Slovenia, the center of which is the Italian border town of Tarvisio. All three major European language families - Germanic, Romanic and Slavic - meet here directly. Enjoy your first Italian dinner on this bike tour along the Alpe-Adria cycle path.

Frutti di Mare Spaghetti, ©Unsplash

Today a wonderful section of the Alpe-Adria cycle path awaits: on former railway lines and through several tunnels you cycle through the beautiful Friulian Alps with intact, untouched nature. The best way to experience the eventful history of the small town of Venzone is to take a stroll through the old town.

On the Alpe Adria cycle path on former railway lines (c) Carinthia cycle tours

The landscape is now gentler and hillier and more characterized by arable farming and viticulture. Shaped by Venetian influences, Udine radiates calm and prudence. With a coffee in the "Piazza" or during a stroll through the city center you can admire important buildings of the late Gothic and Renaissance.

Main square Udine, © Pixabay

Often accompanied by the breeze of the Scirocco, you cycle past reed landscapes and water channels and reach Grado via the unique Roman excavations of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aquileia. With its miles of sandy beaches, the historic fishing town is one of the most popular bathing resorts on the Adriatic and the end point of the official Alpe-Adria cycle path.

On the Alpe Adria cycle path to Grado (c) Gianluca Baronchelli

The first half of today's stage leads on quiet bike paths through beautiful lagoon nature reserves to the port city of Monfalcone. The route then leads along the coastal road and offers wonderful views of the sea again and again. The magnificent Miramare Castle invites you to visit before you reach your destination, the historic port city of Trieste. Alternatively, you can cover the second section from Monfalcone by train (ticket not included).

Miramare Castle near Trieste, (c) Pixabay

Individual journey home or return transfer from Trieste to Mallnitz.

Port of Trieste (c) Carinthia bike tours