In only eight days, you will visit and ride in four European countries – Italy, Croatia, Austria and, of course, Slovenia. Join us for our Secluded Europe MTB tour!
Some facts about Slovenia
Due to its very small size, Slovenia might not be among the most well-known countries in Europe. Nevertheless, it is rapidly gaining recognition for its amazing landscape, rich culture, and quality food. It is located at the crossroads of colorful landscapes as a neighbor to Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. As it is also a very safe destination to travel to, it presents a perfect getaway for mountain bikers. Slovenian trails are perfect for enduro and all mountain biking, but will also bring joy to all XC riders out there. Therefore, covered in secret trails that will satisfy everyone, from beginners to experts, Slovenia will bring you constant satisfaction in an incredible scenery! Easy to say, there is no other destination where you can see and do as much, in such a short period of time, as in Slovenia!
Highlights of the tour
Start the journey in the beautiful Italian city of Trieste with a delicious dinner. Next days, ride the flowy trails in the coastal region and more technical ones in the Julian Alps. Cool down after a ride in the incredible Soča river or jump into Lake Bled. Also, enjoy the views of the vineyards reminiscent of the Italian Tuscany one day and hang by the beautiful mountain lakes the other. A tasty meal and a cozy room await you at the end of every day. All you need to do is put your mind at ease and enjoy the experience under the professional guidance of our staff.
Total around 120 miles whole trip.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Venice airport (Italy) | ||||||||||
DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive by 12:00 noon for a prompt departure at 1:00 PM | ||||||||||
RETURN TIME | Approximately 12:00 noon | ||||||||||
WEAR | Comfortable bike and athletic clothing, sports shoes (biking shoes), jacket and sunscreen | ||||||||||
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Day 1: Arrival to Venice airport
Upon arrival to the Venice airport, you will meet the Bike Hike Tours representative and drive to Trieste, an Italian coastal town on the border with Slovenia. Your accommodation here will be a comfortable boutique hotel. After checking in, our guides will run a short briefing, so you will know exactly what to expect in the days to follow. Then, we will go for a short stroll around the city center and have a dinner in a local Italian restaurant with traditional Mediterranean dishes. Our first day will be a relaxing one to help you adjust to the time zone.
Day 2: Riding in Italy
After breakfast, a short transfer will take us just outside of Trieste. Our guides can help set up the bikes. Next, we will pedal our way to the starting point of the 3 Camini enduro trail. We know how tiresome a day of traveling can be, so we planned the first day of riding on the flowy natural trails that will be perfect to get you ready for the days to come. Later in the evening, we will move towards Goriška Brda. This is one of the most famous wine regions in Slovenia, known for its exquisite wine and food. We will be staying in one of the many small hotels in the region, overlooking the beautiful countryside.
Day 3: An overnighter in Croatia
While the wine region alone could keep us occupied for few days, there is a lot more to see on this trip. We will set our compasses south again. About an hour and a half long transfer will get us to the small picturesque town in the center of Croatian Istria. Grožnjan is famous for its network of awesome trails while it also hosts one of the best enduro races in the area. The trails are surrounded by olive and pine trees and will keep you smiling throughout the whole day.
Day 4: Escape the city life
After a delicious breakfast, it will be time to head back to Slovenia and visit the world-famous Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. A short transfer and an easy start of the day will be just perfect for regenerating after the first two days in the saddle. We will get to Ljubljana by the early afternoon and have plenty of time to explore the local trails, located just a pedal stroke away from the city center. The trails are extremely well maintained by the volunteers and you will see mountain bikers of all ages and styles riding them. After riding, we will have some time to explore the city center and visit the best cafeteria in the town. Today’s ride will be rewarded with a tasty dinner in a small restaurant with a great selection of local wines.
Day 5: A day in the bike park
It is time to head for the mountains! We will leave Ljubljana after breakfast and drive towards Krvavec ski resort, where the longest flow trail in the country awaits us. We will not have to do any climbing today; instead, the cable car will take care of that! After a couple of hours in the bike park, we will have just enough energy to squeeze in a short trip to Lake Bled; a “must see” when visiting Slovenia. There, you can taste the famous Bled cake or take a refreshing swim before we proceed to Kranjska Gora, where we will be accommodated for the next two days.
Day 6: Across the border, again and again
This is the only time on this trip that we will be staying in the same accommodation for two nights in a row. You will be able to get a better rest and only think about biking. Our hotel is perfectly stationed at the base of Tromeja (“Tri-border”), a 1508m high mountain with its top based in three countries: Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. We will ride in all three of them and enjoy the typical natural trails on our way down. Prepare yourself for some spectacular views!
Day 7: The longest single trail and an evening to remember
We saved the very best for our final day in the saddle. Vršič pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and its top lays at the elevation of 1611m. Luckily for us, we will drive instead of ride it. After a short stop at the top of the pass, we will continue our way towards Bovec. The road follows the trail of emerald Soča river, a white-water enthusiasts’ paradise. We will unload our bikes at the base of Kobariški Stol. One of the most beautiful mountain top views is a real reward while riding our way to the top. The nicest single track in the area takes us back down to the valley. The WWI has heavily affected this area and our guides will gladly tell you more about it. Just a quick fact; the single track that we are going to ride was built by the soldiers in the WWI. After we get back to the valley, you can spend a couple of hours exploring the area or even do some white-water activities like rafting or canyoning. If you feel energetic enough, ask our guides and they will help accommodate all of your wishes. We will finish with a spectacular dinner to end the amazing trip in style.
Day 8: Return home or additional three days in Austria or Venice-Italy
If you wish to visit the famous Italian city Venice, which is known for its labyrinth of canals, bridges and spectacular architecture or take a look of Vienna (Austria) let us know at the time of the booking.