Road Bike & Gravel Bike

Where road cycling meets history:
Bike adventures in Central Carinthia

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Ready, set, pedal!

Road Cycling & Gravel Biking in Central Carinthia

Experience the perfect symbiosis of athletic challenge and cultural depth. St. Georgen Abbey, picturesquely situated on the shores of Lake Längsee, is your ideal “bike-in, bike-out” hotspot in the heart of Central Carinthia.

Start directly from our blooming abbey gardens onto the famous Carinthian Lake Loop or explore historic routes via St. Veit and Althofen to the castle town of Friesach. After conquering the ascents, enjoy a refreshing dip in Lake Längsee and the meditative tranquility of our historic walls.

Quality-tested member of Roadbike Holidays and Gravelbike Holidays

As a proud member of “Roadbike Holidays” & “Gravelbike Holidays”, we are your experts for the perfect road cycling holiday in Central Carinthia.

We know that a successful cycling holiday is more than just a bed and breakfast. St. Georgen Abbey meets the strict quality standards of “Roadbike Holidays” and offers you an infrastructure precisely tailored to the needs of road cyclists.

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Bike Quality Services

Your Cycling Holiday with Pleasure

Your Extras as a Bike Guest

  • Directly on the cycling network of Central Carinthia – Bike-in / Bike-out
  • Comprehensive maps and information material including tour suggestions
  • Competent advice from our reception team
  • Take your bicycle (without battery) to your room (if desired)
  • Bike wash station in the parking lot
  • Barrier-free, video-monitored bicycle garage including service corner
  • Toolbox including air pump with gauge for borrowing
  • Drying facilities for your cycling clothing (drop-off at reception)
  • Extensive leisure opportunities off the cycling routes
  • Slow Kitchen culinary delights including a delicious breakfast buffet
  • All-day Slow Kitchen® culinary delights in the Abbey Restaurant (for a fee)
  • Packed lunches for your bike tour (for an additional charge)
  • Sauna area for your recovery time
  • Massages to relax your muscles (for an additional charge)
  • Laundry service (for an additional charge)
  • Wörthersee Plus Card for free use of the ÖBB S-Bahn
  • Return service: We are happy to arrange a taxi for you (for a fee)!
  • Luggage storage & shower facilities upon arrival and departure after your tour (upon request)
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More Information

Tips for Your Cycling Holiday

Carinthia Lakes Loop

Cycling holiday in Austria on the sunny south side of the Alps. The more than 400-kilometer long cycling tour leads in stages along Carinthia’s 20 most beautiful lakes. The Carinthian Lake Loop is the flagship for all pleasure cyclists. Like a figure eight, the multi-day tour winds along the Carinthian lakes with magnificent views and sights.

In 2023, the tour was extended by a stage in Central Carinthia with excursion destinations around wine and castles. In total, bikers on the Carinthian Lake Loop can expect more than 400 kilometers of cycling pleasure, with 20 lakes within easy reach.

>> Mehr Infos zur Seenschleife

Hidden Trails

If you want to discover Carinthia off the classic cycling routes, Gravel Carinthia offers inspiring routes through seven regions – with gravel paths, quiet natural spots, cultural moments, and special “Hidden Trails” in southern Austria. Over 1,800 kilometers and 24 curated gravel routes combine athletic variety with landscape, history, and enjoyment.

>> Find more inspiration

ÖBB Sprinter Offer

Explore the federal state and the Alpe-Adria region with the Carinthian S-Bahn trains, the MICOTRA Sprinter, the ÖBB Radsprinter trains, and your bicycle. The Carinthian Radsprinter trains are specially adapted for cyclists, some of which are equipped with a separate bicycle carriage.

Bicycles can be transported on all trains. To ensure bicycle transport on MICOTRA trains (express train), you must reserve a parking space for your bicycle. The reservation is free of charge and is booked when purchasing the bicycle ticket. You can obtain your bicycle ticket with the free reservation in the ÖBB Ticketshop, in the ÖBB App, from ÖBB Customer Service at +43 (0)5 1717, and at ÖBB ticket counters.

>> Mehr Infos

Free Use of the Suburban Train

Cycle throughout Carinthia and use the free ÖBB offer* for the S-Bahn with the Wörthersee Plus Card. This card is available free of charge at reception.

*Please note the ÖBB tariffs for bicycle transport.

>> Zum Streckenplan

Bicycle Rental

Did you forget your gravel bike at home, or would you like to explore the wonderful cycling landscape in Carinthia with an e-bike or mountain bike? Then you are welcome to reserve and pick up a bicycle online from our external partner (Central Carinthia region in St. Veit an der Glan).

>> Zum Verleih

Groups, Club Trips & Seminars

You have come to the right place for a group or club trip, as well as for a seminar amidst nature. Look forward to a perfect setting for a multi-day group trip, a harmonious overnight stop, or a successful pleasure stop, with or without a seminar room. Our event team is available for questions at +43 4213 2046 702 or veranstaltungen@stift-stgeorgen.at.

Tour Tips

Road Bike Tour: To the Steineren Hütte in the Görtschitz Valley

This challenging loop starts right on our doorstep. Where others first have to travel, your adventure begins: Bike-in, Bike-out at Lake Längsee. This tour combines perfect asphalt with challenging climbs and a historic backdrop.

Tour Highlights

  • Warm-up at Lake Längsee: We start at the Abbey and enjoy the first kilometers along the glittering Lake Längsee. A short stop at Weingut Georgium is already an option here for a first refreshment or as a motivational goal for your return.

  • Through the Heart of Carinthia: Via Althofen, the path leads to Guttaring. Pause briefly at the “Field of Stone Lenses” – a place where geology and history become tangible.

  • The Climb: After the ride through the Görtschitztal, things get serious. From Eberstein, the demanding ascent into the Saualpe mountains begins. Endurance and strength are required here as you gain meter after meter towards the summit.

  • The Goal in Sight: At approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, you reach the Steinerhütte. You will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama and the certainty of having conquered the region’s queen stage.

  • Descent & Roll-out: A rapid descent to Brückl follows. The last kilometers lead leisurely along the Gurk and via St. Veit back to St. Georgen Abbey, where well-deserved regeneration awaits you in our gardens.

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Road Bike Tour: Flattnitz Loop

 

This challenging tour leads you from the idyllic Lake Längsee deep into the Carinthian mountains. As a guest of our house, you enjoy the exclusive advantage of “bike-in, bike-out”: you swing into the saddle directly in front of the abbey portal and leave everyday life behind.

 

Tour Highlights

  • The Ascent to Flattnitz: From St. Veit, the path leads steadily uphill into the Gurktal Alps. Flattnitz (1,400 m) rewards you with alpine freshness and an impressive panorama before the rapid descent begins.
  • Scenic Enjoyment: Experience the untouched nature of Central Carinthia, past historic castles and through dense forests – a route that both challenges athletically and invigorates the senses.
  • Perfect Finish: After returning to the Abbey, the ultimate reward awaits. A dip in our private Abbey Lake or a regenerating session in the Abbey sauna will quickly make tired legs forget their efforts.

Tip for Connoisseurs: Start early in the morning when the fog still hangs over Lake Längsee, and after your return, enjoy our Slow Kitchen® culinary delights in the Abbey Restaurant.

 

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Road Bike Tour: Görtschitz Valley Loop

 

This challenging tour leads you from the idyllic Lake Längsee deep into the Carinthian mountains. As a guest of our house, you enjoy the exclusive advantage of “bike-in, bike-out”: you swing into the saddle directly in front of the abbey portal and leave everyday life behind.

 

Tour Highlights

  • The Ascent to Flattnitz: From St. Veit, the path leads steadily uphill into the Gurktal Alps. Flattnitz (1,400 m) rewards you with alpine freshness and an impressive panorama before the rapid descent begins.
  • Scenic Enjoyment: Experience the untouched nature of Central Carinthia, past historic castles and through dense forests – a route that both challenges athletically and invigorates the senses.
  • Perfect Finish: After returning to the Abbey, the ultimate reward awaits. A dip in our private Abbey Lake or a regenerating session in the Abbey sauna will quickly make tired legs forget their efforts.

Tip for Connoisseurs: Start early in the morning when the fog still hangs over Lake Längsee, and after your return, enjoy our Slow Kitchen® culinary delights in the Abbey Restaurant.

 

Download GPX data

Road Bike Tour: Diex - Völkermarkt

This tour promises not only peak athletic performance but also one of the most beautiful views in the country. Starting directly from the Abbey, you head southeast to climb one of Austria’s sunniest places: the mountain village of Diex.

 

Tour Highlights

  • Diex – The Box Seat: The ascent to Diex is legendary. Situated on a sun-drenched high plateau, the village with its characteristic fortified churches offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the Klagenfurt Basin all the way to the Karawanken mountains.
  • Descent with a View: After the mountain classification in Diex, a flowing descent towards Völkermarkt follows, where you can enjoy the view over the Drau Valley.
  • Völkermarkt & Reservoir: The route leads you along the edge of the district town of Völkermarkt before returning through the gently rolling lowlands towards Lake Längsee.
  • Recharge at the Abbey: Back at St. Georgen Abbey, the tranquility of our historic walls awaits – the perfect place to replenish your energy with a regional snack.

 

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Road Bike Tour: Diex - Völkermarkt

If you love the sparkle of water and gently rolling hills, this tour is an absolute must. This loop connects St. Georgen Abbey with some of the region’s most beautiful swimming lakes. It is a tour for connoisseurs who still seek an athletic challenge in the Carinthian hills.

 

Tour Highlights

Lake Quartet: The route takes you from the local Lake Längsee over the idyllic Lake Urbansee to the hidden Lake Maltschacher See. Each lake has its own charm and offers a perfect backdrop for a short break.

  • Castle Town Friesach & Liebenfels: Along your way, you will pass historic sites and gaze upon proud ruins that tell the rich history of this region.
  • Curvy Moments of Enjoyment: The route impresses with low-traffic side roads and varied landscape changes between shady forest sections and sunny plateau areas.
  • Final Sprint to Lake Längsee: The finale leads you back to St. Georgen, where Lake Längsee is already waiting for a well-deserved cool-down after the ride.

 

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Gravel Bike Tour: To the Herzogstuhl & to Klagenfurt

This tour is perfect for gravel bikers and adventurers who want to combine the best of nature and history. On a mix of asphalted side roads and fine gravel paths, this route leads you from Lake Längsee deep into the historic Zollfeld and to the gates of the provincial capital Klagenfurt.

 

Tour Highlights

 

  • Cultural Monuments Along the Way: Experience history up close. The route leads you to the historic Herzogstuhl on the Zollfeld and to the imposing Maria Saal Cathedral – one of Carinthia’s most significant landmarks.
  • Klagenfurt Detour: The tour takes you close to the provincial capital. Ideal for a coffee break at Neuer Platz or a quick look at the Lindwurm, before heading back north on varied paths.
  • Gravel Enjoyment: Away from the main roads, you can enjoy the tranquility of the Zollfeld and the surrounding hills. The route offers a flowing change of surfaces and remains entertaining throughout.
  • Return to the Power Place: The crowning glory is the arrival at St. Georgen Abbey, where you can reflect on the day with regional delicacies and the abbey’s tranquility.

 

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Gravel Bike Tour: On the Trail of the "Krapfenbäck Simale"

Immerse yourself in the legends of Central Carinthia! This gravel tour is more than just an athletic challenge – it’s a journey in the footsteps of the notorious “Krapfenbäck Simale,” a kind of Carinthian Robin Hood. From the Abbey, the route leads you into the wooded terrain around the Wimitzrücken, where history and nature become one.

 

Tour Highlights

 

  • Legendary Paths: The tour leads you through the deep forests and over the hills where the Krapfenbäck Simale once roamed. A must for anyone who enjoys experiencing history from the saddle.
  • Pure Gravel Action: Look forward to challenging climbs and varied forest roads. The route offers just the right mix of technical demands and flowing forest sections.
  • Wimitz Nature Experience: The untouched nature of the Wimitz offers a magnificent backdrop. Here you can enjoy silence and fresh forest air, far away from busy roads.
  • St. Georgen Abbey Base Camp: After returning from your “raid” through the forests, our abbey courtyard offers the ideal place to replenish your energy – perhaps even with a sweet Carinthian specialty?

 

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Gravel Bike Tour: Friesach - Guttaring

This gravel tour combines athletic activity with a journey into the past. From the Abbey, the path leads through the idyllic surroundings to Carinthia’s oldest town: Friesach. Away from the main roads, you will experience a landscape characterized by castles, ruins, and gentle valleys.

 

Tour Highlights

  • Castle Town Friesach: The route leads you directly into the heart of the Middle Ages. Marvel at the impressive fortifications and the water-filled moat of Friesach before continuing on gravel paths.
  • Guttaring Hill Country: Through the gently rolling hills near Guttaring, you will enjoy a true “gravel feeling.” The route offers a varied mix of paved paths and fine gravel sections.
  • Pure Nature Experience: This loop is characterized by tranquility and expansive views. You cycle through agricultural valleys and small forests, which exude their very own charm, especially in spring and autumn.
  • Arrival at the Refuge: After returning to St. Georgen Abbey, our garden offers the ideal place to let the impressions of this historic loop sink in with a cool drink.

 

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Gravel Bike Tour: Steinbichl - Gurk Valley

Experience Central Carinthia from its untouched side. This route starts directly at St. Georgen Abbey and leads you over the scenic Steinbichl down into the idyllic Gurktal. A tour that impresses with its high proportion of natural paths and the constant variety between forest, meadow, and river landscapes.

 

Tour Highlights

  • Steinbichl Viewpoint: The first climb is rewarded! From Steinbichl, you can enjoy a wide view over the land before diving into the winding descents towards the Gurktal.
  • Gurktal Nature Jewel: Follow the course of the Gurk on winding paths. The cool breeze of the river and the tranquility of the surrounding meadows make this section a truly deeply relaxing experience.
  • Gravel Paradise: This loop offers exactly what gravel bikers are looking for: firm gravel paths, little traffic, and the feeling of being far away from the hustle and bustle of main roads.
  • Relaxation in the Abbey Garden: After returning to St. Georgen Abbey, our terrace offers the perfect place to put your tired legs up and review the tour with a glass of regional juice or wine.

 

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Gravel Bike Tour: Inner Wimitz - Half-day

Are you looking for seclusion and untouched landscapes? The tour through the “Innere Wimitz” leads you to a hidden gem of Central Carinthia. This deeply incised valley is a paradise for gravel bikers who prefer the sound of a stream to the hustle and bustle of the road. Starting directly from the Abbey, you enter an area known for its clean air and dense, cool forests.

 

Tour Highlights

Wimitz Nature Jewel: Cycle for kilometers along the Wimitz, one of the region’s most natural rivers. The route offers unique tranquility and is a true “power place” for a break.

  • Perfect Half-Day Tour: With a compact distance, this loop is ideal for an active morning, leaving the afternoon free to relax in the Abbey Lake or the monastery garden.
  • Shady Forest Sections: Especially on hot summer days, this route offers a pleasantly cool climate due to its wooded sections and proximity to the water.
  • Pure Gravel Enjoyment: The paths are characterized by well-rideable surfaces that offer just the right amount of adventure without becoming too technical.

 

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More Tours on Komoot

We have prepared a selection of harmonious road cycling and gravel biking tours on “Komoot” under Collections, which you can print out or download to your smartphone via app or GPX data as desired.

>> Zu den Touren

Stift St. Georgen

“Explore all of Carinthia by road bike or gravel bike”