- Crossing Slovenia on a mountain-bike from Julian Alps to the Mediterranean sea.
- Bike over Vršic pass, the highest mountain pass in Slovenia.
- Swim in the emerald Soca River and jump into the sea.
- Visit the Lipica Horse stable and taste some Slovenian wines.
Description
On this unique Mountain Bike tour, you will have the chance to spend a full week exploring the Slovenian trails all the way from Kranjska Gora to the Adriatic Sea. We will provide GPS routes and 24-hour support, and you will follow the trails that you choose from the options we provide.
You will set off from Kranjska Gora and ride through several mountain passes as you traverse the Julian Alps on the way to the Soca River. You will climb several mountains and ride through a wide variety of terrains, including mountain bike routes. Some of the spots you will visit, include the beautiful Goriška Brda, which can be described as a sort of Slovenian Tuscany with stunning landscapes and vineyards, the amazing karst region, and Sežana. The last destination will be Piran, and from there, you will have a chance to do some seaside sightseeing before returning to Kranjska Gora. You can find a sample day-by-day itinerary below, since this is a self-guided tour, it will vary depending on the route you decide to choose.
Each day you will ride between 40 to 70km, often uphill. Therefore, in order to join this tour, it's important that you are physically fit and ready for the challenge. If you have any doubts or questions about your level, you can contact us and we will happily clear your doubts.
If you would like to join this unique self-guided mountain bike tour in Slovenia, then send your booking request and we can start making arrangements! If you are 4 or more people, you can also choose the guided alternative of this tour.
Price includes
- All Accommodation included
- Luggage transfer
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Price details
Included:
- All accommodation included - 7 nights with breakfast in *** accommodation based on 2 people sharing
- All luggage transfers from start to finish
- Included meals are breakfast every day and 5 times dinner. There is no dinner on the arrival day, and no dinner in Kobarid. Both days with no dinner there are plenty of options within 5 minutes walking distance, a good meal is around 15 - 25 EUR
- 2 sets of GPS tracks for each day, easy or challenging- you decide which to take based on your form
- A phone number with 24/7 phone support
- Half-board 3-star accommodation in a double room, including breakfast and dinner (Single room fee is 150 EUR)
- Daily luggage transport transport from start to finish
- A briefing with a guide on the arrival day
- Recommendation for lunch spots for every stage
- Packing list and recommendations for how to do the trip
- Tourist tax
Not included:
- Lunch and drinks
Optional add on:
- Transfer of participants from Piran back to Kranjska Gora (surcharge is agreed based on the number of riders)
- Transfer of participants from the arriving airport to the starting point
STAGES
Kranjska Gora – Tromeja (3-borders point)
Length: 30 km, ascent: 900 m
The first trail takes us to the Karavanke mountain chain, to Tromeja, where the borders of Slovenia, Italy and Austria meet. After enjoying the great view of Austria and Slovenia we descend down the Italian trail back to Kranjska Gora for dinner and briefing for the next day’s trail.
DAY 2 Kranjska Gora – Bovec
With a great panorama of the Prisojnik’s massif we start our ascent on the Vršič Pass (1611 m asl.). We ride pass the Russian chapel and continue towards the old military road pass. Before descending to the Soča valley we will admire rough walls of Julijan Alps. We will stop for a short hike to the source of the Soča River and then continue our trip to the end of stage 2 in Bovec on a trail, crossing many hanging bridges over the Soča River. Recommended extra activities: canyoning.
Bovec – Kobarid
Length: 40 km, ascent: 1200 m
We start in Bovec and leave shortly the green Soča River. We follow the road to Italy but just shortly before the Italian border we turn up and start climbing onto the Kobariški Stol Mountain. First through the woods but then we reach green meadows with wonderful views of the other side. The trail down to Kobarid is technical, and will make even the best riders walk from time to time but we can all safely reach the wonderful yet small village of Kobarid. Recommended extra activities: kayaking, visit the WWI Museum.
DAY 4
Kobarid – Tolmin
Length: 40 km, ascent: 1400 m
The 4th stage has an innocent start; a short piece of flat riding along the Soča River. But soon all our fitness and skill is required as we start one of the many climbs of the day. Mostly through the woods we reach the village of Drežnica and continue climbing onto the Planina Kuhinja Mountain. Great views, lonely hard to find trails and some WWI monuments will mark the day. This is one of the tougher stages on First World War ‘front lines’. Recommended extra activities: visit to the picturesque Tolmin Gorge.
DAY 5
Tolmin – Solkan
Length: 60 km, ascent: 1400 m
The typical mountain trails along the Soča River Valley will end at Solkan, a suburb of Nova Gorica. Now we start to understand the natural variety the tour offers. From the Julian Alps we now reach Goriška Brda, best described as Slovenian Tuscany. This is the wine-growing region of Slovenia. Many green hills, a lot of vineyards, and first glances of the Adriatic Sea. Recommended extra activities: visit of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, a town divided by a country border.
DAY 6Solkan – Sežana
Length: 70 km, ascent: 1400 m
The 6th stage is where the landscape totally changes. We have now left high mountains and are deep in the karst region, hilly, a lot of karst caves, Mediterranean climate and hidden and lonely MTB trails. We ride above the Italian harbour of Trieste and finish our stage at Sežana. Recommended extra activities: visit to the Škocjanske jame (beautiful karst caves under UNESCO protection).
DAY 7
Sežana – Piran
Length: 70 km, ascent: 1600 m
Last stage from Sežana to the picturesque seaside town of Piran will take us by Lipica, a famous Lipizzaner stable. We recommend stopping for a guided tour (not included in the price) in Lipica. Then we continue on the gravel roads, direction seaside. Before reaching it we pass many landmarks such us Socerb castle and then along the coast we reach our final destination, the city of Piran. Bring your swimming gear. The ‘dinner’ is waiting for you. You are done. Recommended extra activities: sightseeing of Piran.
DAY 8
Piran – Kranjska Gora
Transfer day
Last day is for transfer back to Kranjska Gora. We can organise the transfer back early in the morning to give you a full day for your return trip or we can make the transfer in the afternoon, so you can enjoy the day in Piran sightseeing, swimming or shopping.
- All accommodation included - 7 nights with breakfast in *** accommodation based on 2 people sharing
- All luggage transfers from start to finish
- Included meals are breakfast every day and 5 times dinner. There is no dinner on the arrival day, and no dinner in Kobarid. Both days with no dinner there are plenty of options within 5 minutes walking distance, a good meal is around 15 - 25 EUR
- 2 sets of GPS tracks for each day, easy or challenging - you decide which to take based on your form
- A phone number with 24/7 phone support-
- A briefing with a guide on the arrival day
- Recommendation for lunch spots for every stage
- Packing list and recommendations for how to do the trip
- Tourist tax
- Not included: Lunch and drinks
- Optional add on: Transfer of participants from Piran back to Kranjska Gora (surcharge is agreed based on the number of riders)
- Transfer of participants from the arriving airport to the starting point
- We recommend a minimum front suspension MTB bike with disc brakes.
- The use of helmets is mandatory
- Backpack with hydration pack (i.e. Camelback).
- It is necessary to have sufficient water supply with you as there is no possibility of a refill at certain stages of the trails for approximately 2-3 hours
- Fitness: 4/5
- Technical: 3/5