Bike Slovenia Green: Alps to Adriatic

The Bike Slovenia Green cycling holiday starts with an overnight in the beautiful mountain resort of Kranjska Gora situated at the foot of the Julian Alps. Time permitting, a visit of the crystal clear Jasna Lake is a great idea. Another recommended option is visiting the Planica Nordic Center with the once highest ski jumping hill in the world, or a stroll around the Zelenci Natural Reserve, a moorland famous for its incredible colours and views.  

With its green and unspoiled nature, Kranjska Gora offers plenty of opportunities for an authentic, healthy and active holiday in all seasons. Its tourism offer is based on sustainable development, natural and cultural heritage and a healthy living climate. 

From Kranjska Gora, a pleasantly quiet cycling road leads to another Alpine village of Mojstrana, where it enters one of the prettiest alpine valleys in Slovenia, the Radovna River Valley. Since the area is a part of the Triglav National Park, mass tourism is limited here. The Valley is well-known due to its pristine nature and a dramatic 1.6 kilometer-long Vintgar Gorge. Easy cycling is accompanied by views of mountain tops and horses grazing on the surrounding meadows. 

Reaching the final destination of the day, the famously beautiful Bled, it would be a pity not to visit the tiny island in the middle of the lake, climb the impressive Bled Castle overlooking the town, or taste the famous Bled cake called “Kremšnita”.

Bled is a proud recipient of the Slovenia Green Gold destination certificate and a member of the Alpine Pearls group, the objective of which is to promote sustainable mobility. Local residents are sustainability-oriented and invite visitors to follow their example. 

The next day offers friendly valley cycling along the Sava Bohinjka, all the way from Bled to its source in Lake Bohinj! The initial typical Gorenje villages are followed by a short section through a narrow gorge along the main road, and then remote and picturesque macadams right next to the river, enriched with the interesting natural and cultural heritage of these places. Crossing suspension bridges, side tributaries, blooming meadows, and a stop at the beautiful Grmečica natural waterfall with a deep green pool pleasantly enrich the otherwise short and moderately demanding cycling of this day.

For those eager for some challenging uphill cycling, the day can begin with a steep climb to the Pokljuka Plateau, which rests… at an altitude of 1300 meters and serves as a starting point for many hikes. The forested plateau is dotted with shingle-covered wooden cottages, which are typical for Slovenian mountain pastures. Back in the old days, they were used as homes for shepherds or dairy production facilities. The highlight of the day is the Zajamniki mountain pasture in the central area of Pokljuka, known for its beautiful cottages and a perfect view over Lake Bohinj.

Using mostly asphalt and some forest roads, the track slowly descends towards Bohinj and eventually reaches Lake Bohinj, the largest natural lake in Slovenia. Many visitors to Slovenia say they have never seen a lake more beautiful than Lake Bled – until they come to Bohinj.

In Bohinj, sustainable tourism incentives are fulfilled through careful preservation of cultural heritage, visitor flow regulation and soft mobility. This fairytale destination invites visitors to try out their high-quality local products with “From Bohinj” label.  

If 920 meters of elevation sounds too challenging, a transfer from Bled to Pokljuka Plateau is possible upon request. In case of this transfer, the daily cycling distance is 25 km with 100 meters of elevation gain. The ride from Pokljuka Plateau towards Bohinj lake is mostly downhill, 820 elevation loss.

One of the most spectacular views of Lake Bohinj is found at the railway station located just above it. From here, a panoramic train ride is organized to travel from the heart of the Alps to the Soča Valley. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this historic railway used to connect Austria and Germany with the port of Trieste.

Upon arrival to the tranquil town of Most na Soči, one can admire the emerald waters of the Soča River, considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. The Soča Valley was the first destination in Slovenia to earn the title of the European Destination of Excellence due to its sustainable development in tourism. Heading out of town, the cycling route passes the magnificent old railroad bridge in Solkan, featuring the longest stone arch in the world. 

The route then follows the river flow and briefly enters Italy before turning back to Slovenia’s Goriška Brda region. A land of gentle, rolling hills reminds of Tuscany. The wineries here are famous across the world for their high-quality vintages and hospitality. The cycling route passes the view tower in Gonjače, the visit of which is highly recommended. As home to some of the most prominent wine growers in the region and the final destination of the day, the village of Šmartno offers the chance to end the day with some excellent wine tasting and a hearty local meal.

Goriška Brda is another Slovenia Green Gold destination, which is actively developing its sustainable tourism offer all year round, reducing pressure on the environment and promoting soft mobility. 

On the fifth day of the Bike Slovenia Green tour, touring continues through the typical hilly landscape of Goriška Brda full of winding vineyards. Short ascents and descents lead to the romantic Italian town of Gorizia. Upon the return to the Slovenian side, the route crosses the Vipava river, slowly entering the magical world of Karst. In Cerje, one can admire the Peace memorial or climb the lookout tower for the best views of the area. An exciting ascent on a gravel road leads to Kostanjevica na Krasu, a typical karst village.

Slovenian Karst is also a wine-growing region, as shown by 100 wine cellars included in the Karst Wine Route. Easy cycling comes to an end in the town of Komen, known by some of the most beautiful wineries in the region. This sustainable destination speaks to responsible visitors through its warm hospitality, authentic cuisine, calming walking and cycling paths, and many cultural features shaped by the locals.

Leaving Komen behind, cycling resumes across the fascinating karstic landscape full of typical natural phenomena. Speleologists discover new caves in Slovenia every year, and the number of recorded ones now amounts to more than 8,000 with 20 of them being show caves. The appearance and soul or the Karst are characterized by stone, which has been shaped both by water and local inhabitants for centuries.

The trail leads to tiny hilltop village of Štanjel, one of the oldest settlements in the region, known for its castle and the beautiful Ferrari Garden. Featuring traditional houses built in stone, Štanjel is a real showpiece of Karst architecture and culture. When cycling further towards Pliskovica, a stop in Prosciuterria Ščuka is a must. In the boutique family-owned prosciutto drying facility they use a classical seasoning process, which results in high-quality and aromatic authentic products.

After Pliskovica, a dynamic cycling road leads to the town of Sežana, another Slovenia Green destination.

The road passes the famous Lipica Stud Farm, home to the noble Lipizzaner horses since 1580, before reaching the final destination of the day, the lovely village of Lokev. In nearby Divača, which has also successfully obtained the Slovenia Green certificate, one can visit the amazing UNESCO site Škocjan caves.

The last cycling day truly wraps up the diversity of Slovenia and of the tour itself. The route first overlooks the Gulf of Trieste, offering some spectacular views. A scenic ride along the Adriatic coast is characterized by rich Istrian vegetation and numerous small villages. Again, the road briefly enters Italy, before reaching the Slovenian village of Osp. The day continues with easy cycling along the river Rižana and following the Parenzana railway track, a now defunct narrow gauge railway that was in operation in the early 1900s, connecting Trieste and Poreč. 

The Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour ends in Koper, the capital of the Slovenian coast awarded with the Slovenia Green certificate. Here, the historical coastal town meets the green Istrian countryside, revealing incredible history and authentic experiences. The nearby Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is the largest brackish wetlands in Slovenia, as well as a true oasis of peace both for people and animals. Make sure not to leave Koper without trying delicious seafood and having a swim in the sea.

The Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour ends with breakfast in Koper. After breakfast, a transfer is organized to the tour starting point or the Ljubljana airport.