Bike Slovenia Green: Alps to Adriatic

The green cycling adventure begins with an overnight stay in Kranjska Gora, the center of winter sports, located just at the foot of the Julian Alps. If time allows, you can use the day of arrival to visit the beautiful Lake Jasna, once the largest ski jump in nearby Planica, the turquoise nature reserve Zelenci and other stunning natural wonders.

Kranjska Gora is a proud recipient of the Slovenia Green Gold certificate. Their tourist offer is based on sustainable development, natural and cultural heritage, and a healthy living climate.

A peaceful cycling path leads from Kranjska Gora to Mojstrana, where it turns into one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Slovenia, the valley of the river Radovna. As the area belongs to the Triglav National Park, mass tourism is limited here. While cycling, you can admire views of the highlands and green pastures.

The path leads to the famous Bled with a photogenic island in the middle of the lake, a mighty castle, and delicious cream puffs. Bled also received the prestigious Slovenia Green Gold certificate. In addition, the destination is a member of the Alpine Pearls network, whose main goal is the development of soft mobility.

The following day begins with the ascent to Pokljuka, which is located at 1,300 meters above sea level and serves as a starting point for many mountain trips. The forested plateau is dotted with small wooden huts, which are typical of Slovenian mountains and once served as homes for shepherds and dairy farms. The highlight of the day is the Zajamniki mountain with a beautiful view of Lake Bohinj, the largest natural lake in Slovenia.

In Bohinj, the commitment to sustainable tourism is being realized through careful protection of cultural heritage, management of tourist flows, and the development of soft mobility. The fairytale destination invites visitors to try high-quality local products with the “Bohinjsko” label.

It’s time for a panoramic train ride. From the alpine landscape, you drive into the picturesque valley of the Soča River, where you continue cycling along the emerald beauty. Due to the sustainable development of tourism, the Soča Valley was the first Slovenian destination to be awarded the title of European Destination of Excellence. When you drive through the town of Most na Soči, you will soon see the former railway bridge in Solkan with the longest stone arch in the world.

After a short visit to Italy, the trail turns into Goriška Brda, which with its hilly landscape, is full of vineyards reminiscent of Tuscany. The local winemakers are known all over the world for their high-quality wines and hospitality. The final stop of the stage is the lovely village of Šmartno, where you can end the day with a delicious dinner and wine tasting.

Goriška Brda is also a Slovenia Green Gold destination. The destination develops its sustainable tourist offer throughout the year and thus reduces the pressure on the environment.

On the fifth day of the sustainable Bike Slovenia Green cycling tour, cycling continues through the wine-growing region. A few short ascents and descents lead to the Italian town of Gorizia. After returning to the Slovenian side, you can begin to notice more and more features of the karst world. In Cerje, you drive past the monument of peace and the lookout tower, and then you reach the village of Kostanjavica on the Karst on macadam paths.

Easy cycling ends in Komen, which is known for its excellent wine cellars. This sustainable destination with the Slovenia Green Gold certificate addresses visitors with hospitality, authentic cuisine, and a range of hiking and biking trails.

You continue to discover mysterious karst phenomena on day 6. The most celebrated are the underground caves, of which there are around 8,000 in Slovenia. Among them, 20 are open to visitors. The bike path leads past the village of Štanjel, where you can see typical local architecture, a castle, and a beautiful garden. If you want to try the biggest Karst specialty, visit the boutique Pršutarna Ščuka on the way to Pliskovica.

In the second part of the day, you cycle from Pliskovica to Sežana and further towards Lokev. Before the end of the day, you have the opportunity to visit the famous Lipica Stud Farm, where noble Lipizzaners have lived since 1580. In nearby Divača, which has also received the Slovenia Green certificate, you can discover the incredible Škocjan Caves, which are under UNESCO protection.

The last day of the cycling tour shows the diversity of Slovenia in all its grandeur. The route initially runs over the Gulf of Trieste, which provides great views of the Adriatic Sea. The path turns back to Italy for a short time, and then you’ll arrive in one of the oldest Slovenian villages, Osp. Follow the Parenzana, a now-abandoned narrow-gauge railway that connected Trieste and Poreč in the early 19th century.

The green cycling experience ends in Koper, the capital on the Slovenian coast, which is also committed to the development of sustainable tourism. The nearby Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is the largest salt marsh in Slovenia and a true oasis of peace for both humans and animals. Be careful not to leave Koper without trying delicious seafood and refreshing yourself by jumping into the sea.

The tour ends the next morning. After breakfast, transportation is organized from Koper to the starting point of the route or Ljubljana Airport.