01 - Overview
The Iseltal Cycle Path accompanies the Isel - Austria's last glacial river that flows freely from source to mouth - over some 28 kilometres, climbing up-valley from the Dolomite town of Lienz to Matrei in Osttirol. From the confluence with the Drau, where the Drauradweg connects, the gently rising valley path runs through the nature-protected Isel floodplains by way of Ainet, Sankt Johann im Walde and Huben to the gateway of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Predominantly paved, with short stretches on quiet valley roads, easy and family-friendly throughout - and at the valley head the wild high country of the Hohe Tauern beckons.
The Iseltal Cycle Path is a gentle uphill valley ride, from the East Tyrolean district town of Lienz into the high country of the Hohe Tauern. The starting point is the "town of sunshine," Lienz, where the Isel flows into the Drau and the Drauradweg connects; above the town stands Schloss Bruck, today the Museum of the Town of Lienz, the Liebburg presides over the main square, and to the south the Lienzer Dolomites draw their rugged backdrop. From here the path follows the Isel up the valley - the glacial river that descends from the Umbalkees in the Hohe Tauern and is the only river in Austria to flow free and unimpounded from source to mouth. Its gravel bars, home to the rare German Tamarisk, are protected as a Natura 2000 site; the cycle path accompanies these wild Isel floodplains without intruding on them. Climbing steadily but almost imperceptibly, the route rolls by way of Oberlienz and Ainet to Sankt Johann im Walde, where the valley grows narrower and more pristine. At Huben, where the Defereggental branches off and the Kienburg ruin stands high above the river, the path draws up its final, slightly steeper kilometres to Matrei in Osttirol. The market town at around 975 metres is regarded as the gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in the Alps; the Nationalparkhaus tells of the wilderness all around, and above the town the medieval Schloss Weißenstein clings to its cliff. Here the drawn route ends - but the Isel valley runs on: up-valley the Virgental opens toward Prägraten and the thundering Umbalfälle, a rewarding view beyond the destination. The route is predominantly paved and runs on dedicated cycle paths and quiet old valley roads; with an average gradient of about one per cent, no significant climbs and clear of the Felbertauern highway, it is easy to ride and ideal for families. Those who prefer it easy take the Postbus up and roll back down along the Isel - downhill, the gentle ascent becomes an effortless valley descent.
- Regions
- Tyrol
- Start
- Lienz
- Finish
- Matrei in Osttirol
- Surface
- Paved
- Network
- Regional
- Best season
- April - October
- Signposting
- fully signposted
- Families
- well suited
- Road-bike friendly
- Yes · Fully pavedwell documented
100 % paved, effectively paved throughout.
02 - Stages
3 stages · 28 km
01Lienz - Sankt Johann im WaldeLienz · Oberlienz · Ainet · Sankt Johann im Walde11 km
The opening stage leaves Lienz at the confluence of the Isel and the Drau, where the Drauradweg connects, and follows the river up the valley through the wide Isel floodplains. By way of Oberlienz and Ainet the well-built valley path rolls along almost level, always beside the nature-protected Isel with its pale gravel bars, the Lienzer Dolomites at your back. A relaxed, family-friendly warm-up to Sankt Johann im Walde.
- Ascent
- 52 m
- Descent
- 5 m
- Duration
- approx. 0.75-1.0 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
02Sankt Johann im Walde - HubenSankt Johann im Walde · Schlaiten · Huben7 km
Beyond Sankt Johann im Walde the valley grows narrower and more pristine. On dedicated cycle paths and quiet old valley roads the route accompanies the wild, surging Isel with its shifting gravel reaches - a living glacial river of a kind the Eastern Alps barely know any more. Climbing gently, the path reaches Huben, where the Defereggental branches off and the Kienburg ruin stands high above the river.
- Ascent
- 62 m
- Descent
- 0 m
- Duration
- approx. 0.5-0.75 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
03Huben - Matrei in OsttirolHuben · Feld · Matrei in Osttirol10 km
The final stage draws up the last, slightly steeper kilometres to Matrei in Osttirol. The market town at around 975 metres is regarded as the gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in the Alps; the Nationalparkhaus and Schloss Weißenstein, clinging high to its cliff, welcome the rider. Here the route ends - up-valley the Virgental opens toward Prägraten and the Umbalfälle, a rewarding view beyond the destination.
- Ascent
- 242 m
- Descent
- 61 m
- Duration
- approx. 0.75-1.25 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
03 - Elevation
Elevation across the full distance - move the cursor to read altitude and kilometre.
Elevation profile over 28 km. Ascent 355 m, descent 66 m. Lowest point 681 m, highest point 974 m.
Elevation from OSM geometry + Digital Terrain Model (DGM) Austria (10 m).
Hover the profile to see the point on the map - and vice versa.
04 - POIs & Services
- Isel - Austria's last free-flowing glacial river (Natura 2000 site)
- Lienz - Schloss Bruck (Museum of the Town of Lienz) & Liebburg on the main square
- Lienzer Dolomites - rugged mountain backdrop above the town of sunshine
- Isel floodplains with the rare German Tamarisk (protected gravel bars)
- Huben & the Kienburg ruin - valley junction at the mouth of the Defereggental
- Matrei in Osttirol - gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park (Nationalparkhaus)
- Schloss Weißenstein - medieval cliff castle above Matrei
- Virgental & Umbalfälle - up-valley from Matrei (excursion beyond the destination)
Services along the route
- Bike serviceAs East Tyrol's district capital and cycling hub, Lienz is well stocked with bike shops and rental; Matrei in Osttirol has rental and service geared to the national park. In between, the towns of the Isel valley sit closer together than in many Alpine valleys - still, carry a repair kit. The easy, predominantly paved route rides well on any touring bike.
- E-bikeCharging stations and e-bike rental in Lienz and Matrei and in the valley towns. At only around 28 kilometres with a gentle gradient, most batteries reach the valley head with ease - and the way back is downhill anyway.
- Drinking waterDrinking fountains and inns in Lienz, Ainet, Sankt Johann im Walde, Huben and Matrei; the towns follow closely along the valley, so there are no long supply gaps.
- Food & drinkInns and mountain taverns along the valley, plus the town cafés and taverns of Lienz and the market square of Matrei at the gateway to the national park. East Tyrolean cooking and hearty fare accompany the whole route.
Service points along the route
- Drinking water12
- Bike shop4
- Bike rental1
- Charging station18
Service points from OpenStreetMap. Coverage may be incomplete, some fountains are seasonal - verify before you rely on them.
05 - Impressions
The Isel near Lienz - Austria's last glacial river to flow freely from source to mouth, which the cycle path follows up the valley to Matrei.Photo: Die Isel bei Lienz · Giorgio Galeotti · CC BY-SA 4.0 Schloss Bruck, today the Museum of the Town of Lienz, above the tour's starting point - the rugged backdrop of the Lienzer Dolomites behind.Photo: Schloss Bruck über Lienz · Muck (User:Muck50) · CC BY-SA 4.0 The cycle-path footbridge at the confluence of the Isel and the Drau in Lienz - where the Iseltal Cycle Path begins and joins the Drauradweg R1.Photo: Steg am Isel-Drau-Zusammenfluss · Herzi Pinki · CC BY-SA 4.0 The gravel-banked Isel near Feld between Huben and Matrei - the cycle path accompanies the nature-protected Isel floodplains, home to the rare German Tamarisk.Photo: Die Isel bei Feld · Michielverbeek · CC BY-SA 4.0 The confluence of the Isel and the Tauernbach at Matrei in Osttirol, the gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park and the destination of the tour.Photo: Isel und Tauernbach bei Matrei · Michael König · CC BY-SA 4.0
06 - Public transit
- Rail: Lienz station (Drautalbahn/Pustertalbahn) at the valley mouthLienz is East Tyrol's rail hub, reached via the Drautalbahn (Spittal-Millstättersee) and the Pustertalbahn to San Candido/Innichen in Italy, with bicycle carriage. The Iseltal Cycle Path starts here, right at the Isel-Drau confluence.
- Postbus 950X & 4421 (Lienz - Matrei in Osttirol)No railway runs up the Isel valley to Matrei; the Postbus lines 950X (Lienz - Huben - Matrei - Felbertauern - Mittersill) and 4421 (Lienz - Matrei - Virgen - Prägraten) link the valley with its head. Bicycles are carried subject to space. This makes it easy to ride up and roll the Isel back down - or the other way round.
- Connection: Drauradweg R1 in LienzAt the start the Iseltal Cycle Path joins the Drauradweg R1, which links the Puster valley with the lower Drau valley - ideal for weaving the tour into a longer river journey.
Lienz at the valley mouth lies on the Drautalbahn/Pustertalbahn (Spittal and San Candido/Italy) and on the Drauradweg R1. No railway runs up the Isel valley to Matrei; the Postbus lines 950X and 4421 connect Lienz and Matrei (bicycles subject to space). So you ride up with ease and roll the Isel back down - or the other way round.
07 - GPX & TCX download
Download for GPS devices & apps
Clean track with elevation - imports as a single tour, compatible with Komoot, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava, RideWithGPS, OsmAnd.
Download stages individually (3)
Route derived from OpenStreetMap geometry - may differ slightly from on-the-ground signage. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) · Elevation © DGM Austria (CC BY 3.0 AT). Redistribute with attribution.