SARCC is offering this supported 13 day gravel bike tour in northern Slovenia in late September 2026.
Duration 13 days (11 days cycling)
Category Gravel, E-Bike
Fitness level Medium – High
Tour type Tailor-made (guided)
Technical difficulty Medium
Length & elevation 600km, 12,000 (approx)
Tour company VisitGoodPlace visit-goodplace.com
Cost Approx €4,300 see below for inclusions and exclusions
Location: two trips joined.
- Along the Austrian border – 60% unpaved
- Around Triglav national park – 30% unpaved
Tour description
The Slovenian Backcountry Gravel Bike Tour leads along the Austrian border from the eastern to the western part of Slovenia. It crosses scenic mountain massifs and picturesque Alpine valleys full of gravel cycling trails and pristine countryside. The trip begins in the second most populated city in Slovenia, Maribor, located just next to the Pohorje mountain range. You will ride through the vast spruce forests of Pohorje, passing the Črno jezero (Black Lake), Rogla, and Kope Resort before ascending towards the Koroška region. Awesome gravel roads continue towards the Jamnica Single Trail Park and you go underground, riding through abandoned mine tunnels. Climbing a panoramic road leads to the famously beautiful Logarska Valley, with impressive views over the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
After crossing a mountain pass, you reach the glacial valley of Jezersko, where a steep trail leads into the heart of the Karavanke mountains. This part includes riding across mountain pastures under Košuta, the longest mountain ridge in Slovenia. The trails of Karavanke open up to great vistas of Lake Bled.
The second part of cycle tour goes across the Sava Valley to Bled, at the foot of the Julian Alps and around Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park is one of the oldest parks in Europe that lies in the heart of the Julian Alps. With over 840 square kilometers, the park is the largest protected area in the country. It was named after the highest Slovenian mountain, Mt.Triglav (2,864 m).
In this part of the world, nature is at its richest and most beautiful. Organic farming and sustainable livestock practices are used for the production of genuine homemade food. With its diverse climate and landscape, the area is also home to around 7,000 plant and animal species, from tiny insects and freshwater fish to majestic red deer and the proud golden eagle.
The bike ride continues from Bled through the serene Radovna Valley, the Alpine village of Kranjska Gora, and over one of the most alluring mountain passes, the Vršič pass. The next part includes panoramic cycling along the magnificent Soča Valley, best known for its emerald green Soča River. After visiting the charming towns of Bovec, Kobarid, and Tolmin, this Slovenian cycling route is brought to an end with a scenic loop around the Tolmin basin, full of natural and historical sights, and final transfer back to Ljubljana.
Costs
The starting price is €4,460 per person, based on a group of 10 participants and shared double/twin rooms. This includes two tour guides, luggage transfer, 12 breakfasts and 11 dinners.
Extra: MTB E-bike/gravel bike rental is available at €440 per bike. E gravel bikes are not available, but can rent them in a bike shop in Ljubljana directly.
25% of deposit will be required to confirm the tour.
Itinerary:
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Itinerary: |
Distance |
Elevation |
Description |
|
Day 1: arrival Ljubljana |
Explore Ljubljana |
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Day 2: Maribor-Rogla |
51km Unpaved 85% |
1600m |
Transfer to Maribor. Over the day climb 1268m (can shorten with a cable car) to Pohorje in pristine forests, clearings and pastures. Remote gravel roads past mountain huts close to the natural reserve of Črno jezero (Black Lake). |
|
Day 3: Rogla-Slovenj Gradec |
49km Unpaved 95% |
930m |
Descend below the Rogla ski resort to the northern side of Pohorje massif. The trail eventually climbs to reach the highest peak of Pohorje (1543 m), with spectacular views. A challenging ride across an open and scenic grass ridge follows. The descent is a beautiful gravel trail almost to the bottom of the Mislinja River valley.49km |
|
Day 4: Slovenj Gradec-Jamnica |
49km Unpaved 50% |
1200m |
A short and descent leaves the Pohorje massif behind, pass the city of Slovenj Gradec and leave the Mislinja River and climb on hilly gravel roads towards the Drava Valley. The day ends in Jamnica, right next to the Single Trail Park. |
|
Day 5: Jamnica-Podolševa |
48km Unpaved 50% |
1400m |
The short descent from Jamnica to the valley, to go underground! Ride from one valley to another through the abandoned tunnels of the Mežica mine (organized guided trip, optional). The route leads towards Mt. Raduha and reaches a beautiful panoramic road high above the Logarska Valley. The stage ends in the tranquil village of Podolševa. |
|
Day 6: Podolševa-Jezersko |
36km Unpaved 35% |
820m |
Riding along the panoramic road before you gently ascending to the Pavličevo sedlo mountain pass. A scenic road takes you across the Austrian border, across a mountain pass, before the route returns Slovenia. Down to the high glacial valley of Jezersko this has untouched nature, authentic culture, and limited tourists, the valley is a hidden gem. |
|
Day 7: Jezersko-Tržič |
51km Unpaved 75% |
1550m |
Today – the Karavanke mountains. Taking the harder route, this stage includes riding across pastures below Košuta, Slovenia’s longest mountain ridge. On clear days, the views from here reach all the way to the highest peak of Slovenia, Mt. Triglav, as well as the Ljubljana basin. The route then follows the Tržiška Bistrica stream towards the spectacular Dovžan gorge. A visit to the gorge is like a journey through time since its walls hold fossilized remains from 300 million years ago. The final stop of the day is the town of Tržič. |
|
Day 8: Tržič-Bled |
36km Unpaved 45% |
1010m |
The route turns back to the hills, past the village of Podljubelj and then climb the high slopes of Mt. Begunjščica, just to be rewarded with a delicious meal at the Preval mountain hut. A thrilling descent with numerous incredible viewpoints awaits you in the next part of this stage. Reaching Bled, you need to visit the tiny island in the middle of the lake, explore the Bled Castle overlooking the town, and taste the famous Bled cream cake known to locals as “Kremšnita”. |
|
Day 9: Bled-Kranjska Gora |
40km |
600m |
Ride to one of the prettiest Alpine valleys in Slovenia, the Radovna Valley with its unspoiled nature and a dramatic 1.6-kilometer-long Vintgar Gorge. Easy cycling with views of mountain tops and cattle grazing. Past the village of Mojstrana, (the Slovenian Alpine Museum ) to the Peričnik Waterfall . The day ends in the mountain resort of Kranjska Gora, situated at the foot of the Julian Alps. You can visit to the crystal clear Jasna Lake, the Planica Nordic Center, or the Zelenci Natural Reserve. |
|
Day 10: Kranjska Gora-Bovec |
55km |
1200m |
The ride continues across the Vršič mountain pass. The highest road pass in the eastern Julian Alps at 1,611 meters, it is one of the best ascents in the region. A thrilling descent leads to the Trenta Valley. Flowing under the peaks of the Julian Alps, the emerald green Soča is considered one of the most beautiful European rivers. In addition to the natural sites, the valley is rich in WW1 heritage and war remnants. |
|
Day 11: Bovec-Tolmin |
50km |
600m |
This stage runs along the left bank of the Soča river, where canoeists and rafters tackle the rapids. The route passes the Virje Waterfall and through the Bovec Valley. This site is also known as the magical world of Narnia, as it served as a setting for the Walt Disney production of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”. Another waterfall nearby, the Boka, has hundreds of cubic meters of water flowing deep into the valley. Then to the town of Kobarid, best known for the 1917 WW1 Battle of Caporetto, where the Italian retreat was documented by Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms. Today, Kobarid is a lively tourist hub. Easy riding along the river bank,the route passes small villages before reaching the final destination of the day, Tolmin. In the vicinity, there are the Tolmin Gorges can be visited. |
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Day 12: Tolmin-Ljubljana |
20km |
320m |
A gravel loop on the plain of the Soča Valley around the Tolmin basin which is at the foot of the surrounding mountains. Transfer from Tolmin back to Ljubljana. |
|
Day 13: departure day |
The cycling tour ends with breakfast in Ljubljana |
The price for a guided custom Gravel Bike Tour includes:
- 12 nights accommodation in 3-4 star hotels/guesthouses.
- 12 breakfasts and 11 dinners; meals include typical local food.
- Two fully qualified and experienced bike guides for the duration of the trip (arrival on day 2).
- Baggage transfer between tour stages (not support van!).
- Extensive Tour Booklet.
- Transfer from Ljubljana to the gravel bike route starting point and from the route ending point back to Ljubljana.
- A 3-month training plan, including home exercises, cycling workouts, and expert nutrition advice.
Optional:
Price excludes:
- Travel and activity insurance.
- Personal safety and cycling equipment.
- Lunches.
- Any beverages consumed with meals.
- Any other items not mentioned as included.
For detail see:
https://www.visit-goodplace.com/tours/slovenia-backcountry-gravel-tour/
https://www.visit-goodplace.com/tours/around-triglav-national-park-touring-cycling-tour/
South Australian Recreational Cycling Club 