The „Alta Via Carnica“ leads along the entire Carnic Ridge and was part of the Dolomites front during the First World War – the old fortifications are still remembering this dark chapter. Today you can enjoy the varied natural landscape and the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountain peaks away from the hustle and bustle.
The tour is in the truest sense of the word a “borderline experience” – you are constantly moving along the mostly invisible border between Italy in the south and the Alpine republic of Austria in the north.
The mountain bike route runs on military and forest roads, as well as on wide mountain trails that do not require any special skills. However, you should have a safe riding technique on the mountain bike and a good basic level of fitness.
Included and Not Included Services
Accommodation in hotels 3*** and 4**** category
Breakfast buffet or full breakfast
If you have booked half board: 3 course dinner (no half board in Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Personal tour information
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Well planned routes
Detailed documents (maps, GPS-tracks, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
Arrival to the starting point of the tour
Departure at the end of the tour
Drinks, tourist tax and all extras
Lunch, Dinner (if not booked)
Not mentioned entries
Rental bikes and travel insurance
All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“
Day 1: Alta Pusteria a (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco)
Individual arrival at the hotel in Alta Pusteria
Day 2: Alta Pusteria - Padola
(approx. 40 km, ascent approx. 925 m)
You start comfortably on the bike path to San Candido. From there it goes in hilly terrain over the castle path above the valley floor into the valley of Sesto and mostly on forest paths over lush meadows and through green forests, past grazing cows and horses on to Malga Nemes - the perfect place to enjoy the wonderful view onto the Dolomites of Sesto with a delicious Kaiserschmarrn. Over Passo Monte Croce and through the Valgrande you now cycle downhill to Padola in the Comelico Valley.
Day 3: Padola – Val Visdende
(approx. 40 km, ascent approx. 1.300 m)
The stage begins with an ascent past the picturesque Casamazzagno above Candide. From the hill, you have a great view of the Dolomite peaks in the south. The little road becomes a forest path and continues to climb up to the furthest corner of the Val Digon. After a relaxing descent, you then pedal back up the mountain, past the mountain village of San Nicolò di Comelico and on the trail of the “Pedalonga” mountain bike race over the summit of Monte Zovo into Val Visdende.
Day 4: Val Visdende – Sappada
(approx. 20 - 40 km, ascent approx. 750 - 1.575 m)
Today is all about exploring the natural and pristine Val Visdende. The “Giro delle Malghe” (Alpine pasture circuit) is a classic among the mountain bike tours in the region. High above the valley, you cycle along the hillside with a breathtaking panoramic view and past typical alpine huts. At the foot of Monte Peralba, the route leads past the source of the Piave River to the German-speaking language island Sappada.
Day 5: Sappada – Kötschach-Mauthen
(approx. 45 km, ascent approx. 1.350 m)
You start easily downhill towards Forni Avoltri, then in a steady incline along the hillside into the valley past small settlements like Collina to the Rifugio Tolazzi. This is where the spectacular part of today‘s stage begins - partly on cemented ground, partly on gravel, you reach the Rifugio Marinelli on the Moraret saddle. Mostly downhill it now goes further east to the Plöckenpass, the border between Italy and Austria. The open-air museum there remembers the horrors of the First World War in this area.
Day 6: Kötschach-Mauthen – Nassfeld
(approx. 45 km, ascent approx. 1.275 m)
The incomparable recreational landscape of the Gailtal lies between the Gailtal Alps in the north and the Carnic Alps in the south. For the first 25 km, you will follow the gently sloping Gailtal cycle path - a good opportunity to warm up your legs properly for the longer ascent on the second part of the stage. This takes you up to the Nassfeld Pass between Carinthia and the Italian Friuli. On the way, alpine huts invite you to stop and enjoy some typical dishes.
Day 7: Nassfeld – Villach
(approx. 40 - 70 km, ascent approx. 1.000 m)
Starting from the Nassfeld Pass, today you cycle to the Eggeralm. This belongs to a Gailtaler farmers‘ cooperative and consists of a large number of simple huts. Don‘t miss tasting the homemade cheese „Gailtaler Almkäse“! Further down below the Carnic Ridge, the route Inally leads back.
Day 8: Villach
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
Day 8: Villach
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
| Standard | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Villach | 59 € | |
| Single room supplement per night | Villach | 17 € | |
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Toblach | From 01/06/2021 to 30/06/2021 | 59 € |
| Single room supplement per night | Toblach | From 01/06/2021 to 30/06/2021 | 17 € |
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Toblach | From 01/07/2021 to 31/08/2021 | 79 € |
| Single room supplement per night | Toblach | From 01/07/2021 to 31/08/2021 | 17 € |
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Toblach | From 01/09/2021 to 30/09/2021 | 59 € |
| Single room supplement per night | Toblach | From 01/09/2021 to 30/09/2021 | 17 € |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Return transfer per person | 69 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
By car: on the motorway Brenner/Brennero (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone – take the exit “Brixen-Pustertal”, then along the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria (SS49) to Toblach/Dobbiaco, or drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria to Toblach/Dobbiaco.
By train: take the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste/Fortezza. Change trains for the Pustertal/Valle Pusteria - Lienz and get off at Toblach/Dobbiaco.Timetable available on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com.
By plane: Low cost flights are available to Innsbruck airport, „Sant’ Angelo - Antonio Canova“ airport in Treviso and/or to the „Marco Polo“ airport in Venice. On request, we can organise transfers from the airport to the starting point of the cycle tour.
Inns and hotels 3*** category, 1 overnight in a mountain guesthouse (Val Visdende).
Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot.
Free and unguarded parking facilities for the duration of the hiking tour at a nearby public parking area.
Every Sunday transfer from Villach to Dobbiaco/Toblach at a price of € 69.00 per person (reservation and payment upon booking).
MTB Bianchi Kuma 27.2 inch (on request, limited availability) or similar version
E-Mountainbike HAIBIKE with 500 Watt battery - Yamaha TG (on request, limited availability) or similar version
Tour information
- Duration 8 days
- Difficulty Level Media
- Distance 230 - 280 km