Cycling Lake Bled

Visit Bled

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LAKE BLED

Located on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake, Bled is like a place right out of a fantasy novel. Its distinctive island church, backed by towering alpine mountains and guarded by a clifftop castle, has ensured Bled a place among Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. Row yourself over to the island church (or let someone else do the work for you) and marvel at the ornate golden altar while ringing the church bell and making a wish; it might come true.

TOUR A: BLED – SIGHTSEEING

Cycling Lake Bled begins with a leisurely day around Lake Bled. Cycle around the lake and up to the castle for great views across the lake and church. For the best photos and views of the church, castle and Karavanke range, head over to the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica viewpoints. In the evening try out one of the many great restaurants and the local delicacy: Kremšnita (cream slice).

TOUR B: BLED – BODEŠČE – KROPA – RADOVLJICA - BLED (↔ 34 km, ↑↓ 510 m)

The day begins with an easy bike ride along the River Sava, SE of Bled. You can stop at Kropa, a historic blacksmith town, and visit the iron forging museum. Pop up to the little hilltop village of Jamnik for a picture-perfect view of Jamnik Church with the Kamnik Alps right behind it. A photographer's dream. On the way back, stop in the beautifully preserved old town of Radovljica with its interesting beekeeping museum, Church of Saint Peter with its ornate vaulted ceiling and beautiful frescoes, and even better - nice ice cream shop...

TOUR C: BLED – BEGUNJE – BLED (↔ 41 km, ↑↓ 490 m)

Today you'll head out to the home of Slavko Avsenik, a legendary Slovenian Folk musician, in the sunny village of Begunje. Have lunch at his famous restaurant, Avsenik Gostilna. After lunch, you can visit the Museum of Hostages and the ruins of Kamen Castle. In the afternoon you will pass Brezje Basilica, an important religious site and pilgrimage destination for many Slovene people.

TOUR D: BLED – GORJE (↔ 17 km, ↑↓ 310 m)

Today's trip will take you to the beautiful Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River and ending at the Šum Waterfall. Then it's on to the less-visited Pokljuka Gorge, carved 10,000 years ago at the eastern edge of the plateau. Here you can leave your bike and take a stroll through ancient woodlands and a fossilized ravine left behind by the retreating glacier.

TOUR E: BLED – BOHINJ (↔ 47 km, ↑ 310 m, ↓ 1.040 m)

After a car transfer to the top of the Pokljuka high plateau, you will cycle back down into the Bohinj Valley through alpine villages and past the unique Slovene hayracks until reaching Lake Bohinj. Hemmed in by the majestic Julian Alps, this dead-end alpine valley is a spectacle not to be missed. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of shimmering alpine scenery.

TOUR F: BLED – KRMA VALLEY (↔ 37 km, ↑↓ 480 m)

First, you cycle through the Radovna valley, between two great plateaus to the foot of Mount Triglav. Here you can have lunch in the shadow of this mighty mountain before continuing on through a peaceful forested valley littered with WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which has been adapted into a museum that was even visited by Prince Charles.

Day 8: DEPARTURE

After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay or continue cycling. There are two tours starting from Bled: Lakes & Cities and Best Of Slovenia.

Price

Price per person based on two people sharing:

Low season: March 25 to May 6 and September 17 to October 14, 2023: 780 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 16, 2023: 810 EUR
(Currency converter)

Price includes:
•    accommodation in hotel of choice in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
•    information pack including text road notes and maps in English in electronic form
•    free entrance to swimming pools in 4* hotels
•    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 traveler 240 EUR
•    single room 155 EUR
•    bike rental 90 EUR classic touring / trekking bikes are equipped with 21 gears, one back & side pannier per bike, one cycling odometer, one lock, one spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys and a basic puncture repair kit per couple / pair of bikes. Every additional day: 18 EUR per bike. Additional odometer 20 EUR, payable on the spot. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day 7. Other bike types are available upon request.
•    electric bike 220 EUR
•    helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
•    printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon 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

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: 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

Villach to Bled
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 160 EUR

Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 190 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: 230 EUR
4–8 persons: 290 EUR

Other transfer routes prices on request

Route profile

Total Length: xxx km
Total vertical up: xxx m
Terrain: xx% asphalt, x% unpaved

Tour for those who want to discover Bled and it's surroundings. Mostly flat tours, except on tour E, when the downhill area is demanding. 

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 1-7 4* Hotel Triglav / Hotel Park Bled

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 from Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min) - please ask us for a favorable quote!

By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled station on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town centre. You'll need to take a bus to Bled centre. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town centre.

By car: take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke.

... and away

Simple, use one of the above options or - cycle away: consider our cycling trip Best Of Slovenia!

Your bike

Helia bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:

Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
SCOTT E-bike 4 electronic gears / 9 mechanical gears Shimano

Features:

• aluminium frame
• mudguard
• rear rack
• comfort gel saddle
• anti-puncture Continental tyres
• ergonomic bicycle grips

All rented adult bikes are equipped with:

• cycle computer
• 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 tyre levers

Other available rental bikes

First hand experience

Gallery