Salzburg to Lake Bled
Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Baroque city of Salzburg.
Visiting enchanting medieval castles steeped in history.
Reveling in the splendor of the alpine valleys and majestic mountain peaks.
Embarking on a journey through three countries in a single day: savoring morning coffee in Villach, Austria, enjoying lunch in Tarvisio, Italy, and relishing dinner in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Gazing upon the breathtaking vistas of the renowned Lake Bled, offering an exquisite view that will leave you in awe. First Hand Experience
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Departure
Daily from May 17 to October 3, 2026
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Starting Point
Salzburg
Total Distance
310
Activity Level
Medium
Easiest crossing of the Alps on two wheels
A self guided cycling tour from the birth city of Mozart to a shimmering alpine lake amid the majesty of the south-eastern Alps, there is something for everyone on this unforgettable alpine ride. Beginning at the baroque city of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will cycle from ornate baroque architecture to a splendid alpine landscape laden with meandering rivers, picturesque valleys, waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. The route goes through quaint villages where you can sample great local food. A network of cycle paths and quiet country roads will take you through the magnificent Salzach, Gastein, and Molltal valleys. South of Villach, you’ll pass through Italy briefly before turning into Slovenia and continuing on through the heart of the Julian Alps and onwards to the magical, fairytale setting of Lake Bled, with its unique island church and hilltop castle to top it all off.
Itinerary
We recommend arriving in Salzburg a day or two before the tour begins to acclimate and fully savor the city, especially the charming Altstadt (old town), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Head off today through the lovely Salzach Valley to the 900-year old Hohenwerfen Castle, perched on a rock 113 metres high above the market village of Werfen. It’s among Europe’s oldest and most well-preserved castles. Surrounded by the Tennengebirge, Hagengebirge and Hochkönig mountain ranges, this is a sight not to be missed.
You’ll spend the night at the popular alpine sports town of St. Johann.
Today’s cycling tour leads you through the enchanting Gastien Valley and the striking Liechtensteinklamm (Liechtenstein Gorge) to the lovely spa town of Bad Gastien, adorned with a central waterfall.
Continuing on, you’ll traverse the Tauerntunel, emerging on the sunlit southern side of the Alps.
Your overnight stay will be amidst the vibrant colors of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Today, you’ll venture into the historic province of Carinthia, descending gently into the Mölltal Valley.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting North-Carinthian rural countryside, offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and scenic tranquility as you pedal through the valley.
Today’s journey involves a relatively easy descent along the Drau River, passing through the lakeside town of Spittal an der Drau and its impressive ancient Roman city of Teurnia.
The route then takes you to Villach, where the Alpine climate meets the Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal location to explore the vintage car museum.
Cross the border briefly to savor an Italian pizza and cappuccino in Tarvisio before following a scenic cycling path along the old railway line that crosses the Italian-Slovenian border. Continue through the lush, green landscapes of the Sava Valley, heading to the village of Kranjska Gora for the night.
On your final day, you’ll explore the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River as it joins the Sava Bohinjka to form Slovenia’s longest river, the Sava.
From Mojstrana, you’ll enter the peaceful Krma Valley, with its WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which is now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut beneath Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
Afterwards, pass through the Radovna Valley and take a short detour to the Vintgar Gorge, a 1.6km-long, 150m-deep gorge discovered in 1891 and opened to the public with built walkways.
The tour concludes after breakfast, but there's the option to extend your journey. Our most popular extension is the "Best Of Slovenia" tour. Alternatively, you can prolong your stay in Bled and explore the cycling day trips featured in our "Cycling Lake Bled" tour.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)Departures on SUNDAYS from May 17 to October 5 2026.
No departures between July 25 to August 1 and September 3 to September 7 2026 due to local events in Austria.
Trip can also be started at any other desired day if there are minimum 4 particapants in a group!
- Seve nights accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouses in two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast.
- Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 30 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
- Welcome meeting and bike handover.
- Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per adult person. Every additional download 15 EUR.
- Local tourist and other taxes.
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Train ticket from Boeckstein to Mallnitz (including bike) approximately 14 EUR
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
All seasons: 490 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 230 EUR;
Season B: 290 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 120 EUR. Bikes have 18 gears (XL frames 11 gears).*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike rental 290 EUR. *
Every additional day 50 EUR.
* Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
- Printed information package in English, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
Price is per person per night.
- 4* Hotel in Villach
Season A: Double Room 90 EUR. Single room 115 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 105 EUR. Single room 125 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Bled
Season A: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 210 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 125 EUR. Single room 215 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price per third person only.
Train ticket from Boeckstein to Mallnitz (including bike).
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
310 km
50% of the trip goes over dedicated cyclingway, 35 % over country roads, 15% main road and street (town approach sections)
95% asphalt or paved, 5% unpaved
Medium – For those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause you any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains does between 100 and 500 meters.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
- Day 1: Hotel zur Post 3* in Salzburg
- Day 2: Hotel Alpenland 4* in St. Johann in Pongau
- Day 3: Ferienhotel Alber 3* in Mallnitz
- Day 4: Hotel Kreinerhof 3* in Mohlbrucke / Sachsenburg
- Day 5: Hotel Mosser 4* in Villach
- Day 6: Hotel Miklič 3* or Hotel Kompas 4* in Kranjska Gora
- Day 7: Hotel Savica, Lovec, Kompas 4* or Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
Travel Options & Local Transfer
The starting point of the trip is Salzburg in Austria.
Getting to Salzburg
By plane: closest airport is Salzburg (SZG). It is 3 km from the city center. Several major airlines serve it: Austrian, British Airways, German Wings, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Low-cost Ryanair serves the city all year round. From the airport, you can travel to the city center by bus or take a taxi.
By train: main station is called Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, it is in the city center. It is on the mainline Vienna (two-hour trip) to Munich (one-hour trip).
By car: Salzburg is at the junction of several main roads. Motorways A1 and A10 meet here.
Back from Bled
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From Bled you can travel to the airport by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfersee below.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach-Ljubljana mainline, four km away from the town center, you’ll need to take a bus or call us, we’ll give you a lift for free. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town center. From Jesenice border station there is one direct train to Salzburg (and onward to Munich) and several more with one stopover in Villach.
By car: Bled is on the A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke.
Avaliable Transfers
Bled to Ljubljana Airport
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Bled to Ljubljana City
1-3 persons 130 EUR
4-8 persons 170 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier
- Helmet
Only for self-guided tours: per two bikes – one repair kit, one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, Allen keys and tire levers. + one combination lock.
Other available rental bikes