A round cycling trip through best Slovene scenery
This tour is perfect for those who crave breathtaking mountain scenery without needing intense physical effort. It's not a typical mountain biking route, but designed for cyclists with average fitness levels. The ride includes a manageable 750 m (2500 ft) pass, with an entire day to complete it on a quiet road or you can opt for a lift. Starting and ending at the stunning Lake Bled, the circular route showcases some of northern Slovenia's most beautiful landscapes. Ideal for a relaxing yet rewarding cycling experience.
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 (BOHINJ VALLEY) (↔ 27 km, ↑ 130 m, ↓ 830 m ) +side trip to Savica waterfall (return ↔ 16 km, ↑↓ 200 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 (BOHINJ VALLEY) – ŠKOFJA LOKA (↔ 49 km, ↑ 900 m, ↓1.050 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 (↔ 45 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 (↔ 46 km, ↑ 600 m, ↓ 530 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, ↑ 600 m, ↓ 280 m + side trip to ski jumps at Planica ↔ 13 km; ↑↓140 m )
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. Begunje is also the hometown of the renowned Slavko Avsenik/Oberkrainer band. 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 the lookout point for Spik Mountain, one of Slovenia’s toughest climbs, and, if time allows, a visit to the Planica Valley, famous for its ski jumping championships and record-breaking jumps.
Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA – BLED (↔ 40 km, ↑ 290 m, ↓ 620 m)
On your final day, you'll return to the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River to its confluence with the Sava Bohinjka, forming Slovenia's longest river. 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.
Day 8: DEPARTURE.
After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Season A: 29.3. to 2.5. and 5.10. to 11.10.2025 995 EUR
Season B: 3.5. to 14.8.2025 and 20.9. to 4.10.2025 1.099 EUR
Season C: 15.8. to 19.9.2025 1.135 EUR
Date of Day 1 sets the trip's season.
Price includes:
• Seven nights 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
• Car transfer on day 2
• Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form, one download per room
• Personal welcome meeting and bike fitting upon arrival
• Local tourist and other taxes
• Backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• Single travelers season A 395 EUR; season B 425 EUR; season C 470 EUR. Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
• Single room season A 295 EUR; season B 325 EUR; season C 370 EUR. Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
• Standard touring bike rental 110 EUR. Bikes have 27 gears. Included are: one pannier per bike, 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 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
• Electric bike rental 270 EUR. Every additional day 50 EUR
• Additional transfer to top of the pass on day three 30 EUR per person
• 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 95 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 105 EUR. Season B 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 200 EUR. Season C 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 210 EUR.
Discounts:
• Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents up to 40% discount on basic price
• Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Not included: lunches, dinners, entrance fees, saunas and massages in hotels
Route Profile
Total length: 257 km
Waytype: 65% regional country roads, 20% cycleways, 10% street (city approach sections), path 5%.
Surface: 95% paved and asphalt, 5% unpaved.
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. 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 Brdo Estate in Predoslje / 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 & 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 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.
.... and away
Simple, use one of the above options or - cycle away: consider our cycling trip Best Of Slovenia!
Local Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Bled 1–3 persons: 88 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: 160 EUR, 4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled 1–3 persons: 195 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: 240 EUR, 4–8 persons: 310 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame 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!
