FunActive Tours

Away from the busy Munich to Venice and Salzburg to Grado transit routes, this self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour offers an exciting crossing of the Alps from Bavaria to the Adriatic. Starting at Lake Chiemsee, the "Bavarian Sea", it crosses Austria before descending through the Friuli region to the sea, taking in a wide range of natural and cultural landscapes. The route mainly follows well-maintained cycle paths and low-traffic secondary roads, with the most challenging sections covered by included transfers.

From Chiemsee riders head into Tyrol to the baroque town of St. Johann, between the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Wilder Kaiser, then pass the biathlon venue of Hochfilzen and Saalfelden to Zell am See beneath the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. The Tauern Cycle Path leads to Mittersill, before a transfer through the Hohe Tauern National Park sets up a mostly downhill run to Matrei in East Tyrol. The Isel Valley continues to sunny Lienz and the popular Drau cycle path to Oberdrauburg.

A morning transfer to the Plöcken Pass on the Italian border is followed by a thrilling serpentine descent to Paluzza, passing the thermal baths of Arta and Roman Zuglio to medieval Venzone, rebuilt after a devastating earthquake and now listed among Italy's most beautiful villages. The route then follows the Tagliamento past turquoise Lake Cornino and Pinzano to Spilimbergo, the "City of Mosaics", before a final flat run to the golden beaches of Lignano. Nights are in guesthouses and hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Lake Chiemsee, the "Bavarian Sea"
• St. Johann in Tirol and Zell am See beneath the Kitzsteinhorn
• The Hohe Tauern National Park and the Tauern Cycle Path
• Lienz and the Drau cycle path
• The Plöcken Pass descent and medieval Venzone
• Spilimbergo, the "City of Mosaics", and the beaches of Lignano

Surface and terrain:
Well-maintained cycle paths and low-traffic secondary roads, with the hardest Alpine climbs (Felbertauern, Gailberg and Plöcken passes) covered by transfer. The first two stages have the most climbing (450 to 690 m), with long descents through Austria and Friuli and a flat finish.

Weather:
Expect cooler, changeable Alpine conditions in Bavaria and Austria, and warmer Mediterranean weather in Friuli and on the Adriatic coast.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit riders comfortable with 50 to 70 km days and some climbing early in the tour. Rated Medium by the operator; minimum age 16.

Crossing the Alps to the Adriatic in a week may sound like hard work, but the well-marked Alpe Adria cycle route makes it achievable for leisure riders. This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour splits the climb to the main Alpine ridge over two days, with the final section covered by train, and follows bike paths and very quiet side roads through small villages and picturesque landscapes from Salzburg to Trieste.

Leaving Salzburg beneath Hohensalzburg Fortress, riders pass Hellbrunn Palace and its trick fountains, then follow the Tauern cycle path via Hallein, famed for its salt, and the Golling waterfall. The tranquil Gastein valley leads to Bad Gastein, the Belle Époque "Monte Carlo of the Alps". After an included train through the Tauern tunnel to Mallnitz, a long, mostly downhill ride follows the Möll and Drau through the Hohe Tauern National Park past Spittal's Renaissance Porcia Castle to Villach.

The Gail valley leads into Italy and the Kanaltal, where Germanic, Romance and Slavic cultures meet around Tarvisio, before the old Pontebbana railway cycle path descends beneath the Julian Alps to medieval Venzone. Riders continue via Gemona and vineyard-lined hills to Venetian-flavoured Udine, then pass UNESCO-listed Palmanova and Roman Aquileia to the island resort of Grado. The final stage crosses the Karst past Miramare Palace into Trieste. Nights are in guesthouses and 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Salzburg's baroque old town, Mirabell Palace and Hellbrunn Palace
• The Gastein valley and Bad Gastein's Belle Époque hotels and waterfall
• The Hohe Tauern National Park and Spittal's Porcia Castle
• The Pontebbana railway cycle path through the Kanaltal to Venzone
• Udine, UNESCO-listed Palmanova and Roman Aquileia
• Grado and Miramare Palace on the way into Trieste

Surface and terrain:
Well-marked bike paths and very quiet side roads. The main climbing is on the first two days up to Bad Gastein (up to 800 m), with the Tauern crossing by train. From there the route is mostly downhill or flat, apart from the Karst stage into Trieste. Train shortcuts are available on Days 5 and 8.

Weather:
Expect cooler, changeable Alpine conditions in Austria and warm to hot Mediterranean weather in Friuli and on the Adriatic coast.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit riders comfortable with consecutive 40 to 95 km days and some Alpine climbing. Rated Medium by the operator; minimum age 16.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour starts in Venice, "la Serenissima", and follows the Adriatic coast past the classic beach resorts of Jesolo and Caorle to Trieste, the former Habsburg seaport at the foot of the Karst, before finishing on Croatia's Istrian peninsula. With the sea never far away, there are plenty of chances for a refreshing swim, while the Julian Alps rise majestically to the north. The route is flat until shortly before Trieste, then gently hilly through to Poreč.

From Mestre, riders choose between the lagoon route, with a ferry to Punta Sabbioni and the beaches of the Cavallino peninsula, or a quieter inland ride along the River Sile past the medieval Torre Caligo. Beyond Caorle's historic centre the route turns inland to Portogruaro, which proudly considers itself the most Venetian of towns, and the Roman colony of Concordia Sagittaria. A boat from Marano Lagunare crosses the lagoon towards Aquileia, once a great city of the Roman Empire, with its vast patriarchal basilica, and the golden island resort of Grado.

The Karst hinterland leads back to a dramatic coastline of white cliffs via Duino, Sistiana and Miramare Castle into Trieste. Crossing into Slovenia, cycle paths link Koper, Izola and Piran on the Slovenian Riviera, before the route passes the Sečovlje salt pans into Croatia and gently rolling Istria to Poreč and its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Venice's lagoon and the beaches of Jesolo and Caorle
• Portogruaro and the Roman colony of Concordia Sagittaria
• Boat across the Marano lagoon to Roman Aquileia and Grado
• Duino and Miramare Castle on the Karst coast into Trieste
• Piran's Tartini Square and the Slovenian Riviera
• Poreč's UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica

Surface and terrain:
Flat coastal and lagoon riding on cycle paths and quiet roads as far as the Karst near Trieste, then gently hilly through Slovenia and Istria. Daily ascent is minimal for the first three stages, rising to 400 to 500 m on the final three.

Weather:
Expect mild spring and autumn conditions and hot summers along the Adriatic coast, with plenty of swimming opportunities.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders comfortable with 35 to 85 km days, mostly flat with some hills towards the end. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour explores Puglia, the south-eastern tip of Italy, riding through the unique countryside between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. As well as the scenery, riders experience the warmth and hospitality of southern Italy in a region rich in culture, where Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Habsburgs and Bourbons have all left their mark. Travelling outside the main season means the mostly flat, sealed roads are largely free of traffic.

The tour starts in Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed trulli stone houses, then crosses the Valle d'Itria, one of the south's prettiest cultural landscapes, with a wine-tasting stop in Locorotondo before reaching Ostuni, the "white town" with sweeping sea views. Olive groves, vineyards and orchards lead to Avetrana on the ancient Via Appia, before the route heads for the Ionian coast past old defence towers and Porto Cesareo to Gallipoli, whose old town sits on a rocky island jutting into the sea. From there riders reach Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of Salento, known for its pilgrimage church and eccentric turn-of-the-century villas.

The final stages follow the Adriatic coast past the Zinzulusa Cave and the spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme to walled Otranto, with its Habsburg castle, before continuing via the limestone cliffs of Torre dell'Orso to Lecce, the baroque capital of the south, with around 30 churches and a Roman amphitheatre. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels or agriturismo farms, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Alberobello's UNESCO-listed trulli stone houses
• Valle d'Itria, wine tasting in Locorotondo and the white town of Ostuni
• Gallipoli's island old town on the Ionian coast
• Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of Salento
• Otranto's Romanesque cathedral mosaic and castle, with the Zinzulusa Cave en route
• Baroque Lecce, with its Roman amphitheatre and theatr

Surface and terrain:
Mostly flat, sealed roads with a few gentle ascents and descents. Traffic is light outside the main season. Daily ascent is 100 to 265 m, except Day 6 along the Adriatic coast (approx. 600 m). A longer Day 2 option via Martina Franca is available.

Weather: Expect typically mild to warm Mediterranean spring and autumn conditions.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders comfortable with 35 to 60 km days on mostly flat roads. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour follows the route of the former Dolomites railway south from the Hochpustertal, then continues through the foothills and along the River Sile to the lagoon city of Venice, a magnificent finale to an exploration of northern Italy. The first two days mainly follow the old railway track, after which gentle ascents and descents on quiet side roads lead through idyllic countryside and typical Italian villages to the plains.

From Niederdorf or Toblach the cycle path climbs gently through the Höhlenstein Valley past Lake Toblach, a First World War cemetery and Lake Dürrensee, with views of the Three Peaks, before crossing into the Veneto at Cimabanche and descending to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Olympic town. The next day continues mostly downhill on the railway trail between the Sorapis and Cinque Torri to Pieve di Cadore, birthplace of Titian, then via Longarone, rebuilt after the 1963 Vajont disaster, through the valley of the gelato makers to Belluno.

Tree-lined avenues lead past scenic villages to Feltre, before the route descends into the Brenta Valley to Bassano del Grappa, with its covered wooden bridge and namesake spirit. Passing Palladian villas and Asolo, the "city of a hundred horizons", riders reach Treviso, a canal-side centre of Italian fashion, before following the Sile to Venice's mainland at Mestre. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• The Höhlenstein Valley and views of the Three Peaks
• The former Dolomites railway trail to Cortina d'Ampezzo and Pieve di Cadore
• Belluno and Feltre beneath the southern Dolomites
• Bassano del Grappa's covered wooden bridge
• Asolo and Palladio's Villa Barbaro at Maser
• Treviso's canals and the River Sile to Venice

Surface and terrain:
Mainly the old Dolomites railway cycle path for the first two days, then quiet side roads with gentle ascents and descents, finishing flat on the plains. Net downhill overall, with daily ascent of 0 to 350 m.

Weather:
Expect cooler conditions in the Dolomites early in the tour and warm to hot weather on the Venetian plain, particularly in summer.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders comfortable with 30 to 75 km days on largely downhill or gently rolling terrain. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour takes in three countries in one week, with Italy, Austria and Slovenia each showing off their best features. Riders experience varied mountain ranges, untouched natural landscapes, crystal-clear lakes and gentle wine country set against the hillsides, following bike paths and very quiet side roads through small villages and picturesque scenery.

Starting in the Hochpustertal at the foot of the north-eastern Dolomites, the route crosses the watershed at the Toblach saddle and follows the Drau through East Tyrol past Lienz, with Dolomite peaks lining the valley. A short transfer to the Gailberg Pass sets up a comfortable descent to Kötschach-Mauthen and the Gailtal cycle path beneath the Carnic Ridge, passing Hermagor and Lake Pressegg. After a detour via the Italian border town of Tarvisio, riders continue into Slovenia past the ski resort of Kranjska Gora to fairy-tale Lake Bled at the foot of the Julian Alps.

A train ride carries riders to the south side of the Alps and the emerald Soča valley, a favourite with canoeists, with a stop at Kobarid and its First World War history, before returning to Italy at Cividale del Friuli, the former Lombard capital with its Devil's Bridge. The route then winds past the wine cellars of the Collio region to Gradisca d'Isonzo, and the final stage crosses the Karst past Duino and Miramare castles to the former Habsburg port of Trieste. Nights are in inns and 3-star hotels, some 4-star.

Highlights:

• The Drau cycle path from the Dolomites to Lienz and Roman Aguntum
• The Gailtal cycle path beneath the Carnic Ridge
• Kranjska Gora and Lake Bled at the foot of the Julian Alps
• The emerald Soča valley and Kobarid's First World War history
• Cividale del Friuli and the Collio wine region
• Duino and Miramare castles on the Karst coast into Trieste

Surface and terrain:
Bike paths and very quiet side roads. The first half is mostly downhill along the Drau and Gail valleys (with a transfer up the Gailberg Pass), while the Slovenian and final two Italian stages are more hilly. Daily ascent ranges from about 10 to 620 m, or up to 960 m if skipping the Day 5 train.

Weather:
Expect cooler, changeable Alpine conditions early in the tour and warmer Mediterranean weather towards Trieste, particularly in summer.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit riders comfortable with 35 to 75 km days and some hilly stages. Rated Medium by the operator; minimum age 14.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour links the lush green landscapes of South Tyrol with the vibrant heart of Milan, Italy's financial capital. Riders follow scenic bike paths, peaceful country roads and well-marked cycle routes through small villages and idyllic countryside, discovering a wealth of natural beauty and cultural treasures across three northern Italian regions.

From Brixen the route follows the vineyard-lined Eisack Valley to Bolzano, where Italian flair meets German tradition, then takes the South Tyrolean Wine Road towards the Mendel Pass and Caldaro, known for its warm swimming lake and fine wines. An included cable car ride up to the Mendola Pass sets up the Alpine stage through the Val di Non, famous for its apple orchards, medieval castles and views of the Brenta Dolomites, crossing the Tonale Pass to Ponte di Legno. A long descent then follows the Camonica Valley, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with more than 300,000 prehistoric rock carvings, to the spa town of Darfo Boario Terme.

Riders continue past Lake Iseo and the pre-Alpine lakes of Gaiano and Endine to Bergamo, entering the walled Città Alta, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The final stage follows the Serio River past the castles of Cavernago and Malpaga and the moated village of Cologno al Serio, then crosses the Adda to the Naviglio Martesana canal, partly engineered with Leonardo da Vinci's input, which leads straight into Milan. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Brixen's cathedral and the Eisack Valley vineyards
• The South Tyrolean Wine Road and Lake Caldaro
• Val di Non orchards, the Brenta Dolomites and the Tonale Pass
• Prehistoric rock carvings of the Camonica Valley
• Lake Iseo and Bergamo's UNESCO-listed Città Alta
• The Naviglio Martesana into Milan, with its cathedral, Sforza Castle and Navigli canals

Surface and terrain:
Bike paths and very quiet side roads. Mostly valley and lakeside riding, with one big Alpine day over the Tonale Pass (approx. 1,750 m ascent) followed by a long descent. The final stage is flat through the Po Valley.

Weather:
Expect cooler, changeable conditions in the Alps and around the Tonale Pass, and warm to hot weather on the Lombardy plain, particularly in summer.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit riders comfortable with 60 to 90 km days and one demanding Alpine pass. Rated Medium by the operator; minimum age 16.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel loop circles the Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage-listed for their "unique monumental beauty", keeping the peaks in view while riding comfortably at their feet on valley cycle paths and quiet side roads. Designed with e-bike riders in mind, it is also manageable on a trekking bike for fitter cyclists, starting and finishing in the Hochpustertal at Niederdorf or Toblach.

The first stage follows the former Dolomites railway between the Three Peaks and Fanes-Sennes-Braies nature parks, with views of the Three Peaks, crossing into the Veneto at Cortina d'Ampezzo, the historic Olympic town, before continuing through forests and tunnels to Pieve di Cadore. The route then heads south via Longarone, rebuilt after the 1963 Vajont disaster, and quiet Belluno to historic Feltre. A long day follows the ancient Roman Via Claudia Augusta through the Valsugana past Lake Caldonazzo, Trentino's largest natural lake, to Trento and its Buonconsiglio Castle, with the option to shorten the stage by train.

From Trento the Adige cycle path winds through vineyards and orchards past the Salorno Gorge, the language border between Italian-speaking Trentino and German-speaking South Tyrol, to Bolzano, home of Ötzi the Iceman. Riders then follow the Isarco River past Trostburg Castle and Säben Monastery to Bressanone, before the final climb past Franzensfeste fortress, Neustift Abbey and Brunico back into the green Puster Valley. Nights are in 3-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• The former Dolomites railway trail with views of the Three Peaks
• Cortina d'Ampezzo, historic Olympic town
• Belluno's Piazza del Duomo and historic Feltre
• Lake Caldonazzo and Trento's Buonconsiglio Castle
• Bolzano's arcades and the Ötzi museum
• Säben Monastery, Bressanone and Neustift Abbey

Surface and terrain:
Mainly cycle paths, with some stretches on quiet secondary roads. Valley riding at the foot of the mountains, with daily ascent of 130 to 815 m. The biggest climbs are Feltre to Trento (Day 4) and Bressanone back to the Hochpustertal (Day 7).

Weather:
Expect generally warm summer days in the valleys, cooler conditions in the Hochpustertal and around Cortina, and possible afternoon thunderstorms.

Suitable for:
E-bike riders of average fitness, or fitter cyclists on trekking bikes, comfortable with 42 to 93 km days. Rated Medium by the operator; minimum age 14.

This self-guided gravel tour starts in Villach, on the edge of the Klagenfurt basin where the Drau and Gail rivers meet, and soon leaves Austria behind for Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia. The region offers not only a variety of landscapes but also a rich cultural mix, reflected in a cuisine shaped by Alpine-Austrian, Slovenian and Venetian influences. Early stages run mainly on asphalt cycle paths, while later stages alternate between asphalt and scenic gravel tracks.

Following the Gail, riders cross into the Kanaltal, the three-border valley around Tarvisio where Germanic, Romance and Slavic cultures have lived side by side for centuries. The world-famous Alpe Adria cycle path then descends from Pontebba to Gemona del Friuli, before the landscape opens up through forests, hills and charming villages to Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO-listed medieval town on the Natisone River, famous for its legendary Devil's Bridge.

Crossing into Slovenia, the route winds through the vineyards and orchards of the Vipava Valley, a wine region set beneath the Julian Alps and known for its warm hospitality. The final stage crosses the Slovenian countryside on quiet roads with sea views and charming coastal villages, before arriving in Trieste, the former Habsburg port, with its historic architecture, waterfront and blend of Italian and Slovenian culture. Nights are in 3-star and some 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Villach, where the Drau and Gail rivers meet
• The Kanaltal and Tarvisio at the Italy-Austria-Slovenia border
• The Alpe Adria cycle path on the old Pontebbana railway
• Cividale del Friuli and its Devil's Bridge
• The Vipava Valley wine region in Slovenia
• Coastal views and the Habsburg port city of Trieste

Surface and terrain:
Mainly asphalt cycle paths and quiet roads on the first stages, then a mix of asphalt and gravel paths. Hilly throughout, with daily ascent of 340 to 750 m and the most climbing on the final two stages through Slovenia.

Weather:
Expect cooler Alpine conditions around Villach and the Kanaltal, and warm to hot Mediterranean weather towards Trieste in summer.

Suitable for:
Fit gravel riders comfortable with 45 to 100 km days, mixed surfaces and regular climbing. Rated Medium by the operator.

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour explores South Tyrol on its network of well-built valley cycle paths, many recently rebuilt or newly constructed. Although the region is better known for its mountains, the valley routes avoid big changes in altitude, making this an easy tour for almost everyone. Along the way riders discover South Tyrol's unspoilt nature, with roaring rivers, mountains and legendary lakes, a culture shaped by its history, and warm hospitality with regional specialities and excellent wines.

From Brixen/Bressanone, a train ride to Dobbiaco sets up a long, mostly downhill ride through the Pustertal past the Olang dam, the town of Brunico and the Mühlbacher Klause ruins, returning via Neustift Abbey and its monastery cellars. The Eisacktal cycle path then follows the river through white-wine vineyards and picturesque Chiusa to Bolzano, home of the Iceman in the Archaeological Museum. A loop through Appiano, South Tyrol's largest wine-growing area, leads past castles and manor houses to Caldaro and Lake Kaltern, with an optional swim at the Montiggl lakes.

Riders then follow the Wine Road through apple orchards to the spa town of Merano and its Trauttmansdorff Castle gardens. A train to Malles sets up a downhill ride through the Vinschgau Valley via Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol, and the final day explores the Passeier Valley before a return transfer to Brixen. Hotels are 3 and 4-star, or higher-category 4-star with the Charme option.

Highlights:

• Neustift Abbey and Brixen's historic centre
• Brunico Castle and the Pustertal cycle path
• Chiusa and Säben Monastery on the Eisacktal cycle path
• Bolzano's arcades and the Iceman at the Archaeological Museum
• Lake Kaltern, Appiano's castles and the South Tyrolean Wine Museum
• Merano's Trauttmansdorff Gardens and the Vinschgau Valley via Glurns

Surface and terrain:
Well-built, largely traffic-free valley cycle paths with few big changes in altitude. Train transfers set up two long, mostly downhill days. Daily ascent is 0 to 280 m, with the most climbing (approx. 390 m) on the Passeier Valley out-and-back.

**Weather: **
South Tyrol's valleys are typically sunny and warm from late spring to early autumn, with cooler mornings and occasional afternoon storms near the mountains.

Suitable for:
Beginners, leisure riders and families with children over 14 comfortable with 35 to 65 km days on cycle paths. Rated Easy by the operator.