The Nockberge mountains in the background attract mountain bikers with numerous tours and a smooth flow country trail. The Drau cycle path is famous for cycle tours, and we choose a 46.9 kilometre circular tour from Millstatt, which runs along it for a good stretch. With an elevation gain of 460 metres, the tour not only follows the river, but also rewards you with great views of the Drau Valley and Lake Millstatt below the Weißwände and Alpenbühel. The clever route combines a "half lake circuit", which is shortened by taking the ferry across the lake, with a section into the hinterland. In between, you can take a look at the river from time to time.
If you want to embark on a paddling adventure on the Drau, you need not fear any surprises. Because the river - at least when the flow is high - really gets going at our entry point in Spittal, then it goes downstream like a magic carpet and the impressive, flanking mountain ranges rush past (photo below right). Small waves could even throw a paddler off. At normal water levels, however, the river exudes serenity right from the entry point and does not pose a major challenge even for SUP beginners. If you still feel safer with a guide, book a guided tour (see info box). The second section is more leisurely, with half of the ten-kilometre stage to Ferndorf paddled by yourself.
Lake Millstätter See is ideal for leisurely paddling. On the eastern shore, there are many paid but well-maintained lidos and a few public access points. Take a SUP for a sightseeing tour in front of the village, moor for a drink at Cape 4613, a restaurant terrace overlooking the lake, or cross the lake to the wooded eastern shore. Romantics can book a rowing boat for an exclusive trip for two - with a breakfast basket in a reserved bay.
Information for cycling and SUP on Lake Millstatt
- General travel information: for the Millstätter See, Bad Kleinkirchheim and Nockberge region can be found on the official tourism portal seeundberg.at
- SUP hireIn Millstatt you will find countless offers, even SUP machines.
- Bike hire stations: can be found at seeundberg.at/radfahren
- Suggestions for SUP tours: draupaddelweg.com
SUP & Bike at the neighbouring Brennsee lake (tours and hire): sportsschool.at - SUP tip: Paddle tour on the Drau; here you can find the Detailed tour description with helpful tips
- Bike tip: 46.9 kilometre cycle tour "From the lake to the Drau - always along the water", on the DK tour portal:
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Further tour tips for SUP and bike
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.
