Cycling from the alpine lakes to the magnificent lagoon
Cycling from Lake Bled to Venice - can you imagine a more beautiful starting point than the world-famous lakeside town of Bled, surrounded by the Alps? Over the mountain pass, between almost 3000 m high peaks, along the cold Soča, you reach gentle hills of Goriška Brda covered with vineyards and orchards. And finally you can refresh yourself in the sea. We recommend this bike tour to cyclists who have a special inclination to observe nature and history - not only nature - also food and Slovenian Teran will ensure that the tour remains an unforgettable experience
As a pre-trip, why not consider our Salzburg to Bled trip.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BLED
Start your cycling holiday in Bled, a world-renowned alpine town on the banks of the beautiful glacial lake, with the striking island church surrounded by high peaks, and the cliff-top castle guarding the town. Bled is one of the most popular and well-known tourist attractions in Slovenia. If you arrive early enough, you can walk around the lake or take the boat to the island church and make a wish. A stay in Bled is not complete without seeing the lake from above. So walk to the castle or hike 40 minutes to Mala Osojnica for beautiful views. Round off your evening with Bled's culinary delight - the cream cake.
Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (↔ 27 km; 43 km with additional excursion, ↑ 110 m, ↓ 810 m)
On this leg of your journey, you'll start with a car transfer to Pokljuka, a picturesque forested plateau. From there, you'll embark on a delightful cycling adventure through charming alpine villages, all within the breathtaking Triglav National Park. Your ultimate destination is Lake Bohinj, which is encircled by the awe-inspiring Julian Alps. This lake stands as the largest and deepest within the national park. If you arrive with time to spare, you can seize the opportunity to cycle to the Savica Waterfall. This waterfall is not only a natural wonder but also the source that feeds both the lake and the Sava Bohinjka river, adding an extra layer of charm to the area.
Day 3: BOHINJ – TOLMIN (↔ 56 km; or 35 km if by train to Podbrdo, ↑ 1,210 m, ↓ 1,530 m)
Today, you have two options for your cycling route. You can choose to pedal over the Sorica Pass, which takes you through the scenic Julian Alps. Alternatively, you can opt for a train ride through the Bohinj Tunnel to reach Podbrdo. From there, your cycling adventure continues through a narrow valley, leading you to the stunning emerald-green Soča River as it rushes down from the mountains on the west side of the Julian Alps. Make sure to take some time to explore the Tolmin Gorge, where you'll be treated to breathtaking natural scenery. Keep an eye out for the Bear's Head, a fascinating natural formation created by a massive boulder wedged into a narrow section of the gorge. This unique sight is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Day 4: TOLMIN – SOLKAN (↔ 46 km; or 57 km without lift up, ↑ 690 m, ↓ 1.600 m)
Car transfer to Kolovrat Saddle. The picturesque ridge of Kolovrat, offers you a magnificent vantage point high above the Soča Valley, which serves as the border between Slovenia and Italy. This ridge spans approximately 7 kilometers and lies at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1150 meters. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Mrs. Josephine's old-fashioned pub in the first village (Kambreško) you encounter along the way. As you descend, you'll eventually arrive at your destination for the day – Solkan.
Day 5: SOLKAN - GRADO (↔ 65 km, ↑ 210 m, ↓ 300 m)
Starting from Solkan, you'll swiftly make your way to the so-called "Southern City of Berlin" – Gorizia. This city was once the pivotal point dividing Italy and Yugoslavia. Here, you can explore a highly interesting museum that offers insights into the region's history. Continuing along the border, you'll encounter the world's smallest military museum, located in an old Yugoslavian outpost. Nearby, you'll find the ancient Kostanjevica Monastery, which serves as the resting place of the last French king. From there, you'll head south, crossing into Italy and soon reaching the coast. The afternoon will be spent in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, passing by rivers, canals, and ancient Roman cities. Your ultimate destination will be Grado, a historic resort situated on a lagoon island. Both offer unique opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Day 6: GRADO - PORTOGRUARO (↔ 87 km; or 59 km if shortened with the train journey, ↑ 110 m, ↓ 110 m)
Today's journey begins by cycling a bit inland, leaving the coastal area behind. Along the way, you'll traverse numerous "Valli da pesca" – extensive stretches of lagoons enclosed by dams, which are now home to extensive fish farming. You'll also come across "casoni," which were constructions historically used by fishermen during the fishing season. Your final destination is the city of Portogruaro. Once a significant center during the Venetian Republic period, it still boasts magnificent palaces and buildings that tell tales of its rich history. As you explore this city, you'll have the opportunity to admire the grandeur of its palazzi, offering a glimpse into its past.
Day 7: PORTOGRUARO – LIDO DI JESOLO / JESOLO (↔ 67 km, ↑ 90 m, ↓ 90 m)
From Portogruaro you can expect a comfortable drive west along beautiful Adriatic beaches. This route offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and swimming, so be sure to pack your swimming gear. Jesolo serves as a convenient gateway to Venice, making it easy to travel to the airport or explore the historic city center nestled within the lagoon. Enjoy your time along the Adriatic, taking in the coastal beauty before your onward journey.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast the tour ends.
Price
Price per person in double room:
Departures on Saturdays and Sundays
Groups of 6 or more can start on any other day of the week.
Low season: April 13 to May 10 and September 21 to October 12, 2024: 1.155 EUR
High season: May 11 to September 20, 2024: 1.195 EUR
No departures from 27. 7. to 24. 8. 2024.
Services:
• accommodation in twin room en-suite, based on bed and breakfast
• luggage transfer between hotels, (one piece per person max. 23 kg / 50 lb). Lufthansa dimensions. Every additional piece 60 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
• transfers on days 2 and 4
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• welcome meeting and bike handover
• local tourist taxes in Slovenia
• service hotline
Extra cost:
• individual travelers 490 EUR - applies when a person travels alone
• single room 345 EUR low season, 375 EUR high season - applies when a person travels with a group
• bike rental 120 EUR (including delivery and collection). Standard 24-speed touring bikes are equipped with one pannier per bike, a lock, a pump and a repair kit per pair of bikes. Each extra day 25 EUR. Bike rental starts at 9:00 a.m. on day 2 and ends at 6:00 p.m. on day 7.
• electric bike 290 EUR
• helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
• additional transfer to Sorica pass on day 3 - 30 EUR per person
• printed information pack with route descriptions and relevant maps on arrival - 30 EUR per set
Additional nights:
• 4* hotel in Bled 130 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 170 EUR
• 4* hotel in Ribčev Laz / Bohinj 115 EUR per person and night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 165 EUR
• 4* hotel in Lido di Jesolo 150 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 250 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years of age sharing a room with parents receive a 30% discount on the basic price
• third adult in the room 10% discount on the basic price
Not included: Optional train ticket to Podbrdo on day 3, entrance fees, snacks, lunches, dinners, saunas and massages in the hotels, tourist and local taxes in Italy.
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 80 EUR
4–8 persons: 110 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1–3 persons: 110 EUR
4–8 persons: 150 EUR
Villach to Bled
1–3 persons: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 180 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
Venice Marco Polo AP to Bled
1–3 persons: 490 EUR
4–8 persons: 590 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. No pooling permitted. Price includes transport of bikes.
Route profile
Total Length: 367 km
Waytype: 75% regional country roads, 15% cycleways, 7% main road, 3% street (town and city approach sections).
Surface: 90% asphalt and paved, 10% unpaved
Difficulty: 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 you any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains does between 100 and 500 meters.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. Therefore, on our travels we use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character, run by locals or their families. Here is the list of standard accommodations that we mainly use on the trip. Actual hotels may vary from this list depending on the time of booking and room availability.
Day 1: 4* Hotels Triglav, Park, Kompas, Savica, Lovec in Bled
Day 2: 4* Ecohotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Day 3: 3* Hotel Dvorec in Tolmin
Day 4: 3* Hotel Sabotin in Solkan
Day 5: 3* Hotel Diana in Grado
Day 6: 3* Hotel Spesotto in Portogruaro
Day 7 4* Hotel Bali in Lido di Jesolo
Travel options
The starting point of this journey is Bled.
Getting there ...
By plane: nearest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Lufthansa flies twice a day from Frankfurt to Ljubljana. From the airport you can go to Bled by bus (one change, takes about 2 hours) or book our transfer.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach - Ljubljana main line, 4 km from the center, from there you can take a bus. Other railway station is Bled-Jezero on Jesenice - Nova Gorica branch line. 2 km from the center, Hotel Triglav is only 100 meters further.
By car: exit Lesce from highway A1 Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke tunnel ....
.. and away
By plane: Venice Marco Polo (VEN) airport is about 20 km away. You can go to the airport by bus or by boat.
By train: Venice has two train stations: Santa Lucia on the Lagoon and Venice Mestre on the mainland. Please note that not all international trains go to the Lagoon Station!
Your bike
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
