Goriska Brda a famous wine region of Slovenia located near Italy with the villages Smartno and Dobrovo. Sunrise and sunset looking over vineyards

Operated by Headwater

Secrets of Slovenia Cycling

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Cycling

Overview

Discover the ‘Secrets’ of Slovenia, cycling through scenic countryside which changes with every turn of the pedal. From the turquoise waters of Lake Bled and the white peaks of Julian Alps to the emerald Soča river and green Karst vineyard, finishing at the blue Adriatic Sea.

Cycle through traditional villages around Lake Bled before taking a scenic railway journey to Kanal from where you’ll reach Goriška Brda, the ‘Tuscany’ of Slovenia. Explore the local vines and wines before discovering the Karst region and visiting the hilltop village of Štanjel, a medieval stonemason settlement with narrow, stone alleys that wind among the buildings built on terraces and the UNESCO-listed Škocjan caves. Next stop is Lipica, home of the original Lipizzaner horses with the stud farm dating from 1580 to the time of the Hapsburg. It is possible to join a guided tour to see the horses before cycling on to the edge of the border with Italy for views out to the coast towards Trieste in Italy and your destination. the city of Koper. A scenic path takes you along the Parenzana railway line to Koper from where you cycle on to Piran – looking back to the distant mountains gives you a great feeling of achievement.

The places where you will stay vary from a large lakeside property in Bled, to a renovated homestead in Smartno, and the Maestoso Hotel in Lipica, where you’ll find the Lippizaner stud farm.

Key Information

Trip Code: C07SN
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Slovenia
Carbon Footprint: 24kg CO2e per person per day
Terrain: The suggested cycling mainly follows tranquil lanes, with the occasional busier section of road and traffic-free cycle trails

What's Included

7 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodation
All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal
Bike hire included, plus bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
Luggage transfers between hotels, plus train transfer Day 3 and car transfer Day 5
Headwater navigation app

Don't Forget To

Request a single room or upgrade to an e-bike if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. A compulsory solo traveller supplement applies to this holiday. Please be aware that the price excludes estimated local taxes/fees of 19 EUR.

Highlights

Turquoise Lake Bled, emerald Soča river, white peaks of the Julian Alps

Goriška Brda, the 'Tuscany' of Slovenia; hilltop villages, orchards and vineyards

Ferrari's garden, Stanjel, Slovenia, Europe

Medieval stonemason settlement of Stanjel

UNESCO Škocjan caves and Lipica, cradle of Lipizzaner horses

Venetian coastal towns of Koper and Piran

Itinerary

First Destination: Bled
Next Destination: Koper

Accommodation:Hotel Park
Meals included:None

Distance:30 km / 18.6 miles
Accommodation:Hotel Park
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:33 km / 20.5 miles
Accommodation:Hisa Marica
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:19 km / 11.8 miles
Accommodation:Hisa Marica
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:41 km / 25.5 miles
Accommodation:Hotel Maestoso
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Distance:40 km / 24.9 miles
Accommodation:Grand Hotel Koper
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:38 km / 23.6 miles
Accommodation:Grand Hotel Koper
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Bled
Next Destination: Koper

Arrive at your 4 star hotel on the promenade of Lake Bled. Enjoy some of the hotel facilities before heading into Bled for dinner.

Accommodation:Hotel Park

Today’s ride takes you on a circular route from Bled passing through pretty Slovene villages. There is an optional detour to visit Grad Kamen Castle. The route then brings you back into Bled along the shores of the Lake.

Distance:30 km / 18.6 miles
Accommodation:Hotel Park
Meals included:Breakfast

An early start today with a scenic train journey along one of the most picturesque railway lines in the area with 28 tunnels, five galleries and 68 bridges. Your cycle route starts in Kanal and soon you’ll be joining a newly built cycle path, following the emerald crystal clear Soča river to the sun-kissed wine country, Goriška Brda. The local wines and culinary delights will help you get your strength back after a lovely trip.

Distance:33 km / 20.5 miles
Accommodation:Hisa Marica
Meals included:Breakfast

You’ll spend the day exploring the Brda wine growing region. Following the so-called ‘peach’ route you will be cycling through the charming landscape covered with vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Cycling through small hilltop villages and past renaissance manors will tempt you for lunch with a view.

Distance:19 km / 11.8 miles
Accommodation:Hisa Marica
Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, we take you (45 min transfer) to the village of Štanjel. Štanjel is a place of countless unique stories, where you’ll become acquainted with stonemason Karst architecture. This region is the home of Teran ruby wine and tasty air-dried Karst prosciutto. Your destination for today is Lipica – home of the famous Lipizzaner white horses. Extend your day by cycling to the Škocjan caves, considered to be one of the most beautiful underground gems and a UNESCO World heritage site.

Distance:41 km / 25.5 miles
Accommodation:Hotel Maestoso
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

lipizzaner horses grazing on the meadows in autumn sun in Lipica stud farm. Slovenia

Before you set off, take the opportunity of a guided tour of Lipica Stud farm, a unique green estate home to the white Lipizzaner horses. Once you set off cycling the scenery changes as you leave the Karst region behind and the view opens up to the Adriatic sea. You’ll head into Italy for a short time today and join the famous Parenzana coastal trail which runs on the former narrow-gauge between the Italian city Trieste and Poreč in Croatia. Your final two nights are spent on the coast in the medieval town of Koper, linked to the Venetian republic until the end of the 18th Century.

Distance:40 km / 24.9 miles
Accommodation:Grand Hotel Koper
Meals included:Breakfast

The Parenzana trail runs along the coast, takes a turn among vineyards and partly runs through tunnels. It will take you through Portorož, a lively tourist town with sandy beach, to Piran. This worldly town, which developed under the influence of Venice, is considered to be one of the most authentic and most photogenic towns on the Adriatic coast. Return to Koper.

Distance:38 km / 23.6 miles
Accommodation:Grand Hotel Koper
Meals included:Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Koper.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Hotels in Slovenia

Hotel Park, Bled (4*)

Hotel Park,Bled

Overlooking Lake Bled, Park Hotel – Sava Hotels & Resorts features a wellness centre with a large indoor pool and a gym. All rooms have balcony with either lake view or park view.
Facilities include: Pool, Hairdryer, WiFi, TV, Minibar, Aircon, Safe, Mastercard, Visa

Hisa Marica, Smartno (3*)

Hisa Marica, Smartno

Set in a traditional stone house, Hisa Marica is decorated in rustic style with wooden beams, all rooms are fitted with solid wooden furniture. There is a restaurant serving traditional cuisine and a bar with charming terrace.
Facilities include: Hairdryer, WiFi, TV, Aircon

Hotel Maestoso, Lipica (4*)

Hotel Maestoso, Lipica

Hotel Maestoso is set in the heart of the Lipica stud farm, home to over 300 Lipizzaner horses. The hotel blends naturally with the traditional elements of Lipica and has modern rooms as well as a restaurant. Your evening meal is included here and is usually a varied buffet.
Facilities include: Hairdryer, WiFi, TV, Aircon, Mastercard, Visa

Hotel Grand Koper, Koper (4*)

Hotel Grand Koper, Koper

Situated in the Old Town of Koper, on the seafront, Grand Hotel Koper has been recently renovated. Rooms feature a seating area, a TV, and a phone and overlook the town or the sea. The hotel also has a bar and à-la-carte restaurant with a spacious terrace.
Facilities include: Hairdryer, WiFi, TV, Minibar, Aircon, Safe, Mastercard, Visa

Essential Information

This self-guided cycling holiday is ideal for independent travellers who enjoy exploring at their own pace, with the reassurance of pre-arranged accommodation, route guidance and local support. Previous cycling experience is recommended, but no technical cycling skills are required.

Cycling at a Glance
Trip Style: Self-guided
Cycling Days: 6
Average Daily Distance:40km (25 miles)
Terrain & Route: The suggested cycling mainly follows tranquil lanes and traffic-free cycle trails. Distances vary, and parts of the countryside are fairly hilly, so you can take your time on the steeper climbs and admire the wonderful long distance views. Routes mainly follow tranquil lanes and traffic-free cycle trails. There are some short sections on busier roads and on gravel tracks and on some sections there is a choice of route depending on your preference.
Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)
For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Navigation: Headwater Navigation App

How Your Self-Guided Holiday Works
This self-guided trip is operated by our sister company, Headwater. You’ll travel independently and at your own pace using the Headwater Navigation App, which provides expertly curated routes and directions, along with a 24-hour emergency assistance number should you need support. As there is no tour leader or organised group, you’ll enjoy the flexibility to travel at your own pace while following the planned itinerary. Headwater are specialists in self-guided active holidays with more than 40 years of experience.

Slovenia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Slovenia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meals.

Slovenia’s cuisine reflects its rich heritage. Neighbours Austria, Italy and Hungary influence most dishes on the menu. In the mountains, Austrian style salamis (klobasa) prevail. You’ll often find them seasoning the hearty soups served in the Alpine huts. Kruha juha is the best – you get to eat the bowl too as it’s made out of bread! The Hungarian influence is seen in the spicy meat dishes. Pleskavica (steak with herbs and paprika) is a good one to try. On the coast, you’ll find Italian fayre, like rizota (risotto) with fresh mussels or zkilofri (Slovenian ravioli). And if you are still hungry, indulge yourself in a slice of potica (a creamy Swiss roll with walnuts).

Slovenia has been making wine since pre-Roman times, and boasts the oldest vine in the world, that has grown for four centuries. In the Vipava Valley, the stone villages are full of velbani hrami (vaulted wine cellars) where you can taste Teran (a heavy red best drunk with the local prsut or ham) or Rebula (a dry, crisp white). In the mountains look out for the bewildering variety of schnapps made from wormwood, blueberries, honey and even pine needles!

Slovenia has a mixed alpine climate with summer temperatures in the range of 18 to 25ºC. In the mountains cool mornings are normally followed by warm pleasant days. During summer months afternoon showers of rain cool down the humidity, giving way to clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.