Biking from Alps to Adriatic on a fast track!
For lovers of the fast lane, this "Cross Country Tour" whisks you through the majority of Slovenia's greatest historical places, along with the many natural wonders this diverse little country has to offer from the majestic peaks of the Julian Alps to the hot, sunny seaside towns of the Adriatic coast. It is suitable for cyclists with plenty of time and a good fitness level.
Considering a pre-trip? Have a look at our Salzburg to Lake Bled.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LAKE BLED
Arrival in Bled. Your hotel is in a quiet part of town, above the lake. Bled is renowned for its beautiful setting: glacial lake, clifftop castle and a pilgrimage church on an island. Arrive early enough and you can take a boat out to the church and ring the bell of wishes, head up to the castle for a great view across the valley, or take a circular walk around the lake and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of all.
Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (↔ 54 km, ↑ 1.010 m, ↓ 1.000 m)
Your cycling day starts with a climb up to the high plateau Pokljuka (700 m / 2300 ft over 12 km). From mountain meadows, you will then descend to the stunning Lake Bohinj. Wedged into the corner of this dead end valley, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the Triglav National Park, and it is surrounded by glistening alpine mountain peaks. 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.
Day 3: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA – ŠKOFJA LOKA – LJUBLJANA (↔ 78 km, ↑ 1.180 m, ↓ 1.390 m)
Leaving Bohinj you cycle up 750 m / 2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau, which then drops off into a lush wilderness valley leading to the Škofja Loka hills. Stop in the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki and one of Slovenia's oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, before finally arriving in Ljubljana, the Slovene capital. Visit the Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the old town and city center. From its tower, you get a breathtaking view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul and of the mountains you have just cycled from.
Day 4: LJUBLJANA – VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA (↔ 65 km; 88 with a side trip, ↑ 730 m, ↓ 480 m)
To start the day, a gentle ride across the beautiful 160-sq km Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje), home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Head up to the hilltop church of Saint Ana for the best views. Then cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lake of Cerknica. Stop at Rakov Skocjan, Slovenia's oldest landscape park: a stunning limestone gorge containing two natural bridges.
Day 5: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL (↔ 47 km; ↑ 540 m, ↓ 920 m)
Today will start with a visit to the beautiful Postojna caves, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, through a world of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, and the unique “human fish”. Then head to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama Castle, in a crevasse halfway up the side of a 123m-cliff. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.
Day 6 : ŠTANJEL – LIPICA – DIVAČA (↔ 47 km, ↑ 610 m, ↓ 340 m)
First stop is at the lovely botanical garden in Sežana, then it’s on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses, whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, and see them close up in their stables. You can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in a lovely Venetian tower.
Day 7: DIVAČA – MUGGIA – PIRAN (↔ 77 km; 94 with a side trip, ↑ 630 m, ↓ 1.070 m)
If you skipped Postojna caves, don't worry, because this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – just as interesting but far less crowded. Then, if you like, head into the Italian town of Trieste. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita. Stop for a cappuccino or a gelato in the old harbor town of Muggia. There is a new cycling path following the old railway line that runs along the coast. Enjoy great vistas of Slovenia's modest, yet lovely coastline. A stop in the Slovenian Riviera of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian harbor town of Piran.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast your tour ends. However, you can prolong your stay in Piran, take a one way boat trip or day cruise to Venice or continue cycling by taking our Croatia Istrian Coastal Tour down to Pula.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: March 25 to May 6 and September 16 to October 14, 2023: 1.120 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 15, 2023: 1.180 EUR
(Currency converter here)
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 text road notes and corresponding maps 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 240 EUR
• single room 130 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 Piran at 18:00
• helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
• printed information pack with route description and corresponding 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
• 4* Hotel in Bohinj 95 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 140 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana (mid-range) 75 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 130 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana (historic center) 100 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 180 EUR
• 3* Hotel in Štanjel area 65 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 90 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Muggia 70 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 100 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Piran (old town) 85 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 130 EUR
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
Piran to Bled
1–3 persons: 240 EUR
4–8 persons: 270 EUR
Piran to Ljubljana Airport
1–3 persons: 190 EUR
4–8 persons: 230 EUR
Piran to Ljubljana City
1–3 persons: 170 EUR
4–8 persons: 210 EUR
Piran to Trieste Airport
1–3 persons: 135 EUR
4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Piran to Trieste City
1–3 persons: 110 EUR
1–3 persons: 150 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Route profile
Total Length: max 335 km
Total vertical up: 4.700 m
Terrain: all paved
A more demanding tour for the well-prepared. A more varied terrain at the beginning of the trip, after Ljubljana the general trend is of descent. Along the coast a panoramic coastal bike path.
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 Triglav / Hotel Park Bled
Day 2 4* Hotel Bohinj Eco Bohinjska Bistrica
Day 3 4* Hotel M Ljubljana
Day 4 4* Hotel Kras / Hotel Jama Postojna
Day 5 4* Guesthouse Hiša posebne sorte Kodreti
Day 6 3* Hotel Malovec Divača
Day 7 4* Hotel Piran Piran
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 two hrs) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min).
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, four km away from town center, you'll need to take a bus or call us, we'll give you a lift for free. The other is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline only a few trains a day. Two km away from town center, call us and we'll give you a lift.
By car: take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
.... and away
By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW. We can best arrange you a transfer. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer.
By train: Koper railway station is 15 km away from Piran. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste.
By boat: there are ferries operating to Greece from Koper and seasonal sailings along the Slovene coast to Croatia. Also - the daily catamaran service can shorten your trip to Venice, please check the timetables and prices with us!
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer is available.
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 tire levers
