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Top 5 panoramic roads on your Slovenia cycling holidays

Slovenia is full of hidden gems, unique experiences, and picturesque adventures. No one knows them better than our Visit GoodPlace experts and that’s why they’ve curated a list of activities, trails, sights, and roads that you should visit during your Slovenia cycling holidays.

At Visit Goodplace, we all love to bike. But while some team members are big fans of hard-core mountain biking, I prefer easy touring along quiet roads and scenic gravel paths. Cycling on such panoramic roads enables me to truly enjoy the incredible views offered by the dynamic landscape which makes it a perfect cycling holidays destination. Here are my top picks.– Katja Defrančeski

Parenzana old railway track

Although Parenzana railway track doesn’t include many high-altitude points, its seaside location provides for a range of magnificent views of the coast. When it was still in operation in the early 1900s, the track was used for transporting passengers, salt, olive oil, Istrian stone, wine, and other goods between Poreč and Trieste. Today it is transformed into one of my favorite paths, winding between vineyards in the hinterland of the Adriatic coast. I especially like the old train tunnels on the track, which truly take you back in time and it’ll definitely be one of the highlights of your Slovenia cycling holidays.

Tours: Istria to Adriatic

Below the Julian Alps

When you cycle from Kranjska Gora to Bled, you are in for a treat. There is a dedicated cycling path connecting these two lovely places and it is full of little bridges and of course, amazing views of the Julian Alps. This pleasant path leads to the village of Mojstrana, where it enters one of the prettiest alpine valleys in Slovenia, the Radovna River Valley. I love the part of the route when you arrive in wide green pastures scattered with a few small farms.

Tours: Bike Slovenia Green, Around TNP, Trans Slovenia 02

From mountain to vineyards

On your Slovenia cycling holidays, you shouldn’t miss this route, which is another one of my beloved cycling roads. is the one leading from the Soča Valley across the scenic Kolovrat mountain ridge all the way to the famous Goriška Brda, the wine capital of Slovenia. Along this panoramic route, you can admire panoramas in all directions. In front of you, there are the rolling hills covered in vineyards, behind you the Alps. On the left, you have the Soča Valley and on the right the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Tours: Bike Slovenia Green, Trans Slovenia 01

The Karst route

If you want to discover the Karst on your Slovenia cycling holidays, I recommend you to cycle from Komen to Lokev. Even though Karst is all about the underground caves, you will be able to observe its unique natural phenomena on the surface as well. There is something special in the combination of red soil, refreshing wind, and typical villages on hilltops that offer some lesser-known, but no less breath-taking vistas.

Tours: Trans Slovenia 01

Solčava panoramic road

The Solčava panoramic road is well-known as one of the best Slovenia cycling holiday tours. Despite that, it is never crowded. It takes you along the pearls of the natural and cultural heritage of the Solčava region, including the famous Logarska Valley. The first time I cycled on this route, I was simply taken away by the views of the mountain peaks above and pristine valleys below me. Along the panoramic road, you can also visit some excellent highland farms, where they are producing everything nature offers with a lot of love.

Tours: Trans Slovenia 03, Trans Slovenia 04

Author: Katja Defrančeski, COO

Katja has 10+ years of experience in managing projects in tourism. If you decide to book a tour with us, she will make sure that everything will work out exactly as planned. She is the energetic, organized, experienced person that every office needs. In her free time, she (surprise, surprise 🙃) enjoys cycling, especially if it is accompanied by amazing views, rich culture, and good food. Take a look at her list of the top 5 panoramic roads, which offer much more than just good Slovenia cycling holidays.

Five tips for green travelers while biking in Slovenia

Slovenia is full of hidden gems, unique experiences, and picturesque adventures. No one knows them better than our Visit GoodPlace experts and that’s why they’ve curated a list of activities, trails, sights, and roads that you should visit during biking in Slovenia.

Visiting one of the greenest destinations in the world means to travel responsibly. By following these simple tips, you can make sure to leave a positive impact. Join us and explore biking Slovenia in a sustainable way. – Jana Apih

Respect the wilderness.

Please help us to protect the delicate biotic balance of natural areas by keeping to the existing biking and hiking Slovenia trails. When you enter the territory of wild animals, be alert. Don’t attempt to feed them and keep your distance. If you are feeling romantic, please don’t stomp on the grass and pick flowers. Meadows bursting with wildflowers feed honey bees, our heroes of pollination. I also encourage you to use environmentally-friendly cosmetic products (including sunscreen), as they don’t damage fragile ecosystems.

wildlife watching bear

Take care of natural resources.

Preserve Slovenia’s pristine waters by having a quick shower instead of a bath and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth. Don’t leave lights and electronics on when you leave your room. Use air-conditioning sensibly and opt-out of daily room cleaning. If you are looking for a way to boost your immune system, I recommend you to experience the amazing benefits of an occasional cold shower which will be refreshing especially after a long biking session.

Don’t be wasteful.

During biking in Slovenia, you can drink tap water of excellent quality wherever you go, so I urge you to say goodbye to single-use plastic bottles. You can further decrease the amount of waste by packing reusable bags and avoid unnecessary plastic items such as straws. Make sure to separate your waste before depositing it at designated places. When visiting natural areas, take your rubbish with you to the next settlement. This includes cigarette buds.

Cyclist in Soca Valley

Help local communities to thrive.

Support local farmers by ordering delicious food made of seasonal ingredients. While biking in Slovenia and exploring the various beauties, you will be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of our cuisine. When searching for gifts for your loved ones at home, purchase local handicrafts instead of imported mass-produced souvenirs. I can also give you an insider tip on how to win Slovenians over – just learn a few simple Slovene words and try to use them. We absolutely love that!

Share the green frame of mind.

While biking in Slovenia, educate others to be responsible travelers. If you see someone unintentionally doing something that is detrimental to the environment or to the local people and culture, mention it in a friendly way. Remember, our actions can have a big impact on the world while we travel. Make sure it is a positive one.

Around Triglav National Park Kranjska Gora mountains view

Author: Jana Apih, sustainability expert

Jana is one of the authors of the Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism (Slovenia Green), which was declared the most efficient national scheme for the development of sustainable tourism and for which Slovenia has won a number of international awards. Jana is managing the Institute Factory of Sustainable Tourism GoodPlace. This is a leading Slovenian organization in the field of sustainable tourism. If you take advice on how to act more responsibly while biking in Slovenia, take it from her. She put down 5 tips for you.

Top hidden sights in Slovenia

Slovenia is full of hidden gems, unique experiences, and picturesque adventures. No one knows them better than our Visit GoodPlace experts and that’s why they’ve curated a list of activities, trails, sights, and roads that you should visit during your cycling in Slovenia.

You probably already know by now that Slovenia boasts numerous amazing natural and cultural attractions that can be explored during our cycling and hiking in Slovenia tours. While the most popular places such as Lake Bled, Ljubljana Castle and Postojna Cave are well-known to visitors, there are still plenty of hidden gems waiting to impress you. Here are my favourite, off-the-beaten-track sights in Slovenia, which you can admire away from the crowds.” – Teja Korošec

Peričnik Waterfall

Slovenia is rich in water sources, so waterfalls are not an uncommon sight. It is difficult to say which one is the most beautiful, as they are all unique. I simply love to observe the force of nature and feel the water droplets on my skin. Still, my favourite stop during cycling in Slovenia must be the 52-meter high Peričnik Waterfall, which can be found en route to the Vrata Valley, close to the village of Mojstrana. Its particularity lies in the fact that you can walk behind, providing for a truly incredible experience. During winter, the waterfall sometimes freezes into a remarkable ice sculpture.

Tours passing by Peričnik Waterfall: Trans Slovenia 02, Around Triglav National Park, Salzburg to Venice.

Fort Hermann

During cycling in Slovenia, I recommend everybody traveling through the upper Soča Valley to visit the remains of Fort Hermann, a fort built by the Austrians at the end of the 19th Century, which was severely damaged by the Italian artillery during WW1. Except for the locals, few people know about it, so a highly authentic experience is guaranteed. It will take you about half an hour of easy hiking to reach the fort from the valley. On the way, you will pass through a 100-meter-long illuminated stone tunnel. Exploring the fort ruins is a real adventure, but you have to be careful. I advise you to bring a flashlight.

Tours passing by Fort Hermann: Walk of Peace, Trans Slovenia 01, Around Triglav National Park

Walls of Piran

With its narrow cobbled streets, Venetian architecture, and the sunny Adriatic coast, Piran is definitely one of the most photogenic places which you can visit during cycling in Slovenia. In search of the best views, many people walk to the St. George’s Parish Church, which I have to admit is impressive in its own manner. However, what most do not know is that the medieval Walls of Piran offer an even more breath-taking panorama. This is definitely my preferred spot to watch the sunset behind the sea. The walls are open from 8 AM to dusk and the entrance only costs 2,00 EUR.

Tours passing by Walls of Piran: Istria to Adriatic, Trans Slovenia 01, Trans Slovenia 02, Trans Slovenia 04

Planšar Lake

I’m sure you have heard about the picturesque lakes of Bled and Bohinj, and maybe even about the intermittent Cerknica Lake and the magical Triglav lakes. Since it is my favourite, I believe it is time you were also introduced to the Planšar Lake in Jezersko. The little heart-shaped lake, also known as the lake of love, was actually artificially built by locals in memory of a larger glacial lake that had drained away. In my opinion, the lakeside offers one of the most stunning views over the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. As it is still under the radar for most visitors during cycling in Slovenia, I can assure you to find plenty of peace here.

Tours passing by Planšarsko Lake: Trans Slovenia 03

Škocjan Caves

When cycling in Slovenia, the underworld of Slovenian Karst is surely a must. Most tourists will visit the Postojna Cave, but I invite you to rather discover its less famous, but even more astonishing counterpart, the UNESCO-protected Škocjan Caves. This one-of-a-kind natural phenomenon will amaze you with underground galleries, halls full of giant stalactites and stalagmites, and the largest subterranean canyon in Europe. Every time I gaze into its depths, I feel like I’m in a Lord of the Rings movie.

Tours passing by Škocjan Caves: Bike Slovenia Green, TS04, TS02

Author: Teja Korošec, head of operations

Teja holds a master’s degree in tourism management. She is involved in many projects at both Visit GoodPlace and our NGO, so multitasking is her thing. She is a strong advocate of nature conservation and loves hiking. Travelling has been an important part of her life and she always seeks authentic experiences. Here is a list of her favourite sights which you can visit during cycling in Slovenia. These are for the ones who like to go off the beaten track and leave the crowds behind.

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