Bike Slovenia Green: Alpine Wellness Bike Tour

The Bike Slovenia Green Wellness cycling holiday starts with an overnight stay in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, situated in the heart of Slovenia.

Get to know the bike-able or walkable capital of Ljubljana by taking a stroll or ride along the Ljubljanica River, which runs through the city. Ljubljana has a wonderful atmosphere with a relaxed feel, reminiscent of the Mediterranean.

If you visit the city on a Friday, you’ll be able to see chefs from some of the country’s best restaurants demonstrating their skills and dishes at Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen). Travelers who are looking to relax while mingling and enjoying the scenery will also love the abundance of outdoor cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops, especially near the banks of the Ljubljanica.

From Slovenia’s main city, you will head around 30 kilometers north to the outdoor paradise of Kamnik, a Green (Gold) destination. The Slovenia bike route is comfortable, as you’re cycling along mostly flat, paved paths close to the main roads, with some spectacular views of the Kamnik Alps on your left.

Nestled among the foothills of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Kamnik is enclosed by Kamniška Bistrica Valley and Tuhinj Valley, while also neighboring the famous Logar Valley. This settlement can keep any visitor enchanted for weeks on end, whether you’re into hiking, climbing, visiting the medieval town, or taking a beer tour. 

After a relaxed cycling day, if you still have some energy to spare, you may pedal to the Velika Planina cable car and take a scenic ride up to the plateau. If you prefer to unwind, you can visit the indoor and outdoor pools at Terme Snovik (further away) or the nearby Healing Resort Tunjice for some immune boosters like Infrared or Cocoon therapy and herbal massages.

There is a hidden and charming valley, connecting central Slovenia with its eastern part. One of the best possibilities to bike from medieval Kamnik to the Savinja Valley
is choosing the route through Tuhinj Valley. Full of pleasant, well-maintained villages, meadows, and open views, it’s definitely the place, which will provide you with a nice stage.

The road crosses a short narrow part of the valley in the beginning, but soon the landscape widens. On the north (left) side, the densely forested Menina Plateau closes the horizon. Its freshness can also be felt in its foothills – in the pleasant
setting and water paradise of Snovik Spa.

After crossing the highest point of the valley, Kozjak Pass, there are just a few more kilometers of downhill and flat ride to Vransko – the gate to Savinja Valley, the homeland of Slovenian hop production and a place of rich cultural heritage, which
you will explore tomorrow.

Choosing the harder alternative, prepare for a challenging and steep climb (asphalt and partially gravel), where the route first takes you from Spitalič high up and over the Slopi pass to the eastern part of Menina (steep, gravel descent, ride with
caution), past some alpine farmhouses and through forests on your way. After the much shorter, asphalt climb to the Lipa pass, the pleasant asphalt descent to Vransko follows.

As it’s often the case in Slovenia, a relatively short stage surprises you with many interesting things. In the beginning, you will cross the Savinja
Valley, then it will take you over some hills close to the city of Velenje, and finally bring you to Dobrna Spa.

Choosing the classic, northern alternative, immediately east of Vransko a fairytale forest road will take you to Žovnek Castle and Lake, the cradle of the Counts of Celje – the most influential royal family in Slovenian history. The border between the Alps and the edge of the Pannonian part of Europe is very clear – large forests on one side and hops plantations, which support Slovenian beer production, on the other.

Taking a bit harder, southern alternative, you will warm up with a hilly ride, which will offer you amazing views over the hop plantations and nice villages of the Savinja Valley. In the background, the easternmost peaks of the Slovenian Alps loom
over the horizon. Over the wild Savinja River, you will soon reach Šempeter with its Roman necropolis – one of the most important Roman sites in Slovenia.

A couple of kilometers further, the two alternatives merge close to the hidden Pekel Cave. It’s one of the few in this part of cave-rich Slovenia, but definitely much more beautiful than its name would suggest (‘pekel’ means ‘hell’ in Slovenian).

Visiting Velenje would require a short
detour, but it’s worth doing it. Apart from the modern town, built after WW2, there is a medieval castle with a mining museum to visit, and the refreshment in the Velenje Lake – artificially formed above the underground mines – is just a few pedal strokes away.

Later that day, the tour is headed to Vinska Gora, and it includes several shorter (and partly steep) climbs with a final descent towards the Dobrna area. We can’t think of a better place to reward yourself after a successful day than Terme Dobrna. The thermal spring found here was mentioned for the first time in 1403. There are
spa suites, thermal baths, saunas, pools, and wonderful restaurants — all perfect for relaxing your mind and body.

The cycling route from Dobrna to Socka and the Hudinja Valley is fairly easy. Upon reaching Vitanje, science, and VR enthusiasts can take a look at the different space exhibitions or enjoy the flight simulator at the Noordung Center of Space Technologies. The route then leaves the main road and heads over dynamic, backcountry roads with a gentle descent in the direction of Loška Gora and on to Zreče. 

Rolling hills are a dominant feature in this area’s countryside, well-known for its great skiing, especially at the Rogla Ski Resort and in the Pohorje Mountains. Anyone lucky enough to cycle here will be rewarded with a nice sight of ever-changing scenery and the ethereal beauty of nature. Riders on this Slovenia cycling tour will also be rewarded with wine, fine dining, farms, and endless wellness options.

You can unwind at Terme Zreče with a spa service to cap off the day. The complex includes a health care center, a sauna village, a fitness studio, and thermal swimming pools.

Today the Wellness cycling route continues to Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city, filled with culture, wellness, and history. This first, slightly longer and thus more difficult stage, provides two cycling options: an easier one that follows main and partly local roads, and if you’re looking for a challenge, you can extend this stage by taking a more adventurous and remote road that flows through the stunning wine-growing hills.

Passing by the oasis of unspoiled nature at The Rački Ribniki – Požeg Nature Park, riders can take the opportunity to learn about different plants and animals. Enjoy the 8 different-sized ponds and the peacefulness of their surroundings, before heading to the city.  

In Maribor — a city with Slovenia Green Bronze certification — wellness enthusiasts will love the fabulous Terme Maribor located right underneath Pohorje, in Hotel Habakuk. 

Those looking for a night out in the city can visit the city center, which is just 6 kilometers away. The cable car that will take you to Pohorje is only a few steps away if you would rather remain in the midst of lovely nature and enjoy the breathtaking view of Maribor. 

After a night in Maribor, it’s time for this Slovenia cycling tour to visit the countryside again. From underneath Pohorje, you’ll descend for a mostly flat city ride all the way to Lent — a popular spot by the river Drava. Continue along the smooth asphalt and gravel stretches on the Drava Cycling Route, which makes the city of Maribor particularly accessible because the bikeway provides immediate access to many attractions. 

Here, you can benefit from another wellness practice. The world’s oldest vine, which has its own House and Museum and allows visitors to sample its fruits, offers the oldest form of human medicine. This vine, which is more than four centuries old, is of the Žametovka variety and is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

After exploring the city’s gastronomic and historical highlights, the cycling journey continues downstream alongside the river to Malečnik. The first ascent takes you over the scenic Vodole, where wine enthusiasts can make a short stop at the Wine Fountain. However, keep in mind that you still have more climbing to do before you empty the fountain. 

The descent to Lake Pernica is followed by a diverse continuation along the outskirts of Slovenske gorice. You’ll have to push the pedals on a few steep up-and-down slopes (quite demanding), to reach the charming village of Zavrh. Take a break here to climb up the Maister Viewing Tower and take in the excellent view of Pohorje, Kozjak, Boč, Donačka gora, neighboring Croatia, Austria, and even the Hungarian plains. While here, make sure to visit the Maister Museum and the cafe across the street. 

As you continue along the Slovenia cycling route to Sv. Trojica, you pass right by the picturesque Gradiško Lake. The pilgrimage church of the Holy Trinity makes for a unique backdrop to the lake, which is otherwise known for healing locations scattered on the hillside under the church.

After pedaling down quiet roads and paths, you’ll finish the day with a moderate ascent to Cogetinci. Make sure to relax with great local food and wine as the day comes to a close. 

Today you’ll enjoy this sun-drenched landscape while cycling on the flatter roads of Slovenia. After a short hilly section at the beginning, this Slovenia bike route takes you deep into the heart of the incredible Pomurje Region. Because of its many springs, this far northeastern corner is sometimes referred to as the Thermal Pannonian Slovenia.

After crossing the Mura River, the route will head just over and past the capital and main town of the region, Murska Sobota. Following that, you’ll visit one of Slovenia’s best spas in Moravske Toplice – a Slovenian Green “Gold” town. 

Terme 3000, which has both the largest and one of the best-equipped facilities in the country, will spoil you with a vast array of health, wellness, accommodation, and gourmet offers.

The nearby Terme Vivat has another treat in store. This resort has a complex of outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a “world of saunas,” a Thai massage salon, and a medical center to help you finish this Slovenia cycling tour feeling relaxed and renewed.

The cycling tour ends with breakfast in Moravci. After that, a transfer is organized to the tour’s starting point. You will reach Ljubljana by noon; please plan your departure accordingly.

Those wishing to extend their Wellness Route for another 7 scenic cycling days, can check out our Bike Slovenia Green: Wellness and Wine Country Bike Tour.