The start in Vienna begins on flat terrain in the Vienna Basin, characterised by level landscape. The first kilometres run through agricultural land and across the Marchfeld, where the route shows hardly any elevation change. Here the route moves at a low level and is well suited to warming up. But soon, after leaving the city boundary, 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. The route leads over the Lower Austrian plain up into Styria, where the hills gradually merge into the pre-Alps. The climbing now increases, and gentle climbs and short descents shape the undulating landscape.

With entry into the Styrian Alps the route reaches its most demanding section. Here riders face several passages with sometimes steep climbs that test stamina. The route runs at altitudes of 800 to 1,200 metres above sea level and offers 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 goes downhill again towards the Slovenian border, where the climbing gradually decreases. The route finally leads through the Slovenian hill country, which offers a gentle up and down and a little recovery after the steep Alpine passages. Here you can enjoy the landscape and prepare for the final stretch of the route.

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 over the Adriatic – an unforgettable finish after the highs and lows of this varied route.

The term „gravel“ is used for many different things these days. With us, though, gravel really means gravel. You don’t need to worry about long bike-hike sections or unexpected detours onto the motorway. Our carefully chosen routes focus on fine gravel paths and surfaced forest tracks. Only for unavoidable connections and, due to the restrictive right of way in Austria, do we occasionally switch to lightly trafficked roads. In the mountains, too, the surface can get rougher now and then. But our route design always ensures that the route is easy for you to plan and divide up. Our route is based on the free CXB Gravel route planner. For this, the extensive toolbox of the open-source community was adapted specifically for gravel cycling: gravel paths are visually highlighted across Europe so you can deliberately include them in your planning. We’ve tested the planner extensively on rides across the whole of Europe, including intensively while scouting Vienna–Berlin.

We also embed supply points such as supermarkets, petrol stations and mountain huts as POIs directly in the tracks.

For a pleasant ride on this route we recommend a well-maintained gravel or Pioniergeist bike. A hardtail MTB also makes for fun riding. A classic road bike with tyres of at most 25 mm, however, is not suitable. In dry conditions an all-road bike is usually a good choice. In rain and muddy conditions, on the other hand, you should use the maximum available tyre width. We recommend tyres at least 40 mm wide with good tread – safety first! The route offers various sections: wide forest tracks, fast descents on dusty paths and short gravelled ramps that can also be rougher and more demanding at the summits. With disc brakes you always have sufficient braking power. Those who additionally value comfort should choose wider tyres. The climbs are relatively short but can be quite steep in places. We therefore recommend a 1:1 gear ratio or lower. The route is designed for gravel bikes and contains no longer technical MTB or bike-hike passages. Very steep, loose or rough sections can, however – especially with luggage and growing fatigue – mean a few minutes of pushing.

Getting there · departure: all details on train, Rinko bag and FlixBus on the Getting there page.

There are countless places to stay in Vienna.

On previous visits to Vienna we had very good experiences with the Austro-Brazilian design hotel Rioca, and are happy to recommend it.

At the 2022 edition of Vienna–Berlin, our team opted for the somewhat obscure option of staying right in the city at the Neue Donau campsite No reservation is expressly needed on the very large site, so you can simply check in. The site is a bit noisy but quite well located, with short, bike-friendly paths into the city centre and to the start point. Since camping before the camping is quite an authentic variant, we can really recommend this option.

After about half the route from Vienna to Trieste you reach Graz, a lively city perfectly suited for resting and refuelling. Here you’ll find not only delicious regional cuisine – from Styrian delicacies to international treats – but also a wide range of places to stay, from cosy hostels to cycle-friendly hotels and chic Airbnbs. Everyone finds the right thing for their budget and needs here. If you have time, a short visit to the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is worthwhile, or a detour up the Schlossberg with a view over the city.

Graz is not just a place to catch your breath, but a highlight of your journey.

A waypoint that feels like a small finale.

Slovenia’s capital lies nestled between Habsburg heritage and southern lightness. Here you encounter Art Nouveau façades, wide squares, winding old-town lanes – and small bridges everywhere, including the famous Dragon Bridge, which watches over the Ljubljanica as a landmark.

Treat yourself to a break in one of the traditional bakeries or stroll through the market hall – the scent of fresh pastries and coffee hangs in the air. On the way out of the city the path climbs briefly but rewards you with a wide view over the roofs, the river, the castle – and the horizon.

Ljubljana is more than a point on the route – it’s a place to breathe, refuel and remember.

At the finish you reach beautiful Trieste, the historic port city on the Adriatic coast – the perfect conclusion to your ride from Vienna!

Trieste captivates with Italian flair and Central European elegance. Stroll through the old town, visit the impressive Castello di Miramare or the grand Piazza Unità d’Italia – one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. After the exertions, treat yourself to a delicious Italian meal. Fresh fish, pasta and a glass of regional wine are a must!

Train connections:

• Transfers: Alternatively you can also use trains with transfers in cities such as Venice or Graz. These connections can vary and lengthen the total journey time.

Bus connections:

Train connections:

• Transfer connections: From Trieste there are no direct trains to Germany, but you can take trains or the ferry towards cities like Venice or Verona and transfer from there towards Munich, Stuttgart or Frankfurt. Total travel time can be between 10–15 hours depending on the connection.
• Taking your bike: On most trains, taking bikes is allowed, but often only with prior reservation.

Bus connections:

• Taking your bike: Here too, taking bikes is usually possible, 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, bus or car depends on your personal preferences, the flexibility you want and your available budget. In any case it’s advisable to clarify bike carriage in advance and make reservations if necessary to ensure a smooth journey. Using a ferry from Trieste can be a pleasant way to begin your journey before you continue by train or bus. The combination of ferry and train offers both flexibility and the chance to make the journey more varied.