Karawanken circuit via Wurzenpass and Lake Ossiach

Route details

Cross-border round trip from Klagenfurt via the Rosental valley and the Wurzen Pass to Slovenia, back via Lake Ossiach. A compact day tour through two countries with moderate demands.

The 133-kilometre Round trip starts in Klagenfurt and first heads south through the Rosental valley towards Ferlach. The first Stage runs on well-maintained country roads with a moderate number of bends along the Rosental valley, which stretches between the Karawanken and the Sattnitz mountain range.

The Slovenian border is crossed at Dovje. The route leads through the Slovenian Oberkrain to Kranjska Gora, a well-known winter sports resort at the foot of the Julian Alps. The town is ideal for a break with a view of the surrounding mountains.

From Kranjska Gora, you return to Austria via the Wurzen Pass. The Mountain pass reaches an altitude of 1,073 meters and offers decent gradients on both ramps. The northern ramp is more winding and more interesting for motorcyclists. The road is well developed and toll-free, which makes the Wurzen Pass a popular alternative to the Karawanken Tunnel. There is a bunker museum on the Mountain pass itself, reminiscent of the Cold War era.

After descending the pass, the route leads via Treffen to Lake Ossiach. The third-largest lake in Carinthia is located north-east of Villach and offers several places to stop for refreshments on its shores. Steindorf am Ossiacher See is home to the Domenig Steinhaus, an architectural masterpiece by architect Günther Domenig, which is considered an important work of deconstructivist architecture.

The return journey to Klagenfurt is via the Ossiacher See road along the northern shore and on through the Carinthian plain.

Road conditions and surface: The Route runs mainly on well asphalted state and federal roads. The Wurzenpass is well developed, in Slovenia the roads are somewhat narrower in places. The road surface is generally in good condition, with minor repairs in places.

Traffic: Moderate excursion traffic is to be expected in the Rosental valley and around Lake Ossiach, especially at weekends in summer. The Wurzenpass can be busier in the high season as it is a popular Border crossing. There is tourist traffic in Kranjska Gora.

Character: The Tour combines flat valley sections with a pass crossing of medium difficulty. It is suitable for riders with some experience and offers a good mix of relaxed Cruiser and active cornering. The total riding time without breaks is around 2.5 to 3 hours.