Ride. Relax. Repeat. in Central Carinthia

What makes a road bike holiday in Central Carinthia so special is the perfect balance. On the one hand, enjoyable routes, long climbs and sporting challenges await. On the other hand, there is the conscious pause to savour regional cuisine, family-run accommodation and a landscape that invites you to take a deep breath. Whether it's a charming bed & breakfast in Althofen or a stylish monastery on Lake Längsee: Central Carinthia offers the right home base for every type of racing cyclist. Always accompanied by genuine Carinthian hospitality and the feeling that you've come to the right place.

The small town of St. Veit an der Glan proves to be a particularly good starting point for road bike tours through the region: the first-class route network of Central Carinthia opens up around the historic ducal town. Particularly recommended: the tour through the Wimitztal valley.

• over a distance of almost 70 kilometres and a moderate elevation gain, you cycle through a tranquil, expansive landscape with plenty of flowing roads
• instead of spectacular high Alps, the focus here is on enjoyment, rhythm and nature
• Cultural stops such as Frauenstein Castle or culinary highlights such as a private brewery make the tour a real experience

But of course, a few metres in altitude should not be missing in a 1A racing bike region. A classic is the ascent over the Flattnitz Pass road – a tour that impresses with over 100 km and 1,500 metres in altitude, both in terms of fitness and scenery. After all, it leads through the most historically interesting areas of Central Carinthia. 

No less attractive: the loop through the Görtschitztal valley or the ascent to Diex, one of the sunniest places in Austria. Once you reach the top, a coffee awaits you in the historic old town – or you can cool off in the nearby reservoir. With a bit of luck, you might even bump into a pro or two in the saddle. No wonder, as the routes offer ideal conditions for intensive sessions. Gentle climbs, little traffic and varied routes make the region a real hidden gem.

• Flattnitz circuit: 107 km | 1,670 metres in altitude
• Görtschitztal circuit: 76.6 km | 990 metres in altitude
• Diex - Völkermarkt: 94 km | 1,820 metres in altitude

A road bike holiday in Central Carinthia would not be complete without culinary delights. As part of Slow Food Travel Carinthia, special emphasis is placed on regionality, quality and craftsmanship. Along the routes, wine taverns, manufactories and small producers invite you to enjoy delicious stops. The breaks here are just as much a part of the tour as the kilometres themselves. After the ride, you can continue in a relaxed manner: for example at St. Georgen am Längsee Abbey with its Slow Kitchen® concept or at the family-run Bed & Breakfast in Althofen. Both Roadbike Holidays establishments offer exactly what you need after a day in the saddle: relaxation, quality and the good feeling of having arrived.