Carinthian Lake Loop - lakes and rivers of southern Austria
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Cycling Thread
Cycling Thread
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The Carinthian Lake Loop runs mostly on safe, comfortable cycle paths, often separated from cars. In some places, it follows public roads with different levels of traffic. Komoot data shows about 120 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths and around 180 kilometres on public roads. Many of these are quiet local roads, with only a few short, busier sections. The rest includes forest gravel tracks, some narrow singletrack paths, and even one six-kilometre stretch by boat. This mix makes the route varied and fun, and suitable for most cyclists, though a few spots require extra attention, especially if you’re riding with children.
Open
difficult
Distance 439 km
30:55 h
2,609 m
2,609 m
1,073 m
385 m
The German name of the route is Kärnten Seen-Schleife, which the creators translated as Carinthian Lake Loop. In German, “Schleife” can also mean a bow - and the route really looks like one, with two loops meeting in Villach. Each loop is about 210 kilometres long. The western loop is harder, with two longer climbs to lakes high in the mountains. The eastern loop is easier, following much of the Drava Cycle Route and adding a pretty section through the Glan Valley. In total it’s about 420 kilometres of changing scenery - great for a trip that, at an easy pace, can take a week.
Author’s recommendation
What impressed us most about the Carinthian Lake Loop was the variety packed into a relatively compact region. Within a few days, the route combines crystal-clear lakes, mountain scenery, historic towns and excellent cycling infrastructure, constantly changing the character of the journey. We particularly appreciated that the route is designed for discovering the region rather than simply covering distance. For cyclists looking for a scenic multi-day tour in the Alps without extreme climbs, the Carinthian Lake Loop is one of the most rewarding routes we have ridden in Europe. More:
Difficulty
difficult
Overall difficulty
difficult
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,073 m
Lowest point
385 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stop
Nearby
Top Partner
Waypoint
Start point
End point
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High point
Forecast
Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}
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Photo
Video
Bahnhof VillachR3 Radbus - Haltestelle - Villach Hauptbahnhof
Bleistätter Moor
Peterlewand St. Urban
Finsterbach Wasserfälle
Jungfernsprung
Cool Down Place: Schluchtweg Millstatt
Kreuzberg
Die Schütt
Egger Marterl
Naturschutzgebiet Flachwasserbiotop Föderlach
Ewiger Regen - GRAVEL.CARINTHIA
Kleinsee
Klopeiner See-Blick Süd
Klopeiner See-Blick Promenade
Photo point time goddess Taggenbrunn
Photo point Taggenbrunn Castle
Bunker und Niedere Gloriette | Lost Place
Leonstein castle ruins and Hohe Gloriette | Lost Place
Viewpoint Hohe Gloriette
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Coordinates
DD
46.618091, 13.848597
DMS
46°37'05.1"N 13°50'54.9"E
UTM
33T 411842 5163369
w3w
///affair.deserved.sliding
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
Status
Open
Difficulty
difficult
Overall difficulty
difficult
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Distance
439 km
Duration
30:55 h
Ascent
2,609 m
Descent
2,609 m
Highest point
1,073 m
Lowest point
385 m
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
Maps and trails
Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
Distance
Duration
Ascent
Descent

User Questions
Unanswered