Discover the beautiful landscapes of southern Carinthia on this scenic 31.24 km cycling route from Eberndorf to Völkermarkt Bridge in Austria. The journey takes you through peaceful countryside, charming villages, quiet rural roads, and picturesque forest trails. Along the way, you’ll experience a combination of smooth asphalt and gravel paths, surrounded by lush greenery and the natural beauty of the Austrian countryside. With 312 metres of elevation gain, this moderately challenging ride offers an enjoyable cycling experience for recreational cyclists and gravel enthusiasts exploring the region around Klopeiner See.
The route continues toward the impressive Völkermarkter Stausee, a scenic reservoir along the Drau River near Völkermarkt. Surrounded by wooded hills and beautiful landscapes, this section provides a memorable cycling experience through one of Carinthia’s attractive cycling regions. Whether you’re planning a cycling holiday in Austria or looking for new routes to explore, this journey offers a rewarding combination of nature, peaceful roads, and riverside scenery. Watch the complete 4K cycling video, explore the interactive route map, and download the free GPX track.
Eberndorf to Völkermarkt Bridge – Drau River Cycling Route 🇦🇹
Discover Carinthia’s Scenic Countryside by Bike
Explore the beautiful landscapes of southern Austria on this 31.24 km cycling route from Eberndorf to Völkermarkt Bridge. Located in the heart of Carinthia, this moderately challenging ride combines peaceful countryside roads, forest gravel trails, and picturesque scenery near the Drau River.
With 312 metres of elevation gain, the route offers a rewarding cycling experience for recreational cyclists, gravel enthusiasts, and anyone looking to discover the quieter side of Austria. The combination of asphalt and gravel makes this journey particularly appealing to cyclists who enjoy varied terrain and natural surroundings.
Part of the Klopeiner See & Drau River cycling series, this stage showcases the region’s green countryside and the landscapes surrounding Völkermarkter Stausee.
Starting in Eberndorf – Exploring Southern Carinthia
The journey begins in Eberndorf, a small town in southern Carinthia, known locally as Dobrla vas. Situated near Klopeiner See, Eberndorf provides an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding countryside by bicycle.
Leaving the town behind, the route leads through a landscape of agricultural fields, rural settlements, and wooded areas. Quiet roads create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing cyclists to enjoy the scenery away from busy traffic.
The surrounding region is characterised by rolling hills, green meadows, and traditional Carinthian villages. These landscapes make southern Austria an attractive destination for cycling holidays, particularly for riders seeking routes beyond the region’s more popular lakeside paths.
Forest Trails and Gravel Cycling in Carinthia
One of the highlights of this cycling route is the variety of surfaces encountered along the journey. Sections of smooth asphalt alternate with gravel trails that pass through wooded landscapes and peaceful rural surroundings.
The forest sections offer a different perspective on Carinthia, with tree-lined paths and natural scenery creating an enjoyable environment for cycling. Gravel stretches add variety to the ride and make the route especially interesting for cyclists using gravel, trekking, or hybrid bicycles.
Although the route includes 312 metres of climbing, the overall difficulty remains moderate. Cyclists should nevertheless be prepared for occasional inclines and changing surfaces, particularly on the unpaved sections.
For riders planning to follow the route, a gravel or trekking bicycle with suitable tyres is a practical choice.
Approaching the Drau River and Völkermarkter Stausee
As the journey progresses toward Völkermarkt, the landscape becomes increasingly connected to the Drau River, known in German as the Drau and in Slovenian as the Drava.
The river is one of the defining geographical features of Carinthia and forms an important part of the region’s cycling network. Its surrounding valleys, reservoirs, and wooded hills provide attractive scenery for cyclists exploring southern Austria.
The route approaches Völkermarkter Stausee, a reservoir on the Drau River near the town of Völkermarkt. The combination of water, surrounding hills, and green countryside creates a distinctive landscape.
This section also connects the ride to the wider Drau cycling region, making it an interesting option for cyclists planning longer adventures through Carinthia.
Finishing at Völkermarkt Bridge
The stage finishes at the southern end of the B82 road bridge crossing Völkermarkter Stausee, just south of Völkermarkt.
The bridge provides a natural endpoint for this section of the journey and connects the countryside south of the reservoir with the Völkermarkt area.
Völkermarkt, known in Slovenian as Velikovec, is a historic town in southern Carinthia. Its location above the Drau valley makes it a useful reference point for cyclists exploring the surrounding region.
For those continuing their cycling adventure, the wider area offers opportunities to explore additional routes around Klopeiner See, the Drau River, and the landscapes of southern Carinthia.
Plan Your Eberndorf to Völkermarkt Cycling Adventure
This 31.24 km route offers an enjoyable combination of countryside cycling, forest trails, and gravel riding. With a moving time of approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes, it is suitable for a half-day cycling excursion, allowing additional time for breaks, photography, and exploring the surroundings.
The moderate difficulty makes it accessible to recreational cyclists with reasonable fitness, although the gravel sections require appropriate equipment and basic off-road cycling confidence.
Before setting out, check the weather forecast and current trail conditions, particularly after periods of heavy rain.
Watch the complete 4K POV cycling video to experience the route from the rider’s perspective, explore the interactive map, and download the free GPX track to navigate the journey yourself.
Discover more cycling adventures across Austria and Europe with Cycling Horizon.
