Highlights of Slovenian Road Cycling

Highlights of Slovenian Road Cycling

Are you a road cycling enthusiast who loves a challenge? On this tour, you will discover the favorite climbs of the best Slovenian cyclists, enjoy peaceful backroads and most of all discover the true beauty of Slovenia. What better way to do it than on the bike? This trip offers a mixture of tourist pearls (Bled, Goriška Brda, Soča Valley) and quiet countryside (Idrija, Poljanska Valley) with perfect roads. Enjoy your ride!

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Duration

Fitness level

Length

7 days / 6 nights

Intermediate

60 - 80 km

Self-guided: from 1250€ / person
Guided: 1499€/person

Discover the marvellous Bled Lake with its fairytale island
Ride over the famous serpentines of Vršič pass and immerse yourself in the Julian Alps
Soča Valley with turquoise water and picturesque villages will leave you speechless
Goriška Brda with its rolling wine hills, local cuisine and the best cabernet sauvignon is waiting for you
Explore the traditional countryside, the small historic town of Idrija and ride through the made-for-cycling Selška valley
Finish your trip in the capital of Ljubljana

ITINERARY

Bled - Bovec (via Vršič pass)

Start your cycling tour with a ride through closed-for-traffic Radovna Valley and on the cycling path toward Kranjska Gora. This stage will be almost completely traffic free, so you can really enjoy the peace on the road. In Kranjska Gora, you have a chance for a coffee stop and a quick bite before tackling mighty Vršič pass, the most famous cycling road in Slovenia. Its 24 serpentines will remind you of climbs like Alpe d’Huez and all along the climb you can enjoy views of the Julian Alps at the palm of your hand. Finish your ride with the descent into Soča Valley and your accommodation in Bovec.

ALTERNATIVE: If you wish to make the route a bit easier, you can go into Soča Valley via Predil Pass (ITA) instead of Vršič and shave off around 350 vertical meters.

Distance and elevation: 80 km, 1500 vertical meters

Bovec - Goriška Brda

This will be the most diverse day on the bike. It starts with a nice rolling road, more downhill than not, to warm up your legs after the climbs of yesterday. Soča Valley offers a photo opportunity at every turn, and when you reach Tolmin and Most na Soči, you will notice the surroundings will start to change a bit. You will be heading closer to the wine region, first on the new bike path to Solkan which is one of the best in Europe, and then uphill, to the Brda hills. At your final destination, it is time to enjoy local delicacies - prosciutto, cheese, olives, and - of course - a glass of delicious wine.

Distance and elevation: 75 km, 900 vertical meters

Arrival to Bled

Get settled in this lovely town and prepare yourself for the cycling days that follow. You can warm up your legs with a quick hike around the lake or up to the Ojstrica viewpoint. Or just enjoy your day with Kremšnita cream cake.

Goriška Brda - Štanjel

On this day, you will start your ride with a loop over the rolling terrain in Goriška Brda, so you will get the chance to see the small villages and vineyards from different angles. Then you will descend into the valley, to Nova Gorica town, and onwards to Carst. This completely different, yet equally picturesque region will again welcome you with its cuisine and first and foremost with perfect backroads for your ride. Just you, your bike and no one else to spoil the peace!

Distance and elevation: 70 km, 1000 vertical meters

Štanjel - Idrija

It is once again time to change the scenery. From the foothills of Carst, the historic town of Štanjel, you will ride through Vipava Valley and over the mountain range into Idrija. This stage will offer you a unique insight into Slovenian landscape, as you will cross the line from seaside region to the completely different mountainous mainland. In Idrija, you will get the chance to see how traditional Slovenian small town looks like. And don’t forget to try “žlikrofi” there.

Destination and elevation: 55 km, 900 vertical meters

Idrija - Ljubljana

One last hurdle on your road cycling tour in Slovenia. A lovely stage on rolling hills and through valleys is in front of you, again away from traffic and on the roads where you will mostly encounter only fellow cyclists. This terrain is a mainstay in the “diet” of every road cyclist from Ljubljana, and the capital city is where you will finish your tour. What better way to reminisce about your experiences than with a glass of cold beer by the Ljubljanica river in the city center?

Destination & elevation: 60 km, 800 vm

Inclusions

Tour design
Accommodation
Luggage transfers
Navigation maps
24/7 support
Tour handout with itinerary and sightseeing tips

Optional Extras

Airport transfer
Bike & equipment rental
Single traveler supplement
Dining reservations
Food & wine tastings
Sightseeing tours