What kind of a bicycle is the best for these tours?

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.

How does luggage transfer work?

On cycling trips, luggage transfer allows you to ride without carrying heavy bags. Each morning, you leave your luggage at the designated spot—often the hotel reception—and it’s transported to your next overnight stop. Your bags are usually waiting for you when you arrive. Weight limits and pickup times can vary slightly depending on the service provider.

Do you transfer bikes too? How does it work?

Yes, bike transfers are often available when needed—such as before, after, or during your trip. Bikes are typically transported in secure vehicles or trailers designed for bicycles. You may need to notify the provider in advance, and some services require the bike to be clean or partially disassembled. Exact procedures vary depending on location and logistics.

Cyclist riding on a mountain road with a communications tower on the peak in the background.

Sunny road on the way to mountains in Slovenia with blue sky background

Professional road cyclist rides up a challenging mountain road in Slovenia.

Cyclist riding road bike past guardrail with lush green mountains under cloudy sky

Mountain road winding past steep cliffs with dry yellow grass under a blue sky in the Julian Alps.

Road to Mangart saddle, highest road in Slovenia.

Three cyclists ride road bikes on asphalt road past yellow fields toward distant mountains.

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The Road to GOAT: Komenda to the Alps

7 days / 6 nights

Experience Slovenia like the local Grand Tour winners — five stages on roads that will test your limits, with an iconic Strava KOM to compare against each day.

Starting Point

Ljubljana

Finish Point

Ljubljana

Activity Level

5/5

Season

From May to October

Bike Type

Road Bike

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Daily Distance

44 – 91 mi

Daily Elevation

4265 – 6890 ft

Experience Slovenia like the local Grand Tour winners — five stages on roads that will test your limits, with an iconic Strava KOM to compare against each day.

Starting Point

Ljubljana

Finish Point

Ljubljana

Activity Level

5/5

Season

From May to October

Bike Type

Road Bike

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Daily Distance

44 – 91 mi

Daily Elevation

4265 – 6890 ft

Highlights

Climb the Mangart road — the highest paved road in Slovenia (2,050m)
Ride the Krvavec benchmark used by Slovenian professional teams
Cross the Predil Pass and descend into the Soča valley
Cycle the Pokljuka plateau from Lake Bled in the heart of the Julian Alps
Close the week with the 147-kilometre Alpe Gran Fondo loop
Chase a dedicated Strava KOM segment on every stage

Itinerary of the trip

You'll arrive in Ljubljana with the day ahead of you to explore the compact capital with a hilltop castle, the Ljubljanica River running through the centre, and a lively riverfront. The bikes will be delivered to your hotel and fitted to your preferences. You can have an optional warm-up spin up Dobeno, just north of the city, or enjoy the evening in peace as you await tomorrow’s first challenging stage.

Gallery

Ljubljana green riverfront promenade walkway summer view

Triple Bridge and Franciscan Church of the Annunciation in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Old town and the medieval Ljubljana castle on top of a forest hill in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

The first stage rolls out of Ljubljana on minor roads across the Ljubljana basin before the road tilts up towards Krvavec at Cerklje na Gorenjskem. It's a sustained climb with no real breaks — the kind Slovenian pro teams use as a benchmark, and the segment to chase your first Strava KOM on. The descent follows the same route to the valley before turning away from Ljubljana, skirting Kranj, and taking you through some quaint towns and villages toward the scenic Lake Bled, where you’ll spend your second night.

Gallery

Slovenia scenic mountain landscape shot at Krvavec

Alpine pasture at Krvavec with conifer forest covered hill above

Traditional wooden pletna boats on Lake Bled, Slovenia, with Bled Castle on the cliff and autumn foliage.

Accommodation

Hotel in Bled

Cycling

110 km (69 miles) and 1900 vertical meters (6200 feet)

Leaving Bled, the road soon climbs steeply out of the lake basin to the Pokljuka Plateau — a broad forested high pasture at 1,250 metres used by Slovenia's biathlon team as a training venue. After topping out at Rudno Polje, the route descends along the same road to the villages above Bled, then turns into the scenic Radovna Valley, where it eventually descends toward the Upper Sava Valley. Your final 15 kilometers will follow a gently ascending cycling path to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia’s most famous outdoor hub.

Gallery

Winding road through dense pine forest with mountains in the background on Pokljuka.

view at radovna valley from krma slovenia stockpack adobe stock scaled

Kranjska Gora village at sunrise with Julian Alps snow-capped mountains in background

Accommodation

Hotel in Kranjska Gora

Cycling

70 km (43 miles) and 1300 vertical meters (4300 feet)

From Kranjska Gora, the route heads west through Rateče, across the border into Italy, and south into the Predil Pass corridor. Cresting the pass, a mountain road soon turns towards Mangart Saddle. After a series of tight switchbacks and tunnels carved into rock, it will bring you to an elevation of around 2,000 metres, making it the highest-lying mountain road in Slovenia. The long descent will require some caution before finishing in Soča Valley’s famous sports hub — Bovec.

Gallery

Cyclist riding on paved mountain road with steep green slopes and rocky peaks under blue sky.

Accommodation

Hotel in Bovec

Cycling

70 km (43 miles) and 1500 vertical meters (4900 feet)

An organized morning private transfer from Bovec will transfer you to Vipava Valley, where the day starts flat before turning steeply upwards in Ajdovščina with the climb to Predmeja — a sustained ascent onto the Trnovski Gozd karst plateau of beech forest at around 900 metres. From the top, a long, varied ride east takes you through the hills above Logatec, through Horjul, past Polhov Gradec, and back into Ljubljana from the west — the most diverse stage of the tour, and one of the hardest.

Gallery

Contryside at the Trnovo forest plateau above Ajdovscina in Slovenia with a farm house and forest covered hills above

Beautiful Slovenia – Municipality of Horjul – near Ljubljana

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

Cycling

105 km (65 miles) and 2000 vertical meters (6500 feet)

The final day welcomes the Queen stage — 147 kilometres and three leg-breaking passes. The route runs north out of Ljubljana past Kranj and Preddvor up the Kokra Valley toward Jezersko. The first pass begins here, the Jezerski Vrh border crossing with Austria. The second one, the steep Pavlič Saddle, will bring you back to Slovenia. From there, you drop past Logar Valley, and the final climb over Volovljek Pass takes you past the turn toward Big Pasture Plateau, where Rafal Majka and Tadej Pogačar famously crossed the line together for a Tour of Slovenia stage win in 2022. A long descent through Kamnik will then bring you back to Ljubljana.

Gallery

Beautiful summer alpine landscape. Logar valley or Logarska dolina

Accommodation

Hotel in Ljubljana

Cycling

147 km (91 miles) and 2100 vertical meters (6900 feet)

Five hundred kilometres and nine thousand metres of climbing in the legs across 5 days, while measuring yourself against some of the finest cyclists in the world on Slovenia’s hardest climbs — a coffee in the old town and a slow walk along the river is the right way to spend the last few hours before leaving Slovenia.

Gallery

Panorama of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe.

Dragon Bridge with view of Cathedral Saint Nicholas on blue sky, Ljubljana Slovenia

Aerodrom Ljubljana control tower with mountains and forest backdrop.

Activity Level

5/5

A challenging road cycling tour with average daily distances of around 100 km and between 1,500 and 2,000 metres of climbing. The terrain is entirely paved — alpine roads, quieter valley sections, and high-mountain climbs that reach up to 2,000 metres. Every stage features at least one sustained alpine climb. This is a tour for cyclists with a solid training base — comfortable with 4–6 hour stages, back-to-back climbing days, and the rhythm of a full week on the bike. Not suitable for e-bikes.

Terrain split

100% paved

0% gravel

Longest stage — Stage 5

The last stage (on Day 6) is also the longest and most demanding. Almost 150 kilometers and three mountain passes that amount to 2100 meters of climbing.

Read our full cycling difficulty guide

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.

INCLUDED

6 nights in 3* hotels with breakfast

Digital guidebook with detailed itinerary and route instructions (including Strava KOMs)

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Service and support during your tour

Tour design and organization

Luggage transfer

Transfer from Bovec to Vipava on Day 5

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Hotel upgrades

Road bike

Single supplement

Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs, all with private en-suite rooms and breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms with attentive hospitality, typically in convenient and scenic locations — some properties also offer on-site dining.

Our Bikes

To ensure the best possible experience on your cycling adventure, we offer top-quality bikes for rent. Our fleet features the latest models, meticulously maintained for both performance and comfort.

To match each rider with the right equipment, our team will also assist you in selecting the most suitable bike based on your physical profile, personal preferences, and the technical requirements of the tour.

Each bike rental includes:

Delivery of the bike to your first overnight stay and pickup at the end of the tour
Helmet (properly sized, road-certified)
Handlebar phone mount for navigation and route notes
Basic tool kit for small adjustments on the road

Disclaimer: Please note that while we strive to provide the exact models shown, bike availability may vary. In such cases, we'll always ensure you get a comparable bike of the same type and quality.

Road Bike

Ridley Grifn 105 Di2 2×12

Best for: Slovenia's classic road rides — the Vršič Pass, Mangart, the Soča Valley, Vipava Valley climbs, Goriška Brda wine roads, and Lake Bled loops — plus endurance and performance-focused riders chasing long days in the saddle on smooth tarmac

Five stages, 500 kilometres and roughly 9,000 metres of climbing — a week built around the training roads of Slovenia's Grand Tour winners, with a Strava KOM segment to chase on every stage.

Slovenia is one of the most compressed cycling countries in Europe. In a single week, you can ride from Lake Bled in the Julian Alps to the highest road in the country reachable by road bike, drop into the Soča Valley, and finish on a karst plateau above the Vipava wine country.

The climbs are the spine of the week. Krvavec is the test piece Slovenian pro teams use as a benchmark — sustained, with no flat sections to hide on. Pokljuka Plateau is one of the Julian Alps’ highlights at 1,250 metres, reached straight from the scenic Lake Bled.

Mangart is the highest road in Slovenia accessible by road bike, switchbacking above the treeline to almost 2,000 metres. The ascent to Predmeja climbs from the Vipava Valley straight onto the Trnovski Gozd karst plateau. The closing Queen Stage strings together three passes around Logar Valley — Jezerski Vrh, Pavlič Saddle, and Volovljek — in a single 147-kilometre loop from Ljubljana.

The week is built to challenge a regular amateur road cyclist while still taking you through Slovenia's most scenic corners. Bikes are delivered to your hotel and fitted to your preferences on Day 1. You'll have GPS tracks for every stage along with Strava KOM data, and accommodation and private transfers are arranged as per the itinerary.

Top Places You'll See

From natural wonders to authentic local culture, the route is packed with memorable sights—these are our absolute favorites.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and cultural hub, with a population of just under 300,000. The Ljubljanica River runs through the center, lined with outdoor cafés and crossed by well-known bridges such as the Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge, both designed by architect Jože Plečnik. The city’s castle dates back to the 11th century and offers views across the entire basin. Ljubljana has been named a European Green Capital thanks to its pedestrianized center, bike-sharing system, and strong focus on sustainability.

Krvavec

Krvavec is Slovenia’s most accessible ski resort, located just 25 kilometers from Ljubljana and reachable by cable car. In summer, its slopes turn into a cycling and hiking area with panoramic views across the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. At 1,450–1,970 meters altitude, it also hosts outdoor festivals and alpine dairy farms producing traditional cheeses.

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is Slovenia’s most famous sight and for good reason. The lake was formed by glacial activity, and in its center sits the only natural island in Slovenia. A church has stood on that island since the 9th century, and today visitors still ring its “wishing bell.” Getting to the island is done the traditional way—by pletna, a wooden boat rowed standing up, a method unique to this area.

Pokljuka Plateau

Rising 1,200–1,500 m within Triglav National Park, Pokljuka is Slovenia’s largest high plateau and a showcase of pristine alpine nature. Vast spruce forests, peat bogs, and open pastures dotted with traditional shepherd huts create a landscape of striking beauty and rich wildlife, with sweeping views of the Julian Alps and Mount Triglav.

Lago del Predil

Lago del Predil, or Raibl Lake, lies just across the border in Italy, at 969 meters above sea level. It was formed by a landslide in the 14th century and is surrounded by high peaks of the Julian Alps. In summer, it’s popular for swimming, boating, and cycling stops, while its location near the former World War I front adds historic interest.

Mangart Saddle

Mangart Saddle, at 2,055 meters, is the highest road in Slovenia. The panoramic road leading up includes tunnels and dramatic switchbacks, ending just below Mount Mangart, Slovenia’s third-highest peak. It is a starting point for hikes, but even without climbing further, the views stretch across Slovenia and into neighboring Italy and Austria.

Soča Valley

The Soča Valley is famous for the emerald color of the Soča River, which flows through deep gorges and past waterfalls. The area is popular for outdoor sports like rafting, kayaking, and hiking, and features an abundance of natural highlights, among others: the Great Soča & Tolmin Gorges, and stunning waterfalls like Virje, Kozjak and Slovenia’s highest - Boka. It is also a site of major World War I battles, remembered through a variety of museums and the Walk of Peace trail.

Jezersko

Jezersko is a small alpine valley north of Ljubljana, close to the Austrian border. It is named after a glacial lake that drained in the 14th century, leaving fertile meadows where farming traditions continue today. The area is known for hiking, cycling, and the healing mineral water from its springs, which has been used since the 17th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Our tours are designed for recreational road cyclists that feel comfortable riding longer distances for many consecutive dates. On the self-guided tours, you set your own pace and on guided tours, we will adjust the pace for you. All of our tours can be adjusted to fit your level and the type of cyclist you are – from a beginner to a pro!

Ratings & Reviews

+28

Jenny Wright

Verified customer

Our one week tour of Slovenia with these 3 young local guides surpassed all expectations! We travelled from Bled through the Sovenian Alps all the way to to coastal seaside Piran, through villages , on backroads ….it felt like riding through a story book….a delightful surprise around every turn . Our guides took care of our every need: charming accommodations, snacks every day at fantastic off beat locations, mid-ride. We covered 250 km over 5 riding days. The one day we were rained out, they quickly pivoted, and we were able to visit a wonderful historical national museum, which informed us so much in terms of the history in the Soča valley…So the day became not a write off but an educational experience! It was quite special to know the history of the Soča valley as we journeyed through the region, seeing the incredible geographical diversity of this beautiful country on excellent quality e-bikes. Highly recommend! Trip of a lifetime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Turquoise lake reflecting forested mountains, viewed through foreground trees and brush.

Turquoise river winding through steep, densely forested mountains under a blue sky with white clouds.

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Lush green vineyard landscape with rolling hills, trees, and scattered houses under a cloudy sky.

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Chris Pyne

Verified customer

First class company with a well planned route, great accommodation and simply outstanding support in time of trouble. We did a two week ride from Bled to Pula in September 2023. Fair to say we hit a lot of problems courtesy of BA with rescheduled and diverted flights, lost bags, problems with our own bikes, returning rental bikes and more. Daja was simply amazing in helping us sort all of them out and was so accessible at all hours. She even managed to source and buy a forgotten Thru-axle and deliver it personally to our hotel, which is far and above any service i would reasonably expect. Thank you !! Our accommodation was fantastic and far better than expected in all but one location. The route planning in Slovenia was great but due to our decision to bring road bikes from the UK and the nature of the roads in Croatia, our second week was a bit tricky route wise and it would have been good to have had a discussion about this section beforehand. A Gravel bike is far better suited to Croatia although this was our decision to bring road bikes. Transport arrangement and logistics were flawless. Overall, i would change very little and we will definitely be returning to Slovenia. Daja was fantastic and I absolutely recommend Slovenia Cycling Holidays and will be using their services again.

Metal heart sculpture by clear green lake with duck, backed by forested mountains

Cyclist riding on a curved cobblestone mountain road surrounded by tall green pine trees.

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Ducks swimming in clear blue river with wide pebble shore and jagged mountains under bright sky.

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Filip Vercruysse

Verified customer

Top Company, Top Tour ! We did the 7 days tour (from Alps to Adriatic), from Bled to Piran in august 2024 ! It was the best tour made in years. Amazing landscapes and nature, great accommodations and food and perfectly organised. Daja did really a perfect job ! she was allways available for questions or suggestions ! I would recommend this tour to everyone.

Mountain lake with clear water, forested shore, and jagged peaks under a blue cloudy sky

Winding road near a lake surrounded by lush green mountains under a blue sky with clouds.

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Rugged mountains rise above lush green forest canopy under a cloudy blue sky.

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ACP2527

Verified customer

G’day Klem, Back in Australia and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. You guys did a wonderful job. The whole experience was first class. The bikes were excellent. The route was fun and well mapped using the app. The hotels were excellent. The hotel staff, outstanding. The food and wine truly memorable. I cannot recommend you guy’s highly enough. Our impressions of Slovenia as an outstanding destination, of beautiful scenery and friendly people will be passed onto all our friends. Thank you so much for a great holiday!

Two people smiling indoors under a brick archway with hanging pendant lights

Two cyclists wearing helmets take a break on a rural road, one eating a cherry.

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Group resting on grassy hillside overlooking rolling vineyards and distant mountains under cloudy sky.

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Anne West

Verified customer

Europe Cycling Holidays organized a customized, self-guided road cycling trip for my husband and I from Ljubljana to the Julian Alps and ending in Piran in Slovenia. At the beginning of the organizing process, I used their ZOOM mtg option to ask a lot of questions and determine what we wanted e.g. hotels, room upgrades, routes, etc. With follow-up emails over the next few weeks, and fixing a few glitches that arose, we were excited for our 10-day trip. And we were NOT disappointed! Our trip was amazing. The rental bikes, hotels, GPX files, scheduled luggage transfers, detailed itinerary in an app (including restaurant suggestions, GPS profiles, bike shops en route, luggage pickups), etc. were all amazing. The country of Slovenia is incredibly beautiful and we enjoyed the challenges of the routes in the Alps, the serenity of Lake Bled, the spectacular scenery of Goriška Brda wine region, and everything in between. We had quick responses via WhatsApp from Customer Service for any issues we had during our trip e.g. organizing a van transfer on a day we decided not to ride due to a fall and bad weather. Overall, we had a great experience in Slovenia and highly recommend Europe Cycling Holidays.

Cyclist riding on mountain road overlooking green valley and village with snow-capped peaks

Cyclist in neon jacket riding on winding road past cornfield and forested mountain.

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River with clear turquoise water flowing past forested slopes and a dark mountain peak.

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Susan Weissberg

Verified customer

The bike trip exceeded my expectations and was beyond fantastic. From Ljubljana to Bled with a guide through the Hidden Hills. Then my first solo self guided from the Alps in Bled to Piran in the Adriatic. I can’t say enough about the Slovenia Cycling Holidays crew who gave me guidance and confidence to take out on my own. Not to mention the extraordinary routes that they mapped out.

Alpine lake with clear water reflecting forested mountains under a blue sky

Cyclist leaning on stone wall overlooking calm lake surrounded by steep, forested mountains

Jenny Wright

Verified customer

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Filip Vercruysse

Verified customer

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Anne West

Verified customer

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Chris Pyne

Verified customer

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ACP2527

Verified customer

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Susan Weissberg

Verified customer

The Road to GOAT: Komenda to the Alps

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Arrival in Ljubljana

Day 2: Ljubljana – Mt. Krvavec – Lake Bled

Day 3: Lake Bled – Pokljuka Plateau – Kranjska Gora

Day 4: Kranjska Gora – Predil Pass – Mangart Saddle – Bovec

Day 5: Vipava – Predmeja – Ljubljana

Day 6: Ljubljana – Jezerski Vrh – Pavlič Saddle – Volovljek Pass – Ljubljana

Day 7: Departure from Ljubljana

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Our Bikes

Ridley Grifn 105 Di2 2×12

Top Places You'll See

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have a guide and who will they be?

Where will I be accommodated?

Do I have to book in advance?

What do I do if I have food restrictions?

Do I get any time for myself?

When is the best time for road cycling in Slovenia?

What happens if the weather turns bad?

How fit do I have to be?

Ratings & Reviews

Jenny Wright

Chris Pyne

Filip Vercruysse

ACP2527

Anne West

Susan Weissberg

Jenny Wright

Filip Vercruysse

Anne West

Chris Pyne

ACP2527

Susan Weissberg

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Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Arrival in Ljubljana

Day 2: Ljubljana – Mt. Krvavec – Lake Bled

Day 3: Lake Bled – Pokljuka Plateau – Kranjska Gora

Day 4: Kranjska Gora – Predil Pass – Mangart Saddle – Bovec

Day 5: Vipava – Predmeja – Ljubljana

Day 6: Ljubljana – Jezerski Vrh – Pavlič Saddle – Volovljek Pass – Ljubljana

Day 7: Departure from Ljubljana

Our Bikes

Ridley Grifn 105 Di2 2×12

Top Places You'll See

Ratings & Reviews

Jenny Wright

Chris Pyne

Filip Vercruysse

ACP2527

Anne West

Susan Weissberg

Jenny Wright

Filip Vercruysse

Anne West

Chris Pyne

ACP2527

Susan Weissberg

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