From alpine lakes to a sun-drenched coast packed with mountain views, immense bodies of water and flowing wine.
Starting at the fairy-tale world of Lake Bled, a glacial lake famed for its beautiful island church and clifftop castle, your cycling tour will take you first through alpine Slovenia's most beautiful mountain vistas, along cool flowing rivers and out into Italy. Just past the border, the unmistakable charm of Italy welcomes you. This scenic route takes you from majestic mountains to rolling vineyards and all the way to the stunning Italian coast. Along the way, cultural treasures abound. Ready to explore the most beautiful corners of Slovenia and Italy? Let’s go!
As a pre-trip, why not consider our Salzburg to Lake Bled.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL TO BLED
To begin with, you can dip your feet in the beautiful glacial Lake Bled. This shimmering body of water is famous for its distinctive island church and the clifftop castle all backed by the beautiful Karavanke Mountains. Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. You can take a stroll around the western side of the lake for some of the best views and photographs, and then have lunch and the locally famous cream cake (Kremšnita) on the eastern side while watching the sunset over the mountains. (Accommodation in 4* hotel, example: Hotel Lovec)
Day 2: BLED – TARVISIO (↔ 54 km, ↑ 760 m, ↓ 500 m )
The cycling route from Bled to Tarvisio via Radovna takes you through stunning alpine scenery. Starting in Bled, you ride through the peaceful Radovna Valley, passing lush meadows, forests, and traditional villages. After reaching Mojstrana, you continue on a well-maintained cycling path through Kranjska Gora and across the Italian border. The route offers a mix of paved and gravel roads with some gentle climbs, leading to Tarvisio, a charming town in the heart of the Italian Alps.(Accommodation in 4* hotel, example: Hotel Nevada)
Day 3: TARVISIO – CARNIA / SURROUNDINGS (↔ 53 km, ↑ 370 m, ↓ 880 m )
The well-developed cycle path Ciclovia Alpe Adria lets you enjoy a relaxed cycling downhill ride through the Val Canale valley. As you pedal, take in the breathtaking beauty of the Friulian Alps, with their pristine nature and vast forests. Your day concludes in one of the charming villages nestled at the foothills of the Julian Alps. (Accommodation in 3* hotel, example: Hotel Alma Living)
Day 4: CARNIA / SURROUNDINGS – UDINE (↔ 52 km, ↑ 200 m, ↓ 300 m)
At the southern end of the Val Canale valley lies one of the most picturesque historic villages in the Friulian-Julian-Veneto region. The highlight of Gemona del Friuli is the magnificent Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, a true architectural gem. As you continue toward Udine, the landscape transforms, revealing the region’s first vineyards lining the cycle route. Upon reaching Udine, immerse yourself in the dolce vita—savor a coffee in the lively Piazza or wander through charming alleyways, admiring the town’s stunning late Gothic and Renaissance architecture. (Accommodation in 4* hotel, example: Hotel Astoria)
Day 5: UDINE – GRADO (↔ 57 km, ↑ 50 m, ↓ 170 m)
In the morning you cycle through sweeping reed landscapes and alongside tranquil water canals toward the Gulf of Venice. In Aquileia be sure to take a break and explore its rich history before continuing your journey. Your final destination, the charming fishing town of Grado, is one of the Adriatic’s most beloved beach resorts. With its expansive sandy shores, historic harbor, and narrow alleyways filled with inviting restaurants, the town offers the perfect blend of relaxation and authentic Italian charm. (Accommodation in 4* hotel, example: Hotel Diana)
Day 6: DEPARTURE
After breakfast your tour ends.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Season A: 29.3. to 2.5. and 5.10. to 11.10.2025 795 EUR
Season B: 3.5. to 31.7.2025 and 20.9. to 4.10.2025 855 EUR
Season C: 1.8. to 19.9.2025 899 EUR
Date of Day 1 sets the trip's season.
Price includes:
• Five nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses 3*/4* in two bedded en-suite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast
• Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb, Lufthansa airline dimensions, every additional piece 40 EUR per trip, payable on 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 supplements:
• Single travelers season A 305 EUR, season B 335 EUR, season C 365 EUR. Applies when a person travels alone, includes single room supplement.
• Single room season A 215 EUR, season B 235 EUR, season C 255 EUR. Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
• Standard touring bike rental 90 EUR. Bikes have 27 gears. Included are: one pannier per bike and 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 25 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day two of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day five.
• Electric bike rental 200 EUR, every additional day 50 EUR per bike
• 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 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 200 EUR. Season B 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 210 EUR. Season C 130 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 240 EUR.
• 4* Hotel in Grado: Season A 95 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 115 EUR. Season B 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 125 EUR. Season C 125 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 145 EUR.
Discounts:
• Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price
• Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Not included: lunches, dinners, wine tastings, entrance fees, saunas and massages in hotels
Route Profile
Total length: 216 km
Way-type: 50% cycle-ways, 30% regional country roads, 20% street and main road (town approach sections)
Surface: 98% asphalt and paved, 2% unpaved
Difficulty: 2/4. Medium - For those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains between 100 and 500 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* Hotel Savica, Park, Kompas, Lovec or Triglav in Bled
Day 2: 4* Hotel Nevada in Tarvisio
Day 3: 3* Hotel Alma Living in Carnia
Day 4: 4* Hotel Astoria in Udine
Day 5: 4* Hotel Diana in Grado
Travel Options & Local Transfers
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 hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min) - see below!
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled station on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town center, need to take a bus. The other is station Bled Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline only a few trains a day. Two km away from town center.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking possibilities.
.... and away
By plane: Trieste airport (TST) or Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve them. You can book our transfer: Trieste to Ljubljana Airport - see here below!
By train: several trains go daily from Monfalcone near Grado to Venice, one per day to Ljubljana.
By boat: there are boats operating from Trieste along the Adriatic Coast and ferries from Piran in Slovenia to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Bled we can transfer you - see here below!
Local transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled: 1–3 persons 85 EUR, 4–8 persons 120 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled: 1–3 persons 120 EUR, 4–8 persons 160 EUR
Villach to Bled: 1–3 persons 170 EUR, 4–8 persons 190 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled: 1–3 persons 200 EUR, 4–8 persons 230 EUR
Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled: 1–3 persons 20 EUR, 4–8 persons 30 EUR
Trieste Airport to Bled: 1–3 persons 375 EUR, 4–8 persons 420 EUR
Grado to Trieste Airport: 1–3 persons 150 EUR, 4–8 persons 180 EUR
Grado to Trieste Center: 1–3 persons xxx EUR, 4–8 persons xxx EUR
Grado to Bled: 1–3 persons xxx EUR, 4–8 persons xxx EUR
Grado to Ljubljana Airport: 1–3 persons xxx EUR, 4–8 persons xxx EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
Touring bike 24-gear Shimano Deore
Touring - Ebike 4 electronic gears / 9 mechanical gears Shimano
Features:
- aluminium frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle
- anti-puncture Continental tires
- ergonomic bicycle grips
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Vaude one-sided 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.
Gallery
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