Slovenia Road Cycling Grand Tour
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
Test your endurance on this grand tour
Ljubljana
Vršič Pass
Lake Bled
Push your limits
Woods on Pokljuka Plateau
Itinerary
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.
Hotel in Ljubljana
65km, 800m elevation gain
Transfer from the airport
Europe’s Green Capital of 2016
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.
Hotel in Ljubljana
65km, 800m elevation gain
The roads of the Franja Marathon
Traffic-free countryside
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.
B&B in Bohinj
75km, 1350m elevation gain
Medieval town of Škofja Loka
The beautiful Sorica village and Soriška Planina pass
Lake Bohinj and countryside
We’re now in the heart of the Julian Alps. The day will start with the climb to the Pokljuka plateau, a vast area filled with a dense spruce forest. After crossing this popular road cycling area, we’ll descend towards Bled and make a circle around the famous lake.
Afterwards, the idyllic Radovna Valley awaits, which leads to Mojstrana, a village at the gates of the Triglav valleys. From there, we’ll follow the main road and cycle through the scenic Upper Sava Valley to the sports hub of Kranjska Gora.
For those who would like to spend some time in Bled, it makes sense to cut this stage in two and add an additional night in Bled and make a visit to the renowned Vintgar Gorge or enjoy the dinner at the castle restaurant.
Hotel in Kranjska Gora
80km, 1600m elevation gain
Pokljuka Plateau
Radovna Valley and Lake Kreda
Lake Bled
Cycling path in the Upper Sava Valley
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.
Hotel in Kranjska Gora
109km, 1600m elevation gain
The Kanal valley
Great cycling path separated from the road
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.
B&B in Tolmin
80km, 1370m elevation gain
Lake Jasna
Vršič Pass – the highest mountain pass in Slovenia
Soča Valley
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.
Hotel in Ljubljana
100km, 1750m elevation gain
Pristine nature
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.
Transfer to the airport
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.
Want to make some changes?
Guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
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!
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.
