The Millstätter See Cycle Path is a 28 km long lake circuit in Carinthia – directly on the shore, with gentle climbs on the unspoilt southern shore. Ideal for e-bikes, leisure cyclists and families who want to spend a whole day in the NOCKBIKE region between bathing spots, cafés and lidos.
It's a question of personal taste and entirely up to cyclists whether they want to set off on a sunrise or sunset tour along the cycling trail around Lake Millstätter See. Both have their own charm. Our starting point today is late afternoon at the flower park in Seeboden. We have brought our own bikes and set off while our car is parked in one of the car parks in the lake centre. This time we didn't let ourselves be tempted by a round of mini golf and a scoop of basil ice cream from the ice cream stand on the cycling trail. Maybe next time!
Further cycling tours in Carinthia.
We cycle past the parks that extend to the shores of Lake Millstätter See - and soon after the Seehotel Steiner, the cycling trail plunges into the shady forest that runs along the southern shore. A dip in the Egelsee is firmly planned. We have to climb a few extra metres for this. But that's no problem with the e-bike. After jumping into the boggy water and the rapid descent that takes us back to the southern shore of Lake Millstätter See, we stop a few kilometres further on at Laggerbucht. (Refreshment stops on the south shore of Lake Millstätter See: Strandbad Südufer, Gasthof Laggerhof, Gasthof Lug ins Land).
After Laggerbucht, the biggest climbs and descents are behind us. The stretch to Döbriach is really relaxed. Millstätter See benches along the way and the Mirnock bench in the lake, an art installation by Thomas Györi, invite you to linger. A few kilometres further on, lakeside lounges and beach cafés, delicious summer cocktails and delicious ice cream creations await us (including Charly's See Lounge, Strandbad Sittlinger). As the sun sets - past the large campsites - we head towards Millstatt am See. The views of the onion domes of the Millstatt collegiate church and the characteristic roofs of the turn-of-the-century villas have already accompanied us along the southern shore. They reappear shortly after Pesenthein.
The Slow Food Village Millstatt am See invites you to park your bike, take a seat at the ZEITbank in Seepark or take a walk through the Barbara Egger Park or the church of Millstatt. In addition to the cloister and the collegiate church, the galleries, where the millstART art association, photographer Jens August and gallery owner Eleonore Schäfer organise changing exhibitions far from the mainstream, are also worth a visit. If you want to stop for a bite to eat, Millstatt am See offers a choice between an espresso at the Greisslerei, an ice cream to go from the farmer on Georgsritterplatz, a fried
Reinanke at the Reinankenwirten and many other temptations. We save the visit to the Kärnten Badehaus for next time.
Given the late hour, we decide to make one last stop at lake café KAP 4613 - the pyramid in the lake - and then cycle back to the starting point in Seeboden am M.S.
If you don't have your own bike with you, then the route at the start of the Millstätter See cycling trail leads to the bike hire shop (bike hire and charging stations for e-bikes are available on the northern shore in all villages). In addition to the latest e-bike models, you can also hire children's bikes, child seats, bike trailers and helmets for your bike tour. Then you're ready to go: It's worth taking plenty of TIME for the tour.
If you want to shorten the route, take the cycle ferry! During the summer months, the ‘Peter Pan’ regularly commutes between Großegg on the south shore, Millstatt on the north shore (Schillerpark), Laggerbucht, Döbriach on the M. S. (Glanz landing stage) in the east of Lake Millstätter See and Seeboden on the M. S. (Blumenpark landing stage) in the west. Click here for the timetable!
One of the most popular cycle tours with children in Carinthia runs along the Millstätter See cycle path. If you like, you can also take the cycle loop to the centre of Döbriach. A visit to Sagamundo is well worthwhile here. Mermaids, giants, dwarves and other mythical creatures ‘inhabit’ the house of storytelling and leave a lasting impression on children. They will certainly remember the legend of the Jungfernsprung later when they look over the bank wall on the first climb after the Döbriach village sign and watch the climbers scrambling from the water towards the cycling trail.
It's just as well that the gate to the ‘Fischimbiss im Garten’ is wide open right after the long climb to Dellach. How about a fish burger with a view?
Tip: Almost a dozen lidos along the cycling trail invite you to swim and take a break. The particularly brave can try out the diving tower at Millstatt lido. Will Dad jump from the 10 metre platform?
If you still have energy left after your lake tour, the Bike Area Obermillstatt offers a practice park with trails of varying degrees of difficulty.
For a tour on the Millstätter See cycling trail around Lake Millstätter See with children, you need to be in good physical condition. Children should already be confident cyclists. The section between Seeboden and Schlossvilla in particular alternates between descents and steeper climbs. During the holidays and at weekends, the Millstätter See cycling trail is always well frequented in good weather. More ideas for cycling with children in Carinthia.
The total distance of the Millstätter See cycling trail is 28 kilometres (altitude difference: 255 m - difficulty: easy to medium).
The Millstätter See Cycle Path is ideal for cycling from April to the end of October. In spring, mild temperatures and clear views of the Nockberge mountains attract visitors, while summer is particularly popular for holidays by the lake, beach bathing and cycle ferries. Autumn offers peaceful lake shores, colourful forests and pleasant temperatures for an enjoyable tour of the lake.
You should plan around 3 hours for the tour on the Millstätter See cycling trail, including short breaks.
The timetable for the ‘Peter Pan’ cycle ferry is available online HERE
The starting point can be freely chosen. There are car parks near the cycle path in: Seeboden am M. S. (paid parking spaces at the flower park - access via Seestraße), in Döbriach/Radenthein (paid parking spaces on Seefeldstraße or at the lidos/free parking spaces near the tourist office: Kurpark Döbriach, Glanzer Straße 5) and in Millstatt am See (chargeable parking spaces in the centre).
The Millstätter See circular cycling trail runs along the northern shore close to the shore and follows the Millstätter Landesstraße. The northern section of the route is tarmac and can be covered in no time due to the gentle gradient. It leads through the lively villages of Döbriach, Millstatt am See and Seeboden am Millstätter See.
Things get a little more challenging on the unspoilt southern shore. Here, the Millstätter See cycling trail winds its way along a gravel track for long stretches through shady beech and spruce forests. Several small climbs alternate with relaxing descents.
The cycle path is suitable for children, provided they are already confident cyclists. The natural south bank has a few climbs and gravel sections that require a certain level of fitness. For family-friendly options, it is worth combining the route with the Peter Pan cycle ferry, which shortens longer sections. There are also numerous swimming spots and rest areas along the route, making the tour varied and easily manageable for children.
The Millstätter See Cycle Path in Carinthia is one of Austria's most attractive lake circuits. Lakeside paths, easy sections and panoramic views of the lake make the route ideal for e-bikes, families and leisure cyclists.
