Travelling by gravel bike is one of the best ways to discover new landscapes, ride on varied routes, switch between asphalt and off-road routes at any time - simply experience sporting adventures. Austria is in itself an ideal area for extended gravel bike tours: from the vineyards of Burgenland to the lake landscape of Carinthia to the alpine regions of Tyrol and Vorarlberg, the Alpine republic offers a wealth of different landscapes, each of which offers its own unique touring experiences. The tour to the Mostheurigen cider tavern in the Mostviertel region rounds off an enjoyable day's holiday, while the challenging mountain trail spices up the bikepacking tour with light luggage from hut to hut.
Gravel Austria: Gravel tours in eight Austrian federal states
Now the people responsible for tourism in Austria have put together a big package from the many existing local gravel tours that really makes you want to pack your bags, pump up your tyres and set off on your bike: Gravel Austria combines detailed gravel tours in eight Austrian federal states to form a coherent route: a total of 3000 kilometres and around 50,000 metres in altitude; the routes are supplemented by detailed and extensive tips on sights along the route, recommended restaurants and bike-friendly hostels. This means that you can tackle individual or several parts of the route as you wish, in one federal state, across borders in two or more - or perhaps take on the really big adventure as a special highlight: In 14 days, it should be possible to complete the route as a sporting challenge.
Gravel tours in Austria: kick-off in Burgenland
There is no real starting point for gravel tours in Austria for a circular tour. But if you would like a rather flat to hilly start, you could start in Burgenland near Carnuntum. From there, the route leads to Berg and Kittsee, and continues flat via Parndorf to Oslip. The route then takes a detour to Hungary along the Lake Neusiedl Nature Park. After 348 kilometres in Burgenland, the gravel route crosses into Styria at Doiber/Wartegg.
The following 165 kilometres through Styria are characterised by wine-growing regions and views of Slovenia and Hungary. Bad Radkersburg is the southernmost point of Styria, after which the route follows the Mur cycle path R2. The route crosses the Radlpass into the Drau Valley before crossing into neighbouring Carinthia at Lavamünd; around 40 kilometres of the route through Styria are on gravel roads.
Through Carinthia's lake district
In Carinthia, the route follows the Drau cycle path through the Jauntal valley to the west; the section from Völkermarkt to Spittal is almost entirely gravelled. Time and again, one of Carinthia's famous bathing lakes lies at the edge of the route and invites you to take a break - or a refreshing swim in summer. The highlight comes at the end: the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which leads over to Tyrol.
The crossing of Tyrol from east to west is somewhat easier than in the opposite direction, but it also requires a good level of fitness with a good 3,800 metres of elevation gain over the 300 kilometres; the flat and asphalted passage through the Inn Valley gives you time to catch your breath before crossing over to Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost province. The route, which takes two to three days and covers 250 kilometres and an impressive 6,200 metres in altitude, is a sporting and scenic highlight. The route leads through the Montafon and past Bludenz to the Rhine Valley and Lake Constance. This is followed by a challenging climb to the Pfänder, the passage through the Bregenzerwald from Bizau to Mellau and on to Schoppernau, where the long ascent to the winter sports resort of Warth begins. In addition to around 30 per cent gravel roads, snow can be found at high altitudes until well into spring, making this tour ideal for a real summer retreat.
Gravel tours in Austria: panoramic routes in Salzburger Land
Finally, in Salzburger Land, panoramic roads with stunning views alternate with idyllic lakeside routes. Lake Zell, Mittersill and the mighty Hochkönig massif accompany the gravel bikers. Through Pongau and after a detour to Flachau, the route turns northwards, passes Lake Wolfgangsee, pays a visit to Fuschl am See and then leads to Mondsee.
Upper Austria now welcomes bikers; Bad Ischl, Vöcklabruck and the Innviertel are the main tourist attractions before heading north towards the Mühlviertel. You cycle further east along the Austrian-Czech border, where the Koblpass marks both the highest pass road in Upper Austria and the transition to Lower Austria.
Cycling stories from the Vienna Woods
Austria fans will be in raptures; from the Waldviertel towards the Danube, through the hills of the Mostviertel and via Waidhofen an der Ybbs into the mountainous corner of the federal state. The route passes through the Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve, touches the city limits of Vienna and finally returns to Burgenland and Canuntum. And, of course, the gravel bike tour through the eight Austrian federal states can also be ridden in the opposite direction!
The detailed routes and elevation profiles of all the gravel tours in Austria can be found on the Komoot tour portalfurther information can also be found on the Austria-Tourism-Website.
Thomas Musch
Publisher
