One of the most memorable things we did during our trip through Austria was biking part of the Drau Cycle Path (you’ll also see it called the Drauradweg).
This scenic cycling route follows the Drau River through the Austrian Alps, passing small towns, farmland, forests, and incredible mountain views along the way. The full route stretches hundreds of kilometers from Italy through Austria and into Slovenia and Croatia, but you definitely don’t need to bike the entire thing to enjoy the experience.
What makes the Drau Cycle Path especially great for families is that much of it follows dedicated paved cycling paths with gentle terrain, making it accessible even for kids.
Instead of turning it into a multi-day bikepacking trip, we based ourselves in Lienz, Austria, and explored different sections of the path as day trips. It ended up being one of the most relaxing and fun outdoor activities of our entire trip.
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Quick Facts About the Drau Cycle Path
• Location: Austria / Italy / Slovenia / Croatia
• Total distance: ~510 km
• Best for: families, leisure cycling
• Terrain: mostly flat or gentle downhill
• Our base: Lienz, Austria
Here’s how we planned it.
Two Ways to Bike the Drau Cycle Path
When planning a bike trip on the Drau Cycle Path, there are two main ways people typically experience it.
The Classic Bikepacking Route
Many cyclists bike the Drau as a multi-day journey, traveling from town to town along the river.
This usually involves:
- staying overnight in different towns along the route
- carrying panniers or bikepacking gear
- riding a new section of the path each day
This style of trip is perfect for experienced cyclists or travelers looking for a longer cycling adventure.
Our Family’s Approach: A Home Base
Since we were traveling with kids, we chose a different approach.
Instead of moving accommodations every day, we set up a home base in the town of Lienz, Austria and took day trips along the cycle path in both directions.
This worked incredibly well for our family because:
- we didn’t have to carry gear or panniers
- packing and logistics were much simpler
- it allowed us to adjust distances depending on how everyone felt
- it made the experience much more relaxed with kids
For families, this “hub-and-spoke” approach is an easy and flexible way to enjoy the Drau Cycle Path.
Why Lienz Was the Perfect Base
We chose the town of Lienz as our base while biking the Drau Cycle Path, and it turned out to be the perfect place to stay with kids.
Located in East Tyrol, Lienz is a charming Alpine town with plenty to do beyond cycling, making it an ideal home base for a few days.
Instead of packing up and moving accommodations every night, we stayed in one place and took day trips along the cycle path in both directions, which made the whole experience much more relaxed.
A Family-Friendly Town
Lienz has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and is very family-oriented.
There are playgrounds around town, mini golf, and a very walkable downtown with lots of shops and cafés. One of the highlights for our kids was the amazing outdoor public pool, which has incredible mountain views. We visited the pool several times during our stay in Lienz.
We stayed at Harry’s Home in Lienz, which worked really well for our family. You can read more about our stay HERE along with details about our overall trip. The hotel has a bicycle storage room which was really convenient for our trip. Biking the Drau Cycle Path was part of a larger Italy, Austria & Croatia adventure.
To see more available accommodation in the area click the map below.
Easy Train Connections
One of the great things about biking the Drau Cycle Path is that a train line runs alongside much of the route.
This means you can bike one direction and take the train back if needed, especially helpful when biking with kids or if the weather changes!
A Lively Summer Atmosphere
We happened to visit during the Olala Street Performer Festival, when the town square filled with performers, music, and street shows. It gave the whole town an incredibly fun energy. So many outdoor free activities for the kids. If you can time your visit during this festival – do it!
Perfect for Shorter Bike Rides
Because we were biking with kids, we preferred doing shorter rides each day rather than long distances.
Staying in Lienz made it easy to explore different sections of the trail while returning to the same place each night.
The paved bike paths also make this route accessible for families with younger children. Many people ride the Drau Cycle Path using bike trailers (chariots) or baby bike seats, since the terrain is gentle and the paths are well maintained.
Convenient Bike Rentals
Another big advantage of staying in Lienz is how easy it is to rent bikes.
We rented ours from Papin Sport Bike Rentals, located right in town, just a 10 minute walk from our hotel. They offer a wide range of bikes, including e-bikes and family-friendly options.
We reserved our bikes ahead of time and rented four bikes for five days, which cost 339 euros total. We booked the Trekking bikes for the adults.
Our Day Trips on the Drau Cycle Path
During our stay in Lienz, we explored three different sections of the Drau Cycle Path.
Each ride offered beautiful scenery and fun stops along the way.
Day Trip 1: Lienz to Oberdrauburg
One of our favorite rides was the 20 km route from Lienz to Oberdrauburg.
At a steady pace with no stops, the ride takes about one hour, but since we were biking with kids we took our time and enjoyed several breaks along the way.
Much of the route follows quiet paved cycling paths along the Drau River, winding through forests, open farmland, and small villages with beautiful Alpine views.
The Highlight: Oberdrauburg Pool
The highlight for our kids was reaching Oberdrauburg, where there is a beautiful outdoor public pool complete with a water slide.
After biking along the river, cooling off in the pool was the perfect way to end the ride.
Admission prices when we visited were:
• Adults: 6 euros
• Kids (6–18): 3.50 euros
• Kids under 5: free
The facility is very well maintained and includes a canteen serving food, plus clean changing rooms and washrooms.
Taking the Train Back
From Oberdrauburg, we took the train back to Lienz, which made the whole day feel relaxed and manageable.
Train prices were:
• Adults: 6.10 euros
• Kids: 3 euros
• Bikes: 2 euros
One of the great things about biking the Drau Cycle Path is how easy it is to combine cycling with train travel, especially when biking with kids.
Day Trip 2: Lienz to Greifenburg
Our second ride was a longer adventure from Lienz to Greifenburg, covering about 41 km along the Drau Cycle Path.
At a steady pace, the ride takes roughly 3.5 hours, and while there are a few small hills, it’s still a fairly manageable route.
Like much of the Drau Cycle Path, the trail follows quiet paved paths along the river, passing forests, farmland, and beautiful Alpine scenery the entire way.
The Reward: Greifenburg Lake
The reward at the end of the ride is Greifenburg Lake, a stunning place to stop and cool off. It was probably one of the prettiest lakes I’ve ever swum in, surrounded by mountains with hang gliders soaring overhead.
We packed a picnic lunch in our cooler backpack (similar to the one we use HERE, honestly one of the handiest things to bring when travelling in Europe) but grabbed beers from the restaurant and brought a couple of lightweight inflatable tubes for the kids to use on the waterslide and in the lake.
I couldn’t find the exact admission rates online, but according to my records we paid about $33 CAD for the four of us.
A Perfect Family Stop
After the long ride, jumping into the water felt incredible.
The kids absolutely loved it. The lake area is very family-friendly and includes:
• a large playground
• a waterslide into the lake
• two diving towers
• clean washrooms and changerooms
• a small restaurant where you can grab food or drinks
It’s a perfect place to spend several hours before heading back.
Taking the Train Back
From Greifenburg we took the train back to Lienz, which takes about 35 minutes.
Ticket prices when we travelled were:
• Adults: 10.20 euros
• Kids: 5.40 euros
• Bikes: 2 euros
We simply purchased our tickets at the station ticket machines.
When boarding the train, look for the cars marked with a large bicycle symbol on the outside, which indicate where bikes are allowed.
Day Trip 3: Lienz to Sillian
Another great ride from Lienz heads west toward Sillian, a small town located near the Italian border.
This route is about 32 km and takes roughly 2.5 hours, although it includes a few steeper sections than the other rides we did. The previous routes followed the river downstream, while this ride heads upstream, so there’s a bit more gradual climbing along the way.
When the Weather Turned
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate on the day we attempted this ride. We biked for about an hour and a half until the rain rolled in, followed by thunder and lightning, so we decided it was best to turn around and head back toward Lienz.
Once the rain stopped, we changed plans and spent the afternoon playing mini golf and at the public pool in Lienz, which ended up being a pretty great backup plan.
A Stop Worth Knowing About
Along the route we passed Vitalpinum / Vithal Leisure Center Assling, which looked like an amazing stop. It’s located about one hour by bike from Lienz and includes pools, relaxation areas, and beautiful mountain views.
If the weather had cooperated, we likely would have stopped there for a break.
If You Continue to Sillian
If you continue all the way to Sillian, there’s a fantastic family attraction called Wichtelpark Adventure Park.
This park includes playgrounds, outdoor activities, climbing structures, and plenty of space for kids to run around, making it another great stop for families biking the Drau Cycle Path.
Other Great Swimming Stops Along the Drau Cycle Path
Unfortunately, we had quite a bit of rain during our trip, so we weren’t able to explore as many sections of the Drau Cycle Path as we originally planned.
One thing we quickly noticed, though, is that outdoor pools and swimming lakes are very common along the route. Many towns have beautiful public swimming areas that make perfect stops during a bike ride, especially on warm summer days.
If you’re planning your own cycling itinerary, here are a few great swimming spots along the Drau Cycle Path that you could plan a ride around:
- Naturbadeteich Toblach
- Naturschwimmbad Waldbad Mauthen
- Freibad Sachsenburg
- Strandbad Seeboden
- Strandbad Stockenboi
Tips for Biking the Drau Cycle Path With Kids
If you’re planning to bike the Drau Cycle Path with kids, here are a few tips that made the experience much smoother for our family.
Book Bikes in Advance
If you’re visiting in the summer, it’s a good idea to reserve bikes ahead of time, especially if you need specific sizes for kids or additional gear like trailers or bike seats.
We rented from Papin Sport in Lienz, and the whole process was very easy.
Plan Frequent Snack Stops
When biking with kids, snacks are essential.
Bring plenty of drinks and snacks with you rather than relying on stores along the route. Most of the bike path stays close to the river and farmland, so grocery stores aren’t usually right along the trail.
Dress in Layers
Weather in the mountains can change quickly, even in summer, so it’s smart to bring extra layers.
And bring bike shorts! My husband suggested I pack some, but I didn’t bring any and definitely regretted it after a few longer rides.
Download Maps Before You Go
Phone service can be spotty along parts of the route, so downloading a map ahead of time is helpful.
Bring Swimsuits
One of the best surprises along the Drau Cycle Path is how many swimming lakes and public pools you’ll find along the way.
Packing swimsuits and lightweight towels makes it easy to stop and cool off whenever you find a great swimming spot.
Handy Items to Bring
You don’t need specialized cycling gear for this trip. We kept things simple and brought just a few helpful items:
• Bike gloves (for both kids and adults)
• A cooler backpack for lunches, snacks, and cold drinks
• Lightweight beach towels that pack easily into a backpack
• Simple inflatable floaties for the lakes and pools
Nothing fancy, just practical items that made the rides more comfortable and fun.
See my What we packed for Europe in the Summer with Kids post for more ideas.
Bike One Way and Take the Train Back
Since the railway runs alongside much of the route, you can bike one direction and take the train back if you want a shorter or more relaxed day. We did this and it worked well. It’s a lot to ask the kids to bike, swim and then bike home.
Would We Recommend Biking the Drau Cycle Path With Kids?
Absolutely.
The combination of safe bike paths, beautiful Alpine scenery, charming towns, and fun stops along the way makes the Drau Cycle Path one of the most enjoyable family-friendly outdoor activities in Austria.
By choosing a home base like Lienz and biking different sections as day trips, you can experience the route in a way that feels relaxed, flexible, and perfect for travelling with kids.
Whether you’re stopping for a swim at a lake, cooling off at a public pool, or simply enjoying the mountain views along the river, the ride never feels rushed or stressful.
It ended up being one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip. From Lienz we headed to Graz, Austria to catch the overnight sleeper train to Split, Croatia. To read more about our experience on the sleeper train with kids see here:
If you’re planning a trip to this region, you can also read about our stay at a Dolomites farm stay in Italy and our hiking adventures in the Dolomites with kids, which were both highlights of this trip as well. And this post ‘Our 3 Weeks in Italy, Austria, and Croatia with Kids (Route, Stays + Costs)’ about our overall trip.
Planning a Trip to Italy, Austria or Croatia?
If you’re planning a similar trip, you might find these helpful:
- What we packed for Europe in the Summer with our Kids
- Taking the Overnight Sleeper Train from Austria to Croatia with Kids
- Our 3 Weeks in Italy, Austria and Croatia with Kids (Route, Stays & Costs)
- Split, Croatia with Kids What We’d Do Differently Next Time
- Bolzano with Kids: Easy Family Travel Tips for the Dolomites
- Alpe di Siusi with Kids: Hiking, Cable Cars and What We Learned
- Our Italy Dolomites Farm Stay (Agriturismo Experience)
Need pet care while you travel? We use TrustedHousesitters to look after our dog Archie when we’re away.
Related Posts You’ll Love:
- Bolzano With Kids: Easy Family Travel Tips for the Dolomites
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- Graz, Austria With Kids: The Coolest European City You’ve Never Heard Of
- How to Visit Banff on a Budget (Where I’d Stay Instead of Banff Hotels)
- Is Japan Good for Teens? What My Teens Loved (and Didn’t)
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