In the summer months, Carinthia, Austria’s sunny south is blessed with good weather and is therefore an ideal destination for motorcyclists. Riding between lakes and mountains: from Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, to Austria’s warmest recreational lakes. The many mountain ranges are as easily accessible as they are attractive. Crystal-clear water makes for a refreshing sight time and again – and ideal for stopping for a rest.

The Province of Carinthia is at the interface between Germanic, Slavonic and Romance cultures giving you three countries within a few kilometres, Mediterranean flair, culinary treats and cross-border tours. Breakfast in Italy, lunch in Slovenia, dinner in Austria – all in one day. Discover the diversity of what is now a borderless area.

Carinthia, El Dorado for motorcyclists. Long day tours, travelling up scenic serpentines, on romantic, panoramic routes, and along lovely lakeside roads. The exceptionally good road conditions, excellent signs and rapid response in an emergency add to the attraction by giving you a feeling of safety when cruising on Carinthia’s little used back roads.

Heights with history
215 km through three cultures – Austria, Italy and Slovenia...
Intermediate tour, approx. 215 km, taking approx. 4-5h

Head southeast from Watschig through Hermagor, along the B111 to Arnoldstein. Carry on to Hart, turning off there for Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. It involves going over the Wurzen Pass (1073 m) – a demanding, but fun route with its narrow, twisting roads and gradients of up to 18%. Along the River Save begins the next exciting ascent to the Vrsič Pass. At an altitude of 1611 m above sea level, Vrsič is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and links Kranjska Gora with the Trenta Valley. Some of the 48 hairpin bends on the northern part of the pass road still have cobblestones. From the Vrsič Pass there are magnificent panoramic views of the Triglav National Park.

The route carries on towards the Soča and Predil to Italy. Before the frontier, you have the option of taking a trip up the 12-km-long mountain road to the alpine chalet (1906 m) at the foot of the 2677 m high Mangart. You can even climb Mangart – it takes about 2 hours from the chalet, but beautiful views at the summit reward you for the effort. Back down in the valley, the route goes to Sella Nevea, Chiusaforte and Moggio. There you turn off into Val d’Aupa, which runs north towards Pontebba. Another climb is in store – up to the Nassfeld Pass (Passo di Pramollo) at 1552 m. The descent on the Austrian side has lovely twists and turns, which coupled with the good road surface are the motorcycle adventurer’s dream come true.

Watschig - Hermagor – Nötsch – Arnoldstein – towards Rattendorf – Wurzen Pass – Kranjska Gora – towards Vrsič – Soča – Passo di Predil – Sella Nevea – Chiusaforte – Moggio – Val d’Aupa – Dordolla – Pontebba – Passo Pramollo – Hermagor - Watschig.

Hello – servus, srečno, ciao
Intermediate tour, approx. 270 km, taking approx. 4-5 h.

Wernberg is the first larger centre giving you access to the Rosen Valley. Whether St. Niklas, Rosegg, St. Jakob or Feistritz – each area in the valley has its own special features. At Kirschentheuer you then turn off for the Loibl Pass (1367 m), the border between Carinthia and Slovenia in the eastern Karawanken Range. After Tržič it is advisable to take the Lesce road avoiding all the traffic heading for Bled. In Lake Bled, at the foot of the Julian Alps, there is a small island with St Mary’s Church and its famous wishing bell. Your tour continues to Bohinjska Bistrica, where a detour to Lake Bohinj is highly recommended. When you get back to Bohinjska Bistrica, carry on via Podbrdo to Tolmin, which you should not miss as it is well signposted.

If you like fish, you will particularly enjoy this tour and the extremely well run fish restaurants to be found in Kobarid. The way back takes you through Bovec on the River Soča. Thanks to its crystal-clear, emerald green waters and white rocks with many ravines and gorges, the Soča is famous for fishing and whitewater sports. Another mountain pass, the Predil, takes you into Italy and onto Tarvisio, where you can stop for some shopping. You can then navigate round the Villacher Alpe (Dobratsch Nature Park) via Hohenthurn, Nötsch (with the Nötsch Circle Gallery) and Bad Bleiberg (with its spa, thermal baths and Terra Mystica underground show mine). The ride up Dobratsch on the Villach Alpine Road is the grand finale of this tour.

Watschig - Villach – Wernberg – St. Niklas – Rosegg – St. Jakob – Feistritz/Rosental – Loibl Pass – Tržič – Lesce – Bled – Bohinjska Bistrica – Lake Bohinj – Bohinjska Bistrica – Podbrdo – Tolmin – Kobarid – Bovec – Cave del Predil – Tarvisio – Hohenthurn – Nötsch – Bleiberg – Watschig.