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Few countries pack as much variety into such a compact area as Slovenia, and traveling by bike is an ideal way to experience it. Beginning amid the mountains and lakes of the Julian Alps, this self-guided journey takes you from beautiful Lake Bled to the shores of the Adriatic, linking some of Slovenia's most impressive natural landscapes, historic towns and cultural highlights along the way. Cycle beside the turquoise waters of Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park, descend through forested valleys to medieval Škofja Loka and spend time exploring Ljubljana, Slovenia's lively and remarkably green capital. Continue across the Ljubljana Marshes and into the limestone landscapes of the Karst, where you can venture underground at Postojna Cave and the spectacular UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves. Along the way, discover the vineyards of the Vipava region, visit Lipica – home of the famous Lipizzaner horses – and cycle through traditional villages and rolling countryside. The final stages bring another change of scenery as you reach the Mediterranean and cycle along the Bay of Trieste, including a section of converted railway line, before finishing among the narrow streets and Venetian architecture of Piran. With luggage transfers taken care of and navigation provided, you're free to cycle at your own pace, stop where you choose and enjoy Slovenia's food, wine and hospitality along the way.
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Day 1
Arrive Bled
Make your own way to Bled which is easily accessible from Ljubljana airport and Ljubljana by public bus or we can arrange a private transfer. Bled is beautifully positioned beneath the Julian Alps and with its emerald-green lake, tiny island church and medieval castle perched high on a cliff, it makes an impressive introduction to Slovenia. Take a stroll around the lakeshore, walk up to Bled Castle for views across the lake and mountains, and perhaps sample the town's famous kremšnita cream cake.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycle via Lake Bohinj to Bohinjska Bistrica (47km / 29mi)
Your first cycling day introduces you to some of Slovenia's finest alpine scenery. Ride through Bohinjska Bela before following the emerald Sava Bohinjka River into the Bohinj Valley. Continue to Lake Bohinj, a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the forested mountains of Triglav National Park, before looping through the upper valley to Bohinjska Bistrica. For an easier first day, it is possible to take the direct route to Bohinjska Bistrica, reducing the ride to 28km/17mi. +580m/1,903ft, -560m/1,837ft.
Meals: B
Day 3
Cycle across the Jelovica Plateau to medieval Škofja Loka (49km/30.5mi)
Today's ride is the most challenging of the trip, beginning with a sustained climb onto the forested Jelovica Plateau. From here, descend into the Selška Valley and cycle through the mountain villages of Sorica and Železniki before reaching Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia's best-preserved medieval towns. If you would prefer to avoid the major climb, an optional transfer to the top of the Sorica Pass reduces the ride by approximately 12km/7.5mi and saves around 700m/2,297ft of ascent (supplement applies). +900m/2,953ft, -1,050m/3,445ft.
Day 4
A shorter cycle to Ljubljana (31km/19mi)
Enjoy a shorter and easier ride today as you leave Škofja Loka and make your way towards the Slovenian capital. Arriving early leaves plenty of time to discover Ljubljana on foot or by bike. Explore its pedestrian-friendly historic centre, visit Ljubljana Castle and wander beside the Ljubljanica River, where outdoor cafés and restaurants line the waterfront. +170m/558ft, -240m/787ft. It's possible to add a rest day in Ljubliana to have more time to explore - must be requested at time of booking. Supplement applies for an extra night's accommodation and additional day's bike hire.
Day 5
Cycle to Vrhnika across the Ljubljana Marshes (41km/25.5mi)
Leave the capital behind for a gentle ride across the vast Ljubljana Marshes (Ljubljansko Barje), an extensive wetland landscape south of the city. Quiet roads and cycleways take you across the plains towards Vrhnika. Along the way, pass the remains of the historic Borovnica railway viaduct and Bistra Castle before continuing to your overnight stop. +150m/492ft, -160m/525ft.
Day 6
Continue to Postojna, with optional visit to Predjama Castle (43km/26.5mi)
Head deeper into Slovenia's countryside as you cycle away from the busier routes towards Postojna. The landscape gradually becomes more undulating as you approach the country's limestone Karst region. An optional detour takes you to remarkable Predjama Castle, dramatically built into the mouth of a 123m/404ft-high cliff. Continue to Postojna for the evening. +760m/2,493ft, -510m/1,673ft.
Day 7
Visit Postojna Cave and cycle into the Vipava wine region (32km/20mi)
This morning there is time to explore Postojna Cave, one of Slovenia's extraordinary subterranean landscapes, before returning to your bike ride. Nearly 30 million visitors have explored the extraordinary underground world of Postojna Cave, one of Europe’s most celebrated karst cave systems. Carved deep beneath the limestone landscape over millions of years, the cave reveals a spectacular maze of vast chambers, tunnels and intricate rock formations. During the 1.5-hour guided tour, you’ll travel by train and then on foot through this subterranean wonderland past towering stalactites and stalagmites, while learning about the cave’s unique ecosystem and its most famous resident, the mysterious olm. Leaving Postojna, the route descends towards a noticeably different landscape as mountains and forests give way to vineyards. Continue into the Štanjel area, on the edge of the Vipava wine region. +240m/787ft, -630m/2067ft *Note - If you choose to visit just one cave on this trip, we recommend you visit on day 6 the UNESCO listed Škocjan Caves which are far less visited and absolutely a highlight. The guided tour takes you 3km along trails within the cave and lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Day 8
Cycle through the Karst via Lipica to Divaca (50km/31mi)
Cycle through Slovenia's distinctive Karst landscape, a region of vineyards, stone villages and limestone scenery. En route you can visit the botanical garden at Sežana before continuing to the historic Lipica stud farm, renowned as the original home of the white Lipizzaner horses. You may wish to visit the stables and grounds to learn more about the breed and the cultural heritage of this unique estate. Bookings required. https://www.lipica.org/en/tickets/ From Lipica, continue to Divaca for the night. +630m/2,067ft, -360m/1,181ft.
Day 9
Continue via the Škocjan Caves to Muggia on the Adriatic (38km/23.5mi)
If you didn’t visit Postojna Cave earlier in the journey, this morning offers the chance to explore the remarkable Škocjan Caves, one of Slovenia’s most impressive natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Less visited than Postojna yet equally captivating, the cave system features enormous underground chambers, dramatic limestone formations and one of the world’s largest subterranean canyons. From here, continue cycling toward the Adriatic coast and the charming seaside town of Muggia, just south of Trieste in Italy. After several rewarding days in the saddle, you may wish to take a boat across to Trieste to wander its elegant old town, enjoy a gelato in a lively piazza or simply relax beside the sea. +280m/919ft, -700m/2,297ft.
Day 10
Cycle along the Bay of Trieste to Piran (35km/22mi)
A fitting finale takes you along the Adriatic coast, following a cycle path built partly along a former railway line overlooking the Bay of Trieste. Continue back into Slovenia and on to Piran, a beautiful Venetian-era harbor town of narrow lanes, colorful buildings and waterfront cafés. Celebrate the completion of your journey from the Slovenian Alps to the Mediterranean with a final evening by the sea. The standard route is 35km/22mi, with an optional side trip increasing today's ride to approximately 46km/28.5mi. +230m/755ft, -240m/787ft.
Day 11
Trip concludes Piran
Your self-guided cycling trip concludes after breakfast. Consider extending your stay to enjoy more time on Slovenia's Adriatic coast.
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will be provided with a comfortable touring bike which is reliable and ideal for leisure cycling. Sample model: Trek FX 2 Disc Mid-Step Gen 3. The rental bikes are well-maintained, with quality components (Shimano, Bosch systems) and come in a wide size range. We'll have your height from your booking form.
You will also be supplied with a helmet and pannier to carry your gear for the day. A repair kit, pump and lock are also supplied.
A supplement applies. Suitable for off-road and alpine terrain.
An electric bike is available on request please specify your preference at time of booking - e-touring or e-MTB (mountain bike). A supplement applies, see below.
Electric bikes are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note they are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists.
E-touring sample: Bergamont E-Horizon Tour 5 Wave
A supplement applies. Gravel bikes combine road-bike efficiency with the versatility to ride on gravel roads, forest tracks and quieter backroads. The wider tyres and stable riding position provide extra comfort and control on uneven surfaces without sacrificing too much speed on asphalt. Sample model: Megamo Jakar 30
GRADE 3 - This trip is well suited to recreational cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness who are comfortable riding for several consecutive days. The route covers approximately 366km/227mi, predominantly along quiet country roads and cycleways, with mostly paved surfaces and some short gravel sections. Daily rides range from approximately 31–50km (19–31mi), with a mix of gentle terrain and hillier stages. Most days involve between 150 and 760m (492–2,493ft) of ascent, while the most demanding day climbs approximately 900m/2,953ft on the route from Bohinjska Bistrica to Škofja Loka. An optional transfer is available on this day, avoiding around 700m/2,297ft of climbing. The trip does not require advanced cycling skills, but you should be confident cycling on roads shared with traffic and able to manage sustained climbs and descents. We recommend regular cycling before departure to build the endurance required for consecutive riding days. An e-bike can make the hillier sections more manageable for cyclists who would like some assistance on the climbs; both standard touring bikes and electric touring bikes are available to rent. An E bike can be requested (supplement applies) and if used can make the trip easier on the legs, although pedalling is still required. Also you need to be a competent cyclist to ride an E bike as they are heavier and faster than regular bikes.
Per Person, Twin Share
No. This trip is best suited to recreational cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness who are comfortable riding on consecutive days. Daily distances are generally between 31–50km/19–31mi, with a mix of gentle riding and some hillier stages. The most demanding day includes around 900m/2,953ft of ascent.
The route follows mostly paved cycleways and quiet country roads, with some short gravel sections. You should be comfortable riding on roads shared with local traffic, although the emphasis is on quieter routes wherever possible.
Yes. Electric touring bikes are available to rent, along with standard touring bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes. An e-bike can be a good option if you would like some assistance on the hillier days, while still enjoying the full route. It is still important that you are a competent cyclist as e-bikes are heavier and go faster than standard bikes. Bike rental includes a helmet, pannier, repair kit and hand pump.
Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations, so you only need to carry what you require during the day. One piece of luggage per person, weighing up to 23kg/50lb, is included in the trip arrangements.
Route descriptions and maps are provided through the GUIBO navigation app, allowing you to follow each day’s route independently and cycle at your own pace. A local backup hotline is also available throughout the trip should you require assistance.
On Day 3, the ride from Bohinjska Bistrica to Škofja Loka includes the trip’s biggest climb. An optional transfer can take you to the top of the Sorica Pass, reducing the ride by approximately 12km/7.5mi and avoiding around 700m/2,297ft of climbing. This must be prebooked.
These are two different costs, and they don't both apply on the same booking. If you're travelling as part of a group booking with other people, you can choose to have your own room instead of sharing a twin room, for an extra cost shown on the trip page. Self-guided trips are priced on the basis of two people travelling together, so if you're travelling entirely on your own, there can be an additional cost on some trips to cover arrangements normally shared between two, such as luggage transfers. Which of these applies, if either, depends on the trip. Check the pricing section of your chosen trip page for the exact costs.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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