A round cycling trip through best Slovene scenery
A definitive must for those who like stunning mountain scenery, but without the extreme physical exertion usually needed for such views. Not a "mountain bike tour" but suitable for cyclists of very average fitness, has one pass of 750 m / 2500 ft (but one has the whole day to do it on a quiet road or take an optional lift). This is a circular route starting and ending at the beautiful Lake Bled, which takes in some of the best that northern Slovenia has to offer.
As a pre-trip you may consider our tour Salzburg to Lake Bled.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL TO BLED.
Lake Bled is a beautiful glacial lake made famous by its distinctive island church, towering alpine mountain backdrop and clifftop castle. It's no coincidence that it's one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. You can take a boat out to the island church and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Head over the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of the lake, castle and Karavanke Mountains.
Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (↔ 27 km; 43 km with a side trip, ↑ 110 m, ↓ 810 m).
From the high plateau at Pokljuka (12km) you can marvel at the views as you cycle down into the neighboring Bohinj Valley until reaching the stunning Lake Bohinj, a glistening jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of the Julian Alps that surround the lake.
Day 3: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA–ŠKOFJA LOKA (↔ 49 km, ↑ 980 m, ↓1.130 m).
Leaving Bohinj, you cycle up 750 m / 2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau (a “help out” lift to the top of the mountain pass is available for this part of the trip at an extra cost of 30 EUR per person). From the top the trail drops off into a beautiful wilderness valley leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. The cycling route takes you through a number of historic little villages until you finally arrive in one of Slovenia's oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, where you can visit the hilltop castle.
Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA–PREDDVOR–PREDOSLJE (↔ 42 km, ↑ 250 m, ↓ 190 m).
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 a small lake in the pure, refreshing alpine water in the village 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.
Day 5: PREDOSLJE–RADOVLJICA (↔ 30 km; 42 km with a side trip, ↑ 380 m, ↓ 310 m).
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, and ether add it to the current collection of over 100 types, or take it home with you. 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. .
Day 6: RADOVLJICA–KRANJSKA GORA (↔ 50 km; 65 km with a side trip to ski jumps at Planica, ↑ 630 m, ↓ 300 m).
Today's route will take you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje. It was in this small settlement where one of Slovenia’s darkest moments took place. Visit the Museum of Hostages and learn how thousands of men, women and children were beaten and executed during the German occupation in WW2. On a lighter note, Begunje is also the hometown of the famous Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. 2kms down the road are the ruins of Kamen Castle. As the sun illuminates the mountains your route will take you on cycling path that goes between the ranges of the Julian Alps and the Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities. Along the way you can take a short side trip to the lookout point for Spik Mountain, regarded as the one of Slovenia’s toughest peaks to climb. If you arrive in plenty of time you can take a ride up to the Planica Valley, location for the world famous ski jumping championships. It’s here that many of the longest jumps have been achieved, including the current world record.
Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA–BLED (↔ 35 km, ↑ 310 m, ↓ 620 m).
For your final day you will head back into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River as it cuts its way south to join the Sava Bohinjka, where it becomes the Sava River, the longest in Slovenia. From Mojstrana you will head into the Krma Valley. This lush green valley leads through a peaceful forest littered with WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which has been adapted into a museum. You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery deep in the heart of this beautiful alpine landscape. From here you will head through the Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. As you exit the valley, take a short detour to the stunning 1.6km long Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. The gorge was discovered by chance by the town mayor in 1891, who then set to work building walkways to open the gorge up to the public.
Day 8: DEPARTURE.
After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: March 23 to May 3 and September 21 to October 12, 2024: 995 EUR
High season: May 5 to September 20, 2024: 1.045 EUR
Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two bedded en-suite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast
• luggage transport between hotels, one piece per person, max 23 kg / 50 lb. Lufthansa dimensions. Every additional piece 60 EUR, payable on the spot
• transfer on day 2
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• welcome meeting and bike handover
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• single traveler 380 EUR, applies when a person travels alone
• single room 275 EUR in low season, 295 EUR in high season, applies when a person in traveling together with other persons in party
• bike rental 90 EUR classic touring bikes are equipped with 24 gears, one pannier per bike, one lock, one repair set per couple /pair of bikes - 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 at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day 7.
• electric bike 230 EUR
• helmet rental 12 EUR per tour
• additional transfer to top of the pass on day 3 - 30 EUR per person
• printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR per set
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 130 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 3* Hotel in Kranjska Gora 85 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 155 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, dinners, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels
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
Trieste Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 340 EUR
4–8 persons: 390 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. No pooling permitted. Price includes transport of bikes.
Route profile
Total Length: 238 km / 289 km with side trips
Waytype: 65% regional country roads, 20% cycleways, 10% street (town and city approach sections), 5% path.
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 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 Park or Savica or Triglav or Lovec or Kompas in Bled
Day 2 4* Eco Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Day 3 3* Mini Hotel in Skofja Loka
Day 4 4* Hotel in Kranj
Day 5 3* Hotel Grajski Dvor Radovljica
Day 6 3* Hotel Miklič or 4* Kompas in Kranjska Gora
Day 7 4* Hotel Hotel Park or Savica or Triglav or Lovec or Kompas in 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: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min)- please ask us for a favorable quote!
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.
.... 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 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 tyres
- 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 tyre levers
First hand experience
A little weird and wonderful...
So you enter and there are a lot of animal trophies but that's from the former owner who was, apparently a Renault (the car). I was shown to my room and, disappointed, went down to ask if I could have a balcony. No problem and no extra cost. I had come from a four hour bike ride (Helia Bike Tours) in the pouring rain. The woman at the desk (shame on me for needing it, spoke perfect English). She told me to get warm and dry and go to the bar for my welcome drink.. Eventually I did. I also picked out a wine from their wonderful local selection to bring to my room. The welcome drink was a gorgeous, warming sherry. Eventually, I made it down to dinner and the guy who chatted with me over my sherry, served me dinner. He was just an adorable human. I loved this place. Like I said, it was kind of weird and wonderfully so!
