Cycle Slovenia

Trip Type: Cycling
Slovenia | 8 D | 1 - 15 People
Starts From:

NZD 4,385.00 /Person

It’s beautiful, it’s bite-sized and it’s best explored on a bike – on this active adventure, spend eight days discovering Slovenia on two wheels, from Ljubljana to Piran.

Cycle Slovenia

It’s beautiful, it’s bite-sized and it’s best explored on a bike – on this active adventure, spend eight days discovering Slovenia on two wheels, from Ljubljana to Piran. Cycle around the famous Lake Bled, wind through the natural beauty of Triglav National Park, take in alpine views from the slopes of Kranjska Gora, follow the emerald waters of the Soca River and explore the biodiverse Postojna Cave. When you’re not busy pedalling, you’ll enjoy picnics, barbecues, coffee stops and winery visits, and see Slovenia’s short but stunning Adriatic coastline. One thing’s for sure – this is going to be a ride to remember!

Zivjo! Welcome to Slovenia. Known as ‘Europe in Miniature’, this country may be tiny, but its diversity makes it a top-notch destination for cycling, with each day bringing something different. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to take a walk around this leafy city at your own pace, checking out the beautiful buildings, bridges and museums on foot. After your meeting, maybe head out as a group for a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant – your leader will know the best spots.

Say goodbye to Ljubljana this morning and drive to Bled – a scenic resort town on Lake Bled. Here, you’ll have a bike fitting and safety briefing to set you up for the journey ahead. Then it’s time to get your wheels in motion! From Bled, you’ll pedal gradually uphill through the mountains, following the low-traffic forest paved road. This route offers plenty to look at – mountain views, scenic stops along the way and a loop around the beautiful Lake Bled. Your final stop of the day is a flower and tree-filled valley, where you can refuel at a popular mountain house. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – you may like to explore Triglav National Park, check out the Vintgar Gorge or visit Bled Castle.

Leave Bled early this morning and cycle the scenic route beside the Sava River. Half of the route is a cycling path, and the other part covers the paved roads of Triglav National Park, passing mountains, ravines, lakes, canyons, caves, rivers, forests and Alpine meadows. Your ride today is a gradual uphill until you reach the alpine resort of Kranjska Gora, your final stop for the day. When you arrive, enjoy lunch with a view as you tuck into a barbecue feast on the ski slope – the perfect chance to unwind and appreciate the spectacular scenery.

Your journey continues with a drive this morning, avoiding a long and steep uphill climb. The support vehicle will take you up the Julian Alps to the Vrsic Pass, known as the ‘Russian Road’, as it was built by Russian prisoners during the first World War. Take a moment to soak up the amazing views, then hop on your bike for a freewheeling descent through winding switchbacks and alpine scenery, down to the emerald waters of the Soca River. Check your speed as the road flattens out and you ride along the valley floor in one of the most beautiful valleys in this part of Europe, following the river as it flows west. Take in the views at the two-tiered Boka Waterfall, then complete your ride at the mountain town of Bovec. With your free evening, you can put your feet up or walk the nearby Walk of Peace trail for a fascinating insight into life in the trenches in WWII.

Start the day early and drive south to the fortified hilltop village of Smartno. Nestled between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic, this village is the perfect place to start today’s ride. Cycle the loop through the hills and vineyards – this part of Slovenia is considered a cradle of white wines and is often called Slovenia’s Tuscany. For those craving an espresso break, you’re in luck – today's route also ducks across the border into Italy! Finish the day with an included wine tasting at a local winery and raise a glass to the gorgeous surroundings.

Begin cycling directly from your hotel, crossing once again into Italy and descending to the valley floor. Follow the gentle Vipava River east past green fields, vineyards and small villages before arriving at the small town of Vipava, where you'll enjoy an optional picnic beside the river. Hills are never great on a full stomach, so you'll board the vehicle and drive up the steep 10 km (6 mi) climb (you'll thank us later!) before remounting your bike and enjoying a mostly downhill ride all the way to red-roofed town of Postojna. When you arrive, you might like to rest up after the longest ride of the trip. Alternatively, you can choose to explore – maybe visit the Notranjska Museum, discover the nearby Predjamsk Castle or stroll through the Postojna's old town centre.

Today begins with a visit to the stunning Postojna Cave, said to be the most biodiverse cave in the world, home to fairytale-like labyrinths of stalagmite and stalactite-filled tunnels. After your visit, board the vehicle and drive to the small village of Vanganel, the starting point for your last ride. This picturesque route is mostly on cycling ways, following Parenzana’s old railway tracks now turned cycling paths. Enjoy sea views on one side and mountain views on the other. Finish the ride in the seaside town of Piran – once part of the Venetian empire, the town has kept its historic charm and the Old Town is among the best-preserved anywhere in the Adriatic. After your ride, wander the maze of narrow streets past Venetian architecture, Tartini Square and the pier. Tonight, maybe hit one of the many cafes or restaurants in town and swap stories over an optional farewell dinner.

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after checking out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. You can catch the bus (approximately 2 hours and included) back to Ljubljana or spend some more time exploring Piran.

Meals
6 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s),

Transport
Private vehicle , Local bus , Bicycle

Accommodation
Hotel/Guesthouse (6 nights), Apartment (1 night)

Included Activities

  • 6 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Lake Bled & surrounds Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Bled to Kranjska Gora Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Vrsic pass to Bovec Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Boka Waterfall visit
  • Slovenian Winery Visit
  • Smartno & surrounds Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Smartno to Postojna Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Postojna - Postojna Caves
  • Vanganel to Piran Guided and Vehicle-supported cycling
  • Pedal through the beautiful landscapes of the Triglav National Park, passing mountains, ravines, lakes, canyons, caves, rivers, forests and Alpine meadows.
  • Stay in the stunning lakeside town of Bled and discover the famous Lake Bled and the surrounding mountains, forests and flower-filled valleys on your bike.
  • Explore the fascinating Postojna Cave – an incredibly biodiverse underground world of eerie rock formations and unusual creatures, like the blind cave salamander.
  • Cycle through the scenic hills and vineyards of Slovenia’s wine region, pausing the pedaling for an included tasting at a local winery.
  • Begin your adventure in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana – one of the prettiest cities in Europe – and finish in Piran – a picturesque seaside city on Slovenia’s stunning Adriatic coast.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker. To complete this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads with the occasional gravel cycle path there are no technical cycling skills required. Remember we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Slovenia | 8 D | 1 - 15 People
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Slovenia
Trip Finishes:
Slovenia
Countries Visited:
Slovenia
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