Visiting Slovenia by bike - our must-sees and top tips

Tucked between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, Slovenia reveals itself gradually to the visitors who venture inland from it’s short coastline… there’s plenty of layers to un-peel! With both Slavic and Mediterranean influences, it’s a real gem leading away from the Mediterranean coast into the lush green mountains of the Julian Alps. You’ll find an intoxicating mix of rivers, waterfalls and deep forests, in a corner of Europe where nature still reigns supreme.

Exploring Slovenia by gravel bike is one of the best ways to discover the natural and unspoilt environment thanks to Slovenia’s long term commitment to responsible tourism. Those travelling by bike in search of space and freedom will be richly rewarded here, where the scenery seems to be straight from a fairytale. Here we take a closer look at just some of the hidden delights that you might stumble upon in this little slice of cycling heaven.

3 reasons to choose Slovenia for your next gravel adventure

Slovenia is definitely a mountain destination! You’ll find over 350 peaks more than 2000m above sea level across the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke, culminating with Mount Triglav at 2,864m. If the fresh air and pure waters of the mountains aren’t enough, here’s 3 more good reasons to come gravel riding in Slovenia for your next adventure:

Responsible tourism

Slovenia has long been at the forefront of protecting and preserving its natural landscapes and cultural heritage. The first National Park protecting Mount Triglav was created in 1961 and since then the award-winning conservation work to protect and enhance the region has continued unabated.

With over 60% of its surface area covered by forest, Slovenia is now considered one of the main green lungs of Europe. The capital Ljubljana was voted Green Capital of the EU in 2016.

Over a third of its territory is classified as a Natura 2000 area, and Slovenia is progressively restricting activities that risk damaging its natural heritage and biodiversity. Thanks to its commitment to is sustainable tourism, it’s a great place to travel by bike!

Incredible landscapes

Slovenia, and particularly the Julian Alps, offer a privileged setting for all outdoor sports enthusiasts.

In the Julian Alps you’ll find the ideal setting for almost every outdoor pursuit - rocky peaks, green pastures, alpine meadows and crystal-clear lakes… Slovenia is a real paradise on earth, where beauty blends with the raw wilderness of the landscapes. As we’ve mentioned, the incredible scenery is extremely unspoilt by the trappings of tourism, making it all the better for those in the know!

Surprising gastronomy

Thanks to the double influence of eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, Slovenia has a delicious melting-pot of dishes and specialities. There's many soups, meat dishes and stuffed cabbage, as well as delicious pastries such as Potica and Buhteljni (brioche filled with jam.)

Slovenia also produces high quality but little known wines production with a wide variety of interesting flavours. An additional facet to your trip, one which will never cease to surprise!

Cycling in Slovenia - some of our favourites

Gravel riding through the Julian Alps and Slovenia is definitely a top choice, with an incredible amount of places to explore and discover! But if you want to make the most of your trip, here are a few essential stops to include:

1. Lake Bled

With azure waters surrounding church topped islets and castles perched high on the cliffs, Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's top destinations. Expect exceptional panoramas of lake views set against a backdrop of snow-capped summits and dark moody forests. A sight worth seeing for sure, made better when seen from one of the numerous trails and paths that surround the lake. A picture-postcard Slovenia that you absolutely must visit!

2. The Soča Valley

Famous for its turquoise waters and mountain scenery, the Soča Valley is one of the most beautiful corners of Europe, and paradise for gravel cyclists by the way! The valley is crisscrossed by trails loosely following the Soca river, where you’ll narrow gorges, waterfalls and natural pools.

And on the gravel front, there’s plenty of routes along the valley, with gravel tracks winding along the river and through the forests. Don't miss the towns of Tolmin and Kobarid, both of which have a rich and relevant historical heritage from the First World War.

3. Triglav National Park

Triglav Mountain, Slovenia’s revered highest peak is a national emblem, even appearing on the National flag, and is at the heart of the National Park. It’s proudly one of the oldest Natural Parks of Europe with an extremely diverse flora and fauna. The forests of the Pokljuka Plateau at the foot of Mount Triglav are vast and mysterious, inhabited by all kinds of animals, rare flowers that only bloom at sunrise and the odd shepherd’s hut. It makes for a breathtaking sight.

4. Lake Bohinj

Less well known than Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is wilder and more peaceful and equally as heavenly! Ideal for those looking to really escape from it all to find a little haven of peace. Handily the roads around Bohinj are perfect for gravel riding too, with a combination of paths and forest trails leading to and around the lake.

5. Kranjska Gora and the Vršič Pass

As well as being a popular and renowned ski resort, Kranjska Gora is also one of Slovenia's prettiest villages. With cute houses and chalets, it's the ideal place to pause and soak up some Slovenian alpine atmosphere. You can relax and enjoy a coffee on a sunny terrace along with one of Slovenia’s delicious pastries. It's also an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains, with numerous passes including Slovenia’s highest road to the Vršič Pass. With 50 hairpins leading to the summit, spectacular views of the Julian Alps are all but guaranteed!

Along the way you’ll have plenty to distract you from your upward trajectory, including the magnificent Jasna Lake, the Russian Chapel, and the rock face of the Pagan Virgin (Ajdovska deklica), an incredible rock formation visible from the Postarski hut in Vršič.

Our 5 tips for a successful stay in Slovenia

To get the most out of your gravel trip to Slovenia, a bit of preparation will make all the difference! Here’s our 5 top tips to help make your gravel adventure everything (and more!) that you want it to be!

1. Weather and climate

With alpine influences from the north, a continental climate in the centre and Mediterranean influences on the coast, Slovenia has a fairly varied climate.

For cyclists, spring and autumn are the best times to travel to Slovenia, with mild temperatures of between 15 and 25°C and the scenery at its best.

Summer can be very hot, with the mercury often rising over 30°C, especially on the coast.

2. Drinking water

You’ll be glad to hear that tap water in Slovenia is safe to drink everywhere. Mostly coming from natural springs and underground reserves, it’s of very good quality and tastes delicious! You can happily fill your bottles everywhere, including public fountains.

Even if it's easy to replenish your water supply, make sure you have have 2 bottles so that you can stay hydrated on your rides.

3. The transport network

Slovenia has a well developed public transport network in major towns and more touristed areas, however this is not the case in more isolated areas where you’ll need to rely on pedal power.

Slovenia is a very cyclist friendly country, with a great network of quiet roads and cycle paths. These include Eurovélo 9 and 13, as well as the well-known Alpe-Adria cycle route and the Juliana Bike circuit.

You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to building a route that suits you! If you’re in need of a little inspiration, have a look at a navigation app like Strava or Komoot, where you'll find plenty of tried and tested routes!

4. Currency and language

Slovenia is part of the euro zone, so the euro is the official currency. Although credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, it is still advisable to carry some cash and change for small shops, local markets and rural areas.

As far as language is concerned, the official language is of course Slovenian, but Slovenians generally speak English very well.

5. Safety

Slovenia is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, so you can travel there almost with your eyes shut! Even so, it’s worth remaining vigilant especially in larger cities and crowded areas just in case.

Discover Slovenia by bike

Embarking on an adventure with GravelUp means choosing a tailor-made trip, guided by a team of passionate experts. From seasoned cyclists to beginners, at GravelUp, we are committed to catering to all levels of experience. Based on your ability, we explore the most beautiful gravel biking destinations in France and Europe together, offering customized adventures.

Throughout your trip, we take care of everything so you can focus on what matters: charming accommodations, tailored meals, wellness, and cultural visits. All our trips are fully guided, and we also offer premium gravel bikes for rent. All that's left for you to do is dive into the adventure—GravelUp takes care of the rest.

→ Learn more about the Slovenia Destination.
→ Contact us for a custom travel request.