Alpine Slovenia by bike, between lakes and valleys

Your cycling tour in Slovenia :

Day 1 : Arrival in Lake Bled

Arrival in Lake Bled and check-in at the hotel. Lake Bled is a beautiful glacial lake made famous by its distinctive island church, towering alpine mountain backdrop and clifftop castle. You can take a boat out to the island church and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Head over the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of the lake, castle and Karavanke Mountains. Don’t miss out on kremšnita’s tasting, town’s speciality !

Day 2 : Bled – Ribcev Laz | 19 km (+possible side trip 16 km)

Transfer to Pokljuka plateaus. From here, you can marvel at the views as you glide down into the neighbouring Bohinj Valley until reaching the stunning Lake Bohinj, a glistening jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. Possibility to cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of the Julian Alps that surround the lake.

Day 3 : Ribcev Laz – Skofja Loka | 57 km

Leaving Bohinj you cycle up 750 m / 2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau. From the top the trail drops off into a beautiful wilderness valley leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. The route takes you through a number of historic little villages until you finally arrive in one of Slovenia’s oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, where you can visit the hilltop castle.

(a “help out” lift to the top of the mountain pass is available for the first part of this stage at an extra cost of 20 EUR per person)

Day 4 : Skofja Loka – Preddvor | 33 km

Today you head across the great Sora plain, taking you past Kranj, Slovenia’s fourth largest city. Stop for lunch in Glavni Trg, the main square framed by its interesting gothic architecture. As you continue northeast you’ll come across Brdo Castle, renowned as Slovenia’s most elegant presidential palace. End the day with your feet up, sipping a drink and admiring the view across Preddvor lake to the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Day 5 : Preddvor – Begunje | 43 km (+ possible side trip 11 km)

A ride through history, taking you along the edge of the Kamnik Alps to the beautifully preserved old town of Radovljica and its interesting beekeeping museum. You’ll visit Slovenia’s foremost blacksmith town, Kropa where you can tour the iron forging museum and learn how to make your own nail. Next stop is Radovljica, where you can visit old city centre and bee museum. Finally, you arrive near Begunje.

Day 6 : Begunje – Kranjska Gora | 42 km (+ possible side trip 15 km)

This route takes you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje, hometown of the famous Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. 2kms down the road are the ruins of Kamen Castle. As the sun illuminates the mountains your route takes you on cycling path to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities. Along the way you can take a short side trip to the lookout point for Spik Mountain, regarded as the one of Slovenia’s toughest peaks to climb. If you arrive in plenty of time you can take a ride up to the Planica Valley, location for the world famous ski jumping championships.

Day 7 : Kranjska Gora – Bled | 40 km (+ possible side trip 8 km)

For your final day you head back into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River and into the Krma Valley. You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps. From here you head through the Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. As you exit the valley, take a short detour to the stunning 1.6km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. The gorge was discovered by chance by the town mayor in 1891, who then set to work building walkways to open the gorge up to the public. We recommend you try the trout dinner at the entrance to the gorge before heading into Bled.

Day 8 : Departure during the day