The Drava Cycle Path for Families

The sun-kissed town of Lienz is the starting point of the tour of the Drava Cycle Path for families. The small town, also known as the Pearl of the Dolomites, is beautifully situated at the foot of wooded mountain ridges and bizarre peak formations. Stroll through the old town with its colorful house facades and small shops. Then enjoy the almost Mediterranean flair of the town in one of the numerous street cafés. If you have enough time, you should visit Hochstein mountain. With a petting zoo, forest playground and climbing forest, the title of Erlebnisberg (adventure mountain) is well deserved. A ride on the Osttirodler – one of the longest summer toboggan runs in the Alps – is a must.

You start the day with a train ride to San Candido in Italy – the start of the Drava Cycle Path. Along the young Drava, the route leads downhill through the narrow Pustertal valley back to Lienz. The adventure park Wichtelpark Sillian is located directly on the cycle path just over the border. Your children will be spoiled for choice as to which play equipment they should try out first. Cycling with little water rats? Experience the natural power of water up close at the Garlitzenklamm water adventure park before your children let off steam at the water playground.

Today the tour of the Drava Cycle Path for families takes you through the picturesque Oberdrautal valley. Enjoy the protected floodplain landscape, which can only be explored by bike! You cycle along former Roman trade routes. Just a few kilometers after Lienz, it is worth making a detour to the Roman town of Aguntum with its museum. You pass the Kärntner Tor (Carinthian Gate) and soon reach Oberdrauburg with its historic town center. A short detour to the nature and herb village of Irschen, located slightly off the Drava Cycle Path, gives you the opportunity to explore the world of wild herbs with all your senses. The perfect place for a break including a refreshing dip in the Drava is the small town of Dellach.

Today you cycle from Berg or Greifenburg to Spittal. On your tour, you will see beautiful old farms again and again. Focus on the wide meadows and the impressive panorama of the Dolomites. The Drava Cycle Path takes you through the heart of nature on beautiful cycle paths without any great effort. In Spittal, you should not miss out on Porcia Castle! It is a Renaissance work of art with a three-storey arcaded courtyard and a beautiful park. Lake Millstatt is just a short bike ride away. Hire a pedalo and enjoy the peace and quiet on the idyllic lake.

You start this cycle stage framed by the imposing mountains of the Carinthian Alps. With wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding villages, you cycle along a dyke. Visit the Carantana Museum in Molzbichl. Here you follow in the footsteps of Carinthia's first inhabitants. The cycle path takes you over bridges and small footbridges to Villach. Enchanting nature, grazing cows and many inviting resting places make your Drava cycle tour pure joy for the whole family! Shortly before Villach, the valley widens and the mountains recede into the background. Villach, the second largest city in Carinthia, awaits you.

How you spend today in the vacation region around Villach is entirely up to you – a cycle tour around Lake Ossiach or an excursion to the beautiful turquoise-blue Lake Faak. No matter what you decide: The warm lakes guarantee a fantastic day of swimming fun for the whole family. On the way to Lake Ossiach or as a stand-alone excursion destination after or before your bike tour, we recommend a visit to the imposing Landskron Castle. The eagle arena with flight show and a monkey mountain with around 170 Japanese macaques provide special experiences and will amaze children.

After breakfast, the tour of the Drava Cycle Path for families unfortunately comes to an end. If you and your family don't want to leave the Villach vacation region just yet, we will be happy to extend your stay with an extra night.