From Alps to the Adriatic – Slovenia Cycling

WHAT TO EXPECT

Holiday with a bike is an active way of spending your time with family or friends. Suitable for small groups or individuals. The best time to enjoy this bike tour is between April and October.

The bike tour begins at Bled and takes you around Slovenia and a tiny bit of Italy. Your bike will take you between Alpine peaks and emerald-green valleys, furthermore you will follow the paved rail trails through dense forests and pass some of the most beautiful glimmering lakes. The path is surrounded by nature and landscapes, like romantic vineyards, olive and lavender fields and medieval towns on the Adriatic coast.

This is truly a trip to set your mind free as all directions are carefully chosen for you so you can get the most impressive views in a most possible short time, on the way from Alps to the Sea. You can use the breaks between cycling to experience the rich local culture, to visit some local wine cellars and taste farm-fresh cuisine. Accommodation is arranged at tourist farms or lovely guesthouses or small hotels that make you feel welcome and cosy like in your own living room.

Itinerary and Locations

Itinerary can be flexible and can be tailored with special interest and client’s requests, the following is just an idea. Daily you will make 25 – 60 km in 2 –6 hours.

Day 1: Ljubljana airport – Bled

After arrival to airport transfer to Bled. Walk around Lake Bled or visit the Slovenia’s oldest castle perched on a white rock, 130 meters above the lake, with its museum, chapel and wine cellar. From here you can enjoy the view of the lake with its island. If you’re hoping to see one of Central Europe’s most iconic views, try the Ojstrica hike (approx. 30 min). Then you will meet your bike tour coordinator.

Day 2: Bled – Pokljuka – Bohinj lake – Bohinjska Bistrica (train) – Bled

Distance: 48 km

Activity level: 8/10

Ascent: 800 m

Descent: 820 m

Cycling from Bled to Pokljuka Plateau. Private transfer to Pokljuka Plateau is possible to arrange if preferred. Cycling through the most beautiful parts of Pokljuka – from pasture to pasture in Triglav National Park. Descend from Pokljuka and relaxing cycle past authentic villages close to Lake Bohinj. Cycling around Lake Bohinj and later on from Lake Bohinj to Bohinjska Bistrica, using the nice paved cycling path along the Sava River. Short train ride from Bohinjska Bistrica to Bled train station (20 min).

Day 3: Bled – Radovna Valley – Kranjska Gora (Podkoren)

Distance: 40 km

Activity level: 6/10

Ascent: 600 m

Descent: 240 m

A warm-up ride around the Lake Bled. The area is particularly charming and ideal for easy bike ride, while you can admire the island with the church in the middle of the lake, and Bled Castle. Cycling continues towards Gorje and through the valley Radovna, which is situated in the Triglav National Park. You will pass several natural and cultural attractions along the way as well as Mojstrana and Kranjska Gora, the town famous for Ski World Cup. Arrival to Kranjska Gora or Podkoren to hotel and free afternoon. One of the great natural sight near Kranjska Gora is the source of Sava River called Zelenci, where one can enjoy the green crystal water.

Day 4: Kranjska Gora (Podkoren) – Vršič – Bovec/Čezsoča

Distance: 56 km

Activity level: 10/10

Ascent: 1560 m

Descent: 1060 m

Cycling from Kranjska Gora pass Lake Jasna and Russian Chapel to Vršič (private transfer is possible if preferred) which is a famous Slovenian pass. On top one can admire the beauty of the highest mountain peaks. The road is very scenery. At the top it is possible to enjoy traditional mountain lunch before descent to Trenta Valley, where you can stop and walk up for about 15 min to reach the Soča river source. Cycling continues along Soča River towards Bovec. On the way take your time, find a peaceful spot by the water and dip your feet in Soča River. Arrival to Bovec to your hotel and free afternoon to relax and enjoy the rest of the day in one of the most outdoor and sport-oriented town in Slovenia.

Day 5: Bovec/Čezsoča – Tolmin

Distance: 28 km

Activity level: 5/10

Ascent: 290 m

Descent: 140 m

Cycling from Bovec / Čezsoča to Kobarid. The path takes you all along the River Soča. Many people say Soča is the most beautiful river on this planet. Nicknamed “The Emerald Beauty,” it has appeared in multiple well-known poems and movies and has inspired many visitors. The river is one of the rare rivers that maintains an emerald-green or even bluish colour all the way down its 138 kilometres to the Adriatic Sea. You will arrive to Napoleon Bridge from where you can admire mysterious emerald gorges and pools. If you are in the mood, you can take a short, 40 min, easy hike to Kozjak waterfall or visit the famous Museum in Kobarid, that shows us the stories from the First World War. From Kobarid, the town laying at the feet of mighty Krn Muntain, to Tolmin, leads a nice paved side road, which passes villages and meadows. Arriving to Tolmin to your Guest House / Tourist farm.

Day 6: Tolmin – Most na Soči (train) – Kanal – Goriška brda

Distance: 25 km

Activity level: 7/10

Ascent: 490 m

Descent: 450 m

Cycling from Tolmin to Most na Soči train station on local paved roads. Short panoramic train ride along Soča River from Most na Soči to Kanal (25 min). Cycling on paved cycling path along Soča River to Plave. Climb to Vrhovlje, where the magnificent view over Goriška Brda opens. Cycling to your Hotel / Guest House / Tourist farm and free afternoon for a visit of one of the many famous wine cellars in the region.

Day 7: Goriška brda – Nova Gorica (train) – Štanjel – Sežana

Distance: 30 km

Activity level: 5/10

Ascent: 300 m

Descent: 400 m

The first half of the day you will ride your bike in Goriška Brda, passing many vineyards and orchards. Ascent to Nova Gorica to the train station. Short panoramic train ride along Vipava valley and Karst Plateau to Štanjel (30 min). Štanjel is known as a jewel of the Karst region, one of the oldest settlements. The most dominant features of the village are the Castle and the Church of Saint Daniel. Of course, the village hides many secrets. Cycling through vineyards and fields on Karst Plateau towards your Guest House in Sežana / Šmarje. In the afternoon you can visit one of the wine cellars. The region is known by famous red wine, called Teran.

Day 8: Sežana – Muggia (IT) – Koper – Izola/Piran

Distance: 49 / 59 km

Activity level: 6/10 Ascent: 500 / 650 m

Descent: 800 / 960 m

Possibility to visit the Škocjan caves, listed on UNESCO Heritage List with an extra excursion in the morning. Cycling from Sežana towards Italy passing Lipica. Possibility to visit the world-famous stud farm. When entering Italy, you will join the famous Val Rosandra cycling path (ex. railway), that takes you down to the coast. There are magnificent views and historical sights on the way really worth stopping. Cycling along the coast from Muggia to Koper passing Ankaran and further on along the Slovenian coastline. You can stop in Koper or Izola, lovely cities with certain Venetian charm. Portorož is a city with a holiday atmosphere. The neighboring, ancient city of Piran is one of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities and one of the best-preserved historic cities in Europe. Historic houses, squares and the narrow streets of Piran owe their charm mostly to the salt that was harvested in the once numerous salt pans near the town. The salt pans at Sečovlje – Salina are one of the few salt pans in the world where salt is still harvested in the traditional manner, which gives it a special quality. Accommodation at your hotel.

Day 9: Izola/Piran

After breakfast your bike tour comes to an end. You can prolong your stay in charming medieval Piran for some more days if you wish to enjoy the Slovenian coast a little bit more.