Cycling Alpe Adria Trail
(3 ratings)
Ride through railway tunnels and over alpine viaducts
Pause within the star-shaped fortifications of Palmanova
Cycle past Roman remains to a final evening by the lagoon 2027 Early booking offer: save 3% until 31 December 2026.
Departure
Daily from March 28 to October 10, 2027
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Starting Point
Arrival to Bled
Total Distance
215 km
Activity Level
Medium
From alpine lakes to a sun-drenched coast packed with mountain views, immense bodies of water and flowing wine.
Cycling Alpe Adria Trail is one of the most panoramic long-distance cycling routes in southern Europe, taking you from the alpine landscapes near Bled to the Adriatic coast in Grado on a memorable self-guided cycling holiday.
This legendary Alpe Adria cycling trail follows quiet cycling paths and converted railway lines, winding through mountain valleys and charming towns while offering breathtaking views along the way.
Designed for leisure riders, the route features manageable daily stages and a relaxed pace, making it an ideal cycling adventure from the mountains to the sea with full local support and comfortable accommodation.
As a pre-trip, why not consider our Salzburg to Lake Bled.
What is the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail?
The Cycling Alpe Adria Trail is a famous long-distance cycling route connecting the Alps with the Adriatic Sea, following scenic paths and former railway lines through Italy and Slovenia.
Where does the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail tour start and end?
This tour starts near Bled in Slovenia and finishes on the Adriatic coast in Grado, Italy.
Is the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail a self-guided cycling tour?
Yes, this is a self-guided cycling holiday that includes GPS tracks, route notes, accommodation, luggage transfers and full local support.
Who is the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail suitable for?
The tour is ideal for leisure and recreational cyclists who want to enjoy a panoramic route with manageable daily stages and a relaxed pace.
What kind of terrain can I expect on the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail?
The route mainly follows smooth cycling paths and converted railway tracks, with gentle descents and rolling sections, making it suitable for a wide range of riders.
When is the best time to ride the Cycling Alpe Adria Trail?
The best time is from May to September, when weather conditions in Slovenia and Italy are ideal for cycling from the mountains to the Adriatic coast.
Itinerary
Arrive in Bled, the famous lakeside town with its island church and clifftop castle. Stroll the western shore for the best views and try the local cream cake by the lake.
Leave Lake Bled behind and ride into the Radovna Valley, where woodland, meadows and mountain views provide a scenic introduction to the journey. Continue towards Mojstrana, a good place to pause before following the Upper Sava Valley towards Kranjska Gora.
The route links alpine settlements and open valley scenery as you approach the Italian border. Crossing into Italy brings a change of atmosphere, with Tarvisio providing your first overnight stop on the Italian part of the journey.
Settle into this mountain town and enjoy a relaxed evening before tomorrow’s ride along the former railway corridor. Today connects the Slovenian lakes and valleys with the Alpe Adria route south towards the Adriatic.
From Tarvisio, follow the Alpe Adria cycle route south through Val Canale, with the mountains framing the valley as you ride towards Pontebba. Much of this memorable section uses the former railway corridor, where tunnels and bridges give the journey its distinctive rhythm.
The route continues beside the Fella River, passing through changing alpine scenery as the valley gradually opens. Take time to enjoy the views and pause along the way: this is one of the stages where the old railway has created a particularly rewarding setting for a cycling holiday.
Finish in Carnia and settle in for the evening as the landscape begins its transition from the high mountains towards the Friulian countryside. After a day of railway bridges, river views and alpine villages, enjoy a relaxed end to this scenic stage.
Leave Carnia and continue south towards Gemona del Friuli, where the historic centre and cathedral offer a rewarding stop before the ride carries you further into the Friulian countryside.
The mountains gradually recede as the landscape opens into gentler terrain. Follow the Alpe Adria route through the transition from alpine valleys to the plain, enjoying a different rhythm of riding and the changing character of the settlements along the way.
Finish in Udine, with time to explore its elegant squares and streets after checking in. Find a café terrace, wander through the centre or choose a welcoming trattoria for dinner: an enjoyable city evening between the mountain stages and tomorrow’s ride to the sea.
Your final ride leads from Udine across the Friulian plain towards the Adriatic. The Alpe Adria route links quieter countryside with historic towns, including Palmanova, whose star-shaped fortifications make a distinctive stop on the journey south.
Continue through Cervignano towards Aquileia, an important historic site where an optional visit adds another layer to the day. From here, the cycle route follows a former railway alignment towards the lagoon, with the landscape becoming increasingly open as you approach the coast.
Arrive in Grado and enjoy the contrast with the alpine scenery at the start of the tour. Wander through the old centre, pause beside the harbour or celebrate the finish with dinner near the sea. Allow time to enjoy the setting rather than rushing straight through the final kilometres.
The tour ends after breakfast in Grado. Continue independently or reserve one of the optional private transfers listed below.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)- 5 nights in 3★/4★ hotels & guesthouses, ensuite, bed & breakfast
- Luggage transfer — 1 piece pp, max 23 kg (extra piece €30/trip)
- Local tourist and other taxes
- Backup hotline service throughout the trip
- Digital route information, maps and navigation in the GUIBO app — access included for each adult traveller. Additional access: €15.
- Welcome meeting for direct bookings
- Bike rental: View available bikes, rental prices and optional waiver upgrades.
- Single-room supplement within a party: 260 € per person, per tour
- Single traveller supplement (single room included): 450 € per booking party
- Additional luggage (maximum 23 kg): 30 € per additional piece, per tour
- Printed travel documents (optional; digital travel documents are included): 30 € per booking
Prices per person, per night. Double: sharing a double room. Single: single occupancy.
| Location | Season A | Season B | Season C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bled3★/4★ | Double: 105 €Single: 200 € | Double: 115 €Single: 215 € | Double: 130 €Single: 225 € |
| Tarvisio3★/4★ hotel | Double: 75 €Single: 105 € | Double: 80 €Single: 115 € | Double: 85 €Single: 120 € |
| Venzone / Carnia3★ hotel | Double: 70 €Single: 105 € | Double: 75 €Single: 115 € | Double: 80 €Single: 120 € |
| Udine4★ hotel | Double: 80 €Single: 125 € | Double: 85 €Single: 135 € | Double: 90 €Single: 145 € |
| Grado4★ | Double: 90 €Single: 125 € | Double: 100 €Single: 145 € | Double: 110 €Single: 155 € |
- Third adult in a triple room: 10% discount on the third traveller’s base tour price.
- Child discount: 30% according to the published age rule for this tour.
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
215 km
75 % regional country road, 15 % cycleways, 5 % main road (city approach sections)
95 % asphalt and paved, 5 % unpaved
Medium – Ideal for recreational cyclists who ride regularly and enjoy exploring at a relaxed pace. The route includes gentle hills and occasional gravel sections, so you should be comfortable cycling on consecutive days. Check the day-by-day itinerary for each stage’s distance and ascent.
Accommodation
Carefully selected 3-star and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, with ensuite rooms and breakfast. The exact accommodation may vary according to availability while the published comfort level is maintained.
- Day 1: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4* or Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
- Day 2: Hotel Nevada 4* in Tarvisio
- Day 3: Hotel Alma Living 3* in Carnia Area
- Day 4: Hotel Astoria 4* in Udine
- Day 5: Hotel Diana 4* in Grado
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting to Bled
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 hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster – 20 min) – see below!
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled station on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town center, need to take a bus. The other is station Bled Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline only a few trains a day. Two km away from town center.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking possibilities.
Back from Grado
By plane: Trieste airport (TST) or Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve them. You can book our transfer: Trieste to Ljubljana Airport – see here below!
By train: several trains go daily from Monfalcone near Grado to Venice, one per day to Ljubljana.
By boat: there are boats operating from Trieste along the Adriatic Coast and ferries from Piran in Slovenia to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Bled we can transfer you – see here below!
Available Transfers
1–3 persons: 210 €
4–8 persons: 250 €
1–3 persons: 20 €
4–8 persons: 30 €
1–3 persons: 90 €
4–8 persons: 125 €
1–3 persons: 125 €
4–8 persons: 165 €
1–3 persons: 385 €
4–8 persons: 435 €
1–3 persons: 435 €
4–8 persons: 495 €
1–3 persons: 180 €
4–8 persons: 200 €
1–3 persons: 450 €
4–8 persons: 520 €
1–3 persons: 420 €
4–8 persons: 490 €
1–3 persons: 160 €
4–8 persons: 205 €
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Choose the bike category that suits your ride. We offer a range of frame sizes and will help you find the right fit.
Bike rental prices shown here apply when booking a bike with this tour. Rates on Rentabike.si are for standalone rentals.
Touring bike
Trek FX 2 Disc
Aluminium frame · Shimano Altus 2×9 · hydraulic disc brakes
E-touring bike
Bergamont E-Horizon Sport 30 Wave
Aluminium low-step frame · Shimano CUES 1×9 · hydraulic disc brakes · Bosch Performance Line · 540 Wh
Gravel bike
Megamo Jakar 30
Aluminium frame · carbon fork · Shimano GRX RX400 2×10 · hydraulic disc brakes · 700×45C
Mountain bike
Trek Procaliber 8
Aluminium frame · Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 · hydraulic disc brakes
E-MTB
Rock Machine Torrent INT E50-29B
Aluminium frame · Shimano Altus 1×9 · disc brakes · Bosch Performance Line · 500 Wh
The models and specifications shown are representative. Your bicycle may differ in model, colour or individual components, but will be of a comparable or higher standard within the booked bike category.
Rental prices
- Standard touring bike: 105 € per tour; extra day 25 €
- Electric touring bike (e-touring): 250 € per tour; extra day 50 €
- Gravel bike: 220 € per tour; extra day 40 €
- Standard MTB: 165 € per tour; extra day 30 €
- Electric MTB (e-MTB): 250 € per tour; extra day 50 €
Optional waiver upgrades
- Waiver Upgrade — e-bike, gravel, road or mountain bike: 50 € per rented bicycle, per tour
- Waiver Upgrade — standard touring bike: 25 € per rented bicycle, per tour
What Our Guests Say
Travelled with us? Share your experience
I have the pleasure to recommend Helia Bikes for an 8 day tour they organized for our group of 13, starting in Bled and ending in Piran. They made sure that we were equipped with all we needed and reassured us to contact them at any point should we have needed help. I was delighted with the quality of my e-bike, and the convenience of a panier. Each hotel had a different arrangement for parking the bikes and charging them with no major issues. Our luggage was delivered without any delays, waiting for us at the end of the ride each day. We had many flavors of towns, guest houses and spectacular gorges and mountains and were delighted by the respectful and friendly welcome everywhere. This region of Slovenia offers a rich history, especially of World War I and it was moving to have tastes of the Trail of Peace. I highly recommend this tour as an introduction to this part of Slovenia, close to the border of Austria and Italy.
Having landed in Ljubljana, and spent two days there, it was an easy drive to Bled and we enjoyed hiking in the area before the start of the biking. I thank everyone at Helia for their friendly competence!
Great route with nearly no roads and mostly down hill, varied scenery from mountains to rolling hills with nice villages down to the coast. Mostly good hotels. Good stevie from the staff.
The bike trip was very nice, in particular the routes from Bled via Tarvisio to Gemona. It was a breath taking scenery along the route, with numerous tunnels and sky high bridges – really exceptional. The hotels' accommodation was fine, arrangements for, and luggage transfer as well.
