Dolomites Tour

Starting off in Oberdrauburg, the route immediately heads to the Gailberg Pass, which, however, with a consistent 6-7% gradient, is pleasant to cycle. Then it goes downhill flat towards Kötschach-Mauthen, the "starting point" of the Lesachtal. The Lesachtal was named "Landscape of the Year" in 1995 and "most environmentally friendly valley in Europe" in 1991. In Lesachtal, time seems to have actually stood still in places: steep meadows, centuries-old mountain farms, and the untouched landscape let one immerse into another world. After the main villages Birnbaum, Liesing, and St. Lorenzen, you reach the pilgrimage site Maria Luggau with its famous basilica.

You leave the westernmost town of Carinthia and enter East Tyrol. Passing the idyllic villages of Unter- and Obertilliach and reaching Kartitsch Pass, you arrive at the highest town of the tour at 1,525 m. Next follows an 8 km long descent into the Puster Valley, through which the Drava River flows, here still a small river that has only traveled a few kilometers. Up to Abfaltersbach, you can cycle on the Drava bike path, which is continuously paved up to Lienz, avoiding the relatively heavy traffic on the federal road.

If you want to include the Pustertal High Road, turn left in Abfaltersbach. The High Road is characterized by three major climbs, followed by longer descents. The road is hardly frequented, and you cycle through scenic mountain villages with picturesque farms and enjoy wonderful views of the Lienz Dolomites.

At Leisach you return to the valley; a short stop in the East Tyrolean capital Lienz is definitely worthwhile, and the last approximately 20 kilometers back to Oberdrauburg can be enjoyed leisurely, preferably off the B 100 via Tristach and Nikolsdorf.