Slovenia Road Cycling Grand Tour

Challenge yourself with the grand road cycling tour of Slovenia, taking you through the Julian Alps and Soča Valley before circling back to Ljubljana.
Starting point
Ljubljana
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Difficulty
Challenging
Inquiry
Cycle up to 100 km per day on Slovenia’s well-maintained roads
Test your endurance during this demanding week of road cycling
Enjoy the high-speed flat stages and challenge yourself to steep climbs
Start and finish in Ljubljana
Ride over the mighty Vršič Pass and through the striking Soča Valley
Soča River
Soča River
Road Cycling in Slovenia
Test your endurance on this grand tour
Ljubljana Cycling
Ljubljana
Vrsic pass in Slovenia
Vršič Pass
Lake Bled panorama
Lake Bled
Cycling rain
Push your limits
Pokljuka forest
Woods on Pokljuka Plateau

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Ljubljana

When you arrive in Slovenia’s capital, we will arrange a transfer to your accommodation, where the bikes will already be waiting for you. Then it’s time for a hearty dinner and plenty of sleep so you can feel your best the next day.

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

Highlights

Europe’s Green Capital of 2016

Activities

Cycling: 65km, 800m elevation gain

Extra

Transfer from the airport

Ljubljana Cycling
Ljubljana
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana
Day 2 - Warm-up tour around Ljubljana

The “Local Specialty” tour is the first item on the menu. It begins in Ljubljana and immediately takes you out of town, quickly transitioning from the hectic metropolitan environment to the lonesome countryside roads. This day’s tour is intended as a warm-up — the journey includes flat stretches and some relatively strenuous uphill climbs. You will cycle across the southern Polhov Gradec Dolomites, the pre-alpine hilly landscape west of Ljubljana that hosts the famed Franja Marathon race. You’ll return to Ljubljana in the afternoon, giving you time to explore the city.

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

Highlights

The roads of the Franja Marathon
Traffic-free countryside

Ljubljana Marshes Flatlands
Polhov Gradec Dolomites
Ljubljana Old Town
Day 3 - From Ljubljana to Bohinj

It’s time to depart from the capital. You’ll start in Ljubljana and cycle via the old town of Škofja Loka before continuing into the Selca Valley. From there, you’ll ascend steeply over Soriška Planina before descending back to Bohinj, where your day will conclude. You will rest your legs after climbing almost 1500 meters to be prepared for tomorrow.

Accommodation

B&B in Bohinj

Highlights

Medieval town of Škofja Loka
The beautiful Sorica village and Soriška Planina pass
Lake Bohinj and countryside

Activities

Cycling: 75km, 1350m elevation gain

Lake Bohinj
Bohinj area
Historic-town-of-Škofja-Loka
Day 4 - Cycling across the Pokljuka Plateau

You’ll start from deep in the Julian Alps. The day will begin with a climb to the Pokljuka Plateau, a large area covered in dense spruce forest. We take a minor break at Bled, so you can feast your eyes on the famous Lake Bled and take a photo or two. After, you’ll descend into the lovely Radovna Valley, which leads to Mojstrana, a settlement at the Triglav valleys’ gates. Following the main route, you’ll ride through the gorgeous Upper Sava Valley to the sports hub of Kranjska Gora.

Accommodation

Hiking: 80km, 1600m elevation gain

Highlights

Pokljuka Plateau
Radovna Valley and Lake Kreda
Lake Bled
Cycling path in the Upper Sava Valley

Activities

Hotel in Kranjska Gora

Lake Bled Island
Lake Jasna
Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora
Pokljuka Plateau
Pokljuka Plateau
Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora
Pokljuka Plateau
Day 5 - The Alpe Adria stage

Alpe Adria is one of Europe’s most attractive long-distance cycling routes. Today, you’ll test one of its best Alpine stages while not having to pack in the morning as the stage loops back to Kranjska Gora. The route will take you from Kranjska Gora to Italy, where you will cycle along the abandoned railway line that runs through the Kanal Valley. You will then pass Dogna on your way to Lake Predil through the Sella Nevea pass. This long but not exhausting route then returns to Kranjska Gora. You’ll be astonished at how many kilometers and elevation gain you’ll have accumulated by the end of the day.

You will also have an option for a shorter alternative, which will take you over the Wurzen Pass to Arnoldstein and circle to Kranjska Gora past the Fusine Lakes. Given that you will be spending another night in Kranjska Gora, you can also opt for a rest day and spend it exploring the small Alpine town.

Accommodation

Hotel in Kranjska Gora

Highlights

The Kanal valley
Great cycling path separated from the road

Activities

Cycling: 109km, 1600m elevation gain

Kranjska Gora center
Alpe Adria road cycling
Lacs de Fusine
Day 6 - From the Alps to the Mediterranean

It’s time for a change of scenery and weather. After the second night in Kranjska Gora, it’s time to head south across Slovenia’s highest road pass, Vršič. You’ll descend to the magnificent Soča Valley after this demanding but rewarding ascent with its many hairpin curves. You’ll speed down the delightfully sloping road, following the Soča River. With each kilometer, the climate becomes more Mediterranean. Finally, you’ll reach Tolmin, the main settlement in the Upper Soča Valley.

Accommodation

B&B in Tolmin

Highlights

Lake Jasna
Vršič Pass – the highest mountain pass in Slovenia
Soča Valley

Activities

Cycling: 80km, 1370m elevation gain

Soča River
Soča Valley
Vrsic pass in Slovenia
Vršič Pass
Russian chapel
Russian chapel under Vršič Pass
Soča Valley
Vršič Pass
Russian chapel under Vršič Pass
Day 7 - Over Idrija Hills

On your final cycling day, you’ll return to Ljubljana and conclude this week-long experience. Idrija lies at the junction of the Alps and the Dinarides. The Ljubljana Basin will appear before us after over a hundred kilometers of cycling through its charming villages and magnificent ravines. Our day concludes in Slovenia’s green capital, Ljubljana, after a nice flat ride through the Ljubljana Marshes.

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

Highlights

Pristine nature

Activities

Cycling: 100km, 1750m elevation gain

Most-na-Soci
The-church-of-st.-Michael
Ljubljana Castle
Day 8 - Farewell

It’s been a fun week, but it’s time to say farewell to Slovenia. Those of you who hired bikes will return them. We will also offer you a drive to the airport based on your schedule and preferences.

Extra

Transfer to the airport

Ljubljana Cycling
Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Extra days

You always reserve an option to extend your road cycling holidays in Slovenia by staying longer at the designated place and exploring the country off-bike. We will adapt your itinerary accordingly, and you can spend more time at your preferred location, either Ljubljana, Kranjska Gora, or another place of your choosing.

Lengthening your holidays with additional cycling days is also a possibility. You can share your ideas with us, and we will try to find the best routes to add at the beginning or the end of this tour.

Alps to Adriatic cycling
Lake Bled
Kozjak waterfall

Want to make some changes?

Tailor made holidays - let us know what works for you and we will make it happen.
Customize your holiday

Included in price

Tour design and organization
Handout with detailed itinerary and route instructions / Professional local guide
Service and support during your tour
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Accommodation as per itinerary
Luggage transfer between transit stages

Optional Extras

Return transfer from the airport
Rent of high performance road bike with fitting
Single supplement

This road cycling experience takes you through the most eye-catching parts of Slovenia, across the Julian Alps and the pre-alpine hilly landscape, starting and completing the circle in Ljubljana.

The tour is challenging and demands up to 100 kilometers of cycling per day without accounting for the altitude changes as well. What it takes from you physically, it repays ten times over in the panoramic views and sense of achievement upon completion, though.

The route will take you across the flat valley floors where you’ll be able to test your speed, steep climbs where your legs will have to show their strength, and flying descents where your heart will pump your body full of adrenaline.

Slovenia is a road cycling paradise. Our roads are in good condition and wind through secluded but thrilling locations, such as Pokljuka Plateau, Soča Valley, and pre-alpine hills around Idrija. Even the famous Vršič Pass.

Accommodation and meals along the way are not for you to worry about, as we will take care of everything. Your baggage will be safely transported after you every day as well.

Our self-guided option includes an extensive personalized handout, which we prepare upon hearing your wishes and preferences. After that, you do it at your own pace, stopping wherever and whenever you see fit. We are also available for support 24/7.

But if you feel safer cycling in the company of an experienced local guide, we can provide one. Even a support van with a trained mechanic can accompany you on your journey if the situation goes amiss.

Are you up to this challenge?

If cycling is a true passion of yours, you certainly are. Time to come to Slovenia and find out for yourself!

Location

Start planning today!

The sooner the better - guaranteed availability and best prices if you don't wait for too long.
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Things to know

The tour is intended to be sufficiently demanding for most recreational road riders. The stages are typically 80 kilometers long, with 1000 to 2000 meters of vertical elevation. Regular cyclists, fit enough to ride for numerous lengthy days in a row, will have the most fun on this tour.

On our self-guided tours, you don’t get a guide. You receive an extensive personalized handout with all the essential information.

On our guided tours, a professional guide accompanies you on your way. He ensures everything runs smoothly, offers you his expert knowledge of cycling and Slovenia’s landscape, and makes your experience memorable.

We are continually on the lookout for the ideal match for you. We select a few different accommodations that meet our criteria, but they are subject to availability, particularly during peak season. We may also modify the vacation based on your desires and budget, and we can always find a better acceptable alternative for your taste.

We encourage making your reservation as soon as possible. Most of our trips cover popular tourist destinations with limited lodging options. Before spring, most of the top spots are fully booked for the summer.

It all depends on how severe your limitation is. Vegetarian alternatives are rather simple to acquire in Slovenia, while vegan foods are exceedingly challenging to find in rural areas and smaller towns. Please keep in mind that the restaurants where we stop for lunch are typically traditional and may have difficulty accommodating you if you choose something other than their standard menu. We recommend that you consider this.

Sure, if you want to! We understand that some individuals like to travel in groups, while others prefer to spend more time alone. We wanted to provide you with the freedom to do things your way. After all, it is your holiday! Please feel free to adapt your schedule and make your trip memorable!

Depending on the tour, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are often the ideal periods. But summer is always a good choice, and some of our holidays are even available during winter!

Learn more about road cycling season in Slovenia.

Most trips may be completed in mild rain if you dress appropriately. Afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon in the summer, so getting an early start is advised. If the weather appears very lousy, we will attempt to modify the trip or skip a stage by shuttle.

We design our tours for road bikes. Objectively, the most optimal bike you could use is an endurance road bike, but using a different one won’t be an issue for you either. Gravel bikes can be a great option, as they allow you to be more versatile and don’t affect your road performance.

We can always adapt our tours to suit your bike. For example, we can include macadam roads if you are using a gravel bike. In any case, you can join our road cycling tours in Slovenia with any bike, as we will make the necessary changes to suit your choice.

Klemen
Talk to our travel expert
mail
info@roadcyclingslovenia.com
phone
+386 31 444 230
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Self guided: From: 1,650€/person
Join a group: From: 2,650€/person
Private guided: From: 2,999€/person
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Join a group

If you are a solo cyclist who wants to spend a fun holiday cycling in and around Slovenia, look no further. We’re going to find you a group of up to 8 like-minded biking enthusiasts and take care of all the other tour details. The cycling tour will be led by our guide, who’ll make sure everything runs smoothly, so you’re able to enjoy as much cycling as possible.

Private guided group

The private guided bike tour in Slovenia is for those who want to enjoy their cycling holidays at their own pace, enjoying the flexibility of a small private group and not stressing about the details of everyday planning. The guide will be fully at your disposal to make this experience as personalized as possible, maximizing the enjoyment during and after the tour.

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday in Slovenia. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations; You enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.

Local experts

Our professional cycling guides know the local terrain and make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity both safe and enjoyable.

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree holiday.

Completely Customizable

Flexibility is our middle name — whether you want more or less, or just beyond ordinary, we’ll make it happen.

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

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Road Cycling Slovenia is about exploring panoramic roads, overcoming challenges, and spending your active holidays in a pristine natural setting.
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