This 11-day cycling holiday is a "Cross Country Best of Slovenia cycle tour" from Alpine scenery to the Mediterranean coast.
Duration
Price
Destinations
This “Cross Country Cycling Tour” whisks you through the majority of western Slovenia’s most interesting attractions and along the many natural wonders packed into this diverse little country. The 11-day cycling holiday starts at the enchantingly beautiful Lake Bled, then on to the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana.
Then it’s over a limestone landscape laden with castles and vineyards above and huge cave systems below, as you cycle your way from the alpine centre to the lovely Adriatic coast. Suitable for cyclists with time on their hands, an average fitness level, a love of fine wine and the great outdoors.
Best of Slovenia cycle tour highlights:
– Swim in clear alpine mountain lakes;
– Soak up the culture in the capital, Ljubljana;
– Visit vast underground limestone caves;
– Chill out at the famous Piazza Unita – Trieste;
– Sample the sumptuous karst wine.
Best of Slovenia tour: 11-Day cycling holiday itinerary.
Day 1: ARRIVAL TO BLED.
You will start in Bled, a cute little town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Characterized by its unique island church protruding from this immense body of water, backed by the towering Karavanke Alps, and the castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. Take some time on your first day to visit the island church by boat and hike up to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint at the western side of the lake. You won\'t regret it.
Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (BOHINJ VALLEY) (↔ 27 km, ↑ 130 m, ↓ 830 m ) +side trip to Savica waterfall (return ↔ 16 km, ↑↓ 200 m ).
Starting on the high plateau at Pokljuka, you\'ll glide down through alpine villages to Lake Bohinj, the jewel of the Triglav National Park. Encircled by shimmering mountain peaks, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the national park. Visit Savica Waterfall, source of the Sava Bohinjka River and Lake Bohinj, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view into the Bohinj Valley and of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps.
Day 3: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (BOHINJ VALLEY) – ŠKOFJA LOKA (↔ 49 km, ↑ 980 m, ↓1.130 m).
Leaving Bohinjska Bistrica, it’s up 750 m/2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau (a “help out” lift to the top of the mountain pass is available for this part of the trip at a supplement of 30 EUR per person). From the top the cycling route takes you through a deep forest which soon drops off into a wilderness valley, leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. Stop in the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki before arriving in one of Slovenia\'s oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka.
Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA – LJUBLJANA (↔ 31 km, ↑ 170 m, ↓ 240 m).
Today you\'ll ride to Slovenia\'s Baroque and Modernist capital: Ljubljana. Here you can take a short ride up to the mighty Ljubljana Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the old town. From its tower you get a commanding view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul, and the alpine mountains you have just cycled from. As the sun goes down you can choose between relaxing with a drink in the many outdoor bars/cafes beside the Ljubljanica River, or take an evening stroll or riverboat ride.
Day 5: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA (↔ 41 km, ↑ 150 m, ↓ 160 m).
Days trip will be a gentle ride across the immense 160-sq km Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje). This incredible landscape is home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. As you cycle through here you won\'t be able to miss the lovely church sitting atop a hill. This is the church of Saint Ana, which you can cycle up to for the ultimate view across the moors to the Kamnik Alps. Along the way you can see the remnants of the world\'s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. Before you arrive at your destination, be sure to visit the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find an interesting exhibition of president Tito’s cars.
Day 6: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA (↔ 43 km, ↑ 760 m, ↓ 510 m)
On this day the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-meter cliff-face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Cave to sneak out for supplies, which included freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.
Day 7: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL AREA (↔ 32 km, ↑ 240 m, ↓ 630 m)
So far nearly 30 million tourists have visited this stunningly beautiful underground Postojna cave formation, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. This is the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, covering a total of 21 kilometers. The 1½ hour tour will take you through a fairy tale world full of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves. In the afternoon you head to first vineyards of Vipava region.
Day 8: ŠTANJEL AREA – LIPICA – DIVAČA (↔ 50 km, ↑ 630 m, ↓ 360 m).
First stop is at the lovely botanical garden in Sežana, then cycle on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have made them famous worldwide. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, and visit them up close in their stables. This will be a day to remember. If you have time for a couple of side trips, you can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in a Venetian tower.
Day 9: DIVAČA – MUGGIA (↔ 39 km, ↑ 350 m, ↓ 780 m)
If you missed Postojna Caves, don\'t worry – this morning, you have the chance to explore the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO-listed natural monument known for their stunning beauty and tranquility. Next, head to Socerb Castle, where you\'ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Bay of Trieste, the Friulian Plain, and even the Julian Alps. Your day trip concludes in the charming town of Muggia, just south of Trieste. After a day of cycling, unwind with a delicious gelato in the town\'s historic center or relax on one of its inviting beaches. If you arrive early, consider a quick bus or boat trip into Trieste, a vibrant Italian city renowned for its rich history, cosmopolitan vibe, and captivating atmosphere.
Day 10: MUGGIA – PIRAN (↔ 35 km; 46 km with a side trip, ↑ 230 m, ↓ 240 m)
For your last day, you\'ll cycle along the coastal road on a new cycling path following the old railway line. Enjoy great vistas of Slovenia\'s lovely coastline, and Trieste Bay. A stop in the interesting harbor town of Izola is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian town of Piran, where you can ascend to the church bell tower and watch the sunset over the sprawling red roofs and sparkling blue Adriatic Sea.
Day 11: DEPARTURE
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