I visited Slovenia and Croatia for the first time in 2002. Slovenia is a beautiful country, very friendly people, beautiful mountains and very green, a lot of forest lands, but it is a small country. I made a great connection with a couple who own a company there offering biking and hiking trips in Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Italy.
Here is a 9 day itinerary for a guided mountain bike tour I am offering in middle June 2024 starting in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Dates: June 2024
Cost per person:
Not included:
transport transport to and from Slovenia, pre / post nights
activities extra activities
food Lunches, dinners (except Dinner on Day 4), drinks and
alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea
other medical expenses, personal expenses and optional activities,
insurance of any kind
Bike rental Devinci Troy, 310 EUR / 9 days
- Enjoy a week long mountain biking tour in Europe’s best kept secret. Experience amazing mountain bike tracks in Slovenia’s pristine nature. Join us on an epic journey from Julian Alps to the Adriatic coast. Moreover, do it in style with our superb Full Suspension DEVINCI bikes;
- Visit lively Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and warm up on the astonishing single-tracks in the green hills surrounding the Europe’s Green Capital of 2016;
- Explore Slovenia’s Alpine jewels of Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled located in the Julian Alps;
- Visit Kranjska gora, a lovely Alpine village with a thriving local mountain-bike community. It’s great location in the heart of the Alps offers easy access as it is just a stone’s throw away from Italy and Austria;
- Discover the valley of emerald Soca River and spend some time in Bovec, the Slovenia’s premier outdoor center;
- Enjoy the family run countryside inn and vinery that offers culinary extravaganzas of Ana Ros, Slovenia’s best chef, who gained world glory staring at Netflix’s Chef’s Table and received the title of World’s Best Female Chef 2017;
- Bike to Brda, the Slovenian Wine Country and spoil yourself with world class wine and fabulous dining after a day well spent on the mountain bike;
- Finish the tour in Piran, a charming town on the Adriatic coast dating back to the times of Venetian republic.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1 – Ljubljana
Ride – warm-up ride, app 10mi (16km), elevation gain 1600ft (500m)
Arrival to Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia.
Meet up with your guide for a brief orientation
talk of the week that’s ahead and to meet
your fellow riders. Then take time to prepare
yourself for the first ride of our week long
adventure. The green capital of Slovenia is
surrounded with extensive range of hills which
offer endless trails of all skills levels –
everything within 15 minutes of pedaling
from downtown! And the first day, you will
get to experience what it feels like to be a
local living in Ljubljana, riding those trails.
You will even finish the day as a true local –
with some cold drinks by the Ljubljanica river
banks followed by a tasty dinner. Full of impressions, you will realize why so many mountain
bikers feel so lucky to live in the capital of Slovenia …
Today’s ride: we’ll do an easy warm-up ride out of town, with a mixture of wide forest trails
and singletracks. Nothing too steep, nothing too technical, but some roots can be expected in
the woods.
Accommodation in Ljubljana. B&B Slamic 3* B&B – http://slamic.si/
Day 2 – Triglav NP – Bohinj region
Ride – challenging, 22mi (35km), (1500m/4950ft of elevation gain)
This morning we leave Ljubljana and shuttle to the Alpine region, where we will ride and stay in
the heart of well-preserved area of Triglav national park. Views of the Bohinj Lake are stunning,
but this will not detract our focus from cycling. We will climb to reach the plateau above Bohinj
Lake to admire views of the high Alpine peaks, meadows, old traditional wooden houses and then
ride some of the old WWI military trails, so called
“mule trails”. Overnight by Lake Bohinj
and treat ourselves with some of the best trout,
prepared by the special local recipe.
Today’s ride: you can expect a bit longer climb
on a combination of paved and gravel road
with relatively constant/gentle gradient. Once
we will reach the top of plateau, we are
immediately rewarded with spectacular views
and long descent on an abandoned WWI
military trail. We continue on to Mt. Mozic on a
singletrail.
Downhill is rated as “easy” as it mainly follows flowy and fast double and singletrails with some
nice, open switchbacks.
Accommodation at Bohinj Lake. Hotel Jezero 4* – http://www.hotel-jezero.si/en/index.php
Day 3 – Kranjska Gora and Vrsic pass
Ride – moderate/ challenging, app 15mi (25km), elevation gain 2630ft (800m)
During the short morning shuttle, we stop at
Bled, one of Europe’s most scenic spots,
due to its picture postcard perfection, to take
that amazing photo shot and try the local
pastry, Kremsnita cream cake. Soon after
we will start pedaling (or continue to shuttle)
towards the northern side of Triglav
National Park. Vrsic pass has 24 windy
corners and is the highest road pass in
Slovenia, built during WWI by Russian
prisoners. This old road will take us up into
the rocky formations of the Julian Alps,
where we will be rewarded with breathtaking
views and traditional mountain food offered in
the mountain huts, like hearty stews,
sauerkraut and sausages, all to regain our energy. Morning climb will be rewarded by a long
descend back down to the valley, following scenic singletrails, river beads and fire roads, all
surrounded with spectacular, pristine nature and 7000ft peaks. We will finish the day with some
delicious local food, and well deserved rest in the world-famous ski resort village of Kranjska
gora.
Today’s ride: morning climb is mostly on a rough, paved road with 24 switchbacks. It was built
during WWI as a supply road, so you can expect steady gradient with some historical sights all
along the way. This is a “must do” for every Slovenian cyclist, and once you get above the tree
line you will understand why. Descent will follow old bits of the original road which is a pleasant
singletrail nowadays, surrounded with dramatic rock formations and alpine vegetation.
Accommodation in Kranjska Gora. Option 3*: Boutique B&B Pr Gavedarjo –
http://prgavedarjo.si/sl/
Day 4 – Western Julian Alps and Bovec-Kobarid area
Ride – moderate, app 18mi (30km), elevation gain 2300ft (700m) and descend 4200ft
(1300m)
After a hearty breakfast we shuttle to Soca
valley, which truly is a heaven on earth for
every outdoor enthusiast. It was here
where the biggest and bloodiest battles of
WWI took place. Remaining military paths are
not just reminders of dark history –
nowadays, they also serve us, mountainbikers,
as a convenient approach to the
mountains. Some of those paths were long
overgrown until later found and cleaned by
cycling enthusiasts. That is why today, a
perfectly gentle gradient on newly born
singletrails can put nothing but a big smile
on your face. Amazing diner made by top
Slovenia chef, Netflix star and World’s
Best Female Chef 2017, Ana Ros, and a glass of delicious wine from her husband’s wine cellar
will hit the nail on the head of this perfect day!
Today’s ride: We will take a shuttle up the mountain for a while and then hit another WWI mule
trail which will take us up to the top of the ridge. Today it will be quieter: we will climb on a
rough gravel road in the fairytale-feel beech woods. And as you might guess already – the
reward will be another set of spectacular views: opening to the Alps to one side, and the coast
on the other. Simply beautiful! And it’s only downhill from here on: a long descend to the valley
and our family run country inn for the night; with a choice of wide double-track with open views
down the valley, or 10km (6mi) singletrail deep in the forests.
Accommodation in Kobarid. Boutique hotel 4* – Casa Franko. http://www.hisafranko.com/
Day 5 Soca Valley- Monte Maggiore (Italy) and Goriska brda wine country
Ride – challenging, app 13mi (20km), elevation gain 4290ft (1300m)
After a hearty breakfast we will continue to
the small village of Livek from where we will
start biking up to the summit and
mountain hut of Monte Maggiore.
Monte Maggiore is located on the border with
Italy and was one of the places where the
harshest fights during the WWI Isonzo front
took place. From the top of Monte Maggiore
you will ride a breathtaking 12km
downhill on the Italian side of the
mountain.
You will get to see the change between the
rough Alpine environment and the lush green hills of the south and wine growing region. To
accompany our meal tonight we will try some of the best Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
grown in Slovenia and enjoy our well-deserved dinner overlooking the vineyards; not to
mention a well earned dip in the pool….
Accommodation in Goriska Brda. Option 3*: Boutique B&B Belica – https://belica.si/
Day 6 – Transfer to Croatia – ride Groznjan medieval town
Ride – easy / moderate, app 16-25mi (26-40km), elevation gain 990 ft – 3960ft (300m
– 1200m)
Istria is like Tuscany, but without
crowds. As far as your eye can see there
are rolling hills with hilltop towns. Today
we visit one of them, small old walled
renaissance town of Groznjan on
hilltop, dating back to the beginning of
the past millennium. It is known as a city
of artists as almost every door leads to
the art studio or gallery. We ride on old
Parenzana train again, passing tunnels
and bridges to reach Groznjan. From
there we enjoy several enduro single
trails down the hill. You can opt for
1,2,3, or 4 descent or wait in the shade
of an old chestnuts trees for the next
ride.
We enjoy nice views all the way to Adriatic. In the end we end in Livade village, where white and
black truffles can be found year round. To earn our dinner at family run hotel from 17th century
we need to cycle all the way to the top of Motovun. There is also a beautiful spa and wellness
available. You can get massage too.
Accommodation in Motovun. Hotel Kastel 3*: https://hotel-kastel-motovun.hr/
Day 7 – Krk island (Croatia)
Ride – moderate, app 13 mi (20km), elevation gain 1980ft (600m)
Today we transfer (2-2,5hs) to one of 1180
Croatia islands. Island of Krk is part of Kvarner
islands that became mecca for MTB in Croatia. 4
islands race is attracting riders from all around
Europe. After refreshing dip in the Adriatic see
we explore trails in the vicinity of Krk town on
bike and visit local ham and cheese producers.
We need to relax a bit as life on the islands have
different perception of time, after all you are in
Croatia.
Accommodation in Krk. Hotel Bor 3*:
http://www.hotelbor.hr/
DAY 8 – Krk island – Moonland trail (Croatia)
Ride –challenging, app 28 mi (45km), elevation gain 2640ft (800m)
We saved best for the last. Today we are riding so called Moonland trail. We first descent to Baska
bay from where we start our 400m climb. Climb is gradual as it was built in the times of Austro
Hungarians. Once we reach the plateau it seem like you have just arrived to the Moon. We
continue on towards Veli Vrh peak and catch nice panoramic views all the way to the mainland
and Velebit NP and islands scattered in the sea. Nice descent and we are ready for a final farewell
dinner in local konoba.
Accommodation in Krk. Hotel Bor 3*: http://www.hotelbor.hr/
DAY 9 – Transfer from Slovenia ( Ljubljana) or Zagreb ( Croatia)
PRICE OF TOUR IN 2018
8 overnight B&B accommodations in boutique 3-4* properties on perfect locations,
1 gourmet dinner at Casa Franko (Day 4) – Ana is world`s best female Chef 2017 (6
courses), optional 11 courses,