The line is OpenStreetMap's mapping of the route (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), via Waymarked Trails, with heights from a 30 m terrain model. Check the current official route before a long trip: diversions and permitted paths change. See the source.
The route
From Salzburg across the Alps to the Adriatic at Grado, about 415 km: up the Salzach and the Gastein valley, through the Tauern tunnel on the car-shuttle train from Böckstein to Mallnitz, down to Spittal and Villach, then over the border to Tarvisio and along the old Pontebbana railway line through the Canal Valley to Venzone, Udine and the lagoon at Grado. The eight official stages are each a comfortable day.
Stages
A suggested split into 8 days of about 50 km (31 mi). Each day ends at the town or village on the way nearest to an equal share of the distance, or at a hotel or hostel where there is none. These are not the official stages: check where you can stay before you book.
- Day 1 Salzburg to Bischofshofen 55 km · 55 km from the start
- Day 2 Bischofshofen to Bad Gastein 50 km · 105 km from the start
- Day 3 Bad Gastein to Spittal an der Drau 60 km · 165 km from the start
- Day 4 Spittal an der Drau to Villach 40 km · 205 km from the start
- Day 5 Villach to Tarvisio 36 km · 241 km from the start
- Day 6 Tarvisio to Venzone 56 km · 298 km from the start
- Day 7 Venzone to Udine 47 km · 345 km from the start
- Day 8 Udine to Grado 59 km · 404 km from the start
Summits on the way
- Oberuntersberg 789 m · 75 km from the start
Tops within 300 m of the line. Summits from OpenStreetMap.
Start and finish
Start: near Salzburg. 47.81377, 13.04423
Finish: near Grado, Gorizia. 45.67578, 13.38859
Places to stay
Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:
- Salzburg · The start Booking.com → Expedia →
- Bischofshofen, Salzburg · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Bad Gastein, Salzburg · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Spittal an der Drau, Bezirk Spittal an der Drau · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Villach, Carinthia · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Tarvisio, Udine · After day 5 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Venzone, Udine · After day 6 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Udine, Friuli – Venezia Giulia · After day 7 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Grado, Gorizia · The finish Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Roads and paths change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line comes from the source named under the map and the heights from a terrain model, so treat the figures as a guide. Check for diversions before you go, ride to what you find, and give way to walkers and horses.
