The Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour connects destinations that have been awarded the Slovenia Green certificate by sustainably developing their tourism. Be a responsible traveler and discover the most beautiful parts of Slovenia on a bike!
This bike tour starts in Kranjska Gora and runs by the famous Alpine lakes of Bled and Bohinj after passing through the beautiful Radovna valley and across the densely forested Pokljuka Plateau. Hopping aboard one of the world’s most scenic railways, easy cycling continues along the emerald green Soča river.
A land of rolling hills and friendly locals is next on the list. Towering trees give way to vineyards and olive trees in Goriška Brda, famous for high-quality wines. Comfortable cycling continues through the fascinating karstictopography, before the road joins the abandoned Parenzana railway track, slowly descending towards the town of Koper on the Adriatic coast. Here, the invitation to plunge into the sea and indulge in a local seafood feast marks a delightful finale to your cycling holiday.
On our Bike Slovenia Green cycling tours every pedal push enriches your journey, not just through the landscape, but also through the practices that preserve it, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure in one of Europe’s best cycling destinations.
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A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents.
The cycling holiday starts with an overnight in the beautiful mountain resort of Kranjska Gora at the foot of the Julian Alps. Time permitting, a visit to the crystal clear Jasna Lake is a great idea. Another recommended option is visiting the Planica Nordic Center with the once-highest ski jumping hill in the world, or a stroll around the Zelenci Natural Reserve, a moorland famous for its amazing colors and views.
With its green and unspoiled nature, Kranjska Gora offers plenty of opportunities for an authentic, healthy, and active holiday in all seasons. Its tourism offer is based on sustainable development, natural and cultural heritage, and a healthy climate.
DISTANCE: 37 km – ELEVATION: 410 m
From Kranjska Gora, a pleasantly quiet cycling road leads to another Alpine village of Mojstrana, where it enters one of the prettiest alpine valleys in Slovenia, the Radovna River Valley. Since the area is a part of the Triglav National Park, mass tourism is limited here. The Valley is well-known due to its pristine nature and a dramatic 1.6-kilometer-long Vintgar Gorge. Easy cycling is accompanied by views of mountain tops and horses grazing on the surrounding meadows.
Reaching the final destination of the day, the famously beautiful Bled, it would be a pity not to visit the tiny island in the middle of the lake, climb the impressive Bled Castle overlooking the town, or taste the famous Bled cake called “Kremšnita”.
Bled is a proud recipient of the Slovenia Green certificate and a member of the Alpine Pearls group, the objective of which is to promote sustainable mobility. Local residents are sustainability-oriented and invite visitors to follow their example.
The next day your bike tour unfolds with friendly valley cycling along the Sava Bohinjka, all the way from Bled to its source in Lake Bohinj! The initial typical Gorenjska villages are followed by a short section through a narrow gorge along the main road, and then remote and picturesque macadams right next to the river, enriched with the interesting natural and cultural heritage of these places. Crossing suspension bridges, side tributaries, blooming meadows, and a stop at the beautiful Grmečica natural waterfall with a deep green pool pleasantly enrich the otherwise short and moderately demanding cycling of this day.
For those eager for some challenging uphill cycling, the day can begin with a steep climb to the Pokljuka Plateau, which rest at an altitude of 1300 meters and serves as a starting point for many hikes. The forested plateau is dotted with shingle-covered wooden cottages, which are typical for Slovenian mountain pastures and a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that cycling tours in Slovenia offer. Back in the old days, they were used as homes for shepherds or dairy production facilities. The highlight of the day is the Zajamniki mountain pasture in the central area of Pokljuka, known for its beautiful cottages and a perfect view over Lake Bohinj.
Using mostly asphalt and some forest roads, the track slowly descends towards Bohinj and eventually reaches Lake Bohinj, the largest natural lake in Slovenia. Many visitors to Slovenia say they have never seen a lake more beautiful than Lake Bled – until they come to Bohinj.
In Bohinj, sustainable tourism incentives are fulfilled through careful preservation of cultural heritage, visitor flow regulation, and soft mobility. This fairytale destination invites visitors to try out their high-quality local products with the “From Bohinj” label.
From Bohinjska Bistrica railway station, a panoramic train ride is organized to travel from the heart of the Alps to the Soča Valley. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this historic railway was used to connect Austria and Germany with the port of Trieste.
Upon arrival to the tranquil town of Most na Soči, one can admire the emerald waters of the Soča River, considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. The Soča Valley was the first destination in Slovenia to earn the title of the European Destination of Excellence due to its sustainable development in tourism. Heading out of town, the cycling tour passes the magnificent old railroad bridge in Solkan, featuring the longest stone arch in the world.
The tour then follows the river flow and briefly enters Italy before turning back to Slovenia’s Goriška brda region. A land of gentle, rolling hills reminds of Tuscany. The wineries here are famous across the world for their high-quality vintages and hospitality. The bike tour passes the view tower in Gonjače, the visit of which is highly recommended. As home to some of the most prominent wine growers in the region and the final destination of the day, the village of Šmartno offers the chance to end the day with some excellent wine tasting and a hearty local meal.
Goriška brda is another Slovenia Green destination, which is actively developing its sustainable tourism offer all year round, reducing pressure on the environment and promoting soft mobility.
On the fifth day of the Bike Slovenia Green tour, cycling continues through the typical hilly landscape of Goriška brda full of winding vineyards. Short ascents and descents lead to the romantic Italian town of Gorizia. Upon the return to the Slovenian side, the route crosses and follows the Vipava and Branica rivers, taking a short final climb towards the magical world of Karst.
Taking the harder route, one can admire the Peace Memorial in Cerje, or climb the lookout tower for the best views of the area. An exciting ascent on a gravel road leads to Kostanjevica na Krasu, a typical karst village. Slovenian Karst is also a wine-growing region, as shown by 100 wine cellars included in the Karst Wine Route. Easy cycling continues to the town of Komen, known for some of the most beautiful wineries in the region. This sustainable destination speaks to responsible visitors through its warm hospitality, authentic cuisine, calming walking and cycling paths, and many cultural features shaped by the locals.
Either route chosen, cycling day comes to an end in the tiny hilltop village of Štanjel, one of the oldest settlements in the region, known for its castle and the beautiful Ferrari Garden. Featuring traditional houses built in stone, Štanjel is a real showpiece of Karst architecture and culture.
Leaving Štanjel behind, cycling continues across the fascinating karstic landscape full of typical natural phenomena. Speleologists discover new caves in Slovenia every year, and the number of recorded ones now amounts to more than 14,000 with 20 of them being show caves. The appearance and soul of the Karst are characterized by stone, which has been shaped both by water and local inhabitants for centuries.
When cycling further towards Pliskovica, a stop in Prosciuterria Ščuka is a must. In the boutique family-owned prosciutto drying facility they use a classical seasoning process, which results in high-quality and aromatic authentic products.
After Pliskovica, a dynamic cycling road leads to the town of Sežana, another Slovenia Green destination. The day ends at the famous Lipica Stud Farm, which has been home to the noble Lipizzaner horses since 1580.
The last cycling day truly wraps up the diversity of Slovenia and of the tour itself. Nearby Divača, which has also successfully obtained the Slovenia Green certificate, one can visit the amazing UNESCO site Škocjan caves.
After a relaxing walk through the cool and fascinating underground world, cycling continues over the vast Karst area, characterized by typical dry vegetation and numerous small villages. Steeper descent over the edge of the Karst plateau is followed by easy cycling along the river Rižana and along the Parenzana railway track, a now-defunct narrow gauge railway that was in operation in the early 1900s, connecting Trieste and Poreč.
The Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour ends in Koper, the capital of the Slovenian coast, awarded with the Slovenia Green certificate. Here, the historical coastal town meets the green Istrian countryside, revealing the incredible history and authentic experiences. The nearby Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia, as well as a true oasis of peace both for people and animals. Make sure not to leave Koper without trying delicious seafood and having a swim in the sea.
The Bike Slovenia Green bike tour ends with breakfast in Koper. After breakfast, a transfer is organized to the tour starting point or the Ljubljana airport.
Yes, we do have bikes available to rent, as well as some accessories. Check our website for more information or send us an email.
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Yes. Most of our clients decide to ride on their own bikes, so that’s why the bike is not included in the regular tour price. So yes, you can bring your own bike.
Don’t worry, we can organize guided or self-guided tours anytime during the season, so please contact us for an individual offer.
We provide all tour materials, briefing, and tour guiding in English. The use of other languages is not guaranteed.
Although we can (and did) organize tours with even more than 20 people, for most guided tours that number is limited to 8 people. Why? Our accommodation choices are usually small, family-owned hotels and guesthouses. They can’t host large groups – and the closest available hotel might be too far away to split the group. The minimum number of people to guarantee the departure for a pre-scheduled tour date is 4.
Many of our guests decide for a self-guided tour and they either go alone or with their friends and family. If you prefer this option, we will provide you with a complete navigation pack and arrange a completely carefree self-guided trip for you.
If you decide for a self-guided tour, we provide you with a complete navigation pack and a 24/7 hotline number in case you need any help during the tour. You get a GPS track, maps, tour booklet and we arrange a Skype call prior to the tour so we go through the route plan together and discuss the details.
We don’t sell GPX tracks only. The minimum tour package includes accommodations and the navigation pack.
Airport or other transfers can be organized upon request. Let us know your wishes and we’ll send you options.
Yes, this is all part of our agreement, so please just notify us about your dietary needs and wishes.
We normally use small, comfortable 3- or 4-star quality accommodations (hotels or guesthouses). Most guests say the accommodation choices were excellent.
Not in EVERY hotel, but we try to pick ‘bikers friendly’ accommodations that understand the concept of traveling with limited luggage space. However since accommodations depend on availability on requested dates, we can not promise laundry service will be possible at each place. Most of our clients use baggage transfers, but you can do the tour without baggage transfers and wash the clothes every second or third day. Please notify us of your wishes when booking a tour and we’ll take care of it.
Yes, it is possible. Please just notify us about this, so we can adjust the pricing for your tour plan.
Although we understand such situations, our tours are designed in a way that they provide high quality and care-free service to our customers. This means that all accommodation, baggage transfers, start and end transfers, some meals, all organization, navigation, and more are included in the price. Also, we choose boutique local providers for accommodation and meals and offer them fair payment for their quality services. But in such a case, we can recommend you opt for a self-guided tour which is more affordable.
The arrival time to each destination depends on the guests’ cycling speed. Riders on self-guided tours are flexible and can adjust the day to their speed, stops (lunch as well), sightseeing, etc. Points of interest are marked on the routes and are a part of daily descriptions as well.
The tour season is normally from May to October, but the best time depends on the tour selection. The tours run through different destinations (from Alpine to Mediterranean regions) and because of that, some tours take place in summer, while others are best in spring or autumn.
The sooner, the better. Most of the tours run through popular outdoor destinations and some of them are really small villages with limited accommodations. Because of that, it’s good to book the tour as soon as possible to be able to secure our preferred accommodations, but also to secure the bikes and the price. Last-minute bookings might not be confirmed because of high occupancy, but if confirmed, the last-minute price is higher since it depends on the accommodations left.
A 25% deposit is required to confirm the tour. The balance is due 30 days before departure. You can make the payment via bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal. Please note that there’s a 4% surcharge if paying with a credit card or PayPal.
If we’re talking about a private tour, we first need to set the itinerary and the dates. If you go on a guided tour with pre-scheduled dates, the date and the program are already set. Then a 25% deposit is required to confirm the booking and it’s due 30 days before the tour starts. After receiving the deposit, our clients receive the confirmation letter. Tour materials are sent to the client about 3 weeks before departure after the balance is paid.
Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us in writing, by email, and will take effect on the day we receive it. Please, check the Cancellation and Refund policy here.
Clients receive the tour materials after the balance is paid, which is about 3 weeks before departure. All the materials are set online, so no worries, you will get them in time.
We offer free cancellations up to 30 days before departure in case of COVID-19-related travel restrictions. In that case, you can either get a full refund right away or move your paid deposit and your trip to a later date.
