Dolomites to Trieste

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.