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.

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.

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.

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) to travel. Booking directly with ÖBB is usually cheaper than via DB. Specifically: a) in our experience it is often easier to pack the bike in a special bag (e.g. “tranZbag”, “Rinko Bag”) — then it counts as luggage and no longer as a bike — than to secure one of the few bike spaces. b) On the Nightjet you can reserve whole four-berth compartments relatively cheaply. There two people with two bikes fit in quite comfortably.

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, and are happy to recommend it. For the ’22 edition we as a team opted for the somewhat obscure option of staying right in the middle of the city at the 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.

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.

A waypoint that feels like a small finale.

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 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.