Stage 1: From Lienz to Sillian
"Peace, unspoilt and unspoilt. You will hardly find another place in Tyrol that is more authentic and genuine," writes the East Tyrol Tourism Association on its website about the Defereggen Valley. The valley incision leads right into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park and forms the centrepiece of this 1st stage. A lot of untouched mountain scenery passes you by as you crank your way up bit by bit to the Staller Sattel, the highest point on this day at 2000 metres above sea level. Up there, not only the valley but also East Tyrol comes to an end.
The border between Austria and Italy runs here. Towards South Tyrol, the saddle descends somewhat more steeply and a narrow mountain road winds its way down to Lake Antholz. A set of traffic lights here means that the road is one-way, so a little patience is required before continuing across the border. Get ready for a change of scenery: at Lake Antholz you pass one of the largest sports centres in South Tyrol, the World Cup biathlon stadium. In summer, it's hard to imagine what goes on here during the World Cup week in winter. But of course the lake and the stadium are also places of pilgrimage in summer, drawing tourists up here.
TOUR Transalp 2023 - Stage 1: Landscape with a magnetic effect
Not only the sport of biathlon, but also the landscape have a magnetic effect. With the 3000 metre peaks of the Riesenferner group behind it, the narrow mountain road now turns into a well-maintained country road that leads out of the Antholz valley into the valley floor of the Pustertal valley, all the way to Olang at the foot of Kronplatz. The Pustertal state road is a main traffic artery, but there are also hidden side roads that continue without heavy traffic to Niederdorf and gain a few more metres in altitude over a hill at the edge of the valley.
Now the main road leads flat via Toblach and Innichen back to the national border. Back in Austria, it is now only a few kilometres to Sillian. If you want to take it easy from Villabassa, you can also cycle the rest of the route on the cycle path, but you should keep an eye out for other cyclists. The San Candido-Lienz route is very popular and the fun of cycling definitely knows no bounds here.
You can stop off here
In Lienz, there is no need for a "restaurant tip" - the choice of restaurants is too large to do justice to in a short space of time. In short: everyone will find something to suit their taste. But you won't go hungry on the route either. In Defereggen Valley there are several inns lined up along the road and in St. Jakob you can also buy a quick snack in a supermarket on the road. However, it's worth delaying your stop for a while and taking a break at the Alpengasthof Obersee at the Staller Sattel.
Of all the inns along the route, this one has the most beautiful location on the shores of the crystal-clear mountain lake. Enzianhütte, Tirolerhütte or Huberalm - at Lake Antholz with the biathlon stadium, you can take a break in the rustic ambience that also delights biathlon fans at the World Cup in winter. There is a long-established sausage grill in Olang, which is worth the detour of around one kilometre (opposite the town hall and tourist information office in the Bahnhofstraße).
The pedestrianised area of San Candido is worth a detour even if you're not hungry. And there is also a large selection of restaurants at the finish in Sillian. If you want to get into the culinary mood for the upcoming Transalp days in Italy, head to the Casale Pizzeria & Ristorante in the Sillian cultural centre, where pasta parties have also been held for the TOUR Transalp.
Abbreviations/variants for the 1st stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023
This stage cannot be shortened. Once you have turned into the Defereggen Valley in the direction of the Staller Sattel, you have to continue to South Tyrol and can only think about alternatives in the Antholz Valley. However, even these do not represent a significant shortcut. Variations are only possible at the bottom of the Pustertal valley, after crossing the busy state road. If you follow the main artery for just 300 metres in the direction of Toblach, you can immediately turn left onto a small panoramic road that leads along the edge of the Pustertal up to Taisten and back down to Welsberg.
From Monguelfo, the race route also follows the cycle path to Villabassa. There the race returns to the main road. But the cycle path also continues parallel to it. It meanders a little more winding via Toblach and Innichen to the finish in Sillian. The advantage of this is that you avoid the road traffic and don't have to search for the historic centre of San Candido (a worthwhile detour).
These are the 7 stages of the TOUR Transalp 2023
- Stage 1: Lienz - Sillian
- Stage 2: Sillian - Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza
- Stage 3: Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza - Pederobba
- Stage 4: Pederobba - Folgaria
- Stage 5: Folgaria - Kaltern
- Stage 6: Kaltern - Valle dei Laghi
- Stage 7: Valle dei Laghi - Arco
The 1st stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023 as a short trip
This stage can also be planned as a day trip without having to rely on public transport. There are an extra 30 kilometres on the cycle path from Sillian back to Lienz. As Sillian is around 400 metres higher than the capital of East Tyrol, the route is mostly slightly downhill and there are not many more metres in altitude. If you have strong legs, you can leave the valley cycle path in Abfaltersbach and tackle the Pustertaler Höhenstraße. Then the Lienz-Sillian-Lienz Hammer Tour has more than 150 kilometres and around 3000 metres of altitude.
The stage as part of a round tour (2 to 4 days)
There is a great option for a two-day round trip. After spending the night in Sillian, the route of the Dolomites cycle tour can be done in the opposite direction. Through the Gailtal valley, you cross the border into Carinthia and rush down the Lesachtal valley on the other side to Kötschach-Mauthen. The Gailbergsattel now leads back to East Tyrol. And from Oberdrauburg it is not far back to Lienz in the Drau Valley.
Do not miss
Mountain water plays a major role in the Defereggen Valley and you will find water resting places a little off the road where you can dangle your feet in the water and relax. For example, the Zollwirt water resting place - coming from St. Jakob, turn left 200 metres in the direction of Rinderschinken and then right immediately after the bridge.
Cycling and events
On 11 June 2023, the 35th Tour of the Dolomites, a race for everyone over 112 kilometres and 1870 metres in altitude, will start in Lienz. The SuperGiroDolomiti will also be held in parallel for the seventh time. With an extra loop over the Plöcken Pass to Monte Zoncolan and back, this will be a monster board of 5450 metres in altitude over 228 kilometres.
Info
All information on tourist offers in East Tyrol, accommodation, refreshment stops, other activities, public transport and taxi addresses can be found on the website of the tourism association.
The 1st stage from Lienz to Sillian, 114.78 km and 1933 metres in altitude. Elevation profile and GPS data will be available to download from 18 June. If you are still thinking about switching from Touri to Race mode, you can find all the details about the race at www.tour-transalp.de.
