Bike Slovenia Green: Capitals Escape

Bike Slovenia Green: Capitals Escape cycling tour starts with an overnight stay in one of the smallest and greenest European capitals, the charming city of Ljubljana. It’s never crowded – but also never boring. 50.000 university students give it its youthful appeal, and as an economic and urban hub of Slovenia, it has a lot to offer to locals and visitors alike. Car traffic is restricted in the center, leaving the leafy banks of the Ljubljanica river free for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Make sure to arrive in Ljubljana early enough to discover some of its gems. We strongly recommend you stroll around the old town, pose next to a dragon on the Dragon Bridge and visit the Central Market, where local vendors offer fresh-baked goods, vegetables, cheeses, nuts, honey and more. You can even rent a SUP board and discover the city from the river perspective. Follow the example of locals and gaze into the sunset from the majestic Ljubljana Castle before heading back down for a delicious dinner in one of the numerous high-quality restaurants. 

As the European Green Capital 2016 and the first destination to receive the Slovenia Green label, Ljubljana serves as an example to all who wish to organize life in a city that is friendly to nature, its residents, and visitors. The city’s numerous green areas invite you to relax and enjoy life.

It is time to head into the wilderness! The journey continues to the south of Slovenia, towards the Slovenian capital of nature and another Slovenia Green Gold destination, the Kočevsko Region. The first stopping point of the day is the Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park, a swampy world boasting rich biodiversity, where pile-dwellers built their innovative settlements some 5,000 years ago. Cycling forward, urban life slowly slides back into nature, asphalt roads are replaced by forest paths, and high-rise buildings disappear into a forested landscape.

Pleasant cycling routes lead all the way to Kočevsko, known for one of the highest forest densities in Europe, which amounts to over 90 %. You will even cycle in the vicinity of the UNESCO-protected Krokar primeval forest. All three large carnivores – the brown bear, the lynx and the wolf – still live in these pristine woods and with a little help of local experts we can quickly recognize their traces. Observing bears in their natural environment from a special hideout is a one-in-a-lifetime experience that any nature lover should not miss. An evening bear-watching adventure can be organized upon request.

After experiencing the wilderness of Kočevsko, the route turns towards the Slovenian capital of culture. Bela krajina has been a point where many different nations and cultures met over the course of history. The harmony of five ethnic groups and three religions created a unique array of language, folklore, costume and even architectural heritage. This proud Slovenia Green Gold destination consists of three municipalities – Semič, Črnomelj and Metlika. 

The second stage of the tour is all about scenic cycling along the warm Kolpa river. On the way, there are plentiful opportunities to taste some yummy local delicacies and meet welcoming locals. The dynamic landscape is strewn with sunny vineyards that provide premium quality wines. Among these, Metliška Črnina and Belokranjec are classified as Protected Designation of Origin. Visit typical small villages and briefly change your bicycle for a canoe to truly feel the heartbeat of Bela krajina.

An overnight stay is organized in the peaceful countryside of Bela Krajina before you gather all of the wonderful new impressions and return home.

The Bike Slovenia Green: Capitals Escape cycling tour ends with breakfast in Metlika. After breakfast, a shuttle transfer is organized back to Ljubljana.