General
The Carinthian Lakes Tour lies in south-east Austria, at the border triangle with Italy and Slovenia. It touches the Millstätter-, Ossiacher-, Wörther- and Faaker See as well as the Weissensee. The largest city in the area is Klagenfurt. The route is around 240 kilometres long and is mainly on asphalt, often on marked cycle paths. There are no continuous markings, so a good map is a must. Some steep climbs require gears suitable for mountain biking.
Stages
Day 1:
Spittal - Molzbichel - Egelsee - Millstätter See south shore - Radenthein - Feld am See; approx. 30 kilometres, 500 metres altitude difference
The steep crossing (300 metres in altitude) of the ridge between Molzbichel and the lakeshore at Laggerhof spares trained cyclists the somewhat unpleasant road section from Spittal to Seeboden.
Day 2:
Feld am See - Afritz - Winklern (secondary route) - Treffen - Ossiacher See north shore - Prägrad - Glanhofen - cycle path - Knasweg - Stallhofen - Pörtschach am Wörthersee; approx. 60 kilometres, 650 metres altitude difference
At Lake Ossiach, a side road ideal for cyclists follows the northern shore. Several lidos, but no official free bathing area. Behind Lake Ossiach there are attractive side roads - the B 95 can be avoided completely. Many, but rather moderate climbs.
Day 3:
Pörtschach (boat) - Velden - Lind - Föderlach - Faaker See - Faak - Müllnern - Villach - Drau cycle path - Paternion; approx. 65 kilometres, 800 metres altitude difference
The ascent to Lake Faak is mercilessly steep, but not particularly long. At the end, the lido in Egg beckons. Cycle towards Villach along the western bank of the Gail, from Villach there is a long flat section on the Drau cycle path.
Day 4:
Paternion - Stockenboi - Weissensee Ostufer - boat passage to Techendorf - Drau cycle path to Spittal; approx. 80 kilometres, 800 metres altitude difference
The "royal stage". On the way to Lake Weissensee, there are around 600 metres in altitude to overcome, with short sections over 15 percent steep. Lake Weissensee makes up for the effort. On the descent towards Greifenburg, don't miss the junction to the Drau cycle path!
Five regions offer great cycle paths :
Travelling time
May to October. The lakes usually have bathing temperatures of around 20 degrees from June. If you can, avoid the peak tourist season in July and August and the Wörthersee during the Golf GTI meeting.
Arrival
By train in four hours from Munich with the Eurocity to Spittal an der Drau, bike reservation required. By car via Munich and Salzburg through the Tauern Tunnel, approx. 300 km from Munich.
Bike and train in Carinthia
Even within Carinthia and along the cycle paths, railway lines make travelling by bike comfortable.
Click here for the train & bike offers in Carinthia
Information
Holiday information Carinthia, Tel. +43/463/3000, http://www.rad.kaernten.at
Accommodation
Feld am See: Hotel Brennseehof, Tel. +43/4246/2495, http://www.brennseehof.com
Family holiday hotel with its own bathing beach on Lake Brennsee.
Pörtschach/Wörthersee: Ferienhotel Wörthersee, Tel. +43/4272/2509; http://www.ferienhotel-woerthersee.com
Not specialised in cyclists, but rooms with a view of the lake.
Paternion: Landgasthof Tell, Tel. +43/5125/35199741
Cosy village inn with good food.
Literature/Maps
Esterbauer cycle maps Carinthia West and Carinthia East, 1:75,000, 6.90 euros each. Bikeline Cycling Atlas Carinthia, 1:75,000, 160 p., 12.90 euros.
