Trans Slovenia – from the mountains to the sea with a bike

Julian Alps and Adriatic sea have always attracted us with their unique beauty, but now we have the opportunity to experience both on a mountain bike and start with a truly magnificent adventure. Trans Slovenia begins in Kranjska Gora, a popular mountain and tourist center, best known for alpine skiing. From there, we will climb over the picturesque alpine pass Vršič and then go down the valley of the emerald river Soča, which will take us all the way to the Slovenian 'Tuscany' - the beautiful Goriška Brda. The route will also lead us through the Karst, which is famous for its excellent wine and prosciutto, all the way to the magical Izola, a charming Adriatic fishing town.

Join this unforgettable mountain bike adventure - the mountains, the sea and all the beauties of Slovenia await you on a mountain bike!

Five unforgettable mountain biking stages on Trans Slovenia will take us from the heart of the Julian Alps, more precisely from the mountain-adventure center of Kranjska Gora, all the way to the Adriatic Sea in the town of Izola. Izola, which once stood on an island, is today connected to the mainland. On the last day of cycling, we will not have to return home immediately but will be able to enjoy the evening pulse of this picturesque coastal town.

Between individual stages, we will experience the beauty of western Slovenia, its historical wealth, including the Soča Front that was active during the First Wold War, superb cuisine, and friendly locals. We will enjoy top cycling trails, carts, and mule tracks, where we will mostly bike alone. Along the way, we will be accompanied by the highest road pass in Slovenia - Vršič, the emerald valley of the Soča river, the westernmost Slovenian village of Robidišče, Venetian Slovenia with the town of Cividale, the wine-growing Goriška Brda with its excellent wines and cuisine, and the pristine Karst with the famous Teran wine. At the end, we will be greeted by a magnificent view of the Slovenian coast.

DURATION

DAY 1:  Meeting in Kranjska Gora

Arrival in Kranjska Gora and accommodation in a hotel or guesthouse until approx. 4:00 p.m. From about 5:00 p.m., inspection and adjustment of equipment, bikes, and an overview of the entire tour. This will be followed by dinner.

DAY 2: Kranjska Gora (810 m) - Vršič  (1710 m) - Bovec (455 m)

From Kranjska Gora, we will take the asphalt road towards the Vršič mountain pass (1611 m) to Tonka's hut, and from there on the mule track to the top of the old Vršič pass (1710 m), where we will be greeted by wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. This will be followed by a descent into the Soča valley to the village of Trenta, where we will see the Center of the Triglav National Park. Next, we will have an exceptional cycling trip along the emerald river Soča, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe and boasts an endemic fish species — the Soča trout. The Small and Great beds of this river are the two biggest attractions along the way, which the Soča carved out on its way to the Adriatic Sea.

Dirt roads and carts will lead us all the way to Bovec, which is considered one of the best outdoor centers in Slovenia, known mainly for its water and mountain bike adventures and zipline.

• Trip duration: 7 - 8 h
• Length: 63 km
• Highest point 1710 m
• Height difference: 1310 vm
• Descent: 1500 m

DAY 3: Bovec (455 m)  -  Kobariški Stol (1410 m ) - Breginj (650 m) - Kobarid (200 m)

We start the day in picturesque Bovec (455 m), where the climb to Kobariški Stol (1410 m) tests endurance, but rewards with breathtaking views of the Julian Alps, Soča and the wider valley. After the ascent, there is a technically demanding and adrenaline - filled descent towards Breginj, an ancient village where the natural and cultural heritage of Venetian Slovenia meet. The path then leads through green forests and pastures down to emerald Nadiža river  towards Kobarid town (200 m). The day will be the perfect combination of physical challenge, natural beauty and historical pulse.

• Trip duration: 7 - 9 h
• Length: 45 km
• Highest point 1410 m
• Height difference: 1250 m
• Descent: 1480 m

DAY 4: Kobarid (200 m) - Robidišče (655 m) - Monte Klabuk (973 m) - Monte Mladesiena (711 m) - Čedad (135 m) - Korada (812 m) - Snežatno (165 m)

Day will be started with shuttle to the picturesque village of Robidišče (655 m), which charms everyone with its stone houses, we continue in the middle of Venetian Slovenia to the top of Monte Klabuk (973 m), from where a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and valleys opens up. This is followed by a descent along natural trails towards Monte Mladesiena (711 m), which presents us with beautiful ridges and the tranquility of nature. The descent along the hardened Machette trail to the village of Špieter will not leave anyone indifferent. The route then takes us to the historic town of Čedad (135 m), where we can admire the rich cultural heritage. After a short stop, we continue towards Korada mountain (812 m), a peak that offers a view of the green river Soča. We end the day in the pleasant village of Snežatno (165 m) in the Goriške Brda at the Stekar homestead, where we can relax, enjoy mountain cuisine in the pool and a great view.

• Trip duration: 8 - 9 h
• Length: 53 km
• Highest point: 973 m
• Height difference: 1275 m
• Descent: 1720 m

DAN 5: Snežatno (165 m) - Sabotin (609 m) - Trstelj (643 m) - Komen (273 m) - Tomaj (362 m)

We leave Snežatno (165 m), from where we climb to the scenic Sabotin (609 m), where we are captivated by the magnificent view of the river Soča and the picturesque Goriška Brda, and where the Soška fortress was a strategic point. We descend to Solkan, cross the emerald river Soča and are already in Nova Gorica. We continue to the charming Vipava village of Renče, and from here steeply up and along the ridge to the mighty Trstelj (643 m), the highest peak of the Slovenian Karst, which offers a stunning view of the Trieste Bay and the vast Karst plateau. We descend towards the characteristic karst settlement of Komen (273 m), where we are greeted by stone houses and karst nature. We will finish the tour in the picturesque Tomaj, the birthplace of the poet Srečko Kosovel (362 m), and which the village is also known for its rich vineyards and teran.

• Trip duration: 8 - 9 h
• Length: 56 km
• Highest point: 643 m
• Height difference: 1280 m
• Descent: 1120 m

DAY 6: Tomaj (362 m) - Kokoška (674 m) - Beka (420 m) - Mačkolje (105 m) - Tinjan (374 m) Dekani (76 m) - Izola (10 m)

On this last stage of cycling through Trans Slovenia, the pinnacle of the coastal adventure, full of picturesque views and natural wonders, awaits us. From the charming Tomaj, home of the poet Srečko Kosovel, who also wrote a poem about the Soča River, we will climb across the karst landscape to the Kokoška hill (674 m), which lies on the border with Italy. After an enjoyable descent, the route winds through the peaceful village of Beka, where we will enter the nature reserve of the Glinščica valley. The route will take us through vineyards and olive groves to Mačkolje (105 m), where we will feel the touch of the Mediterranean. This will be followed by a climb towards Tinjan (374 m), where the views of the Adriatic and the valley stir our imagination. This will be followed by another enjoyable descent towards the Dekani, where we will slowly meet the Slovenian coast and along the fragrant vineyards along the former route of the Parenzana narrow - gauge railway, our adventure will end in beautiful Izola town, which was once an island and where we will be able to experience the evening summer pulse of this charming town.

• Trip duration: 8 - 9 h
• Length: 58 km
• Highest point: 674 m
• Height difference 1040 m
• Descent: 1400 m

DAY 7: Transfer Izola (10 m) -  Kranjska Gora (810 m)

After breakfast, the van will pick us up at the accommodation in Izola and take us back to Kranjska Gora via Ljubljana.

As the tour is long and strenuous, the use of full - suspension bikes or e - bikes is strongly recommended.

You travel with light backpacks on the tour, and all luggage is transported to the next accommodation in the afternoon.

The day before the tour, you organize the accommodation yourself.