Introduction

A definitive must for photographers and those who like mountain scenery, but don’t want to take too much effort to get it. This is NOT a mountain bike tour. It is suitable for cyclists of average fitness, has one pass of 750m / 2500ft (but one has the whole day to do it on a quiet road).

Daily programme

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO LAKE BLED.
Accommodation in 4* hotel.
You will arrive in Bled, a world famous town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Defined by its unique island church sitting proudly in the middle of this immense body of water, surrounded by towering alpine mountains, and the castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. One of our Helia representatives will meet you and take you for a welcome drink, deliver your information pack and ensure you have everything you need for your trip. For the rest of the day you can choose between a number of leisure activities in Bled. Visit the island church and marvel at the ornate golden altar and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Hike up to the castle for a spectacular view of this glacial valley. In the evening try the local speciality – the cream cake – in one of the great little tea shops beside the lake, or sample the many bars and restaurants.

Day 2: BLED – RIBČEV LAZ (19 km).
Accommodation in 4* hotel. You will be transferred up to the high plateau at Pokljuka (12 km). From here you can marvel at the stunning views before gliding down into the neighbouring Bohinj Valley, the jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. You will cycle through the many small alpine villages scattered across the valley until reaching the small settlement of Ribčev Laz (Fisherman’s Pass) lying next to the stunning Lake Bohinj. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, source of the Sava Bohinjka River, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view into the Bohinj Valley and of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps. Explore the forests surrounding the lake before spending the evening in one of the cosy village pubs and trying the local home-made honey brandy.

Day 3: RIBČEV LAZ – ŠKOFJA LOKA (53 km).
Mostly flat with a slow climb up to Jelovica High plateau, pass of 750 m / 2400 ft. Accommodation in 3* hotel.
Leaving Bohinj you cycle to the lovely village of Bohinjska Bistrica, where you can admire the picture-perfect backdrop. Then it’s up 750 m/2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau. From the top the route takes you through a deep forest which soon drops off into the Selška Dolina Valley leading to the Škofja Loka hills. The first stop is at the little alpine village of Sorica, set among low green hills. This is the birthplace of the famous Slovene painter,Ivan Grohar. Visit his gallery where you’ll find a limited collection of his work. The next stop is at the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki, where you will find the remains of an old blast furnace dating from 1826. Stop in one of the village inns along the way and try the delicious trout. Finally you arrive in the wonderful town of Škofja Loka, one of the oldest towns in Slovenia. If you are not too tired you can cycle up to the castle on the hill overlooking town. Spend the rest of the evening wandering through the old streets of this historic medieval town.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA - PREDDVOR (33 km).
Cycling across flatlands. Accommodation in 3* pension.
Leaving Škofja Loka you will head across the great Sora plain with the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop. The route will take you past Kranj, Slovenia’s fourth largest city. Stop for lunch in Glavni Trg, the main square framed by its interesting gothic architecture. As you continue northeast you’ll come across Brdo Castle, renowned as Slovenia’s most elegant presidential palace. The day ends in Preddvor where your hotel is set beside a small lake sitting in the shadow of the beautiful Kamnik-Savinja Alps. If the weather is warm enough, you can take a swim here in the pure, refreshing alpine water before having dinner.

Day 5: PREDDVOR - RADOVLJICA (37 km).
Mostly flat with a few small hills. Accommodation in 3* pension.
A ride through history. This route will take you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to  Radovljica with its beautifully preserved old town and an interesting beekeeping museum.  Your route will also take you through the fascinating little village of Kropa where you will find the iron forging museum dedicated to the history of the town’s blacksmith trade. You can even learn how to make your own nail, and ether add it to the current collection of over 100 types, or take it home with you. We suggest lunch in small restaurant near the castle in Radovljica.

Day 6: RADOVLJICA – KRANJSKA GORA (50 km).
An easy, very slow climb (300m/1000ft) over 40 km. Accommodation in 3* hotel.
This route will take you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje. It was in this small settlement where one of Slovenia’s darkest moments took place. Visit the Museum of Hostages and learn how thousands of men, women and children were beaten and executed during the German occupation in WW2. On a lighter note, Begunje is also the hometown of the famous Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. 2kms down the road are the ruins of Kamen Castle. As the sun illuminates the mountains your route will take you on cycling path that goes between the ranges of the Julian Alps and the Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities. Along the way you can take a short side trip to the lookout point for Spik Mountain, regarded as the one of Slovenia’s toughest peaks to climb. If you arrive in plenty of time you can take a ride up to the Planica Valley, location for the world famous ski jumping championships. It’s here that many of the longest jumps have been achieved, including the current world record.

Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA – BLED (41 km).
A nice downhill ride with one pass of 150m/500ft. Accommodation in 4* hotel.
For your final day you will head back into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River as it cuts its way south to join the Sava Bohinjka, where it becomes the Sava River, the longest in Slovenia. From Mojstrana you will head into the Krma Valley. This lush green valley leads through a peaceful forest littered with WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which has been adapted into a museum. You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery deep in the heart of this beautiful alpine landscape. From here you will head through the Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. As you exit the valley, take a short detour to the stunning 1.6km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. The gorge was discovered by chance by the town mayor in 1891, who then set to work building walkways to open the gorge up to the public. We recommend you try the trout dinner at the entrance to the gorge before heading into Bled.

Day 8: END OF TOUR.

Pricing

Price per person: 570 EUR (Currency converter here)

Price includes:

• Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels in two-bedded room with WC and shower, on a basis of bed & breakfast.
• Luggage transport between the hotels (one piece per person).
• Information package including detailed route description (one per booking party).
• A welcome drink and visit of Helia representative on the arrival evening.

Supplements:

• Half board 100 EUR (includes 6 dinners in hotels, dinner in Škofja Loka is in a local inn).
• Single supplement 120 EUR.
• Supplement for 4* hotel accommodation in Bled (first and last night of stay in Bled) 30 EUR for BB, 50 EUR for HB (in parkside room).
• Bike hire 75 EUR per week (touring bikes are equipped with a lock, pannier and a basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up). Every additional day: 12 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts on day 2 of the tour (on the day clients leave Bled) and ends on the evening of their arrival back to Bled.
• Helmet rental 12 EUR.
• "Help out" lift on day 3 is 15 EUR per person.

To book additional nights in Bled please go here.

Discounts:

• Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents -30%.
• Third adult person on an extra bed (sharing) in a double room: -10% on the basic price.

Not included:

• Entrance fees.

There is free but unguarded parking lot in Bled.
Bike insurance: bikes are insured against minor breaks and normal wear (up to a damage of 10 EUR). They are not insured against theft or frame break. Insurance is available against these events at the rate of 2 EUR per bike per day.
Transfers to and from Ljubljana (Easy jet) airport are available here.

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