Vienna–Trieste info — long-distance ride

650 km & 14,000 m of climbing by gravel bike from Vienna to Trieste

Start 25 July ’26, 10:00, Vienna Inzersdorf

The key facts

Data, figures, facts

What awaits you at this Supergrevet?
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Juli ’26
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Ride

Vienna–Trieste: an unforgettable challenge that takes you through the impressive mountain landscapes of the former Habsburg Empire to the radiant blue Adriatic coast.

On your way you cross the majestic ranges of the Semmering in Austria and the Karst in Slovenia. Let the fascinating culture and breathtaking nature of Austria, Slovenia and Italy enchant you.
Es geht “über die Ostalpen gegen das Land, wo die Citronen blühen und die blauen Wässer dämmern unter der Sonne Homers. Welch ein vielgestaltiger, wundersamer Weg!” Peter Rosegger
The 2026 edition of the legendary route from Vienna to Trieste is a homage to the first running of the long-distance ride in 1892. With a distance of 650 km and 14,000 m of climbing, we follow the tracks of the pioneers of cycling while experiencing the challenges and flair of that time.

The key facts

Data, figures, facts

What awaits you at the Supergrevet?
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Kilometres
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Metres of climbing
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Juli 2024
Strecke
The journey begins in Inzersdorf, a district in the south of Vienna, and first leads through the gentle hills south of the city. The route* winds through idyllic field landscapes shaped by wide meadows and small woods. The first part is mostly flat and lets riders settle into their rhythm. Here you can enjoy the calm surroundings while preparing for the challenges ahead.
Heading south via Wiener Neustadt and Neunkirchen, the rural idyll of Lower Austria reveals itself. Once Neunkirchen is reached, the terrain changes and becomes hillier. The gentle climbs and winding roads through the wooded area challenge riders as they move through dense forests and across wide fields. This region offers a perfect mix of natural paths and quiet, remote country roads.
After crossing the mountain massif it descends into lower ground and finally down into Upper Carniola and the Italian Friuli, until the Adriatic region is reached. The descent into the Mediterranean landscape brings welcome relief, with the final kilometres down to Trieste accompanied by a magnificent view of the sea.
Trieste, the destination, welcomes riders with a spectacular view of the harbour and the blue water of the Adriatic. The final sprint is favoured by the last metres of descent, making the end of this exceptional and demanding route an unforgettable experience.
Höhenprofil
The route from Vienna to Trieste offers a challenging elevation profile, ranging from flat plains to demanding alpine climbs and finally descending into the coastal region of Trieste.
The start in Vienna begins on flat terrain in the Vienna Basin, marked by level landscape. The first kilometres run through farmland and the Marchfeld, where there is hardly any change in elevation. Here the route stays low and is well suited for warming up. But soon, after leaving the city limits, the topography gradually changes.
South of Vienna the route meets the foothills of the pre-Alps. Here the elevation profile begins to rise gradually. Smaller ranges of hills and moderate gradients make the route more varied. It leads over the Lower Austrian plain up into Styria, where the hills gradually give way to the pre-Alps. The climbing now increases, and gentle ascents and short descents shape the rolling landscape.
On entering the Styrian Alps the route reaches its most demanding section. Here several passages with partly steep climbs test your stamina. The route runs at altitudes of 800 to 1,200 metres above sea level and offers imposing views over the alpine foreland. This section demands good fitness, as the climbs are long and the air grows thinner.
After crossing the Styrian alpine foothills, it slowly descends again towards the Slovenian border, where the climbing gradually eases. The route finally leads through the Slovenian hill country, with a gentle up and down that allows a little recovery after the steep alpine passages. Here you can enjoy the landscape and prepare for the last stretch.
Finally you approach Trieste and the coastal region of the upper Adriatic. The last kilometres run partly steeply downhill, and the sea gradually comes into view. The way down to the harbour of Trieste is accompanied by the salty sea breeze and spectacular views of the Adriatic — an unforgettable finish after the highs and lows of this varied route.
Oberflächenprofil
The term “gravel” is used for all sorts of things these days. With us, gravel really means gravel. You need not worry about long bike-and-hike sections or unexpected detours onto the motorway. Our carefully chosen routes focus on fine gravel tracks and surfaced forest roads. Only for unavoidable connections, and due to the restrictive right-of-way rules in Austria, do we occasionally switch to quiet roads. In the mountains the surface can get coarser at times. But our route design always ensures the route stays easy to plan and pace. Our route is based on the free CXB Gravel route planner. For it, the extensive open-source community toolkit was adapted specifically for gravel cycling: gravel tracks are highlighted visually across Europe, so you can factor them into your planning. We tested the planner extensively on rides across Europe, including while scouting Vienna–Berlin.
Your bike: equipment requirements
A robust gravel setup pays off on this route. We recommend a tyre width of at least 40 mm — wider tyres add comfort and give you more security on descents over coarser material. In the wet, some sections can get muddy; with classic semi-slicks you would be noticeably limited here. For gearing, a low ratio is decisive: many climbs roll along evenly, but in between there are short, extremely steep ramps. With small chainrings and/or a large cassette you spare your legs and make sure you can still pedal smoothly after many hours and with luggage. Rule of thumb: the lower the gears, the more relaxed you handle the steep ramps.
Getting there
The starting point lies not far from Wien Inzersdorf station. It is easy to reach by regional trains, the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, and by bike from Wien Hauptbahnhof. From Germany, Vienna is ideally connected by ÖBB (night) trains and by long-distance coaches. Long-distance coaches are usually available at short notice, and in our experience taking a bike along is straightforward. Most run overnight, so you reach Vienna in the blink of an eye. https://www.nightjet.com) anreisen. Die direkte Buchung über die ÖBB ist dabei meist günstiger als über die DB.Konkret ist es a) unserer Erfahrung nach dabei oft einfacher, das Rad in einer Spezialtasche (z.B: “tranZbag”, “Rinko Bag”) zu verpacken (dann gilt es als Gepäckstück und nicht mehr als Rad), als einen der wenigen Radstellplätze zu ergattern. b) Im Nightjet kann relativ kostengünstig ganze Viererabteile reservieren. Dort passt man dann recht entspannt mit zwei Personen und zwei Fahrrädern rein.
Accommodation

Vienna

The accommodation options in Vienna are countless. On past visits we have had very good experiences with the Austro-Brazilian design hotel Rioca and are happy to recommend it. austro-brasilianischem Design Hotel Rioca gemacht und können dieses gerne weiterempfehlen. Bei der ’22er Edition von Wien-Berlin haben wir vom Team und für die etwas obskure Option entschieden, mitten in der Stadt auf dem Campingplatz Neue Donau to spend the night there. On the very large site no reservation is needed — you simply check in. It is a little noisy but well located, with short, bike-friendly routes into the centre and to the start. Since camping before the camping is a fitting way to do it, we can warmly recommend this option.

Graz

After roughly half the route from Vienna to Trieste you reach Graz, a lively city perfect for resting and refuelling. Here you will find not only delicious regional cuisine — from Styrian specialities to international fare — but also a wide range of places to stay, from cosy hostels and bike-friendly hotels to stylish Airbnbs. Everyone finds the right fit for their budget and needs. If you have time, a short visit to the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or a detour up the Schlossberg with its breathtaking views over the city is well worth it.

Ljubljana

A waypoint that feels like a small finale.

Trieste

At the finish you reach beautiful Trieste, the historic port city on the Adriatic coast — the perfect conclusion to your epic ride from Vienna.
Departure

Departure from Trieste to Vienna:

Train connections:
  • Direct trains: there are direct rail connections from Trieste to Vienna, operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). The journey takes about 7–8 hours. Trains usually have space for bikes, but a reservation is advisable, especially in high season.
  • Changes: alternatively you can take trains with changes in cities such as Venice or Graz. These connections can vary and extend the total travel time.
Bus connections:
  • Long-distance coaches: providers such as FlixBus offer regular connections from Trieste to Vienna. The journey usually takes 6–7 hours. Carrying a bike is almost always possible but should be clarified in advance. Coaches are an inexpensive and flexible way to travel to Vienna, especially if you have no fixed travel times.

Departure from Trieste to Germany:

Train connections:
  • Connections with changes: there are no direct trains from Trieste to Germany, but you can take trains or the ferry towards cities such as Venice or Verona and change there towards Munich, Stuttgart or Frankfurt. Total travel time can be between 10 and 15 hours depending on the connection.
  • Carrying a bike: most trains allow bikes, but often only with a prior reservation.
Bus connections:
  • Long-distance coaches: several coach operators connect Trieste with German cities. FlixBus offers connections to destinations such as Munich or Stuttgart. Journey times vary but are often between 12 and 15 hours.
  • Carrying a bike: here too, bikes are usually allowed but must be booked in advance.

Conclusion:

Whether you want to travel to Vienna or Germany, there are several options that combine well. The choice between train, coach or car depends on your personal preferences, the flexibility you want and your available budget. In any case it is advisable to clarify bike carriage in advance and make reservations where necessary to ensure a smooth journey. Taking a ferry from Trieste can be a pleasant and scenic way to begin your trip before continuing by train or coach. The combination of ferry and train offers both flexibility and a more varied journey.

The history of the Vienna–Trieste long-distance ride: a milestone of road cycling

First held in 1892, the Vienna–Trieste long-distance ride holds a place in cycling history similar to the legendary Vienna–Berlin ride of 1893. This epic race between the Austrian capital and the coastal city of Trieste was not only a sporting challenge but also a major impulse for the social acceptance of the bicycle as a modern means of transport. While Vienna–Berlin proved the superiority of the bicycle over the horse, Vienna–Trieste foregrounded the will to connect city and coast — a symbolic gesture that united sport, technology and regional ties.

The birth of an idea: cycling as an engine of progress

In the late nineteenth century the bicycle was no longer merely a luxury for the wealthy but began to develop into a practical means of transport for a broader population. With this change came growing interest in long-distance rides. After the success of the first great road races, it was only a matter of time before similar contests expanded in other directions. The route to Trieste, then the most important port of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, offered an ideal opportunity to prove the bicycle’s capability.

The challenge: 380 kilometres to the coastal city

At around 380 kilometres, the distance from Vienna to Trieste was shorter than the route to Berlin, but its topography made it a tremendous challenge. The route ran across the wide plain of the Vienna Basin, through the hilly alpine foreland and finally over the Karst landscape before the riders reached Trieste and the Adriatic. The steep climbs and rough road sections in the final third in particular demanded everything from the participants.

The contest: technology meets endurance

The race, first held at the end of 1892, drew both professional riders and ambitious amateurs. From the start it was a major media event. Despite the technical limitations of the time — heavy steel frames, primitive brakes and narrow tyres — the leading riders achieved times that established the bicycle as a serious means of transport.

A symbol of progress

The Vienna–Trieste long-distance ride contributed decisively to the spread of the bicycle in the Habsburg monarchy. It demonstrated not only the superiority of cycling but also the connections between city, country and coast. Trieste as a destination held particular significance, as it was seen as a gateway to the world and a symbol of the monarchy’s modernity. Linking Vienna, the cultural and political centre, with Trieste, the economic hub, reflected the spirit of an era that bet on progress and connection.

Partners & support

Teamwork makes the dream work!
The Vienna Kurbel Kollektiv supports us at the start
The Gravel Grinders Graz support us at the Graz checkpoint
*Hinweis zur Strecke: Die Routenführung kann sich z.B. aufgrund von Witterung, Fahrbarkeit, Wegsperrungen oder behördlichen Auflagen geringfügig ändern. Alle Teilnehmenden erhalten vor dem Start die finale Version der Strecke als GPX-Datei sowie eine aktuelle Übersicht im Routenbuch mit allen POIs, Checkpoints und Übernachtungsoptionen. Änderungen bleiben vorbehalten.