Slovenia is a place of immense geographical diversity. Its main regions and a number of microclimates give the country a character unrivalled by any other in Europe. Exploring Slovenia’s natural and cultural treasures on a bike is a completely unique experience. When travelling by car is too fast and walking is too slow, cycling is definitely just right. You get to visit Slovenia’s incredible sights and watch its scenic countryside change before your eyes.
This 8-day adventure will take you from the capital Ljubljana, over the wooded Škofja Loka Hills towards the stunning Alpine valleys and open pastures, across a panoramic mountain pass and into the Mediterranean climate of the renowned winegrowing area of Goriška Brda. On every leg of your journey, whole new worlds open up, creating the illusion you have entered an entirely different country.
Just like the landscape, the route itself is very diverse. From flat asphalt roads and countryside lanes or gravel tracks, to relatively steep ascents and descents, which offer breath-taking views of your surroundings. The tour is comprised of the best cycling trails in Slovenia with numerous famous landmarks along the way. Tackling the terrain on your electric-assist mountain bikes guarantees everyone will get the most out of the experience, making it easier to adapt to an optimal riding pace. Besides the guide, our tour will be accompanied by a van, which will take care of all logistic aspects, support and luggage transport. Any repairs can be taken care of on the spot. Our support van is also there in the event that for any reason participants can’t continue the journey or wish to cut it short
After breakfast, there will be a short presentation of our electric mountain bikes, followed by our first mini-tour, which will take place in the Ljubljana Marshes. The route is flat, easy and perfect for an introduction to the week ahead. You are certain to be impressed by the green nature just a stone’s throw from the capital. In the afternoon, participants are free to enjoy the city and have a good night’s rest in Ljubljana.
After breakfast, we drive to Škofja Loka, a very pretty historic town near Ljubljana, where we start cycling through the Selška Valley and slowly ascend the wooded plateau of Jelovica. The tour begins to get an Alpine feel as we descend into the Bohinj Valley where we spend the night at this amazing glacial wonder.
Since Bohinj is completely surrounded by high hills, the morning begins by hitching a ride with our support van to the Pokljuka Plateau. Cycling across Pokljuka is a dream. You will ride through meadows and pastures down well-maintained roads and stop off at authentic cheese shops. Pokljuka is followed by a descent into the spectacular Radovna Valley in the very heart of the Triglav National Park, from where a flat panoramic drive to Kranjska Gora awaits. Yes, day 4 will be long, but extremely exciting and absolutely worth every droplet of sweat. The night is spent in the famous Alpine hub of Kranjska Gora.
Now it’s time for an easier tour around Kranjska Gora to rest our limbs and recharge our batteries. No van rides today, so we can afford to make a slightly later start. The surrounding terrain presents us with multiple levels of cycling difficulty. To get the feel for Kranjska Gora’s pristine Alpine vibe, we will visit the incredibly green and jaw-droppingly beautiful Zelenci and make our way to the world-famous ski jumping centre of Planica. The night will be spent at the same hotel in Kranjska Gora.
On the sixth day, our van will take us over the Vršič Pass to cycle on the other side with much lighter traffic. The Bovec area offers endless possibilities, from serious mountain biking to hidden panoramic gravel roads in the heart of the Julian Alps. By now we will be very familiar with each-other and the participant’s capabilities, which will allow the guide to pick the most suitable route. After another dose of cycling, the van will take us to the rustic winegrowing region of Goriška Brda where we stay the night.
Waking up in Goriška Brda, you truly get to feel the immense difference in the landscape and climate. The Alps, which on a clear day can be seen in the distance, have been replaced by the Mediterranean climate. The last leg of our tour leads across romantic rolling hills and through gorgeous villages. To taste the fruits of all the grapevines you have seen while cycling, the day ends with a mandatory wine tasting.
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