Mountain stage: Tour of Slovenija

In the shadow of the Julian Alps, where Slovenia meets Italy and Austria, lies a valley carved by glaciers and ambition. This is Kranjska Gora – a place where the air smells of pine and melting snow, where the roads present the toughest road cycling challenges in Slovenia, but also offer the most beautiful family cycling routes in the country.

There’s plenty to do here, whether on or off the bike. In summer, hikers climb via ferratas up limestone towers or stroll through fairy-tale valleys. Mountain bikers zip through the Kranjska Gora Bike Park, while road cyclists tackle the Vršič and Mangart mountain passes. Lake Jasna reflects the sky, while yoga enthusiasts seek inner balance by its cool, clear waters.

Why come?

In June, the valley will host a cycling spectacle. The Tour of Slovenia, the country’s biggest sporting event, returns for its 32nd edition from June 17-21, 2026. The race, which was born in 1993 with eight stages in honor of the young nation, has had 167 stages since then. This year, the most brutal stage, which starts in Kranj – accumulates over four thousand meters of ascent as it crosses Italy through Tarvisio and over the Predil Pass, and after 13 years, it will also climb Vršič again. The summit of Vršič may be the crown of the champion, but the finish line awaits in Kranjska Gora. Here, in the valley where three borders meet, the race – and the adventure – reach their finale.

Besides cheering for the champions and participating in the cycling spectacle, you will have a lot to do during your visit, as this is a land at the crossroads of three countries. Here, three cultures intertwine in dialect, cuisine and stone. In the mountain villages of Dovje and Mojstrana, the spirit of Jakob Aljaž still lingers – the priest who bought the peak of Triglav and crowned it with the Aljaž Tower, which is today a symbol of Slovenianness. A few kilometres south, the road to Gozd Martuljek offers a view of the Špik group, a jagged horizon that stops travelers in all seasons.

Then there is the Planica Nordic Center, a monument to winter and will. In summer, it offers the steepest zipline in the world, a wind tunnel where you can experience free fall, a snow tunnel where you can cross-country ski all year round and a disc golf course.

And most importantly, around Kranjska Gora you will find an extensive network of cycling paths and trails, because Kranjska Gora is not just a race destination, but a destination for every cyclist to come and celebrate cycling…alongside and on their bikes.