Our special feature: Tennis & Biking in Carinthia with beautiful and varied holiday recommendations south of the Alps

Not only on the tennis court, but also in the saddle, everyone is currently working hard on their form for the season. And since we believe that a tennis holiday can be perfectly combined with a cycling holiday, we invite you to our special "Tennis & Bike in Carinthia" . Austria's southernmost province not only boasts over 600 outdoor tennis courts, but also seemingly endless kilometers of fantastic cycle paths and trails for mountain bikers, gravel bikers, and road cyclists. Whether you're looking for a sporty climb up into the Nockberge mountains or a relaxed ride around the numerous lakes, all cycling enthusiasts will find the perfect area and the perfect tour here. Add to that mild temperatures from March well into October, warm lakes for swimming, action-packed adventures for adrenaline junkies, magical moments in nature, and irresistible Alpine-Adriatic cuisine. In our special feature, we present wonderful tennis hotels for cycling enthusiasts and show you exactly what cycling facilities each hotel offers, what you can expect on your bike around the hotel, and what you can look forward to. As always, varied, a little different, and full of highlights. Join us on our Tennis & Bike tour to Carinthia!

To kick off our special feature, we've compiled comprehensive information for you on mountain biking and gravel biking. Tours, highlights, and lots of additional information. In the following installments, our tennis hotels will share their unique biking highlights.

Carinthia - a paradise for mountain bikers

• Europe's longest flow trail is located in Bad Kleinkirchheim. From the Kaiserburg castle at approximately 1800 meters, the trail descends 15 kilometers to the valley station of the gondola lift in the center of Bad Kleinkirchheim. The trail is the flagship attraction of "NOCKBIKE".

• "NOCKBIKE" is a mountain biking paradise in the Nockberge mountains around Bad Kleinkirchheim and Lake Millstatt, boasting hundreds of kilometers of well-marked trails. The singletrack descents are especially popular – some offer a vertical drop of up to 1,100 meters. At the "Nockbike" competence center of the Krainer Sports School, bikers enjoy excellent support: In addition to classic bike rentals, guided mountain bike tours are offered daily in two ability groups, along with professional riding technique training and introductory tours. nockbike.at

• Flow Country Trail: None other than Diddie Schneider, one of the world's best mountain bike trail designers, on the Petzen mountain in southern Carinthia , the Flow Country Trail, Until 2019, it was the longest flow trail in Europe and is suitable not only for professionals but also for beginners; no specific technical skills are required. 

• Mine biking: Ever ridden through an abandoned mine tunnel? In southern Carinthia, you can. Equipped with a headlamp and helmet, you ride through the seven-kilometer-long tunnel. Mighty rock formations and chambers up to 30 meters high await you inside the mountain. And as a bonus, you'll cross the borders of Carinthia, as the tunnel entrance is located in Slovenia. A boundless adventure for the whole family. In 2018, the experience inside the tunnel was expanded with a roughly 2-kilometer-long trail. Info: stollenbiken.at

• BIKEworld of Mountains & Lakes: a roughly 950-kilometer MTB network with 46 diverse tours Bikers will find "BIKEworld of Mountains & Lakes" in the Carnic Alps, Julian Alps, and Gailtal Alps. The diversity of the Alps-Adriatic region is best experienced on a cross-border tour to Italy, where you can discover the culture and cuisine of two countries. 

• Weissensee Bike Area: A wonderful combination of biking, swimming, and bathing awaits you in the Weissensee Nature Park. Thirteen mountain bike trails, totaling 160 km in length and offering varying levels of difficulty, lead directly from the shores of the cleanest bathing lake in the Alps into the surrounding mountains. The tour to the Naggler Alm is a particular delight. Right next to the valley station of the cable car is a mountain bike skills course (including a pump track) that simulates classic off-road challenges. 

• Turracher Höhe Trail Area: In the summer of 2020, the extensive summer offerings at Turracher Höhe were enriched by a new attraction: the Turracher Höhe Trail Area – for both experienced bikers and beginners. The 7-kilometer-long, natural Kornock Flowtrail (blue difficulty, 400 meters of elevation gain) winds its way over rollers, rollable doubles, banked turns, and wooden bridges to the valley station of the Kornockbahn cable car, offering maximum riding fun with its magnificent views of the surrounding Nockberge mountains and Lake Turrach. Beginners of all ages can experience their first trail rides with bike guides on dedicated practice trails right at the valley station and then prepare for the Kornock Flowtrail on the Üwi Trail at the practice meadow lift (green/blue difficulty, 600 meters and 85 meters of elevation gain).

The most beautiful routes can be found at www.touren.kaernten.at, complete with GPS data, maps and much more.

Special Carinthian offer for the trendy sport of gravel biking

Carinthia is setting new standards in active tourism with "Gravel Carinthia," an innovative offering dedicated entirely to the gravel biking trend. This unique program combines sporting challenges, nature experiences, and cultural discoveries. All recommended gravel bike routes feature at least 50 percent gravel. The 24 routes (plus 3 transit routes) cover an impressive 1,800 kilometers and offer the perfect challenge for every skill level. From leisurely tours to demanding routes, Gravel Carinthia appeals to both beginners and experienced gravel bikers. All routes are interconnected and start and end at central community points.

Lost Places and Soul Places: A unique storytelling experience

A particular highlight of the project is the specially developed storytelling by journalist Georg Lux. With a focus on "Lost Places" and "Soul Places," Gravel Carinthia guides its guests to mysterious, often difficult-to-access locations such as ancient castles, abandoned towers, and hidden gems. These cultural and historical treasures, located off the beaten tourist track, lend the experience unparalleled depth and transform each tour into a journey of discovery. With Gravel Carinthia, Carinthia is setting new standards in active tourism, offering a unique blend of sport, nature, and culture. A must for anyone seeking adventure and wanting to discover a new side of Carinthia.

Tennis in Carinthia: Attractive tennis packages, outdoor season from March to October

Tennis in Carinthia – simply wonderful! Why always fly south for tennis season preparation? Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the tennis season in Carinthia starts as early as mid-March, making it the perfect place to get ready for the outdoor season and championship matches. With nearly 600 outdoor courts, you can enjoy a diverse range of options for training groups and teams, as well as for families and individual travelers. Whether it's a camp, a long weekend, or active days with the family, attractive packages from tennis-specialized hosts ensure that every need is met. You can find many of these tennis hotels and their tennis packages on our Carinthian inspiration page. And should the weather not cooperate, Carinthia offers 80 indoor courts – a significant advantage that you won't find in most tennis destinations requiring an air journey.

But Carinthia isn't just about tennis. It's also about enjoying nature! Whether running in the forest, taking a refreshing dip in the warm lakes, or biking on one of the many trails. Golfers will also feel right at home in Carinthia, with no fewer than 12 golf courses to choose from. Modern wellness facilities, bathhouses, and thermal baths offer hours of relaxation.

All information at a glance

You can find more information about tennis hotels in Carinthia at www.kaernten.at/tennis. Specific booking offers can be found at: www.kaernten.at/tennis/urlaubsangebote. 
Or, of course, directly here on TennisTraveller on our Carinthia inspiration page – everything at a glance: Carinthian tennis hotels, camp offers, and interesting blog posts.

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