Due to increasingly hotter summers, many people are deciding more and more often to skip the beach and opt instead for cooler and unspoiled destinations.

Austria is one of the most welcoming countries for spending your holidays: here you are sure to enjoy enchanting landscapes and a rich gastronomic tradition full of dishes to discover. Never before has discovering Carinthia by bike become one of the favorite summer must-dos for travelers, thanks to the charm and beauty of this region.

Located in the southern part of the country, Carinthia is a true paradise very close to Italy, therefore perfect to reach in a few hours. In addition, bike touring enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of these places on their trusty bikes: there is no shortage of bike paths and the roads are perfectly organized.

Discover Carinthia: 5 reasons to choose it as a travel destination

When talking about Carinthia, in the collective imagination of travelers, the rivers, navigable by canoe, the particular local fauna, with the owl and the golden eagle, the gorgeous bike paths, and the delicious Kärntner Kasnudel immediately spring to mind, so here are 5 good reasons to travel to Austria in the Carinthia region:

1. Because it is a real paradise for cycle tourists

Cycling enthusiasts will be pampered in great style here. The two most famous bike paths, both long-distance, are the Drava bike path, which stretches over 200 kilometers and for the most part is also suitable for children, thanks to the absence of altitude, and the famous Alpe Adria, between Austria and Italy, also easily navigated. One of the most beautiful itineraries to do in the area, which we suggest for the summer, is precisely the one that goes through the entire Alpe Adria and connects Salzburg to Grado, passing through the wonderful Carinthia region.

2. For the great variety of local fauna

While pedaling, you might see speeding beside you for example a specimen of sea eagle, a bird of prey with a wingspan of almost 2 meters! At the Landskron castle, 45-minute performances are scheduled, where you can watch free-roaming birds of prey return to the falconer after impressive flights and explanations of the behavior and habits of these partially endangered animals.

3. For the many opportunities for refreshing stops

Discovering Carinthia also means enjoying a swim in the river, maybe having fun with friends and family onboard a canoe. The Drava river in the summer is perfect for diving in, without fear of freezing: it is impossible to resist its clear and refreshing waters.

4. For the pristine nature

Another must-see stop for nature lovers is the Nockberge National Park: declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2012, the Carinthian district is located on the Nockberge mountain range, which is part of the Gurktal Alps and is elevating up to about 2,440 meters above sea level. Here you can experience the unique experience of a 3-hour barefoot walk, to rediscover the healthiness of the "natural massage": who can resist this real cure-all for the mind and body?

5. For the rich gastronomic tradition

Finally, discovering Carinthia also means tasting the typical dishes, such as Kärntner Kasnudel, which are ravioli filled with a cheese similar to ricotta, potatoes and aromatic herbs, presented in a pastry sheet with a braid at the top, and the Reinling, the famous sweet filled roll flavored with cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, and honey, which is served in the numerous pastry shops in the region. It's impossible not to fall in love with this unique region and its endless beauty!

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