Pearls of Slovenia
First Hand Experience
(3 ratings)
Departure
Daily from March 28 to October 10, 2026
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Starting Point
Bled
Total Distance
257
A round cycling trip through best Slovene scenery
This tour is perfect for those who crave breathtaking mountain scenery without needing intense physical effort. It’s not a typical mountain biking route, but designed for cyclists with average fitness levels. The ride includes a manageable 750 m (2500 ft) pass, with an entire day to complete it on a quiet road or you can opt for a lift. Starting and ending at the stunning Lake Bled, the circular route showcases some of northern Slovenia’s most beautiful landscapes.
As a pre-trip you may consider our tour Salzburg to Lake Bled.
Itinerary
Lake Bled is a beautiful glacial lake made famous by its distinctive island church, towering alpine mountain backdrop and clifftop castle.
You can take a boat out to the island church and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Head over the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of the lake, castle and Karavanke Mountains.
From the high plateau at Pokljuka (12km) you can marvel at the views as you cycle down into the neighboring Bohinj Valley until reaching the stunning Lake Bohinj.
Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of the Julian Alps that surround the lake.
Leaving Bohinj, you cycle up 750 m / 2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau (a “help out” lift to the top of the mountain pass is available for this part of the trip at an extra cost of 30 EUR per person). From the top the trail drops off into a beautiful wilderness valley leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills.
The cycling route takes you through a number of historic little villages until you finally arrive in one of Slovenia’s oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, where you can visit the hilltop castle.
Leaving Škofja Loka you will head across the great Sora plain with the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop. If the weather is warm enough, you can take a swim a small lake in the pure, refreshing alpine water in the village Preddvor.
The easy cycling day ends at the Brdo Estate. The former royal and presidential residence is decorated with a beautiful park where you can relax before dinner.
A ride through history. In the morning you can pay a visit to Kranj, capital of Carniola. Your route brings you to the fascinating little village of Kropa where you will find the iron forging museum dedicated to the history of the town’s blacksmith trade. You can even learn how to make your own nail.
Later this route will take you along the edge of Jelovica high plateau to Radovljica with its beautifully preserved old town and an interesting beekeeping museum.
Today’s route follows the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje, site of a dark chapter in Slovenia’s history during WWII, where the Museum of Hostages highlights the suffering of thousands under German occupation.
Just 2 km away, you can explore the ruins of Kamen Castle. Your cycling path then leads you through stunning landscapes between the Julian Alps and Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town for skiing and summer activities.
Don’t miss a side trip to Planica Valley, famous for its ski jumping championships and record-breaking jumps.
On your final day, you’ll return to the heart of Triglav National Park, following the Sava Dolinka River to its confluence with the Sava Bohinjka, forming Slovenia’s longest river. Starting from Mojstrana, you’ll explore the lush Krma Valley, rich in WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which is now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut at the base of Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps. Then, travel through the Radovna Valley and take a short detour to the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge, a stunning 1.6 km gorge carved by the Radovna River and opened to the public in 1891.
After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)- Seven nights accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouses in two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast.
- Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 30 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
- Welcome meeting and bike handover.
- Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per adult person. Every additional download 15 EUR.
- Local tourist and other taxes.
- Transfer to Pokljuka starting point on Day 2
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
Season A: 355 EUR;
Season B: 375 EUR;
Season C 420 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 295 EUR;
Season B: 325 EUR;
Season C: 370 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 110 EUR. Bikes have 21 gears.*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike rental 280 EUR. *
Every additional day 50 EUR.
* Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 7.
- Printed information package in English or German, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
- Additional transfer to Sorica pass on day 3 30 EUR per person.
Price is per person per night.
- 4* Hotel in Bled
Season A: Double Room 100 EUR. Single room 195 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 210 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 125 EUR. Single room 215 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Season A: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 185 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 120 EUR. Single room 200 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 135 EUR. Single room 215 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents up to 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
257 km
65 % regional country roads, 20 % cycleways, 10 % street (city approach sections), 5 % path
95 % paved and asphalt, 5 % unpaved
Medium – For those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains between 100 and 500 meters.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
- Day 1: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4*, Hotel Kompas 4* or Hotel Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
- Day 2: Bohinj Eco Hotel 4* in Bohinjska Bistrica
- Day 3: Hotel Mini 3* in Škofja Loka
- Day 4: Urša Guesthouse or Hotel Elegans Brdo 4* in Preddvor/Predoslje
- Day 5: Guesthouse Lectar in Radovljica
- Day 6: Hotel Kompas 4*, Hotel Miklič 3* in Kranjska Gora
- Day 7: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4*, Hotel Kompas 4* or Hotel Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting to Bled and Back
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about two hrs) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster – 20 min) – see here bellow!
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, four km away from the town center, you’ll need to take a bus to get to Bled. The other station is Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from the town center.
By car: take exit Lesce on A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
Avaliable Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1-3 persons 130 EUR
4-8 persons 170 EUR
Villach to Bled
1-3 persons 170 EUR
4-8 persons 200 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 200 EUR
4-8 persons 240 EUR
Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled
1-3 persons 20 EUR
4-8 persons 30 EUR
Trieste Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 375 EUR
4-8 persons 425 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier
- Helmet
Only for self-guided tours: per two bikes – one repair kit, one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, Allen keys and tire levers. + one combination lock.