Discover the scenic Klopeiner See & Drau River Cycling Loop in Carinthia, Austria 🇦🇹. This 51.91 km cycling route starts near Eberndorf and takes you through picturesque Austrian countryside, peaceful villages, and beautiful landscapes along the Drau River towards Völkermarkt. With 492 m of elevation gain, the route combines quiet asphalt roads and gravel paths.
Explore the complete cycling route with an interactive map, detailed elevation profile, and free GPX download to plan your own adventure. Watch the full 4K POV cycling video and experience the landscapes of southern Carinthia from a cyclist’s perspective. The route is also ideal for virtual cycling and indoor training.
Cycling Around Klopeiner See and the Drau River in Carinthia, Austria
Southern Carinthia is one of Austria’s most appealing regions for scenic cycling, combining beautiful lakes, peaceful river valleys, traditional villages, and picturesque countryside. The Klopeiner See & Drau River Cycling Loop offers an opportunity to discover this diverse landscape on a single ride, exploring the area around Lake Klopein, the Drau River, and the historic town of Völkermarkt.
Located in the Jaun Valley (Jauntal), close to the Slovenian border, this part of Austria is particularly attractive for cyclists who enjoy quieter routes away from major tourist destinations. The combination of lakeside scenery, rural roads, and gravel paths makes it an excellent destination for recreational cycling, gravel riding, and exploring the countryside of Carinthia.
Klopeiner See – Cycling Through Austria’s Scenic Lake District
Klopeiner See, also known as Lake Klopein, is one of the best-known lakes in southern Carinthia. Famous for its warm summer waters and beautiful natural surroundings, the lake attracts visitors looking for outdoor recreation, swimming, walking, and cycling.
The surrounding countryside provides a varied cycling environment, with quiet roads connecting small settlements, agricultural areas, and scenic viewpoints. Unlike routes that remain exclusively beside the water, cycling through the wider Klopeiner See region reveals the rural character of southern Austria.
The nearby Karawanks mountain range forms an impressive backdrop to the landscape, while the open fields and wooded hills create a constantly changing cycling experience. For visitors interested in cycling around Klopeiner See, exploring the surrounding villages and countryside offers an enjoyable alternative to the more frequently visited lakeside areas.
Drau River Cycling – Exploring the Jaun Valley
The Drau River (Drava) is one of the defining geographical features of southern Carinthia. Flowing through the region towards Slovenia, it connects a series of valleys, settlements, and landscapes that have shaped local life for centuries.
The river is also associated with the famous Drauradweg (Drau Cycle Path), one of Austria’s established long-distance cycling routes. The cycling network continues into Slovenia, where cyclists can explore scenic sections of the Drava River, including the Maribor to Ormož cycling route.
While the wider cycling network follows the river across several regions, the sections around Völkermarkt provide an opportunity to experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Jaun Valley.
Cycling near the Drau offers a contrast to the landscapes surrounding Klopeiner See. Wooded riverbanks, open agricultural land, and quiet countryside create a distinctive setting for exploring this part of Austria by bicycle.
The combination of riverside scenery and rural connections makes the area particularly appealing to cyclists who prefer varied landscapes rather than a single type of cycling environment.
Völkermarkt – A Historic Town Above the Drau Valley
Völkermarkt, known in Slovenian as Velikovec, is an important historical and cultural centre in southern Carinthia. Situated above the Drau Valley, the town connects the surrounding countryside with the wider regional road and cycling network.
The landscapes around Völkermarkt are characterised by agricultural fields, forested hills, small settlements, and views towards the surrounding mountains. These features make the area an interesting destination for cyclists exploring beyond the better-known lakes of Carinthia.
The Klopeiner See & Drau River Cycling Loop reaches the Völkermarkt area before continuing through the southern Carinthian countryside. This creates a varied journey that combines the region’s lakeside character with its river valley and rural landscapes.
Eberndorf, Gallizien and the Countryside of Southern Carinthia
Eberndorf (Dobrla vas) provides a convenient starting point for exploring the Klopeiner See region. The surrounding landscape reflects the agricultural traditions of the Jaun Valley, with fields, villages, and local roads connecting communities across southern Carinthia.
The route also explores the countryside around Gallizien, where rural scenery and quieter roads provide a different perspective on the region. This section is especially appealing to cyclists who enjoy discovering places beyond the main tourist attractions.
Small settlements, traditional houses, farmland, and wooded areas contribute to the authentic character of the journey. The landscape changes gradually throughout the ride, offering a combination of open countryside, gentle hills, and more sheltered sections.
For cyclists interested in exploring Carinthia beyond its popular lakeside resorts, these rural areas are an important part of the experience.
Mixed-Surface Cycling in Carinthia – Asphalt and Gravel
One of the distinctive features of this cycling loop is its combination of asphalt roads and gravel paths. Rather than following a single dedicated cycle path throughout, the route connects different types of cycling infrastructure and rural roads.
This variety makes the ride particularly suitable for gravel bikes, trekking bikes, and hybrid bicycles equipped with appropriate tyres. Cyclists should be comfortable riding on changing surfaces and prepared for occasional climbs.
The route’s moderate difficulty provides a balance between accessible recreational cycling and a more substantial countryside adventure. Conditions can vary depending on the weather, particularly on unpaved sections, so appropriate equipment and careful route planning are recommended.
Planning a Cycling Holiday Around Klopeiner See
The Klopeiner See region is an attractive base for a cycling holiday in southern Austria. Its location provides access to lakes, river valleys, countryside routes, and connections towards other destinations in Carinthia.
During warmer months, cycling can be combined with swimming, sightseeing, and exploring local villages. Spring and autumn can also provide pleasant conditions for countryside cycling, although temperatures and weather conditions vary throughout the season.
The proximity of Slovenia adds further possibilities for cyclists interested in exploring the wider cross-border region.
Whether planning a dedicated cycling holiday, discovering new gravel routes, or exploring the Drau River cycling network, the Klopeiner See & Drau River Cycling Loop offers a rewarding introduction to the natural beauty and rural landscapes of southern Carinthia.
