Carinthian Lakes Loop

The Carinthian Lakes Loop is a multi-day cycle tour through Carinthia. It is one of the best-known circular tours for leisure cyclists in Austria. The route covers more than 400 kilometers through various regions of the province.

There are numerous lakes and sections of the Drau and Gail rivers along the route, which provide a varied backdrop. A characteristic feature of the route is its figure-eight structure. This means that the tour can be divided into two loops and thus planned more flexibly.

The majority of the route runs along well-maintained cycle paths or roads with little traffic. An exception is the stretch between Treffen and Afritz, which is covered on the main road for around 4 kilometers. The route is signposted throughout and allows for easy orientation.

What is the Carinthian Lakes Loop?

The Carinthian Lakes Loop takes you through different regions of Carinthia by bike. Lakes, valleys and slightly alpine sections alternate regularly along the route.

Unlike classic river cycle paths, the route does not follow a continuous course. Instead, it connects several regions to form a varied circular tour. A typical feature of the Carinthian Lakes Loop is its structure as a circular route. This means that the start and finish points can be chosen flexibly.

The route is designed to take several days. At the same time, individual sections can also be cycled independently of each other. The focus is not on a single stage, but on the varied combination of landscape and movement along the entire route.

Stages and starting point

The Carinthian Lakes Loop is divided into eight stages. Depending on your fitness level and time, individual stages can also be combined or shortened. Villach is recommended as the starting point, although it is possible to start at several locations along the route.

Stage	Start and end point	Route	Duration	Difficulty
1	Villach – Ossiacher See – Millstätter See	84.4 km	5:55 h	light
2	Millstatt – Techendorf	54 km	4:20 h	medium
3	Techendorf – Lake Pressegger See	31.3 km	2:10 h	light
4	Lake Pressegger See – Lake Faak	52.6 km	3:45 h	light
5	Lake Faak – Lake Klopein	71.6 km	5:15 h	light
6	Lake Klopein – Klagenfurt – St. Veit an der Glan	78 km	5:40 h	light
7	St. Veit an der Glan – Lake Wörthersee	43.1 km	3:10 h	medium
8	Wörthersee – Villach	28.1 km	2:00 h	light

Map and route

The Carinthian Lakes Tour stretches from the region around Villach via the Drau Valley to the south-east of Carinthia and on to the Klagenfurt area. The route then leads back to the central area around Villach.

Several of Carinthia’s most famous lakes are located along the route. These include Lake Ossiach, Lake Millstätter See, Lake Weissensee, Lake Pressegger See, Lake Faaker See, Lake Klopeiner See and Lake Wörthersee.

Carinthian Lakes Loop at a glance © Kärnten Werbung

How challenging is the Carinthian Lakes Loop?

The Carinthian Lakes Loop is one of the easy to moderately difficult multi-day tours in the region.

The distance and elevation profile vary depending on the stage, which means that some sections can be more challenging than others. The assessment of difficulty therefore depends heavily on the chosen stage and individual fitness level.

All in all, if you cycle regularly and are used to longer distances, you will be able to cope well with the Carinthian Lakes Loop.

Who is the Carinthian Lakes Loop suitable for?

Thanks to the stage structure and the route layout, both individual sections and the entire route can be ridden flexibly according to personal requirements. The Carinthian Lakes Loop is therefore suitable for a wide range of people.

• Pleasure cyclists: If you want to experience the landscape and the numerous lakes along the route at a leisurely pace, the Carinthian Lakes Loop offers ideal conditions for relaxed daily stages.
• Ambitious cyclists: For all those who prefer longer distances or would like to combine several stages, the route offers sufficient potential for a more challenging tour.
• E-bike riders: Thanks to the well-developed route and the varying stage lengths, the Carinthian Lakes Loop is also suitable for e-bike rides.
• Multi-day tour cyclists: If you want to experience the entire route, you can ride the Carinthian Lakes Loop as a classic cycle tour over several days.
• Day trippers: Individual stages or sections can also be ridden independently of each other and are therefore suitable for shorter tours.
• Families: Individual, shorter stages and flat sections can also be ridden well with children.

Your accommodation at the starting point

Villach is the recommended starting point for the Carinthian Lakes Loop. The Boutique Hotel Goldenes Lamm is located right in the city center and is therefore an ideal starting point for the first stage.

We are happy to help you plan your route and are prepared to meet the needs of cyclists. For your bicycles we provide a covered parking space, e-bike charging facilities and a depot for bicycle accessories.

FAQs

How long is the Carinthian Lakes Loop?

The Carinthian Lakes Loop is more than 400 kilometers long. Depending on the route or variant selected, the actual length of the route may vary slightly.

How many stages does the Carinthian Lakes Loop have?

The route is divided into eight stages. Individual stages can be combined or split up depending on your fitness level and the time available.

Where does the Carinthian Lakes Loop start?

The first stage of the Carinthian Lakes Loop begins in Villach.

When is the best time for the Carinthian Lakes Loop?

The best time for the Carinthian Lakes Loop is between April and October. During these months, the temperatures are particularly pleasant and the days are long enough for extended stages. The lakes are usually suitable for swimming between May and September.

Is the Carinthian Lakes Loop doable by e-bike?

Yes, the well-developed route and the varying stage lengths also make the tour easy to ride on an e-bike.