Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
Overview
Discover the amazing landscapes and epic gravel trails of beautiful Slovenia! The self-guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure will take you over 650km, climbing over 12,500m on exciting rides across the country. Test yourself on mountains and delight in the incredible Slovenian nature parks.
This gravel riding tour takes you from the unforgettable town of Bled and the surrounding Julian Alps to the spectacular seaside. In between these two points, you’ll tackle exciting mountain trails, cross beautiful valleys, and discover picturesque historic towns. You’ll have a chance to try out some of the famous gravel trails like the Parenzana Trail and test yourself against the Human Fish Gravel Race route. You’ll be awed by the scenic beauty of Slovenia and the exciting bike routes on this incredible gravel riding tour!
Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure Overview
Discover the amazing landscapes and epic gravel trails of beautiful Slovenia! The self-guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure will take you over 650km, climbing over 12,500m on exciting rides across the country. Test yourself on mountains and delight in the incredible Slovenian nature parks.
This gravel riding tour takes you from the unforgettable town of Bled and the surrounding Julian Alps to the spectacular seaside. In between these two points, you’ll tackle exciting mountain trails, cross beautiful valleys, and discover picturesque historic towns. You’ll have a chance to try out some of the famous gravel trails like the Parenzana Trail and test yourself against the Human Fish Gravel Race route. You’ll be awed by the scenic beauty of Slovenia and the exciting bike routes on this incredible gravel riding tour!
Bike exciting gravel trails through the Julian Alps of Slovenia, including Mt Snežnic and Triglav National Park.
Ride the Human Fish Gravel Race Loop and the famous Parenzana Trail to Motovun.
Cycle the incredible Karst Plateau and visit the UNESCO sites at the Postojna and Škocjan caves.
Enjoy exploring picturesque towns like the stunning Lake Bled and the coastal city of Piran.
Trip map for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
Barbara C.
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Just an amazing experience. Absolutely lifechanging!
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It was a fantastic trip and Nadine was extremely responsive to all of our questions.
Itinerary for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
Warm Up Ride in Bled
Make your way to Bled. After a welcome meeting and check-in at the hotel, it’s time to get on your bike! Enjoy a leisurely ride around spectacular Bled. You’ll ride around the Sava Rivers and the Karavanke Mountains before you return for a relaxing evening in Bled.
Ride the Julian Alps
Today your adventure starts as your ride Jelovica Mountain to the beautiful Lake Bohinj. On the way back you’ll take the route across the Pokljuka plateau in magnificent Triglav National Park. Your journey through the mountains is mostly on gravel roads, with some short stretches on single-track or paved roads.
Cycle Gorenjska and Polhograjski Dolomiti Mountain
Follow the trails into the beautiful mountains of the Gorejska area. You’ll ride to the town of Škofja Loka before you tackle the trails of the Polhograjski Dolomiti Mountain.
Your route will take you to Ljubljana, where you’ll be spending the next two nights.
Historic Towns Around the Capital
Today you’ll be spending today exploring the lush green areas that surround Ljubljana. Ride between the historic towns of Litjija and Šentvid pri Štični and enjoy the quiet roads that lead to the lake town of Rakitna. You’ll also pass the beautiful castle in Turjak as you follow the winding gravel roads through the forests.
Cycle the Scenic Landscapes between Ljubljana and Postojna
Today, you’ll pedal through the amazing scenery and diverse landscapes of the nature parks between Ljubljana and Postojna. You’ll travel through vast agricultural marshes to the tranquil Lake Cerknica. Then, you’ll cross the Loška Valley through the mountains to Rakov Škocjan Nature Park.
Your trail ends today in Postojna in the karst region, which is famous for its spectacular caves.
Ride the Human Fish Gravel Race Loop
In the morning you can take an optional excursion to visit the impressive Postojna caves. The cave system has a UNESCO designation and the enormous underground caverns are a wonder to see!
Your bike ride for the day will be the original race route for the Human Fish Gravel Race. This trail goes into the Snežnik and the Gorski Kotar Mountains and then loops around through the charming towns of Ilirska Bistrica and Pivka. You’ll love grinding on this epic gravel course!
Cycle to the Sea
Today you’ll ride away from the mountains towards the fresh sea breezes of the coast. Your route takes the gravel roads to Predjama castle, then you’ll continue to the Nanos Mountains and Vipava Valley.
Ride across the red karst plateau through the villages of Lipica and Osp to the coast. Your route will then follow the beautiful coastline where you can watch the waves from your bike as your ride to Koper and Piran.
Ride the Parenzana Trail to Motovun
Start your day with a seaside stroll in Piran before you start your final ride of the tour. This morning you’ll ride the scenic leg of the famous Parenzana Trail from Piran to Motovun in Croatia. This section of the old railway is considered to be the most beautiful, so it’s the perfect finale for your trip.
After your last epic ride, you’ll to head to the airport.
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Dates and prices for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
Single Room
Double Room
| Single Room | Double Room | |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 to Jun 14, 2025 | $2,395USD | $1,450USD |
| Jun 15, 2025 to Sep 15, 2025 | $2,675USD | $1,750USD |
| Sep 16, 2025 to Oct 30, 2025 | $2,395USD | $1,450USD |
| Optional Extras | ||
| Single Room Supplement$950USD | ||
| Bike Rental: Trek Marlin 7 or similar$325USD | ||
| Bike Rental: Trek Checkpoint SLR5$525USD | ||
| Bike Rental: e-MTB Trek Powerfly$475USD | ||
| Bikepacking Bags: Ortlieb$95USD | ||
What’s included for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Bled or Ljubljana and after the tour in Motovun are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour, starting from Bled and ending in Motovun. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Detailed Itinerary, route instructions, reservations
- Map with marked route and stage
- GPS track
- 24/7 support services
- Triglav Park entrance
- Tourist tax
Not Included
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Flights
- Personal expenses
- Visas if required
- Gratuities for hotel or restaurant staff if desired
- Travel insurance
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Garmin GPS device rental
- Bike rental: Trek Checkpoint Gravel Bike ALR 5, 3, or AL 3
- Bike equipment: helmet, rain cover, lock, pump, spare tube, chain lubricant, repair kit
Accommodation for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels. You’ll be staying in small local hotels in beautiful towns. Enjoy convenient locations that are close to restaurants, amenities, and the trails you’ll be cycling.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of 240 EUR to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Frequently asked questions for Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure
How hard is the Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure?
We rate this tour as a 5/5. This tour is geared towards intermediate/strong riders with gravel riding experience. The daily rides are rated from moderate to challenging, and you should be prepared to ride an average of 100km per day with elevation gain. The trails are 80 percent gravel roads, with some single-track and paved sections.
Do I need a visa to travel to Slovenia?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure?
7 breakfasts are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover mountain biking. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Bled to start this tour?
Fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU).
Is the Self-Guided Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure guided?
No, this is a self-guided tour. You will be provided with all necessary information and support to complete it. If you’d prefer a guided tour, we offer the same itinerary with guide services.
Where does the Slovenia Gravel Riding Adventure end?
This tour ends in Motovun.
Are bike rentals included?
No, bike rental is not included. You can rent a bike during the booking process.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your own bike, but please notify us at the time of reservation if you would prefer this option.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Slovenia?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Slovenia?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Slovenia for this tour?
The best time to visit Slovenia for this tour is in the warmer months of May through September.
Why book with 10 Adventures?
Self-guided Specialists
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of the logistics are taken care of.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
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