Experiences
Cycling
Long-distance trails cross this country from north to south, from east to west. Criss-cross Slovenia on your bicycle.
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What’s more beautiful than touring a country by bicycle and riding on one of its long-distance trails? There are quite a few of these, mountain and road trails.
Cycling trails through Slovenia’s hills
In the northeastern part of Slovenia with plains and gentle hills, you can find the Bicycle Trail Along the Mura and the Drava Cycling Trail. Along the coast, there’s an interesting cycling trail called Parenzana – the Route of Health and Friendship. One of the most beautiful cycling trails is in Alpine Slovenia, it takes you from Rateče, past Kranjska Gora, to Mojstrana. You can also get a sense of the Alpine atmosphere on asphalt if you go on a circular route around the Kamnik and Savinja Alps. Go cycling through the mystical Bela Krajina region on the Via Bela Krajina Trail.
Something for everyone!
Most cyclists begin this ultimate tour of the Julian Alps in Kranjska Gora (750 m) and cross the Vršič Pass (1600 m). The route continues through the Trenta Valley, past Bovec, Fort Kluže, Log pod Mangartom, Strmec and up the Mangart Pass. They then return via the Predel Pass through Italy, past Tarvisio, and along the cycle path back to the starting point in Kranjska Gora. The route is about 110 km in length and is marked by two climbs: Vršič and Predel passes, with the possibility of adding also the Mangart Pass.
The 12 km long road up to the Mangart Pass from the junction below Predel Pass is Slovenia’s highest altitude tarmac road. The altitude difference from Log pod Mangartom is about 1600 m and its average gradient is over 9%. It was tarmacked in 1995, has 17 hairpin bends and five tunnels leading up to the amazing Mangart Pass. From the loop at the top, around which parking spaces are arranged, a short road leads up to the mountain hut “Koča” on the Mangart Pass (1906 m). Due to extreme conditions, the road is closed in winter and reopens end of May or beginning of June like most Alpine passes. The weather at the top of the pass is always changeable and unpredictable. This is where the Alpine and Mediterranean air masses meet and a scorching day may end with a freezing cold descent following a rapid change in the weather. How much traffic there is on the road depends to a large extent on the weather. In one season the pass may be visited by up to 20,000 vehicles, or as many as 450 cars on the liveliest of days.
Mangart Pass
The route begins in the summer-winter tourist resort of Kranjska Gora (806 m). The tarmac road leads past Lake Jasna and the WWI Russian Chapel, climbing into the heart of the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, via 25 hairpin bends, to the Vršič Pass (1611 m), where the Poštarski Dom mountain hut is open in summer. The pass is guarded on one side by Mt. Mojstrovka and on the other by Mt. Prisojnik – both of them well over 2000 m high.
On the other side of the pass, the road descends steeply into the Trenta Valley. After another 25 hairpin bends and an even steeper gradient than on the ascent, the road descends past the source of the River Soča and the Triglav National Park Info Centre. The road continues along the Trenta Valley alongside the River Soča, past Velika and Mala Korita – narrow canyons gouged out by the River Soča, to Bovec. The total distance to be cycled is about 46 km. The altitude to climb is ca. 800 m, and the descent is ca. 1150 m.
It is possible to return from Bovec via Log pod Mangartom and the Predel Pass on the Slovenia-Italy border, then on the Italian side past Tarvisio and Rateče back to Kranjska Gora. This part involves a climb of ca. 700 m, a descent of ca. 400 m and a distance of about 50 km. There is a two-lane cycle path with a minimal gradient between Tarvisio and Kranjska Gora.
Cycling over the Vršič Pass from Kranjska Gora to Bovec
If you’d like to enjoy easy cycling in an idyllic Alpine landscape, this long-distance trail is ideal for you. It will take you from Rateče, through Kranjska Gora, past Gozd Martuljek, to the Alpine village of Mojstrana. The picturesque trail takes you across many bridges, on an abandoned railway, and it’s almost completely separated from motor vehicle traffic. On this easy trail, you’ll find rest stops and many places to grab a bite, so it’s very popular with families with small children.
Kranjska Gora
The 130 km circular trail around the Kamnik and Savinja Alps is popular with well-prepared cyclists, who cover it in a single day, and with those who extend their cycling trip into a multi-day tour. On the trail, you’ll cover approximately 2000 m of elevation difference and enjoy many beautiful natural sights and stunning views provided by the Kamnik and Savinja Alps.
The Logar Valley
The famous Parenzana coastal trail, also known as the Route of Health and Friendship, runs on the former narrow-gauge railway line between the Italian city of Trieste and Poreč in Croatia. It was once used to transport agricultural produce, which grows well in fertile Istria. The length of the entire route is 130 km and an elevation difference of 1080 m is covered. The Slovenian part of the trail runs along the coast, takes a turn among vineyards, and partly runs through abandoned tunnels. It’s not difficult, so it’s ideal for a family trip or spending time together while relaxing on a bicycle, or you can even visit it on foot. The mild sub-Mediterranean climate typical for the Slovenian coast enables cycling in all seasons.
Piran
Drava Cycling Route is considered as one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe due to its natural splendours and cultural diversity. The 510-km route stretches from the source of the Drava River in Toblach, Italy, crosses Austria to Slovenia and runs further on to Croatia where it terminates at the confluence of the Mura and Drava Rivers next to Legrad. A section of 145 km runs through Slovenia, mostly down less busy local roads and regulated cycling routes and offers an adventure at every turn. It is suitable for families and cyclists who enjoy their cycling adventures and like to visit the most beautiful corners, feel the pulse of the towns they visit and where they spend the night, and at the same time pamper their palates and indulge in the experiences they offer. Among other things, cyclists that take the route this way will encounter rafting, rowing, swimming, gold panning, natural attractions and cultural offerings of towns and places along the way.
Drava Cycling Route
photo: Sam Strauss
The riverside cycling trail along the River Mura begins in Austria, where the river’s source is. You’ll hop on your bike in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The trail then follows the River Mura past Graz and crosses into Slovenia towards the Pomurje region. It ends in Croatia, where the River Mura flows into the River Drava. The natural beauty and the easygoing atmosphere which can be felt in Pomurje are quite convincing for many cycling fans who decide to embark on this journey. The proverbial hospitality of its people and local cuisine and wines produced in the surrounding gentle hills certainly only contribute to its popularity.
River Mura
This cycling (and hiking) circular trail will take you all around Bela Krajina. It runs amongst gentle wine-growing hills, through forests and idyllic villages to the River Kolpa. It’s flat and suitable for family cycling, but even advanced cyclists will enjoy it. If you need some refreshment and rest on your journey, stop at local ‘gostilnas’, traditional pubs and restaurants, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this magical landscape in southern Slovenia.
Bela Krajina
The route begins in Ajdovščina and goes along the plain to Vipava where it climbs up to Vrhpolje and on to Col (a 500-metre climb) and then along the edge of the Trnovo Forest with beautiful views past Otlica (the famous Otliško Okno) via Lokavec in back down to Ajdovščina. The total distance is 45 km.
Vipava Valley
The diverse and sustainable Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour starts in Kranjska Gora and continues through the fairytale Radovna Valley and across the Pokljuka plateau. It passes by two famous pearls of Slovenia – Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. On the third day, you experience one of the most scenic railways in Europe and then continue cycling along the emerald Soča River.
The land of rolling hills and friendly locals is next on the list. Tall trees give way to vineyards and olive groves in Goriška Brda, a region known for high-quality wines.
From Brda, cycling continues across the stunning karstic landscape and through various typical stone villages, before the route joins the abandoned Parenzana railway track and slowly descends towards the coastal town of Koper. Jumping into the Adriatic Sea and visiting a local seafood restaurant is a perfect ending of this 7-day cycling adventure.
Lake Bohinj
This route with beautiful views of Triglav, the Julian Alps and Lake Bohinj follows the winding tarmac road from Bohinjska Bistrica up to the Soriška Planina pass where there is a winter-summer resort. From there it is possible to hike up to Možic where we can see the military remains of the Rapallo border.
The cycle route continues with a 600 m descent to Podbrdo in the Baška Grapa valley, on the other side of the Bohinj railway tunnel. The route goes down the whole valley through the villages of Huda Južna and Grahovo to Most na Soči. The total distance is ca. 60 km with the already mentioned altitude difference. From Most na Soči you can catch a train with a cycle carriage back to Bohinjska Bistrica.
Are you tempted to visit Slovenian mountains and hills? Then one of the mountain long-distance trails will be perfect for you. The 1800-kilometre circular Slovenian Cycle-Touring Trail has the most to offer. You can learn about the wonderful mountain world of three countries – Slovenia, Austria, and Italy – along the Trans Slovenia Biking Tour. The Pohorje Hills, considered to be Slovenia’s cycling Mecca, has the Pohorje Cycling Route. If you’d like to go cycling in the mighty Karavanke Alps, head to the Trans Karavanke Cycle-Touring Trail. Fun in the mountains guaranteed!
On this circular cycling route, you’ll cover all of Slovenia. It’s very dynamic and many mountaineers would feel proud to take it. It covers 1800 km and if you ride this trail in its entirety, you’ll cover an impressive 50,000-metre elevation difference! The highest point is the Poštarski Dom mountain Cabin in Vršič at an elevation of 1688 metres, while the lowest points are Piran and the Sečovlje Salt Pans at an elevation of 1 metre above sea level. In technical terms, the trail is not difficult. It takes you past 109 checkpoints. These include more than 50 mountain cabins and specialised accommodation intended for cyclists, where you can rest and get some food and drinks, and many tourist sights.
The Juliana Bike mountain bike route is actually part of the Slovenian Mountain Bike Route (SMBR) and follows the philosophy of the Juliana Trail long-distance hiking route. It is marked with blue signs, which already indicate the Slovenian Mountain Bike Route, and just the logo of the Julian Alps (JA) has been added. The route follows local roads, cycle paths, forest roads and cart tracks through sensitive natural habitats, which demand that cyclists respect nature, plants, animals and also the personal property of the local inhabitants who coexist sustainably with nature in the protected areas of Natura 2000, UNESCO and Triglav National Park.
Lovers of forest trails and mountain bikes can visit the 75 km dynamic cycling trail running through the forests of the plateau-like Pohorje Hills. It connects the eastern part of the Pohorje Hills, which rises above the city of Maribor, to its western part. It ends at the foot of Kremžarjev Vrh Hill in Koroška. The trail is marked in both directions. If you embark on your journey from the east, from Maribor, you can take the Pohorje gondola to your starting point in Bolfenk. Local cycling trails from all of the major centres surrounding the Pohorje Hills connect to this trail.
Pohorje
The Trans Slovenija 01 MTB tour connects Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. The trail will take you from the Julian Alps through the picturesque Soča Valley to the Brda Hills, and then through the Vipava Valley and across the mysterious Karst to the coast. On your journey, local culinary specialities and a rich cultural heritage await you. Trans Slovenija 02 is the natural continuation of the first route. It begins at the Faaker See in Austria, takes you across the Karavanke Alps into Slovenia, over the Pokljuka Plateau and Soriška Planina to Idrija, then across the Karst to Piran. In a technical sense, it’s more difficult that the Trans 01 tour and it’s suitable for electric bikes.
Soča Valley
Slovenia’s longest mountain range, the Karavanke Alps, extend for 120 km along the border with neighbouring Austria and are a true magnet for mountain bikers. The Trans Karavanke cycle-touring trail is divided into five stages and extends from Jezersko to the Triple Border (Tromeja) in the far northwestern part of Slovenia. It mostly runs on the forest roads of the sunny side of the Karavanke Alps and it’s suitable for mountain bikers who are in good physical condition. The length of the single-day stages are from 25 to 35 km, and the largest elevation difference in a single day is 1650 m. Stunning nature and breathtaking views are guaranteed.
Karavanke
No matter where you go cycling in Slovenia, locals will be glad to recommend interesting cycling trails. You’ll also encounter local cyclists wherever you go and they’ll be happy to advise you.
Bohinj
