Slovenia

The Trans Dinarica cycling route in Slovenia begins in the town of Tolmin, which is tucked in the Alps and wedged between the Soča and the Tolminka Rivers. This idyllic town is famous for its festivals (especially music) and outdoor sports and it is the perfect spot to launch this stage near the beginning (or end) of your Trans Dinarica bicycle adventure. While here, visit the Tolmin Museum and don’t miss the Tolmin Gorges.

Leaving Tolmin, the route follows a new cycling path along the confluence of the Soča and Tolminka Rivers towards the Most na Soči artificial lake and to the town of Most na Soči (five kilometers along the route). Here, at the confluence of the rivers Soča and Idrijca, is the geographical beginning of the Dinaric Alps (the exact borderline between Dinaric and Julian Alps). For geographers, it is interesting to note that the Trans Dinarica starts almost exactly on the northernmost point of the Dinarides. From here, you’ll have wonderful views of the lake. After a short and steep asphalt climb, cyclists will come to a challenging gravel section that follows the Soča River high above the left riverbank. This rugged path gives riders a true backcountry cycling experience and the sensation that you’ve entered a remote and wild section of the stage. 

The cycling route becomes easier near the halfway point of the stage, close to the town of Kanal (Kanal ob Soči). You’ll transition onto a quiet asphalt road that crosses the Soča River over an old stone bridge in the village of Kanal itself. At about 28 kilometers, in Plave, cyclists will find a quiet cycle path to Solkan and directly along the Soča River. You’ll ride past the old stone railway bridge and cross the river again over the new bridge just for cyclists and pedestrians. From here, cycle directly along the national border with Italy, to the head of the Vipava Valley until Europa Square in Nova Gorica, which has been named, with its next-door sister city Gorizia, the European Capital of Culture for 2025.

Alternative suggestion:

Tolmin – Kolovrat – Sabotin – Nova Gorica

• Distance: 58 km
• Elevation: 1.500 m
• Paved: 90%, unpaved: 10%

For those looking for a more challenging option, this alternate route doesn’t follow the Soča River and roll through its valley. This course climbs high along the Kolovrat Ridge and rides above the Soča Valley, adding scenic views and historical sites to this cycling trip through Slovenia. Choosing this bike path also brings historical places such as the WWI Kolovrat Outdoor Museum into play — as well as providing great views of the mountains and the Soča Valley itself. Cyclists should expect quiet and remote asphalt and partially gravel roads along the ridge with surrounding forests giving needed shade.

This Trans Dinarica alternative will ride past the peak of Mount Korada, where you can find a possible three-kilometer detour for great views of the mountains behind and towards the Goriška Brda region. Just before you dive deep into the famous Goriška Brda vineyards, which carpet the landscape, the route turns left and follows a picturesque and narrow road just below the Sabotin Ridge. Again, this alternate course allows for the possibility of visiting spectacular historical places directly on the ridge, such as the WWI Museum and caverns drilled through the ridge-top to see the other side with a steep drop directly to the Soča Valley.

The stage crosses to Italy, where there is a possibility to take a short bike detour (and short hike) at the end to the top of Mount Sabotin, where you’ll find wonderful views from the ridge that, although narrow and steep, is easy to access. The final section includes a steep descent along the old military road down towards the Soča River, where you’ll cross the green border back into Slovenia, and connect to the main route just before the new suspension bridge.

Recommended accommodation:

• Sabotin, Hotel & Restaurant***

The three-star hotel with the Green Key sustainability label is located in Solkan, very close to the main Trans Dinarica route in Slovenia, and only a kilometer away from the Soča River. In addition to 122 beds (from 1- to 4-bed rooms and two apartments with a kitchenette), restaurants with pizzas, Mediterranean, and local specialties offer all cyclists free use of guarded parking for bikes with the possibility of charging your e-bike. More info: website / facebook / instagram

• Lipa, Hotel & Bistro***

The three-star hotel with the Green Key sustainability label next to the main square in Šempeter pri Gorici offers 42 air-conditioned rooms of various sizes. The location is great both, for those who are going along the main Trans Dinarica route towards Sežana or if you will ride along the secondary route along the Vipava Valley. In addition to the buffet breakfast, the hotel’s bistro offers dishes like pasta, burgers, steaks and some traditional dishes, such as ‘frtajla’ or ‘šemperski štruklji’, perfect for fueling up after a day of bike touring. A secure bicycle parking is available for cyclists. More info: website / facebook / instagram

Trans Dinarica’s next stage begins in Nova Gorica, where you’ll find cafes, galleries, and superb restaurants. Take some time to enjoy a rare instance (anywhere in the world) of cross-border tranquility that Slovenia and Italy have accomplished with their two sister cities. From here the route travels along tranquil cycling paths that lead cyclists safely through the larger urban area and past the towns of Šempeter pri Gorici and Vrtojba. From here, the cycling route will slowly approach the edge of the Karst Region. This is a good place to get your camera ready because of an upcoming and spectacular crossing of the Vipava River — close to the town of Miren — over an improvised bridge atop of a pipeline.

The route will hop on a gravel surface as you climb up to a plateau above the Karst Region — with a suggested detour and stop at the 25-meter-high Monument of Peace and Observation Tower in Cerje. Also, a nice place to take a break, there is a coffee shop and great views of the Soča and Vipava Valleys and the Alps spreading out behind. From here, cyclists will ride across the typical karst landscape — a combination of lush river valleys and barren limestone-filled expanses leading to the sea. 

Adventurers will roll through old villages, past historical monuments, caves, and other landmarks all the way to the village of Komen and the nearby village of Štanjel, where you will be squarely in one of the most beautiful areas of the country and, in fact, Europe. The stage will become gentle (fairly flat) rolling hills that go between gravel and asphalt for the next 20 kilometers — through the prehistoric site of Debela Griža — ending with enjoyable gravel cycling along the new karst cycling path, all the way to the town of Sežana.

Before starting the next stage of the Trans Dinarica cycle route, take advantage of time in the town of Sežana. Enjoy coffee at one of the cafes and then visit the Sežana Botanical Garden at Villa Mirasasso. From Sežana, you’ll ride directly through the Karst Living Museum, along a quiet gravel road. After, the route shifts onto a wide, single-trail section that takes cyclists on an easygoing section towards the Lipica stud farm.

In Lipica, where you will want to stay for a while and see the famous UNESCO-inscribed (for intangible cultural heritage) Lipizzaner horses and the oldest continuously operating stud farm in Europe at nearly five centuries. From here, you’ll take remote backroads to the peaceful town of Lokev and its Lokev Military Museum (housed in a tower). After more easygoing gravel cycling, you’ll pedal to Matavun and the entrance of the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO site and one of the country’s calling card points of interest and a must-see on your Slovenia bike tour.

From Matavun, again remote and quiet gravel and asphalt roads take you towards Rodik and the Rodik Mythical Park, where stone and statues create a storytelling venue for the whole family. Shortly after, at about the 23-kilometer mark, get ready for the steepest gravel climb of the day, which takes cyclists towards the village of Artviže. At the peaceful settlement of Artviže, you’ll start your ride on a long, narrow, picturesque, and quiet asphalt road (for approximately another 28 kilometers) over the Brkini Hills that will take you through beautiful, perched villages to the stage’s final destination of Ilirska Bistrica.

Croatia’s first stage of the Trans Dinarica bike trail actually begins in Slovenia in Ilirska Bistrica. Though centuries old, the town owes much of its character to its important position during the Austrian Empire. Make sure to visit some of the churches and castles in the immediate vicinity — especially the Prem Castle, which was first mentioned in the early 13th century. After, enjoy a meal and a drink in the town center cradled in the Reka River valley.

From Ilirska Bistrica, follow the foothills of the Dinaric Alps Range towards the Slovenia-Croatia border. Just prior to the line, there will be a climb before the village of Novokračine. In Croatia, the route will pass through the villages of Lipa and Škalnica. Risnjak National Park is located about 50 kilometers to the east. Due south, riders will be pedaling over rolling terrain toward the Adriatic.

The last half of the stage is mostly downhill. At the village of Saršoni, the bike route turns left towards (and crosses) the Rječina River before turning south again, where it will follow the meandering waterway. After a steep, but short, climb to the village of Grobnik, the route heads down again. The last three kilometers is an easygoing descent into the destination for the day: Čavle.

Alternative suggestion:

Martinovo Selo to Podrvanj (avoiding Grobnik)

• Distance: 6 km
• Elevation: 73 m
• Paved: 75%, unpaved: 25%

To avoid the steep climb to Grobnik, this six-kilometer alternative heads east at the villages of Martinovo Selo and Lubarska, through the village of Jelenje, and takes cyclists to the town of Dražice. Here they will roll south until meeting back up with the main route near the village of Podrvanj and then directly to Čavle—a route perfect for those keen on cycling Croatia while discovering the region’s scenic diversity and accessible trails.

This ‘northern alternative’ cycling route along the Trans Dinarica begins in the town of Tolmin, which is tucked in the Alps and wedged between the Soča and the Tolminka Rivers. This idyllic town is famous for its festivals (especially music) and outdoor sports and it is the perfect spot to launch this stage near the beginning (or end) of your Trans Dinarica experience. While here, visit the Tolmin Museum and don’t miss the Tolmin Gorges.

Leaving Tolmin, you’ll pass the confluence of the Soča and Tolminka Rivers as you roll along the new cycling path towards the Most na Soči artificial lake and to the town of Most na Soči (five kilometers along the route). From here, you’ll have wonderful views of the lake. However, rather than heading southwest along the Soča River, cyclists will head southeast to the Idrijca River.

After crossing the Idrijca River (at the six-kilometer mark) and rolling over a brief unpaved section, the route turns left and follows the Idrijca Valley, past the train station close to Most na Soči. From here, the course starts to gradually climb along easygoing asphalt roads towards the valley of Čepovan (Čepovanski dol). This is one of the most beautiful and preserved dry valleys in Slovenia.

From Čepovan, the steady and fairly relaxed climb continues towards the small village of Lokve (at around 25 kilometers). The route then takes cyclists deep into the vast forests of the Trnovska Plateau. This remote and well-maintained forest road ascends to the highest point (around 1.200 meters) along the border between the Nova Gorica and Ajdovščina (an ancient town lodged in the Vipava Valley) municipalities. From here, the bike trail begins its descent towards the village of Predmeja.

At Predmeja, the route stays left and up to the ridge of the Trnovska Plateau, which takes you directly parallel and above the Vipava Valley. The Slovenian cycling route passes the small village of Otlica with its famous Otliško okno (Otlica window), a natural stone phenomenon that provides stunning views into the valley. Though it necessitates a short bike-and-hike detour, take the time to get here. It is worth it.

At the village of Kovk, the route takes a right turn and a short climb to the end of the stage at Sinji vrh Pension. From here, you will have expansive views over the Vipava Valley and will be ready for a celebratory meal and drink with your cycling companions.

Another incredibly picturesque and easygoing Trans Dinarica stage, this one leaves from the Pension and Restaurant Sinji Vrh above the Vipava Valley at an elevation of over 1.000 meters and then steadily descends and follows the edge of the Trnovska Plateau towards the pleasant village of Col at about the nine-kilometer mark. From there, it’s a short climb into the dense forests, which are refreshing on warmer days. Coming out, cyclists should get their cameras ready to catch more spectacular views of the Vipava Valley before starting to descend towards the village of Podkraj.

Backcountry cycling enthusiasts will find this stage offers a combination of rolling hills and descents, with much of the surface on unpaved surfaces. The course becomes particularly remote and thoroughly peaceful. For those who love to get away and feel freedom on a bicycle, this is the spot. You’ll experience mostly quiet gravel forest roads that encircle the Nanos Plateau, well known for its hiking trails. From here the route will gradually descend towards the famous Predjama Castle. Built into a stone cave and along a cliff wall, this must-see attraction is more than eight centuries old.

After Predjama, cyclists will find pristine riding along the flat landscape of the Nanoščica and Pivka Rivers that follow. The Pivka River in responsible for creating the world-famous Postojna Caves, and is another must-see on this Slovenia bike tour. The two rivers will converge outside the town of Postojna. This stage — which is packed with classic Slovenian points of interest — will end just above the cave complex and will descend directly to the center of Postojna (around two kilometers from the entrance to the Postojna Cave).

Cycling Slovenia’s part of Trans Dinarica from Postojna, this stage starts with easy and almost flat cycling towards the Pivka River. Cyclists will pass many opportunities for beautiful, and short, detours to visit the 17 seasonal lakes that are strung across the beautiful Pivka Valley. Adventurers will be pleasantly surprised by the region’s layered heritage and the places where travelers can learn more, such as the Ecomuseum of the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka.

After the town of Pivka, a new bike path leads to the village of Zagorje, where the route turns left, away from the main road and towards the wonderfully adventurous last part of the stage. This adventure should start with a visit to the remains of the old Kalc Castle. Then, from the village of Bač, the route goes wild (don’t worry, we mean remote) with a gradually climbing gravel road that takes you through pastures and into the forests on the edge of the Mount Snežnik plateau.

Cyclists will slowly climb towards the top of a high grassy plain leading to the top of Volovja Reber with its highest peak, Velika Milanja. (From here, one can do a short bike-and-hike detour to the top). Weather permitting, you’ll have views that open all the way back to Nanos, the Pivka Valley, the Karst Region, the Adriatic Sea, Učka Mountain in Croatia, and the Kvarner Islands. From Velika Milanja, there’s a challenging, but beautiful gravel descent that takes you past Črne Njive (Black Fields) directly to the town of Ilirska Bistrica, where you will finish this section of Trans Dinarica’s bike route in Slovenia.

Alternative suggestion:

Zagorje – Šilentabor – Črne njive

Distance: 17 km
Elevation gain: 400 m
Paved: 23%, unpaved: 77%

For those looking for a slightly less demanding alternative, when you leave from the village of Zagorje, this alternate route turns in the opposite direction towards the village of Šilentabor. It is worth taking a short hike to the edge of the small cliff, where there are beautiful views towards the west where the land opens wide.

At Šilentabor, the route follows an old ‘Mussolini Road’ with a tunnel of stone leading you towards the village of Podtabor, where the route climbs up to the village of Šembije. It then crosses the main road and continues along a gravel stretch until you have views of Volovja Reber and Velika Milanja open up in a near distance. The route will climb and then, gradually, descend to the main stage at ‘Črne Njive’ (Black fields) before descending sharply towards Ilirska Bistrica, the route’s final destination.

From Nova Gorica, this route starts the same way as stage no.2 Nova Gorica – Sežana, all the way until the town of Vrtojba, where it turns left and follows pleasant gravel cycling roads through the vineyards and connects with the Educational Trail along the Vipava River at the town of Renče. From here, the route exactly follows the Educational Trail to the center of the town of Vipava.

From the center of Vipava — past several of the Vipava River’s sources — the route continues towards the picturesque old villages of Slap, Lože, and Manče, and continues over the open fields towards the village of Podnanos.

Bike travel enthusiasts will find a pleasant, remote, asphalt road after Podnanos, that continues to the valley’s end, where it climbs steeply to the village of Razdrto. After this short, but steep, climb, the cycling becomes easier as it rolls over open fields below the Nanos Plateau and glides to Predjama village with its must-see site: the Predjama Castle. The route then connects to the Northern Alternative. After 15 kilometers, the stage ends in the town of Postojna with its world-famous Postojna Cave.