Road Cycling from Alps to Adriatic
€1,650.00
Descend from the Alpine highlands in the north of Slovenia to the Mediterranean regions of the Adriatic while discovering the country’s hidden treasures.
Prices are starting indications, per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, and don’t include bike hire. Please make a booking enquiry for a confirmed price based on your chosen dates and exact requirements.
Description
Not many road cyclists can say they rode their bikes from the highlands of the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. In Slovenia, you can do it within a week!
After visiting the alpine highlights of Slovenia, such as Bled and Vršič Pass, you will descend through the Soča Valley toward the warm Mediterranean climate. Each stage will provide you with an enchanting landscape, not one day quite the same as the previous one.
Overcoming a challenge usually requires a reward, and a jump in the warm Adriatic Sea seems quite gratifying.
The roads are well-maintained along the whole route. While you will not be far from civilization at any point of this journey, you will be cycling well away from the urban areas. This journey allows you to let yourself go for its duration and recharge your batteries.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Bled
When you arrive at Bled, the bikes will already be waiting for you at your accommodation. You will receive complete information regarding the itinerary beforehand, and we will address any questions you may have. If you arrive in Bled early and have spare time, you should visit the Bled castle, take a boat ride to the church island, or enjoy a stroll around Lake Bled. Rest up for an exciting week ahead of you.
Day 2 – Through the alpine valleys to Kranjska Gora
Because the stage is relatively short, the first day of cycling will be more of a warm-up. The route from Bled gradually descends through the picturesque Radovna Valley and past Lake Kreda to Mojstrana. With the highest peaks of the Julian Alps on your left and the Austrian border ridge of the Karawanks on your right, you’ll make your way up the Upper Sava Valley‘s well-maintained cycling road to the well-known alpine resort of Kranjska Gora.
Day 3 – Over the Vršič Pass
After lighter cycling on the first day, the steep ascent over the majestic Vršič Pass awaits you on the second. We suggest taking a break at the top to admire the majestic mountain peaks surrounding you. Afterward, you will descend the hairpin curves to the other side and pedal next to the emerald Soča River in the Soča Valley. The road will take you past breathtaking sights like the Soča Gorges to the alpine village of Bovec. You’ll rest up for the day there, surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps.
Day 4 – Through the Soča Valley
You’ll continue cycling down the Soča Valley on quiet side roads. From the historic town of Kobarid, you can ascend to the lovely Drežnica settlement, located on a small plateau beneath Mount Krn. If this WWI battleground was once a terrifying sight, it is now a must-see for anybody in the vicinity. If you get to Tolmin early, you can see the lovely Tolmin Gorges or call it a day.
Day 5 – To the wine country
As you go further south, you will soon enter a warmer Mediterranean environment with entirely different terrain. Soon, the steep mountains will be behind you, and you’ll be in the wonderful wine-growing region of Goriška Brda. The grape slopes and beautiful villages on top will make you feel like you’ve reached another nation.
Day 6 – The Karst
This day will take you through a relatively flat section of Italian Gorizia before a steep ascent to the Karst plateau, known for its trademark water-carved limestone topography. You will cycle past the scenic villages of Komen and Štanjel to Sežana, a town well near the coastal region. You’ll almost hear the sea waves you’ll soon see as you retire to your bed today.
Day 7 – The Slovenian coast
If you take a slight diversion to Lipica and visit the Lipizzaner stud farm, you will get a terrific start to the seventh day. The journey will then lead you to Socerb, where you will have a beautiful view of the shore and the day’s route. You will next follow the green Rižana river until you reach the sea coast. A well-maintained bike route will then take you along the Adriatic coast to Piran, a town famed for its captivating Venetian architecture and narrow alleys constructed on top of a long pier.
Day 8 – Adriatic Sea and departure
The last day is time for leisure activities. You can relax on the sunny beach and go for a swim in the Adriatic Sea. When you are well-rested, we will provide a transfer to Ljubljana or the airport upon your wish.
Extra days
If you wish to extend your road cycling experience, you can opt to continue across the Croatian border and down the western Istrian shore to Pula. You will ride on the empty asphalt roads, past the coastal towns of Poreč and Rovinj, before you reach Pula and the southernmost point of Istria, Cape Kamenjak. It lengthens your stay with us for 2-3 days, depending on how you want to pace your road cycling in Croatia.
Your Bike
The bikes for our Slovenia tours are current model Scott bikes and are updated each year. Bike hire charges are as follows:
Road, gravel, e-bike: 60€ per day = 420 euros for 7 days
Trekking bike, hardtail MTB: 35€ per day = 245 euros for 7 days
Images to follow soon …
