Pearls of Slovenia Scenic Cycling Journey
(7 ratings)
Explore Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and the Julian Alps.
Cycle through alpine valleys and scenic countryside.
Visit medieval castles and the Vintgar Gorge.
Cultural stops in Škofja Loka and historic villages.
Moderate difficulty with panoramic mountain views. Departure
Daily departures
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Starting Point
Arrival to Bled
Total Distance
270 km
Activity Level
Medium
A round cycling trip through best Slovene scenery
Pearls of Slovenia is a self-guided cycling journey designed to showcase the country’s most beautiful regions in one carefully crafted itinerary. From alpine valleys and turquoise rivers to charming historic towns and rolling countryside, this cycling holiday in Slovenia offers a perfect balance of nature, culture and comfort. The tour includes detailed GPX routes, luggage transfers, boutique accommodation and full local support throughout the journey. Ideal for travellers looking for a high-quality cycling tour in Slovenia, it offers freedom, flexibility and an authentic way to explore the country by bike.
If you prefer a longer and more comprehensive journey, explore the Best of Slovenia cycling holiday. For a stunning route connecting the capital with the coast, discover the Emerald Tour from Ljubljana to Piran. A softer, more gastronomic experience awaits on the Slovenia Cycling Tour Vistas and Wines.
What makes Pearls of Slovenia different from other cycling tours?
This tour combines Slovenia’s most diverse landscapes into one itinerary, from alpine scenery and rivers to vineyards, countryside and historic towns.
Is Pearls of Slovenia suitable for recreational cyclists?
Yes. Daily stages are designed for recreational cyclists, with moderate distances and the option to upgrade to an e-bike.
Is this a fully self-guided cycling tour?
Yes. You cycle independently using GPX routes and a digital guidebook, while our local team provides full support throughout the tour.
Are luggage transfers included in the Pearls of Slovenia tour?
Yes. Daily luggage transfers between accommodations are included, so you only ride with what you need during the day.
Itinerary
Arrive in Bled, the famous lakeside town with its island church and clifftop castle. Hike to the castle for alpine views and try the local cream cake by the lake.
Today is one of the scenic highlights of the tour, as you cycle from Lake Bled into the Bohinj Valley — a route that beautifully combines riverside cycling, alpine scenery and the peaceful character of Bohinj.
Leaving Bled behind, the ride first takes you through Bohinjska Bela before joining the valley of the Sava Bohinjka River. The route follows the river upstream, with the landscape gradually opening towards Bohinj. Along the way, you pass the area of Grmečica Waterfall, a pleasant natural stop before reaching Bohinjska Bistrica, the gateway to the Bohinj Valley.
From Bohinjska Bistrica, the main route continues towards Lake Bohinj. This extra section is well worth the effort: the lake lies at the foot of the Julian Alps and offers one of the most memorable settings of the day. After enjoying the lakeside scenery, you return through the Upper Bohinj Valley, passing traditional Bohinj villages, open meadows and mountain views before finishing back in Bohinjska Bistrica.
For a shorter day, you can also finish the ride in Bohinjska Bistrica and check into your hotel there, making this stage easy to adapt according to your pace and energy.
From the Bohinj Valley, climb towards the Jelovica high plateau, leaving the lakes behind for forested hills and wide mountain views. An optional transfer to the top of the Sorica pass is available if you would prefer to shorten the climbing section.
The route then descends towards Sorica and the Selška Valley, passing through the countryside around Železniki. Your destination is Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s best-preserved medieval towns. Its old streets, riverside setting and castle above the town make an inviting place to explore after the ride.
Leaving Škofja Loka you will head across the great Sora plain with the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop. If the weather is warm enough, you can take a swim in a small lake in the pure, refreshing alpine water in the village of Preddvor.
The easy cycling day ends at the Brdo Estate. The former royal and presidential residence is decorated with a beautiful park where you can relax before dinner.
A ride through history. In the morning you can pay a visit to Kranj, capital of Carniola. Your route brings you to the fascinating little village of Kropa where you will find the iron forging museum dedicated to the history of the town’s blacksmith trade. You can even learn how to make your own nail.
Later this route will take you along the edge of Jelovica high plateau to Radovljica with its beautifully preserved old town and an interesting beekeeping museum.
Today's route follows the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje, site of a dark chapter in Slovenia's history during WWII, where the Museum of Hostages highlights the suffering of thousands under German occupation.
Just 2 km away, you can explore the ruins of Kamen Castle. Your cycling path then leads you through stunning landscapes between the Julian Alps and Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town for skiing and summer activities.
Don’t miss a side trip to Planica Valley, famous for its ski jumping championships and record-breaking jumps.
On your final day, you'll return to the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River towards Mojstrana. Starting from Mojstrana, you'll explore the lush Krma Valley, rich in WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which is now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut at the base of Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps. Then, travel through the Radovna Valley and take a short detour to the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge, a stunning 1.6 km gorge carved by the Radovna River and opened to the public in 1891.
The tour ends after breakfast in Bled. Continue independently or reserve one of the optional private transfers listed below.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)- Seven nights accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouses in two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast.
- Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 30 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
- Welcome meeting and bike handover.
- Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per adult person. Every additional download 15 EUR.
- Local tourist and other taxes.
- Transfer to Pokljuka starting point on Day 2
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
Season A: 355 EUR;
Season B: 375 EUR;
Season C 420 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 295 EUR;
Season B: 325 EUR;
Season C: 370 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 110 EUR. Bikes have 21 gears.*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike or gravel bike rental 280 EUR. *
Every additional day 50 EUR.
* Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
- Printed information package in English or German, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
- Additional transfer to Sorica pass on day 3 30 EUR per person.
Price is per person per night.
- 4* Hotel in Bled
Season A: Double Room 100 EUR. Single room 195 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 210 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 125 EUR. Single room 215 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Season A: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 185 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 120 EUR. Single room 200 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 135 EUR. Single room 215 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents up to 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
257 km
65 % regional country roads, 20 % cycleways, 10 % street (city approach sections), 5 % path
95 % paved and asphalt, 5 % unpaved
Medium – Ideal for recreational cyclists who ride regularly and enjoy exploring at a relaxed pace. The route includes gentle hills and occasional gravel sections, so you should be comfortable cycling on consecutive days. Check the day-by-day itinerary for each stage’s distance and ascent.
Accommodation
Carefully selected 3-star and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, with ensuite rooms and breakfast. The exact accommodation may vary according to availability while the published comfort level is maintained.
- Day 1: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4*, Hotel Kompas 4* or Hotel Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
- Day 2: Bohinj Eco Hotel 4* in Bohinjska Bistrica
- Day 3: Hotel Mini 3* in Škofja Loka
- Day 4: Urša Guesthouse or Hotel Elegans Brdo 4* in Preddvor/Predoslje
- Day 5: Guesthouse Lectar in Radovljica
- Day 6: Hotel Kompas 4*, Hotel Miklič 3* in Kranjska Gora
- Day 7: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4*, Hotel Kompas 4* or Hotel Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting to Bled and Back
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) – see here bellow!
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, four km away from the town center, you’ll need to take a bus to get to Bled. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from the town center.
By car: take exit Lesce on A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
Avaliable Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1-3 persons 130 EUR
4-8 persons 170 EUR
Villach to Bled
1-3 persons 170 EUR
4-8 persons 200 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 200 EUR
4-8 persons 240 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 425 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier
- Helmet
Only for self-guided tours: per two bikes – one repair kit, one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, Allen keys and tire levers. + one combination lock.
What Our Guests Say
Travelled with us? Share your experience
My wife and I have cycled in many places around the world and this tour has been a highlight. Helia has curated the routes very well, taking advantage of the stunning scenery and the exceptional cycling infrastructure in Northern Slovenia, which meant that most of the cycling was on dedicated cycle paths or quiet local roads. Their app is intuitive and easy to use, with plenty of recommendations en route, the Helia staff respond quickly to any questions (through WhatsApp) and the hotels have all been well located. Highly recommended.
Helia provided excellent support and information both before our holiday and at the start of our tour. We had some issues with the Guibo app, but using GPX files on our Wahoo bike computers worked well, except for a weak GPS signal in one spot. The route was nicely varied—about half in or near the mountains, and the other half through flat agricultural areas and charming towns and villages. There was one challenging climb, which we really enjoyed, followed by a beautiful descent through mountain pastures and villages. Overnight accommodation was generally good to excellent, with just one night being relatively basic.
Our self-guided tour went smoothly, and we really enjoyed Slovenia. The touring bikes were robust and well-geared, making the route easy to handle. The countryside is stunning, with beautiful views at every turn. The route mostly followed quiet roads or dedicated cycleways, passing through charming villages. Accommodation was consistently good and welcoming, with our bags always waiting on arrival—spotlessly clean and very quiet at night. Many of our days ended perfectly with a refreshing swim in a lake or pool.
Excellent cycling routes through a beautiful country, with welcoming and friendly hotels throughout. Special thanks to Hotel Miklič in Kranjska Gora for taking such great care of us after we got caught in a thunderstorm.
Hi Ana,
We were totally satisfied with our self- guided bike tour experience, we loved it! Everything went according to plan apart from a couple of blips in the GUIBO app when it didn’t show the correct information to find the hotels, particularly at the Hotel Elegans Brdo and Gostilna Lector. Apart from that it was a fabulous trip. We may return for another trip one day.
Many thanks
I was a little apprehensive of doing my first solo cycling adventure however, Helia organised the perfect touring holiday. I would highly recommend Helia for anyone who wants to cycle Slovenia.
We did this tour in late September and were blessed with 2 weeks of wall-to-wall autumnal sunshine for our entire stay in Slovenia. As first-time visitors to the country, we were blown away by the lush natural beauty of Slovenia, but equally by the genuine warmth of the people, who were (mostly) incredibly friendly and welcoming wherever we went. Special thanks must go to Guesthouse Urša in Preddvor however, where the owner treated us like guests of honour from the moment we arrived until the minute we left, and demonstrated hospitality like we’ve never experienced before, anywhere in the world. The contrast between that and the following evening’s accommodation in Radovljica, where there was barely a smile or indeed any sense that you were anything more than a passing source of income was brutal. That particular Gostilna would do well to spend less time on the hideously kitsch ‘traditional Slovenian’ theme that permeates every part of the business, and invest more time making even the slightest effort to appear hospitable to the guests who are staying there and funding it. The Disneyland-esque fakery might appeal to the hoards of coach tours who drop in to buy a gingerbread heart, but it wears thin when you have to actually stay there, and this place was a definite low-light of the entire trip. That experience apart, we absolutely loved Slovenia, and couldn’t recommend this cycling trip any more highly.