August, 10 2022 ( Updated August, 18 2022)
Though recently discovered by tourists for its natural and architectural beauty, Slovenia is also an ideal destination for cycle tourism due to its extensive cycling network.Thanks to its extremely heterogeneous terrain, Slovenia offers both mountainous landscapes for mountain bikers, as well as hilly landscapes and plains for those who are moderately experienced or want to take up road cycling. Not to mention the well-maintained forest trails and cycle paths that also form a large part of the network and are ideal for less experienced cyclists or those who want to go on a cycling holiday with the whole family.
So follow us and discover the best cycling trails in Slovenia to plan your next holiday!
Slovenia’s extensive cycling network makes it the ideal destination for cycling tourism
Starting in Mediterranean Slovenia, one of the most beautiful cycling trails is the Parenzana. It is a 129 km cycling trail that runs along the Slovenian coast through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia and is named after the old railway line that connected Trieste (Italy) to Poreč (Croatia) from 1902 to 1935.
Thanks to a renovation project, since 2002 it has been transformed into a cycling route known as the Route of Health and Friendship that winds through vineyards, orchards, olive groves and salt pans. The Slovenian part is particularly suitable for mountain and trekking bikes. You can also stop off on the way to visit some pretty towns: a popular destination is Piran, an ancient port town that still retains its mediaeval remains. While another must-see is Koper, famous for its mediaeval-style Venetian palaces.
If you are looking for accommodation in Mediterranean Slovenia, take a look at our holiday homes in the area.
From the Slovenian capital you can easily access Ljubljana's Barje swamp, a 160-square-kilometre natural area that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can admire rare animal and plant species. Thanks to the characteristics of the marshy terrain, various remains from different historical periods have been preserved, including the remains of the pile-dwelling society that inhabited it in prehistoric times.
The Ljubljanica River meandering through the picturesque marshes of Ljubljana
Its picturesque roads are ideal for cycling trips, and we recommend the Iški Vintgar Gorge, Lake Podpeč and the Pekel Gorge as the must-visit destinations. For more experienced cyclists, ascents to the Rakitna Plateau and Mount Krim are recommended.
Tip: If you want to admire the historical artefacts found in the marshland, stop by the Ljubljana City Museum and the National Museum of Slovenia (both in Ljubljana), and the Moja Ljubljanica Exhibition Space in Vrhnika.
Find your accommodation in or around Ljubljana and start your cycling adventure!
To the north, not far from the Kamnik and Savinja Alps, rises Slovenia's highest plateau with an impressive 1666 m of altitude difference. Characterized by an almost fairytale-like appearance, it is home to one of the last surviving settlements of high mountain shepherds in Europe.
The quickest way to reach the plateau is by cable car from the Kamniška Bistrica valley. To start your adventure from there, you can choose from several routes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty; one of these routes also ends at the Snovik thermal baths, an ideal conclusion to regain your strength.
Other attractions include the Preskar museum hut, the Zabrškova koča hut, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow and the shepherds' village. Cyclists with good physical fitness can try their hand at the ascent to the alps from the valley.
Tip: If you decide to stay in the valley, there are three springs of the Kamniska Bistrica river at the foot of Velika planina. Along its course, you can see the Veliki Predaselj and Mali Predaselj gorges, and the Orglice waterfall.
Moving into the fairy-tale Alpine Slovenia, you can visit rivers, lakes and waterfalls accessible via hiking and cycling trails. In Upper Carniola, between the Bohinj Valley and Bled, there is a well-known alpine route through the Triglav National Park. Starting at the Savica Waterfall, the source of the Sava Bohinjka River, the entire route offers a view of Slovenian natural beauty.
The mountains of Alpine Slovenia surround the fairytale lake Jasna in the Triglav National Park
The wide variety of routes between the villages around Bled is ideal for short excursions, while the dense network of forest roads on the Jelovica, Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus will satisfy even the most experienced cyclists.
Tip: If you're passing through Bled, it's impossible not to make a stop at one of our holiday homes and visit the town as well as the picturesque Bled Castle perched on the islet above the lake of the same name. Read more about Slovenian castles on our blog.
The mountains above Lake Bohinj boast numerous roads and mountain trails of varying difficulty, suitable for family outings as well as road and mountain biking.
Moving further north in Upper Carniola, close to the Austrian border, there is another interesting route leading from Ratece to Mojstrana, passing through Kranjska Gora and Gozd Martuljek. The route is very attractive: it runs partly along an abandoned railway line, almost entirely separated from car traffic, and crosses numerous bridges. As it has refreshment stops, equipped places to stop and no difficult climbs, it is also suitable for those travelling with children.
Kranjska Gora is a very popular destination for cyclists from all over the world
In north-east Slovenia, you can ride the 710-kilometre international cycle path along the Drava River. The route is characterised by asphalt roads, making it suitable for the inexperienced. It is advisable to start in Dravograd, and stop in Radelj ob Dravi, Maribor and the older Slovenian towns of Ptuj and Ormož. The Slovenian section leading into the Carinthian region is characterised by shorter, gentler ascents and descents, with the hilly area descending to the plains of the Drava basin.
On the border with Austria and Hungary, characterised by undulating hills and picturesque farms, the Goričko Landscape Park is a popular destination for cyclists.
In the flat part between Murska Sobota and Lendava, you can choose from several cycling trails that pass between natural healing springs and thermal spas. Among them, the Moravske Toplice thermal spa offers ten themed routes, ranging from 5 to 50 kilometres in length, some with a slight elevation gain. In addition to the scenic and natural beauty, you can also admire the beautiful castles scattered around the valley, the most famous of which is Grad Castle.
Another famous attraction not to be missed is the Vinarium watchtower, the highest in Slovenia, which offers a breathtaking view of Slovenia, Hungary, Austria and Croatia.
Inspired to go and looking for the perfect holiday home nearby?
Approximately 290 km long, the circular cycling route around the Julian Alps runs along local roads, cycle paths, forest trails and dirt roads, and is the perfect trail for those who want to go cycling in Slovenian Alps.
Notable destinations along the route are the previously mentioned Bohinj and Bled, but also Kranjska Gora, Soča Valley and Cerkno. Adrenaline lovers will enjoy the Kranjska Gora bike park, where they can test themselves on various obstacle courses and disciplines.
The church of St. John the Baptist together with the stone bridge, is one of Lake Bohinj's greatest attractions
Not to be missed is the Moistrocca pass ideal to explore the Soča Valley. This is Slovenia's premier outdoor destination, perfect not only for cycling and hiking, but also for water sports along the Soča river.
A little gem in the upper Soča Valley is Bovec, one of the most beautiful destinations for cycling enthusiasts. In this Alpine village not far from Italy, there are some of the most popular mountain and road bike trails, ranging in length from a few kilometres to almost a hundred. In total, there are around 400 kilometres of tracks suitable for all kinds of needs.
Tip: Winter sports lovers should not miss the ski destination of Kranjska Gora, book your holiday home!
Bela Krajina is a historical and traditional region of Lower Carniola, located in the southeast of Slovenia, near the border with Croatia. The Via Bela Krajina (200 km) is the cycle route that surrounds it and will take you through vineyards, forests and picturesque villages to the Kolpa river–a warm, swimmable river ideal for a few refreshing dips in the summer season.
Tip: If you are in a group, you can spend a whole day whilst enjoying activities like rafting or paintballing.
Suitable for road and trekking bikes, this route (130 km) unfolds around the Kamnik and Savinja Alps and reaches up to 2,000 metres in altitude to allow you to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
Always recommended for experienced mountain bikers, the Slovenian mountain-bike trail is a good 1800 km long and has an altitude difference of no less than 50,000 m! Along the route you will find 109 checkpoints where you can stop to regain your strength.
The Karavanke Mountains are a mountain range on the border with Austria. This 132-kilometre route is particularly suitable for experienced mountain bikers, but if you prefer a trekking bike, you can take the path around the Karavanke.
You can start the route from Jezersko all the way to the three borders in north-west Slovenia. Breathtaking views are guaranteed.
The turquoise waters of the little Lake Planšarsko in the mountain village of Jezersko
This 75-kilometre route connects the eastern part of the Pohorje hills above the city of Maribor with the western part, namely from Sv. Bolfenk to Kremžarjev vrh in Carinthia. Being a hilly route, it is suitable for mountain bikes. On the edge of Pohorje there are wine-growing hills where one can enjoy excellent wines and various gastronomic delicacies.
Tip: From Maribor, less experienced cyclists can choose to take the previously mentioned Drava cycle path.
Between nature, sports, architecture and cosmopolitan cities, Slovenia is fast becoming a popular destination for digital nomads. Meanwhile, for shorter stays, look no further. Check out our holiday homes and start biking through Slovenia!
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