Green Slovenia Cycling Tour - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kranjska Gora

After transferring from the airport, you’ll settle into the beautiful mountain resort of Kranjska Gora, situated at the foot of the Julian Alps. 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 living climate. The afternoon is free for you to relax and start exploring the area at your leisure. Check out the crystal clear waters of nearby Jasna Lake, or the magical blue-green moorlands of the Zelenci Nature Reserve. Also close by is the Planica Nordic Center, once home to the highest ski jumping hill in the world.

Day 2: Kranjska Gora to Lake Bled

From Kranjska Gora, a quiet cycling road leads to the alpine village of Mojstrana, where you enter one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in Slovenia: the Radovna River Valley.

As part of the Triglav National Park, mass tourism is limited, and the area is known for pristine, unspoiled nature and the dramatic mile-long Vintgar Gorge. End your day at the famously beautiful Lake Bled. Bled is a proud recipient of the Slovenia Green Gold destination 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.

Don’t miss a visit to the fairytale island, home to a charming church, and make sure to taste the delicious local Bled cake called kremšnita.

Distance: 23 miles (37 km)
Elevation: 853 feet (260 m)

Day 3: Bled to Lake Bohinj

Your second cycling day includes a climb up the Pokljuka Plateau, which overlooks the lakes of Bled and Bohinj. Located in the Triglav National Park, the plateau reaches an altitude of 4,265 feet (1,300 m) and serves as a starting point for many hikes offering lush forests, hidden shafts, sinkholes, and small valleys. If a long uphill climb sounds like too much of a challenge, a shuttle transfer can be arranged to skip the most strenuous parts of the incline. In the case of this transfer, the daily cycling distance is 40 km with 250 meters of elevation.
 
A highlight of the day is the Zajamniki mountain pasture in the central area of Pokljuka, with its shingle-covered shepherd’s cottages and a perfect view over Lake Bohinj. Continuing along mostly asphalt and forest roads, reach your final destination of Bohinj. Even the famous Lake Bled pales in comparison to the stunning sight of this alpine jewel. The country’s largest natural lake sits in a sweeping glacial valley, with its shimmering blue-green waters reflecting the surrounding mountains. 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.


Distance: 25-31 miles (40-50 km)
Elevation: 820-3,445 feet (250-1,050 m)

Day 4: Bohinj to Goriška Brda via the Soča Valley

One of the most spectacular views of Lake Bohinj is found at the railway station located just above it. From here, you’ll hop on the historic Bohinj Railway, which whisks you from the heart of the Alps to the Soča Valley. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this vital line connected Austria and Germany with the then Austro-Hungarian port of Trieste. 

Disembark at the tranquil town of Most na Soča, which overlooks the emerald waters of the Soča River Gorge. The Soča Valley's commitment to sustainable tourism development has earned it the European Destination of Excellence, and this responsible approach is also reflected in the cycling trail arranged along the river. Heading out of town, you’ll pass the magnificent old railroad bridge in Solkan, and pass through the village of the same name. Follow the river as it flows towards Italy, leaving the Alps behind. 

The cycling trail leaves Slovenia and briefly enters Italy before turning back to Slovenia’s Goriška Brda region. Goriška Brda/Collio is a single landscape divided between two countries, a land of gentle, rolling hills reminiscent of Tuscany. The wineries here are famous across the world for their high-quality vintages and hospitality. The village of Šmartno, your final destination of the day, is home to some of the most prominent growers in the region and offers you the chance to end the day with some wine tasting and a hearty regional meal.

Goriška Brda is another Slovenia Green Gold destination, which is actively developing its sustainable tourism offer all year round, reducing pressure on the environment and promoting soft mobility.

Distance: 22 miles (36 km)
Elevation: 1,476 feet (450 m)

Day 5: Goriška Brda to Komen

Today you’ll enter the land of Karst, a vast limestone plateau whose porous soils form a magical, ever-changing landscape of deep caves and underground rivers. Besides its dramatic geology, the Slovenian Karst’s unique ecosystem is considered a biodiversity “hotspot,” home to a fascinating array of flora and fauna. 

Like Goriška Brda, Karst is also a famed wine-growing region, whose grapes were praised long ago by the ancient Greeks and Romans. You’ll cycle through the remarkable limestone landscape, passing vineyards and medieval stone villages before ending your day in the small, traditional Karst town of Komen. 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.


Distance: 23 miles (38 km)
Elevation: 1,673 feet (510 m)

Day 6: Komen to Lokev/Divača

Continue through the karst region this morning, passing through small stone settlements and villages, to reach Pliskovica. From here, the route leads you to another Slovenian Green destination, Sežana, before passing by Lipica. Home to the famous white Lipizzaner horses, the original stud farm has been located in Lipica since 1580, and the noble animals are a source of great pride to the region. You might like to join a tour to learn about the history of the breed and its place in Slovenian culture, explore the barns and pastures of the farm, and meet the gentle white horses and their dark foals.

Upon arriving in either Lokev, a charming village known for its traditional fare made from locally sourced ingredients, or Divača, a Slovenia Green town praised for its nature conservation programs, you'll have the afternoon free to explore. Both locales are a stone's throw away to the magnificent UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, where you can go underground and take a walk along the boardwalks that lead you through the specialized ecosystem of one of the world's largest known subterranean caverns. Alternatively, indulge the senses and relax in one of the region's wineries to sample the local Teran varietals.

Distance: 23 miles (37 km)
Elevation: 1,378 feet (420 m)

Day 7: Lokev/Divača to Koper

Your last cycling day truly highlights the diversity of Slovenia as you approach the Gulf of Trieste. This breathtaking ride along the Adriatic is characterized by rich sub-continental Istrian vegetation and sweeping sea views and takes you briefly into Italy before you reach the Slovenian village of Osp. You'll then pedal along the Rižana River as you follow the Parenzana Track, a now-defunct narrow gauge railway that connected Trieste and Poreč at the beginning of the 20th century. Now the scenic trail is devoted to cycling, offering a peaceful ride through coastal landscapes.

Your journey comes to an end in Koper, the capital of the Slovenian coast awarded with the Slovenia Green certificate, and also a picturesque coastal city known for its rich history, Adriatic port, and pretty medieval old town. Celebrate your arrival with a dip in the sea and a dinner of delicious fresh-caught seafood. And if you're up for it, you might like to check out the nearby Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve, a peaceful oasis home to Slovenia's largest brackish wetlands. 

The following morning you’ll transfer to the tour starting point (Kranjska Gora) or to Ljubljana Airport after breakfast, bidding farewell to a memorable week of discovery.

Distance: 35 miles (57 km)
Elevation: 1,427 feet (435 m)