1. General Information
What is the Meridiem Trail?
The Meridiem Trail is a long-distance cycling route stretching approximately 600 kilometers from Vienna to Villach. The route passes through twelve regions in Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia in ten suggested stages, combining culture, cuisine, and nature. The name is derived from the Latin “ad meridiem,” which means “toward the south” or “toward the sun.” The Meridiem Trail is designed for cycling travelers who want to discover new regions while enjoying a relaxed journey.
Where does the Meridiem Trail run?
The Meridiem Trail runs from Vienna through western Lower Austria, Burgenland, a section in Hungary, Styria, northern Slovenia, and Carinthia, all the way to Villach. Along the route, you’ll pass through twelve distinct regions—from the wine-growing villages around Rust, through the vineyards and scenic roads of southern Styria, to the lakes and mountains of Carinthia, the Meridiem Trail connects some of Austria’s most diverse landscapes. The route links well-known highlights with lesser-known regions off the beaten path.
How long is the Meridiem Trail?
The Meridiem Trail is 618 kilometers long. The route has been designed so that it can be completed in ten daily stages, each covering approximately 55 to 65 kilometers. Of course, the tour can also be customized and split into more or fewer days.
How many stages are there on the Meridiem Trail?
The Meridiem Trail is divided into ten recommended day-long stages. These stages were chosen to allow ample time to experience the regions along the route, rather than simply racking up the miles. Those who prefer a faster or more leisurely pace can combine or split the stages as they see fit.
Who is the Meridiem Trail suitable for?
The Meridiem Trail is designed for leisure cyclists, bike tourists, and anyone who wants to explore Austria by bike. Thanks to moderate daily stages, good train connections, and mostly paved paths, the route is suitable for both experienced bike tourists and those planning their first multi-day cycling trip. Of course, more athletic cyclists can complete the route in less time. The connection to the Danube Cycle Path in Vienna and the Ciclovia Alpe Adria in Villach offers numerous opportunities to extend the Meridiem Trail with additional stages.
Can you ride the Meridiem Trail on an e-bike?
Yes, the Meridiem Trail is very well suited for e-bikes. The suggested daily stages, ranging from about 55 to 65 kilometers, are easily manageable for modern e-bikes. Along the route, there are numerous accommodations, restaurants, and public facilities where you can charge your battery. However, if you’re traveling by e-bike, you should still take into account the specific range of your own battery.
When is the best time to visit the Meridiem Trail?
The best time to visit the Meridiem Trail is between April and October. The months of May, June, September, and October are particularly pleasant, when temperatures are generally moderate and the regions along the route showcase their various seasonal highlights. In the spring, flowers and orchards are in bloom, while the fall brings the grape harvest and numerous culinary events.
2. Route & Stages
Can I also ride the Meridiem Trail in the other direction—from Villach to Vienna?
Of course, the Meridiem Trail can also be ridden from Villach to Vienna—as well as from Villach to Graz and from Graz to Vienna. You can find the corresponding GPS tracks in the route overview of the respective navigation package on ``Ride with GPS``. In addition to the route from Vienna to Villach, the route from Villach to Vienna is also available there.
How long are the individual stages?
You can decide on the length of each stage based on your own preferences and plans. If you follow our suggestions, plan for ten days, covering between 55 and 65 kilometers each day, to complete the entire 600-kilometer Meridiem Trail. The ten stages are included in the GPS track.
Can I ride just individual sections of the Meridiem Trail?
Yes. You don’t have to ride the Meridiem Trail all at once. Thanks to numerous train connections along the route, you can explore individual sections or regions independently of one another. Many cyclists therefore use the trail for long weekends or short trips lasting several days.
Is the Meridiem Trail marked?
The Meridiem Trail primarily uses existing bike paths and regional cycling routes, which are appropriately marked on-site. However, there is currently no continuous signage for the “Meridiem Trail.” For navigation, we therefore recommend the official GPS track, which includes the route along with important information and recommendations, as well as a complete list of the bike paths to use.
How challenging is the Meridiem Trail?
The Meridiem Trail is primarily designed for leisure cyclists and those who enjoy cycling, as well as for cyclists planning multi-day trips. The suggested daily stages are typically 55 to 65 kilometers long and mostly follow paved paths and low-traffic roads. Thanks to the moderate stage lengths and the well-developed infrastructure along the route, it is also well-suited for people with little experience in cycling tours.
Does the route go along roads or bike paths?
The Meridiem Trail follows existing bike paths and bike routes along quiet side streets 95% of the time. There are a few sections where there is no bike path, but these are marked as bike routes on the road.
What are the ground conditions and road surface like on the Meridiem Trail?
Over 92% of the proposed route is on asphalt, about 5% is on paved and compacted surfaces, and about 3% is on gravel. However, it is possible to bypass this 3%.
3. Travel & Transportation
Can I get to the Meridiem Trail by train?
Yes. Both the starting point in Vienna and the destination in Villach have excellent rail connections. In addition, there are numerous other train stations along the route, making the Meridiem Trail easily accessible even without a car. This makes the route ideal for multi-day cycling trips as well as for individual stages or short trips.
Which train stations are located along the route?
There are numerous train stations along the Meridiem Trail in Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia. This makes it possible to plan your cycling trip flexibly, ride individual sections, or take a break from the tour along the way.
Can I get to the Meridiem Trail without a car?
Yes. The Meridiem Trail was specifically designed to make it easy to travel to and from the trail using public transportation. Thanks to the excellent train connections along the route, cyclists can start their trip flexibly, ride individual sections, and then return comfortably by train.
Can I stop the tour along the way?
Yes. Thanks to the numerous train connections along the route, you can pause your cycling trip at any time and resume it later. This makes the Meridiem Trail ideal for people who don’t want to ride all ten stages in one go.
Can I ride the Meridiem Trail as a weekend trip?
Yes. You don’t have to complete the Meridiem Trail as a single, continuous cycling trip. Many sections are ideal for weekend trips or short getaways. Thanks to the rail connections, individual stages or regions can be easily selected and cycled independently of one another.
Is it possible to have luggage transported along the Meridiem Trail?
Yes. Our partner, PEDALO, offers luggage transport along the route. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to the next, so cyclists only need to carry a light day pack while on the road. You can find more information and book directly through PEDALO.
4. Bicycle & Equipment
Which bike is recommended for the Meridiem Trail?
Trekking bikes, touring bikes, and gravel bikes are ideal for this tour. The route is also very well suited for e-bikes.
Can you ride the Meridiem Trail on a trekking bike?
Yes. The Meridiem Trail was designed to run primarily along paved paths and low-traffic roads. As a result, the route is well-suited for trekking bikes, touring bikes, and touring bicycles. The route can also be comfortably ridden on a gravel bike or e-bike.
Can you ride the Meridiem Trail on a road bike?
Since more than 90 percent of the route is on asphalt, the Meridiem Trail is generally rideable on a road bike. A few short sections on gravel or paved paths can be bypassed if necessary. However, a touring, trekking, or gravel bike is recommended.
Do I need special gear for the Meridiem Trail?
No. No special equipment is required for the tour. In addition to a road-worthy bicycle, we recommend weather-appropriate clothing, a repair kit for minor breakdowns, plenty of drinking water, and a smartphone or navigation device to use the GPS track.
Do I have to carry my luggage on the bike?
No, that’s not absolutely necessary. Our partner, PEDALO, offers a luggage transport service that moves your luggage from one accommodation to the next. You can book this service directly through PEDALO.
5. GPS track
How do I access the GPS track?
1. Go to www.meridiemtrail.com/gps-track
2. Select your desired stages—6 or 12 stages—and pay
3. Receive a PDF document with a personal download code via email
4. Download the “Ride with GPS” app for free from the App Store or Google Play Store
5. Open the app
6. Optional: Create a free account—the premium version is not necessary!
7. Click “More” and then “Open Shortcut”
8. Enter the download code
9. Open the track on your phone or export it to other devices like Garmin—and hit the road!
Do I really need the GPS track?
Of course, you can ride the Meridiem Trail without a GPS track. However, with the GPS track, you get route guidance accurate to the meter and are always notified if a section of the route changes. In addition, the GPS track includes all bike-friendly accommodations, restaurants, information on attractions, descriptions of special places, and much more that is useful for a successful long-distance cycling trip. This makes planning much easier and turns the trip into a carefree experience.
Where can I access the GPS track?
The GPS track can be accessed via the "Ride with GPS" app. The app can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet. Unfortunately, the track cannot be accessed via the ridewithgps.com website.
Can I just follow the bike paths instead of using the GPS track?
The Meridiem Trail runs almost entirely along existing bike paths. You can find a list of these bike paths, as well as the GPS track, in the “Ride with GPS” app. Simply open the relevant route and click on “Bike Paths at a Glance” in the overview.
Is the route also available in print?
No, at this time the exact route is only available as a digital GPS track. Due to high demand, a printed cycling guide is in the works, but it won’t be available until 2027.
Can I use the GPS track in other systems as well?
Yes. Once the GPS track has been downloaded from “Ride with GPS,” the GPX file can be exported and imported into other systems, such as Garmin. However, you are not permitted to publish, sell, or share the Meridiem Trail GPS track, use the tracks for commercial purposes, or make the download codes or routes publicly available. Use is permitted exclusively for private purposes—of course, other systems may also be used for purely private purposes.
