Day 1: Salzburg (AT) - Bruck (AT)
After the official welcome, the teams set off on the route. We leave Salzburg at a relaxed pace, heading south along the Salzach River. For most of the day, we follow the river on a mainly flat route, using well-maintained cycle paths as much as possible. Beyond Golling, the ride becomes a little more demanding as we climb the Pass Lueg. Although it is not particularly high, the climb from this side is fairly steep. Near Tenneck, we tackle another slightly more challenging hill. Hallein, Werfen, and Bischofshofen all offer excellent opportunities for a coffee stop along the way.
We continue following the Salzach upstream, with only a gentle gradient for most of the day. It is only at Schwarzach im Pongau that we need to shift down a few gears, as the route briefly leaves the river and climbs onto a ridge. After around 10 km, however, we return to the Salzach and descend back to river level. Towards the end of the stage, we reach Bruck, the gateway to the famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Our hotel is located directly opposite kilometre 0 of this legendary road, which we will tackle the following day.
From the very start, Track 2 leaves the Salzach behind and heads through the southern part of Salzburg. Just before the German border near Marzoll, the tour's first climb begins through the Hackwald forest. From this side, the ascent is very rideable, but the 22% gradient warning sign on the descent is a good reminder not to take it too fast. Via Glanegg, Grödig, and St. Leonhard, the route returns to the Salzach, where it rejoins the regular track.
Route character: hilly (Track 1 & 2)
Day 2: Bruck (AT) - Lienz (AT)
Day 2 presents the queen stage of this tour. Today, we ride the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of the most spectacular panoramic roads in the world.
The opening kilometres are still relatively gentle before, at the village of Fusch, the long and demanding climb begins, featuring numerous hairpin curves. Expect gradients of around 10% for most of the ascent. At the toll station in Ferleiten, cyclists can pass through free of charge. From here onwards, the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Grossglockner National Park provides one unforgettable moment after another, provided your legs still leave enough energy to appreciate the views.
Both the ascent and descent are popular with motorists and motorcyclists, so expect considerable traffic throughout the day. The route also passes through two tunnels, so extra care is required.
After reaching the Fuscher Törl at 2,428 metres, the road descends for a while before climbing once more to the Hochtor at 2,504 metres, the highest point of this year's tour. From there, a long and technically demanding descent leads into the Drau Valley, where reliable brakes and confident cornering skills are essential.
Before reaching the day's destination, one final climb awaits: the Iselsberg Pass near Winklern, adding another 260 metres of elevation. Compared with the challenges of the Grossglockner, however, this final ascent feels considerably more manageable.
There is no specific track 2 today!
Route characteristics: very mountainous (Track 1 & 2)
Day 3: Lienz (AT) - Villach (AT)
From Lienz, we follow the Drau Cycle Path for a while. At Oberdrauburg, we cross a ridge via a climb featuring several hairpin curves in its lower section before descending into the Gail Valley. For almost the entire remainder of the day, we ride through this beautiful valley, often close to the River Gail and with a gentle downhill gradient as we follow the river downstream.
Beyond Feistritz an der Gail, one more short climb awaits before the route becomes flat again after Arnoldstein. From there, we continue alongside the Gail and later the Drau all the way to our stage finish in the centre of Villach.
At Görtschach, Track 2 leaves the main route and climbs approximately 500 metres in elevation to the Windische Höhe. At Feistritz an der Drau, the route rejoins the Drau River and follows it—partly on the Drau Cycle Path—all the way to Villach.
Route character: hilly (Track 1), very hilly (Track 2)
Day 4: Villach (AT) - Klagenfurt (AT)
We leave Villach on the Drau Cycle Path, passing through the city centre before following the River Gail for some distance on the same route we used to enter Villach the previous day. At Müllnern, we leave the Gail Cycle Path and head towards Lake Faak, where its stunning turquoise waters provide a spectacular welcome. Along the eastern shore, several lakeside beaches and cafés offer the perfect opportunity for a relaxing break.
On the way back towards the Drau, we cross a short climb before a fast descent brings us to Carinthia's longest river, which we follow for a short distance. From there, it is not far to Velden am Wörthersee, where the famous Lake Wörthersee comes into view, sparkling in the sunshine.
We continue along the southern shore of Carinthia's largest lake, riding on mostly flat terrain and frequently on dedicated cycle paths almost all the way to our stage finish. This is a very popular recreational area, so expect plenty of cyclists and pedestrians. The route stays close to the lakeshore throughout, and thanks to today's relatively short distance, there is enough time to enjoy one of the many cafés, restaurants, or swimming spots along the way.
At the eastern end of the lake, we join the Lend Canal, following it into the heart of Klagenfurt, where our hotel is located on the edge of the city centre.
Track 2 also leaves Villach along the Drau and Gail but remains on the Gail Cycle Path longer than Track 1. Unfortunately, around 2 km of this section is unpaved, but the surface is still perfectly manageable on a road bike and is a much better option than the busy main road alternative. The route follows the Gail Valley in the opposite direction to yesterday's Track 1.
At Arnoldstein, we join the famous Alpe Adria Cycle Path and follow it into Tarvisio, Italy. From there, the route continues east through the beautiful Valromana, riding on well-developed cycle paths built along a former railway line. After around 10 km, we cross into Slovenia. At Podkoren, we turn north and tackle the Wurzen Pass, which features some very steep gradients on both the climb and especially the descent.
From there, the route continues with few further challenges until it reaches Lake Faak, where it rejoins Track 1.
Route character: gently rolling (Track 1), hilly (Track 2)
Day 5: Klagenfurt (AT) - Ljubljana (SL)
We leave Klagenfurt heading south, following the Glanfurt on a scenic cycle path. Beyond the city, the route runs alongside the railway line for quite some time as we head east. At Grafenstein, we first cross the Gurk River and later the Drau.
Beyond Bad Eisenkappel, the climb to the second true Alpine pass of the tour begins: the Seeberg Saddle. Magnificent mountain scenery and a series of sweeping hairpin bends lead us to the 1,215-metre summit, which marks the border between Austria and Slovenia. The only restaurant at the top of the pass is often closed, so teams should not rely on it when planning their refreshment strategy.
On the Slovenian side, we make a short detour to the idyllic Planšarsko Lake, where cafés and restaurants provide a welcome opportunity for a break. As with many Alpine roads, motorcyclists are common on both the ascent and descent, so extra attention is advised.
A long, enjoyable descent takes us through the Kokra Valley to Visoko. At Trboje, we reach the Sava River, whose valley we follow, although not directly alongside the river, all the way towards Ljubljana. From there, the terrain remains flat as we enter the outer districts of the Slovenian capital. Like many large cities, the outskirts are less scenic, but fortunately our hotel is located outside the city centre, sparing us from cycling through the busy downtown traffic. Those who still have the energy can easily continue by bike along the main road into Ljubljana's charming historic centre.
Track 2 offers one final demanding challenge. After crossing the Drau south of Klagenfurt and passing through Ferlach, the route tackles two additional mountain passes, the Užnik and the Schaidasattel, before rejoining Track 1 at Bad Eisenkappel for the shared ascent to the Seeberg Saddle.
Route characteristics: mountainous (Track 1 & 2)
Day 6: Ljubljana (SL) - Salzburg (AT) (Transfer day)
After breakfast, a shuttle bus takes us back to the Salzburg, from where everyone continue their individual journey home.
