Are you ready for the ultimate cycling challenge?
The Slovenia Champions Ride offers just that. Rise to the challenge of the country’s seven highest mountain passes as you ride 90-100kms per day through a landscape of sweeping vistas, gushing rivers and waterfalls, lush meadows, shimmering alpine lakes and mountain peaks whose majestic beauty will spur you onward even at the toughest of moments. Along with the natural beauty, you can also take time out to visit some fascinating castles, eat great food, drink sumptuous wine, and much more in this small but wonderfully diverse country.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANA
Arrival in Ljubljana - accommodation in 4* city center hotel. Once settled in, you can spend the rest of the day strolling around the lovely historic old town, and take a short walk or ride up to the Ljubljana Castle. Perched on a hill and standing guard over the old town, this is Ljubljana's most distinctive feature. From its tower you get a commanding view of the capital’s heart and soul. As the sun goes down you can relax with a drink in the many outdoor bars/cafes beside the Ljubljanica River, or take an evening stroll, enjoying the lights and vibrant sounds of the city.
Day 2: LJUBLJANA - LOGARSKA DOLINA (↔ 74 km, ↑ 1.300 m, ↓ 2.200 m, max gradient 19%)
Into the Alps: Today you leave the city and head north to the beautiful Kamnik Alps, stretching from Slovenia right the way to Austria. The soaring peaks of Grintovec (2558 m) and Storzic (2132 m) will dominate your view as you cycle first to the historic little town of Kamnik. Visit the two ruined castles here and have a coffee in the old town. From here you’ll continue cycling on deep into the heart of the Kamnik Alps and into the exquisite Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina), a peaceful alpine glacial valley where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3: LOGARSKA DOLINA - BLED (↔ 92 km, ↑↓ 2.050 m, max gradient 20%)
Over the hills and far away: Leaving the tranquillity of the Logar Valley, you will cycle off to a fairy-tale lake via the Pavlic Pass. Along the way, you’ll visit the lovely alpine lake at Jezersko and the equally beautiful artificial lake at Preddvor, both blessed with beautiful backdrops. Either is a good choice for lunch. The day will end at the pearl of Slovenia’s northern region, Lake Bled.
Day 4: BLED - BOHINJ - BLED (↔ 87 km, ↑ 1.900 m, ↓ 840 m, max gradient 17%)
Lake Bled, with its beautiful church sitting on an island in the middle of the lake and guarded by a medieval hilltop castle, is the stuff of fairy tales. Start or end your day here with a boat ride to the island and a ride up to the castle for a panoramic view of the lake and glacial valley. Your cycling day will take you to the old village of Kropa, where you can visit the iron forging museum dedicated to the town's blacksmith trade, and the iron-smelting town of Železniki. You’ll weave your way back to Bled through forests, along rivers and, time permitting, you can also stop by the beautiful Vintgar Gorge.
Day 5: BLED - AUSTRIA - KRANJSKA GORA (↔ 101 km, ↑ 1.405 m, ↓ 2.010 m, max gradient 39%)
Leaving Bled, you will first ride your bike to the little village of Begunje, famous for being the birthplace of Slovenia’s folk music legend: Slavko Avsenik. As well as the Avsenik restaurant and museum, you can also visit Kamen Castle and the well preserved Robacnek Mill. Here you will leave Slovenia temporarily and head into Austria via the centuries-old Ljubel Pass, running close to Mount Stol (the highest peak in the Karavanke Alps), and then loop around back into Slovenia via the Koren Pass. Podkoren is located close to the lovely alpine town of Kranjska Gora, a great place to spend the evening.
Day 6 : KRANJSKA GORA - TOLMIN (↔ 96 km, ↑ 1.950 m, ↓ 2,610 m, max gradient 21%)
Today you will ride from the Slovenian Alps to the Italian Alps. You’ll cross the border and head to Tarviso. Encircled by the Julian, Karavanke and Canal Alps, Tarviso is the perfect place to take a rest, sip a cappuccino and soak up the sunny views before tackling the amazing Predel Pass, running between Mt Mangart and Mt Kanin. On the other side, you’ll glide back down into Slovenia via the glistening emerald Soča Valley through the villages of Kobarid and Tolmin.
Day 7: TOLMIN - LJUBLJANA (↔ 103 km, ↑ 1.950 m, ↓ 1.850 m, max gradient 22%)
Your route today will eventually take you back to the Slovene capital. Get up early enough and you can visit the Tolmin Gorge, the lowest and southernmost entry point into Triglav National Park. Visit the thermal springs under Devil’s Bridge. Your cycling route to Ljubljana will take you through the Cerkno Hills, where you'll ride from the alpine region to the Dinaric Karst region of the southwest.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast your tour ends. However, you can prolong your stay in Slovenia.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: April 29 to May 13 and September 17 to October 14, 2023: 950 EUR
High season: May 14 to September 15, 2023: 1.190 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels 3*/4* and guesthouse in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer – one piece, max 20 kg / 45 lb. Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• information pack including overview map in electronic form
• 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 traveller 340 EUR
• single room 290 EUR
• upgrade to city historic center 4* hotel 85 EUR per person per night in a double room, 105 EUR in a single room
• road bike rental 240 EUR. Road bikes are equipped with 21 gears, cyclometer, lock, one small under-saddle pocket bag, one spare tube, set of Allen keys and basic puncture repair kit. Price includes delivery and pick up. Every additional day 50 EUR per bike. Other bike types are also available. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends on the evening of day 7 in Ljubljana at 18:00
• helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
• printed information pack with route detail and corresponding maps 30 EUR at arrival
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ribčev Laz/Bohinj 75 EUR per night in a standrad double room, B&B. Single room 105 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana mid-ring 75 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 105 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana historic center 110 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 185 EUR
Not included: entrance fees, lunches, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana
1–3 persons: 50 EUR
4–8 persons: 65 EUR
Trieste Airport to Ljubljana
1–3 persons: 170 EUR
4–8 persons: 210 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Ljubljana
1–3 persons: 180 EUR
4–8 persons: 220 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Route profile
Total Length: 553 km
Total vertical up: 8.700 m
Terrain: all paved
Challenging tour for the most prepared. You will be rewarded for your efforts with the most beautiful views of Slovenia.
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 4* Hotel M Ljubljana
Day 2 3* Hotel Plesnik Logarska dolina
Day 3-4 3* Hotel Triglav / Hotel Park Bled
Day 5 3* Hotel Miklič Kranjska Gora
Day 6 3* Hotel Dvorec Tolmin
Day 7 4* Hotel M Ljubljana
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Ljubljana in NW Slovenia.
Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Ljubljana by minivan shuttles, by bus or book our transfer - Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Downtown.
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop in Ljubljana
By train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all directions. Our standard first hotel is two km away, so you'd best take a taxi.
By car: the city of Ljubljana is centrally located in Slovenia and all motorways go there.
.... and away
Simply use one of the above options.
Your bike
Helia road bikes are available in different sizes and models
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- cycle computer
- saddlebag
- 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).
