The almost 17-kilometre-long lake is embedded in a gentle mountain and hilly landscape and borders the provincial capital of Klagenfurt to the east. Stylish Velden with its casino and cosy street cafés is located on the western bay of the lake. Velden has a long tradition as a holiday and bathing resort. The famous Wörthersee castle, which is now a luxury hotel, is located directly on the lakeside promenade.
Around five kilometres from the town centre, the elegant Rosegg Castle is located in a bend in the Drau River and includes a large garden, a zoo and a huge garden labyrinth. The town of Pörtschach on the northern shore of Lake Wörthersee is also well worth a visit. Here, a green headland stretches into the lake, criss-crossed by parkland and a flower promenade. To the south, a wooded ridge with the striking lookout tower on the Pyramidenkogel separates Lake Wörthersee from the broad Keutschach lake valley.
Cycle-friendly accommodation
In Velden, cyclists are accommodated in the town centre directly on the lake at the Seehotel Hubertushof (www.seehotelhubertushof.com) or in the guesthouse of former Dutch professional cyclist Johnny Hoogerland (www.pensionhoogerland.com) well accommodated.
Bike service
All tourist offices on Lake Wörthersee offer e-bikes for hire, which can be returned to another station on request. This makes it possible to travel home by boat. The Bike Shop Uran in Velden has a particularly wide range of hire bikes. Cyclists can find an overview of all hire points on Lake Wörthersee and lots of other useful information at www.woerthersee.com/rad
General information
Wörthersee Tourismus GmbH, Villacher Straße 19, A-9220 Velden, phone 0043/(0)4247/38288, www.woerthersee.com
Tour 7: Lake Wörthersee circuit
The cycling classic on Lake Wörthersee: The tour offers so many highlights that it is impossible to visit them all in one day.
GPS data
You can find the GPX track for this tour in the MYBIKE Collection on komoot
From the lively town of Velden, the route heads towards the morning sun. On the cycle path on the northern shore, the signposted route first leads via Pörtschach and Krumpendorf to the eastern shore of the lake in Klagenfurt. Behind the lido, you cross the picturesque Lend Canal, which connects Klagenfurt city centre with Lake Wörthersee. Via Viktring you reach the Keutschacher Seental. The wide valley furrow is largely a nature reserve. On the way to Keutschach, you first pass the Rauschelesee lake and then the small Bassgeigensee lake. This is followed by the Keutschacher See and finally the Hafnersee. Via Schiefling, the route leads back down to Velden.
Worth seeing
On hot days, cyclists can make a stop at the Rauschelesee lido. There is a particularly favourable "Seehupfer" tariff for one euro. If you still have enough energy left in your legs or e-bike battery in the Keutschacher Seental valley and are brave enough to tackle a sometimes steep, five-kilometre-long extra climb, you should definitely head to the world's highest wooden viewing tower on the Pyramidenkogel. From the viewing platform, which is over 70 metres high, you have an overwhelming panoramic view (www.pyramidenkogel.info).
Refreshment tip
After the tour, you can satisfy your hunger with antipasti, salads, pasta or pizza at the Aqua restaurant in Velden on the lakeside promenade (www.aqua-velden.at).
Tour 8: Carolingian cycle path
A tranquil cycle tour from the shores of the lake in Pörtschach into a charming hilly landscape with small ponds and Tigring Castle.
GPS data
You can find the GPX track for this tour in the MYBIKE Collection on komoot
From the busy main road through Pörtschach, it is only a few hundred metres to peace and quiet. As soon as you have passed under the A 2 south motorway, you roll comfortably along the edge of the forest to Stallhofen. The route then takes you past the Moosburg golf course to the beautifully situated village of Klein Sankt Veit. This is the turning point of the tour - and you cycle southwards with a great view of the Karawanken to Strußnigteich. The beautifully restored 17th century Tigring Castle is located on the left-hand side of the small Tigringer See lake. It can only be visited from the outside. Via the village of Sankt Peter and along the banks of the Mitterteich, you return to Stallhofen and from there take the familiar route back to Pörtschach.
Worth seeing
Cyclists should definitely take time to visit the seaside resort of Pörtschach before or after the tour. To the right and left of the peninsula are beautiful villas, small castles and stylish lakeside houses. In the park or on the flower promenade, you can enjoy the view of the shore and the lake. If you fancy a swim, visit the promenade pool with its eye-catching diving tower and blue water slide.
Refreshment tips
On the tour, a stop at the Kramerwirt in Klein Sankt Veit is a good idea. A popular address in Pörtschach is the Jilly Beach. Here you can sit right by the water - a perfect location for a sundowner or a sophisticated dinner (www.jillybeach.com)
MYBIKE video: Pleasure cycling on Lake Wörthersee
You can find even more pleasure tours in Carinthia in the Travel Special "The most beautiful cycle routes in Carinthia"
