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 90-100 kms 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. Once settled in go to the city center, where 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 (↔ 77 km, ↑ 1.160 m, ↓ 700 m, max gradient 10%)
Today marks the departure from the urban landscape as you venture northward towards the breathtaking Kamnik Alps, a mountain range that extends from Slovenia to Austria. The majestic summits of Grintovec (2558 m) and Storzic (2132 m) will command your attention as you pedal toward the picturesque town of Kamnik. Explore the remnants of two ancient castles and savor a leisurely coffee in the charming old town. Continuing your cycling journey, you'll delve deeper into the heart of the Kamnik Alps, ultimately arriving at the enchanting Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina). This tranquil alpine glacial valley will be your haven for the night, offering a serene retreat in the embrace of nature's grandeur.
Day 3: LOGARSKA DOLINA - BLED (↔ 93 km, ↑ 1.530 m ↓ 1.810 m, max gradient 12%)
Embarking from the serene Logar Valley, your cycling adventure continues towards a realm of enchantment, guided by the Pavlic Pass. Along this picturesque journey, you'll encounter the idyllic alpine lake of Jezersko and the equally captivating artificial lake at Preddvor. Both are graced with stunning natural scenery. As you revel in the beauty that surrounds you, each lake will offer a moment of respite and appreciation for nature's artistry. The day will end at the pearl of Slovenia’s northern region, Lake Bled.
Day 4: BLED – ŽELEZNIKI - BOHINJ - BLED (↔ 87 km, ↑ ↓ 1.690 m, max gradient 14%)
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 around lake Bled in the end.
Day 5: BLED - AUSTRIA - KRANJSKA GORA (↔ 105 km, ↑ 2.110 m, ↓ 1,780 m, max gradient 20%)
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. Final destination for the day is charming town of Kranjska Gora.
Day 6 : KRANJSKA GORA - TOLMIN (↔ 95 km, ↑ 1.790 m, ↓ 2,410 m, max gradient 15%)
Today's journey takes you from the Slovenian Alps to the Italian Alps. You'll cross the border and make your way to Tarvisio. Nestled between the Julian, Karavanke, and Canal Alps, Tarvisio offers a picturesque spot to take a break, savor a cappuccino, and bask in the sunny vistas before tackling the incredible Predel Pass, nestled between Mt. Mangart and Mt. Kanin. On the descent, you'll re-enter Slovenia, journeying through the radiant emerald Soča Valley, passing through the villages of Kobarid and Tolmin.
Day 7: TOLMIN - LJUBLJANA (↔ 100 km, ↑ 1.280 m, ↓ 1.170 m, max gradient 11%)
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:
Season A: 26.4. to 16.5.2025 and 20.9. to 4.10.2025 1.375 EUR
Season B: 17.5. to 19.9.2025 1.490 EUR
Date of Day 1 sets the trip's season.
Price includes:
• Seven nights accommodation in hotels 3*/4* and guesthouse in a two bedded en-suite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast
• Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kg / 50 lb. Lufthansa dimensions. Every additional piece 60 EUR per trip, payable on the spot
• Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form, one download per room
• Personal welcome meeting and bike handover
• Local tourist and other taxes
• Backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• Single travelers 460 EUR. Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
• Single room season A: 420 EUR; season B: 490 EUR. Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
• Hotel in Ljubljana City center – price at request.
• Road racing bike rental 270 EUR. Included are: one under saddle poach per bike, helmet. One repair set per pair of bikes – includes: one long lock, one spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys, tire levers and a basic puncture patch set. Every additional rental day: 50 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
• Electric touring bike rental 270 EUR. Every additional day 50 EUR
• Printed information package in English or German, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR.
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled: season A 95 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 105 EUR. Season B 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 200 EUR. Season C 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 210 EUR.
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana (city middle ring): season A 90 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 145 EUR. Season B 100 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 160 EUR. Season C 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 170 EUR.
Not included: lunches, dinners, entrance fees, saunas and massages in hotels
Route Profile
Total length: 557 km
Waytype: 75% regional country roads, 5% cycleways, 20% main road (town approach sections).
Surface: 100% asphalt and paved
Difficulty 4/4 Sportive - For riders who go on longer day tours at home, cycle to the neighboring town and have a solid physical condition. The terrain can be hilly and even if there are several ascents between the stage towns. Average daily elevation gains exceed 1.000 meters.
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* M-Hotel in Ljubljana
Day 2: 4* Hotel Plesnik in Logarska Dolina
Day 3-4: 4* Hotels Triglav, Park, Kompas, Savica, Lovec in Bled
Day 5: 3* Hotel Miklič in Kranjska Gora
Day 6: 3* Hotel Dvorec in Tolmin
Day 7: 4* M-Hotel in Ljubljana
Travel options & Local Transfers
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.
Local Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana: 1–3 persons: 65 EUR, 4–8 persons: 80 EUR
Trieste Airport to Ljubljana: 1–3 persons: 190 EUR, 4–8 persons: 230 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia road bikes are available in different sizes and models
All rented adult bikes are equipped with: combination bike lock, one repair kit per two bikes: one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, two Allen keys and tire levers
