National park, alpine lakes and baroque capital in a short cycling tour
This "Lakes And Cities Tour" takes you on a bicycle from the Julian Alps to the Baroque capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Begin your cycling adventure at the enchanting Lake Bled, then proceed to the serene beauty of Lake Bohinj, cradled by the majestic Alpine peaks. Your ride continues through the medieval charm of Škofja Loka, culminating in the vibrant city of Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. Suitable for cyclists with an average fitness level, and ideal for lovers of nature and culture with not much time to spare.
Considering a pre-trip? We recommend our Salzburg to Lake Bled!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL TO BLED.
You will begin in Bled, a lovely little town on the shore of a picturesque glacial lake. A beautiful island church sits peacefully in the middle of this large body of water with the Karavanke Alps providing the backdrop. The castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town completes the picture. After you check in to your hotel, take an evening hike up to Ojstrica viewpoint for a beautiful sunset view.
Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (↔ 27 km, ↑ 130 m, ↓ 830 m ) + side trip to Savica waterfall (return ↔ 16 km, ↑↓ 200 m )
Car transfer to starting point on the high plateau at Pokljuka. Begin your descent through charming alpine villages, ultimately arriving at Lake Bohinj, a true gem within the Triglav National Park. As the largest and deepest lake in the park, it's enveloped by the awe-inspiring Julian Alps. Don't miss the chance to visit Savica Waterfall, the source of the Sava Bohinjka River.
Day 3: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA – ŠKOFJA LOKA (↔ 49 km, ↑ 900 m, ↓ 1.050 m).
Leaving Bohinj you cycle to the largest town in the valley: Bohinjska Bistrica. From there, you'll ascend 750 meters (2400 feet) to the Jelovica high plateau. For added convenience, there's an optional lift service to the mountain pass available at an extra cost of 30 EUR per person. Once atop, you'll journey through a dense forest that eventually leads to a secluded wilderness valley. This route will then guide you to the verdant Škofja Loka hills. Be sure to pause in the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki before arriving in Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia's oldest and most enchanting towns.
Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA – LJUBLJANA (↔ 31 km, ↑ 170 m, ↓ 240 m).
Embark on your journey to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, today. Upon arrival, consider a brief ride up to the impressive Ljubljana Castle, majestically perched on a hill that oversees the old town. From the castle's tower, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of Ljubljana's vibrant heart, and on clear days, the very mountains you've recently traversed. As the day winds down, you have the delightful choice between unwinding with a refreshing drink at one of the many open-air bars or cafés along the picturesque Ljubljanica River, or perhaps even opting for a leisurely boat ride.
Day 5: 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 635 EUR
Season B: 3.5. to 14.8.2025 and 20.9. to 4.10.2025 675 EUR
Season C: 15.8. to 19.9.2025 715 EUR
Date of Day 1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• Four nights accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two bedded, ensuite 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 40 EUR, payable on the spot
• Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form, one download per room
• Personal welcome meeting and bike handover
• Local tourist and other taxes
• Backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• Single travelers season A: 365 EUR; season B: 380 EUR; season C 395 EUR. Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
• Single room season A: 295 EUR; season B: 315 EUR; season C 345 EUR. Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
• Hotel in Ljubljana City center – price at request.
• Standard touring bike rental 70 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 4.
• Additional transfer to top of the pass on day three 30 EUR per person
• Electric bike rental 180 EUR. Every additional day 50 EUR
• 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 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 200 EUR. Season B 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 210 EUR. Season C 130 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 240 EUR.
• 4* Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica A 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 180 EUR. Season B 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 195 EUR. Season C 125 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 210 EUR.
• 4* Hotel in Ljubljana (mid-ring) A 90 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 145 EUR. Season B 100 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B. Single room 160 EUR. Season C 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 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: 107 km / 123 km with sidetrips
Way-type: 80 % regional country roads, cycleways, 20 % main roads (town and city approach sections).
Terrain: all paved.
Difficulty:
Days 2 and 4: 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.
Day 3: Challenging - One cycling trip yearly is a must! For cyclists who like to go on cycling trips in the surrounding area at the weekends and are not afraid of a climb or a day's stage with a demanding profile.
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* Hotels Triglav, Park, Kompas, Savica, Lovec in Bled
Day 2: 4* Eco Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Day 3: 3* Mini Hotel in Škofja Loka
Day 4: 4* M-Hotel in Ljubljana
Travel & Transfer 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 hours) or book our transfer Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min), see below.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled station on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town center, you'll need to take a bus to Bled center. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town centre, call us and we'll give you a lift, see price below.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
.... and away
Simply use one of the above options.
Local transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled: 1-3 Persons 85 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 85 EUR, 4-8 Persons 120 EUR
Ljubljana City to Ljubljana Airport: 1-3 Persons 65 EUR, 4-8 Persons 85 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
Touring bike 24-gear Shimano Deore
E-bike 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
