One-center one week mountain biking fun
Situated around the fairytale landscape of Lake Bled, this is a superb collection of mountain bike day trips suitable for all cyclists of medium fitness level. It's perfect for those who prefer to be based in one place rather than move accommodation each night. Each day takes you on a stunning ride packed with amazing views and places to see. Distances are long, but the routes are all along gravel roads.
As a pre-trip, we recommend our Salzburg to Lake Bled tour.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LAKE BLED
Bled, situated on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake with its distinctive church on an island set against a backdrop of towering alpine mountains, all guarded by the imposing clifftop castle, is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. Spend your first day visiting the island church and its ornate golden altar, ring the legendary church bell and make a wish; it might come true. Then head over to the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of all.
TOUR A: BLED - ST KATARINA - RADOVLJICA - BLED (↔ 42 km, ↑↓ 530 m)
Today's cycling trip will take you through the beautiful Vintgar Gorge, along the Radovna River as it rushes its way through the mountains and forms the Šum Waterfall at the end of the gorge. Continue to the highest point of this day: Saint Katarina Church (630 m altitude) and enjoy an alternative view of Bled Castle from the car park. You can have lunch in the beautifully preserved old town of Radovljica with its interesting beekeeping museum, ornate frescoes on the vaulted ceiling of Saint Peter's Church and even better - delicious gelato ice cream shop...
TOUR B: BLED - POKLJUKA - BOHINJ (↔ 69 km, ↑↓ 1.550 m)
The day begins with a climb up to Pokljuka high plateau. Alternatively, you can book a transfer to the top. Then cycle back down into the Bohinj Valley through alpine villages and past the unique Slovene hayracks until reaching Lake Bohinj, a beautiful lake hemmed into this alpine valley by the mighty Julian Alps. For the best view you can either take a short hike up to Mt Peč or take the cable car up to Vogel Ski Resort.
TOUR C: BLED – ST PETER - KAMNA GORICA – BLED (↔ 48 km, ↑↓ 880 m)
Today you'll head out to the home of Slavko Avsenik, a legendary Slovenian Folk musician, in the sunny village of Begunje. Have lunch at his restaurant, Avsenik Gostilna, with the beautiful Karavanke Mountains as your backdrop. After lunch, you can visit the museum of hostages and the ruins of Kamen Castle. Your return to Bled will be via the old village of Kamna Gorica.
TOUR D: BLED - JELOVICA HIGH PLATEAU (↔ 44 km, ↑↓ 970 m)
Today you head up to the beautiful dense pine forest of Jelovica Plateau, situated on the south side of Bled. The route takes you upwards alongside the Sava River. We recommend you have lunch at Talež mountain hut, where you'll be guaranteed a fantastic view across to the Karavanke mountain range. In the afternoon a leisurely ride over a quiet, peaceful forest road, will bring you back to Bled.
TOUR E: BLED – SLAMNIKI (↔ 40 km, ↑↓ 1.250 m)
Today you will head to the less-visited Pokljuka Gorge, carved 10,000 years ago at the eastern edge of the plateau. Here you can leave your bike and take a stroll through ancient woods and a fossilized ravine left behind by the retreating glacier.
Day 7: DEPARTURE
After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay or continue cycling. There are two tours starting from Bled: Lakes & Cities and Best Of Slovenia.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: April 15 to May 5 and September 16 to October 14, 2023: 765 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 15, 2023: 790 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• accommodation in hotel of choice in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• information pack including text road book and maps in electronic form
• free entrance to swimming pools in hotels
• personal welcome meeting, detailed briefing upon arrival and bike handover
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• single traveler 210 EUR
• single room 145 EUR
• bike rental 150 EUR for 5 days (MTB bikes are equipped with lock, pannier, spare tube, set of Allen keys and basic puncture repair kit. Price includes delivery and pick up). Every additional day 15 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day 6. Other bike types are available upon request
• electric MTB bike 230 EUR
• helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
• printed information pack with route descriptions and relevant maps on arrival 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents up to 40% discount on basic price
• third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Not included: entrance fees, lunches, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 75 EUR
4–8 persons: 105 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1–3 persons: 100 EUR
4–8 persons: 140 EUR
Villach to Bled
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 160 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 190 EUR
4–8 persons: 230 EUR
Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled
1–3 persons: 20 EUR
4–8 persons: 30 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Route profile
Total Length: 264 km
Total vertical up: 5.400 m
Terrain: 60% paved, 32% gravel, 8% single track
MTB tour.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
Day 1-6 4* Hotel Triglav / Hotel Park Bled
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfer (faster - 20 min) - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled station on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town centre. You'll need to take a bus, or call us; we'll give you a lift for free. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town centre, - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By car: take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please contact us about parking possibilities.
... and away
Simple, use one of the above options or - cycle away: consider our cycling trip Best Of Slovenia!
Your bike
Helia bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
Trek MTB 4500/Trek MTB 4700/Fuji Nevada One 926
Features:
- aluminium frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle
- anti-puncture Continental tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- cycle computer
- Vaude one-sided saddlebag (exception Road Racing Bikes)
- combination bike lock
Only for self-guided tours: one repair kit per two bikes: one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, two allen keys and tyre levers
Important notes if you want to cycle independently - in order to cycle smoothly following an app, we suggest that you bring with you a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the app can be used offline, too).
