Riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids is an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of Austria and Italy, blending outdoor adventure with charming villages and fun side trips. In this article, I share information on where to start and where to stay, where to hire bikes, how to split your days of cycling and fun things to do along the route. I also provide a Komoot route link and map so that you can easily plan your own adventure.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click on a link to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, but I receive a small commission.

Logistics: Riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids

Starting in Toblach (Dobbiaco)

Our family set off from Toblach, a lovely alpine village in Italy’s South Tirol, where we’d based ourselves for a hut to hut hike in the Dolomites. In Toblach we stayed in the wonderful youth hostel (the private dorms are perfect for families) which is housed in an incredibly grand building near the train station. It turns out it used to be a grand hotel where the European aristocracy and moneyed nobility chose to have their summer rendezvous, opened in 1878.

  • A picturesque landscape featuring a large, traditional building with red roofs set against a backdrop of lush green forests and jagged mountain peaks under a partly cloudy blue sky.

As an aside – we got to Toblach on an easy local train from Innsbruck in Austria, having arrived in Innsbruck on the overnight train from Amsterdam (via the Eurostar from London). This was a great way to start our adventure – read more here.

Bike rental

We rented bikes from Papin Sport in Toblach right by the train station, who had about a million bikes for rent (see the picture)! We brought our own helmets, although you could rent these as well.

Papin Sport brilliantly have a whole network of hire shops and affiliated shops along the whole route. This means you can rent bikes and panniers and any other equipment in Toblach and drop it all off when you get to the other end of riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids. This leaflet shows you where the Papin service points along the route are. They also offer assistance along the route if your bike breaks or goes wrong – you just have to call them and they come and help you. (We didn’t need this service, luckily)!

How do you carry your luggage?

We rented panniers (and bike locks too) along with the bikes. The kids’ bikes were not equipped with pannier racks, so we packed light and we carried the luggage for all four of us on two adult bikes. The panniers we rented had a capacity of 40 litres. We also brought a few extra dry-bags (I highly recommend these high quality Sea to Summit ones) and straps, so we added a handlebar bag to each adult bike and also strapped another drybag to the top of each pannier rack.

You really don’t need a huge amount of stuff with you, if you don’t mind doing a bit of hand-washing occasionally. Another option is to rent a kid’s bike trailer just for your luggage. This is a bit more unwieldy but does mean you can be a bit more flexible with what you pack, especially if you have panniers as well.

Accommodation along the route

Finding accommodation can be tricky. This is because a lot of places have a 2 or 3 night (or more) minimum during the summer season. It’s also harder to find places with family rooms. I have linked to the hotels we used, all of which were happy with a one night stay, most of which we booked through Booking.com. In some places we split up into two twin / double rooms. I also asked the hotels about overnight bike storage before we arrived. All of them were very used to accommodating cyclists though, and all had a secure place to store our bikes overnight.

Is riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids safe?

The answer is yes, very. Huge sections of the route are on completely segregated, traffic free dedicated cycle paths. The other sections are either on small farm roads that are extremely sparsely used, or quiet roads through villages. There is usually a bigger road on the other side of the valley that all the through-traffic uses, so the roads the cycle route takes are only used for access. As a result, there are few motor vehicles, and most are slow moving and accustomed to cyclists. British kids might need to be reminded to ride on the right!

What if someone wants a day off the bikes?

The route follows a train line for almost the whole way. This means there’s a get-out clause for any member of the party who doesn’t want to cycle for one or more days. Bikes can be put on the train.

Daily distances when riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids

We rode from Toblach to Villach over several days, covering about 25 km a day. This really isn’t very much, especially as the route follows the Drau River, meaning on average it’s slightly downhill all the way. Most of our riding was done in the morning, leaving us with the afternoon to enjoy exciting excursions such as high ropes course, alpine coasters, and outdoor swimming pools. Here’s our route on Komoot:

Komoot Route

Toblach to Sillian: High Ropes and High Spirits

Our journey began in Toblach, with an easy and scenic ride to Sillian. The route follows the Drau River, offering stunning alpine views and with a pretty steep downhill gradient – we were freewheeling a lot of the way! In Sillian, we made a detour to the Wichtelpark – which means “Gnome Park” – a great adventure playground for kids. There was also a high ropes course there, which we all did, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. We climbed, swung, and zipped our way through the trees and overcame some scary height jitters (mostly from me)!

  • A child navigates a high ropes course, wearing a safety harness, helmet, and striped shorts. They grasp wooden beams with concentration, surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
  • Two people are wearing safety gear while engaging in a high ropes course activity. One is a child smiling at the camera, and the other is an adult adjusting equipment. They are both on a wooden platform among tall trees.
  • A child wearing a yellow shirt, helmet, and safety harness smiles while standing on a netted rope bridge high up in an adventure park surrounded by tall green trees.
  • A child wearing a safety harness and helmet gliding across a zipline in a grassy, forested area. The zipline is set among tall trees, with sunlight filtering through the leaves on a summer day.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click on a link to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, but I receive a small commission.

Sillian itself is a small but charming village, perfect for an overnight stop. The day’s ride wasn’t too challenging, so we had plenty of energy to enjoy the park before settling into our cosy accommodation, Gasthof Sprenger.

This section of the route is so steeply downhill that you could quite easily miss out the stop in Sillian and cycle from Toblach to Lienz in one day.

Sillian to Lienz: Rain, Rain, Go Away

The next leg to Lienz was meant to showcase why it’s nicknamed Austria’s “Sonnenstadt” (sunny city). Ironically, it poured with rain all day, and the next day too! We’d scheduled a rest day here to meet up my 75 year old (and pretty hardcore) mum and dad, who were joining us for the rest of the trip. (They were renting their bikes at one of the aforementioned Papin Sport service points along the route which was super handy). Despite the weather, the route was stunning, with the Drau River cutting through lush valleys and dramatic mountains. We arrived in Lienz rather wet but in good spirits.

  • Two cyclists, one adult with a red backpack and one child with a bright green rain cover, ride along a paved trail next to a river with mountains in the distance under a cloudy sky.
  • A paved road with Lienz written on it, featuring a bicycle symbol and direction arrows, indicating a bike lane. Grass is visible on the right edge.
  • A child in a black rain jacket and neon shorts walks on a cobbled street, holding an ice cream cone in the rain, with umbrellas, colorful buildings, and an H&M store in the background.
  • A rainy street scene in a European town with multi-colored buildings lining the sides. Shops with awnings are visible, and two bicycles are parked. A banner depicting a coat of arms hangs across the street. The sky is overcast.

Lienz: Things to do

Lienz is a lively town with plenty to offer families: I have a full blog post about things to do in Lienz here! After drying off, we treated ourselves to a hearty Austrian dinner in one of the town’s warm and welcoming restaurants. The rain may have dampened our clothes, but it didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the journey.

We stayed at the Dolomitenhotel in Lienz. This was fine, but quite expensive and a little noisy with the traffic. I’d search for somewhere better value next time, although I struggled with finding available options!

At this point we actually ditched the bikes for a few days (in the hotel’s garage), and undertook a 3 day, 2 night hut to hut hike in the Lienz Dolomites. On our return, we headed onwards on the Drau Cycle Path.

Lienz to Dellach: Swimming Pools and Steep Hills

One of the highlights of our trip was the discovery of Austria’s outdoor swimming pools. Almost every day, we stopped at one, though getting there almost invariably involved pedalling up a steep hill off the main route. But the pools were worth the effort; even the kids agreed with this! On this stretch we stopped at the outdoor pool at Oberdrauburg (also up a hill!).

Austrian outdoor pools are a delight. Clean and well-maintained, they offer more than just a refreshing swim. There are usually grassy sunbathing areas, children’s play sections, and somewhere to buy food and drink – so a good spot for a picnic or even to buy lunch. A quick dip and an ice cream always revived us for the next stretch of cycling.

Dellach itself is a quiet, picturesque village nestled in the valley. It made for a peaceful and restful stop before our next day on the path. I can also highly recommend the place we stayed – the Bike, Bed & Breakfast Taurer. It was a super friendly place with family rooms, a good breakfast and easy and safe bike storage. There are just a couple of places to eat out here, so I recommend getting a dinner booking in in advance.

Dellach to Steinfeld: The Quirky B&B and Sausage Stand

Our day’s ride to Steinfeld was filled with gorgeous views and a sense of being truly off the beaten path. We stopped to swim at the Greifenburg bathing lake, which had a water slide and a diving tower, as well as a playground, loads of grassy space and some (paid) trampolines. It also had a fun looking zip wire over the lake, and some sort of climbing set up on what they called “Monkey Trees”. The kids were keen on the zipwire, but the nine year old wasn’t tall enough (140 cm minimum), so sadly we had to give it a miss.

Arriving in Steinfeld, we found our accommodation to be a rather quirky B&B, but it did the job – there isn’t a huge amount of choice for one night stays in the area. On the plus side, it had some fantastic views, and these sorts of local B&Bs always provide a great Austrian style breakfast, with plenty of protein to get you started for the day!

  • Two children in colorful cycling gear, wearing helmets and backpacks, stand with their bikes on a vibrant green field. Behind them is a wooden swing set, trees, houses, and a backdrop of lush green mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A serene lake surrounded by green trees and mountains under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. A wooden pier extends into the water, while people relax on the grassy shore and swim or kayak in the lake.
  • Four cyclists ride along a path through a lush green meadow with tall trees and majestic mountains under a bright blue sky. The scenic landscape showcases a tranquil outdoor setting with vibrant natural beauty.
  • A child wearing a blue jacket, looks out from a balcony towards a scenic view of green fields, wooden structures, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Finding dinner, however, proved tricky. The only option nearby was a sausage stand tucked away in an industrial park near the supermarket. It wasn’t exactly fine dining, but the kids loved the novelty of eating Austrian sausages in such an unusual setting! In hindsight, we should have checked the opening hours of the only cafe in town. You live and learn!

Steinfeld to Spittal an der Drau: A scenic ride

The ride from Steinfeld to Spittal an der Drau was one of the most scenic sections of the entire journey. The path meandered along lush green valleys, small villages and through shady forest. The route was quiet and peaceful, with few other bicycles and even less traffic. We stopped for a picnic along the way, enjoying the crisp alpine air and the sound of the river. Spittal an der Drau itself was a pleasant town with a laid-back atmosphere, and we stayed for two nights at the Hotel Ertl. Here we had a huge family room which was great. The hotel also had a pool and excellent bike storage.

We spent a rest day in Spittal, where we headed up the Goldeck cable car. From the top of the cable car we hiked further up to the Goldeck peak and had a great lunch at an alpine hut. Maybe some wouldn’t call it a “rest day”, but a change is as good as a rest!

  • A child and an adult on bikes smile as they ride along a paved path bordered by vibrant green fields. Behind them, a picturesque village sits at the foot of a densely forested mountain range under a clear sky.
  • Two cyclists riding on a paved path through a scenic valley with green fields, a wooden barn, and mountains in the distance. The sky is partly cloudy, and the surrounding landscape is lush and vibrant, suggesting a peaceful, rural setting
  • A young boy smiling widely while seated at a wooden table, holding a fork and ready to enjoy a plate of Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional Austrian dessert topped with powdered sugar and served with applesauce. The setting appears cozy and rustic, with a menu and decorations visible in the background.
  • A person in a green rain jacket stands in front of a large cross with an edelweiss flower design at the top. The sky is overcast, suggesting rainy weather.

Spittal an der Drau to Paternion: More Pools and More Hills

The stretch from Steinfeld to Paternion saw the Drau river, our constant companion, get ever wider. This time, we rode to our destination before detouring to an outdoor pool in the same village. By now, we’d accepted the uphill trek as part of the routine, knowing a cool swim and some snacks awaited us at the top, but this hill was next level! Some of us had to get off and walk… luckily it wasn’t a long hill. The pool was wonderfully refreshing after that exertion!

Paternion, while small, had everything we needed for an overnight stay. The hotel, Gasthof Tell, had a interesting selection of taxidermy on the walls, but was attached to a farmyard where we enjoyed looking at the animals. By this point, the kids had become seasoned cyclists, and we were all in the groove of daily cycling and well-earned evening rests.

Paternion to Villach: Brewery Bliss

The final leg to Villach was both the hottest and the most celebratory. On the way, we stopped for a swim at a really beautiful natural swimming pool (yep, it was up a hill). As we neared the city, we could feel the pull of a well-deserved meal and a comfortable bed. Dropping our bikes off at the Papin Sport outlet was easy and quick. We stayed at the Youth Hostel in Villach, which had great value private rooms for families. The only downside was that it was a bit of a walk from the city centre.

This vibrant city, with its lively squares and riverside charm, was the perfect endpoint to our journey. We ended our trip with dinner at the local brewery, savouring hearty Austrian fare and raising a glass to our cycling adventure. Villach’s warmth, both in temperature and hospitality, made for a memorable finale.

  • Two children with helmets and biking gear pose beneath a large wooden heart on a riverside wooden walkway. The river and distant mountains are visible under a clear blue sky, with a pot of colorful flowers to the left.
  • A child stands knee-deep in a green natural swimming pool, wearing goggles, with surrounding hills and trees. A house with solar panels stands nearby, set against a clear blue sky and a mountain in the background.
  • A man carrying a backpack and panniers enters a building marked Jugend- und Familiengästehaus Villach. A child is also visible in the entrance, carrying a bag. The sign indicates it is a youth hostel and family guesthouse in Villach.
  • A picturesque cobblestone street scene with people walking under colorful bird and butterfly decorations hanging above. Red and pink flowers adorn the windows of buildings, and cafe seating with yellow umbrellas lines the street under a clear blue sky.

Final Thoughts

Riding the Drau Cycle Path with kids is an adventure that offers something for everyone: scenic beauty, easy cycling and lots of family-friendly activities. If you’re considering this trip, don’t hesitate. The Drau Cycle Path is a fantastic way to explore rural Austria and enjoy the simple pleasures of cycling, swimming, and discovering hidden gems along the way. Use my Komoot route to plan your journey, and if you’re new to Komoot, have a read of my Komoot for beginners article.

If you want to know how to combine this ride with other adventures, check out the following posts:

For more multi-day cycling routes suitable for kids have a read of:

Bea Searle is the creator of Wild Bee Outdoors. Having lived in Austria as a kid, she fell in love with the mountains early on. Passionate about sustainable train travel and outdoor adventures with her family, Bea shares local insights, detailed routes, and plenty of tips for hut to hut hiking and multi-day cycling trips in the European Alps and beyond; along with ideas for worthwhile detours to make every journey unforgettable. Her goal? To inspire you to embrace the mountains, dodge the tourist traps, and explore with confidence.

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