Cycling Alpe Adria Trail
(3 ratings)
Gemona del Friuli – A historic town with the impressive Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral.
Udine – A lively Italian city full of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, charming piazzas, and a vibrant café culture.
Aquileia – The "Second Rome," known for its impressive Roman ruins and UNESCO-listed basilica with stunning mosaics.
Grado – A beautiful seaside town with sandy beaches, a historic harbor, and authentic Italian. Departure
Daily departures
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)- Five 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.
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
Season A: 265 EUR;
Season B: 285 EUR;
Season C: 315 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 225 EUR;
Season B: 245 EUR;
Season C: 265 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 90 EUR. Bikes have 18 gears (XL frames 11 gears).*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike or gravel bike rental 230 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 4.
- Printed information package in English, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
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 Grado
Season A: Double Room 85 EUR. Single room 115 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 95 EUR. Single room 135 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 100 EUR. Single room 145 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price per third person only.
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
239 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
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
Trieste Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 375 EUR
4-8 persons 425 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
Grado to Trieste Airport
1-3 persons 160 EUR
4-8 persons 205 EUR
Grado to Ljubljana Airport
1-3 persons 425 EUR
4-8 persons 510 EUR
Grado to Bled
1-3 persons 490 EUR
4-8 persons 590 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.
Other available rental bikes
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.
