If you're a road cyclist...

The asphalt that runs under the road bike with such a characteristic sound and the speed that you are able to develop with your own legs… all this is addictive and pulls you onto the road… but the real challenges and joy of every road cyclist await on the endless serpentines, the altitude meters that are only counted at a snail’s pace… and then at the top, a beautiful view of the conquered twists and turns and the euphoria in the knowledge that you managed to do it at a pace that you would never have thought possible.

So, here are the challenges that every road cyclist in Slovenia who puts in something must overcome sooner or later.

Mangart and Vršič

Although these are two separate passes, each of which is a worthy destination in its own right, most road cyclists combine them and ride them in a single royal circuit. This circuit takes you from Kranjska Gora via Vršič, Mangart, Predel and Trbiž back to Kranjska Gora after approx. 110 km and more than 2,700 altitude meters.

VRŠIČ

The Vršič pass is the smaller of the two, but it is historically significant, as the road over it was built by Russian prisoners of war. It is also famous for the 24 switchbacks that lead you from Kranjska Gora to the summit, all of which are still paved. The average gradient is just over 7%, with sections reaching 13%. From Kranjska Gora to the summit, you have to overcome 11km and 750 metres of elevation gain.

MANGART

This one will be harder. The climb, which starts in Log pod Mangartom, is 21 km long, during which it takes you almost 1,500 meters in height. The total average gradient is a good 7%. The last part is the most spectacular and enjoyable, but also strenuous, as the average gradient is 9%. The highest paved road in Slovenia has 17 bends and is led through five tunnels to the rocky depths of the stunning Mangart.

STRMA REBER

A lesser-known climb, which has also been nicknamed “Bear’s Gut” or “Little Vršič”. The climb itself is 8.5 kilometers long, during which it overcomes 720 meters of altitude. 19 switchbacks await you, but with an average gradient of almost 9%, which in places reaches 17%!

You can package the challenge into a nice cycling circle.

KRVAVEC

It is the closest ski and mountain resort to Ljubljana. Most people take the gondola to get there, but for road cyclists there is only one route – an asphalt snake that climbs 990 meters in altitude from the village of Grad to Jezerca in 11 km. The average gradient is 8%, but it can reach 17%. There is no mercy here, the road becomes vertical right at the start.

If you want to compare yourself to the world’s elite, we will give you the time it takes Tadej Pogačar to reach the top, 33 minutes 51 seconds.

KUM

Kum is a popular excursion spot in Zasavje, but also a very popular cycling climb, where the road overcomes 1000 meters of elevation in 10 km. The finish provides additional spice, as the last kilometer is on gravel road. On this route, you will focus on your breathing and the steepness, as there will be no time for anything else until the top, as it is one of the most difficult climbs in Slovenia.

ROGLA

Despite the fact that Rogla is a popular family resort, the climb to Rogla is considered one of the most challenging in Slovenia, as the steep climb rarely lets up and rises approximately 1,100 meters above sea level in just over 16 km.

GOLTE

The cycling climb to Golte is another classic that every road cyclist must do sooner or later. The climb starts in Mozirje at 337m above sea level, then rises over 15 km and more than 1000 meters to the mountain center of Golte. The gradient varies from 2% to a brutal 26%. At the end, it is the steepest!