Most of the time, a cycling holiday isn’t just about the riding. It’s about where you start and end your day, where you eat along the way, how you wind down in the evening and who you meet along the way. In Slovenia, the chances are you’ll hit the mark whether you choose to call […]
Most of the time, a cycling holiday isn’t just about the riding. It’s about where you start and end your day, where you eat along the way, how you wind down in the evening and who you meet along the way. In Slovenia, the chances are you’ll hit the mark whether you choose to call base camp. From the towering Julian Alps to the rolling vineyards of the south, Slovenia offers some of the most diverse and breathtaking cycling routes in Europe, friendly hospitality, delicious food and cities rich in culture and storytelling.
But with so many incredible regions to choose from, where should you stay to make the most of your cycling holiday in Slovenia? In this post, we explore.
Base camp in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital city and is known for being one of Europe’s most bike-friendly capitals, with over 300 km of cycle lanes. Whether you’re renting a bike from us, or locally, or bringing your own, Ljubljana is a hotbed for routes surrounding the city and further afield. For example, one of the most popular rides heading out from the capital is the Ljubljana–Stična route, covering around 45 km out and back. For cyclists with a good level of fitness, it can be done in a day. The route begins in the centre of Ljubljana, before heading around the Castle Hill and continuing towards Škofljica and the Dolenjska region, for the most part along quiet roads, passing mainly through quiet villages and hamlets.
For riders looking for a longer day in the saddle, the stunning Lake Bled is about 55 km north west of Llublijana. The route cruises mainly along quiet roads (mostly asphalt, although it can get a bit patchy at times!), offering a peaceful and stress-free ride through some of Slovenia’s most charming landscapes. The overall ascent reaches around 1,170 metres, making it a decent workout for most cyclists. The final stretch of this route is a descent towards the breathtaking Lake Bled, boasting fairytale views of its island church and the surrounding mountains. There are great lakeside accommodation options here for riders who prefer to stay the night before returning to the city, or ride further afield the following day.
Another local route ideal for more experienced gravel or touring riders is the Golovec, Krim and the Lake below Krim loop. This ride, stretching for just over 71 km, takes you from the capital over Golovec and Krim, passing through the Ljubljansko Barje wetland before looping back towards the city. There’s one big climb (15 km up Krim with an 800 m elevation gain) that rewards the brave with panoramic views of the Karavanke, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and Julian Alps, followed by the equally rewarding descent into Podpeč. The return ride winds through Notranje Gorice and Vnanje Gorice, before re-entering Ljubljana via the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship.
One final example of a stunning route heading straight out of Ljubljana is Ljubljana–Kamnik, known as one of the most beautiful mediaeval towns in Slovenia and a mere 26 km from the capital. The route invites you to ride alongside one of the country’s cleanest rivers and past the Volčji Potok Arboretum, making spring one of the best times of year to visit as two million tulips burst into flower. The town of Kamnik is also a great base for further cycling and hiking routes, making it an ideal stop-off point for cycling holidays in Slovenia and moving around the country by bike.
Beyond riding, Ljubljana is a fantastic base for a cycling holiday. It’s a place that offers plenty to do and see post-ride (or on a rest day), such as strolling along the Ljubljanica River, exploring the open air Central Market or the cobbled streets of the Old Town. If you’re in town on a Friday, don’t miss Odprta Kuhna, an open-air food market where local chefs serve everything from traditional Slovenian dishes to international street food, best paired with a cold Laško or a glass of local wine (the first date for 2025 is Friday 21st March).
Base camp at Lake Bled
Whether you’ve already ridden the Ljubljana–Lake Bled route up to the Julian Alps, or chosen Lake Bled as your cycling holiday base, this area of Slovenia offers a rich tapestry of road, gravel and mountain cycling routes that allow you to truly appreciate the natural wonders and landscapes of this part of the world. The network of quiet roads surrounding Lake Bled connect one alpine village to the next, while passing through or alongside forested hills and even mountain passes, such as the Vršič Pass or Mangart Saddle.
Lake Bled isn’t the only lake worth visiting if you’ve chosen to lodge locally. The Lake Bled to Lake Bohinj Loop is a 66 km route through this region’s scenic alpine landscape before reaching this slightly larger mountain lake, Lake Bohinj, a less built-up cousin of Lake Bled, hugely popular with watersports enthusiasts. The ride features one big climb as the route snakes southwest, which starts shortly after leaving Lake Bled. Having passed through the village of Krnica, some more serious gradients begin to emerge, with several kilometres averaging 10% and topping out over 14% on the winding forest road. With the climb out the way, the route begins to descend towards Lake Bohinj. The return to Lake Bled is a steady downhill ride.
Another epic ride, better suited to experienced riders and easily accessible if you’re staying at Lake Bled, is the Ribno to Kranjska Gora Loop (with an optional Vršič Pass extension). Setting out along the southern side of Lake Bled, this scenic ride passes through Gorje and Krnica into the tranquil Radovna Valley and along the Radovna River. A steady climb (with short, steep sections of around 18%) follows before a fast descent towards a smooth cycle path that runs 20 km through the stunning alpine scenery to Kranjska Gora. From here, riders have the option to either loop back via Jesenice, or take on the formidable Vršič Pass, a legendary climb in this region, with 50 hairpin bends and breathtaking mountain views.
Once again, off the bike, visitors will not be short of things to do and see around Lake Bled. Most activities are centred around the Lake’s stunning natural surroundings, or its historic architecture, including Bled Castle, the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake itself, or the Church of St. Martin. These Neo-Gothic designs showcase examples of work by the greatest Slovenian masters of art and architecture, set within an unbeatable alpine landscape. The surrounding hills and mountains invite visitors in, ideal for cyclists keen to stretch their legs after a long ride or on a well-deserved rest day. Mala and Velika Osojnica are the two peaks that stand above Lake Bled and offer magnificent views of the Lake and its surroundings. Climbing Mala Osojnica (685 metres) is about a 45-minute walk along a steep forest path, followed by another 20 minutes to get to the top of Velika Osojnica (756 metres high).
Base camp in Southern Slovenia
Moving south away from the mountainous terrain of Lake Bled, we find the Bela Krajina region, nestled in Slovenia’s southeastern corner and bordering Croatia. For cyclists looking for a base camp that is slightly flatter and closer to sea level, with vineyard-clad rolling hills, dense forests and quaint villages, this area is idyllic. For a cycling holiday in Slovenia in this region, the Via Bela Krajina trail offers a 185-km loop starting out in the town of Metlika.
Throughout the four stages of this circular route, cyclists have the opportunity to traverse rolling hills, expansive plains and sweeping valleys, explore the evolution of local wine cooperatives and visit traditional inns along the route, ride alongside the Kolpa River, visit cultural landmarks, such as the birthplace of the famous Slovenian poet, Oton Župančič, and sample regional delicacies in the ancient town of Metlika.
Want to find out more about cycling in Slovenia?
As soon as you’re ready to travel we would love to show you around for your cycling holiday in Slovenia! Check out our Slovenian Cycling Tours, give us a call on +34 972 754 301 or contact us online for more info!
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