Slovenia Backcountry Gravel Bike Tour

The tour starts at Slovenian capital of Ljubljana.

We recommend you plan enough time to explore this vibrant city. As one of the smallest and greenest European capitals, Ljubljana is also one of the most livable cities. It’s never crowded – but also never boring. 50.000 university students give it its youthful appeal, and as an economic and cultural 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.

The day starts with a  transfer from Ljubljana to Maribor. Pohorje is a 1543 meters high natural oasis with vast forests, clearings and pastures, unspoiled waters, the largest butterfly in Europe and other precious animal species. This lush area represents the main recreational area for many locals and other Slovenians. It is especially popular among bikers.

The city of Maribor is situated at the foothills of Pohorje. Biking starts along an unpaved road towards the upper station of the Pohorje cable car. You can also shorten the stage by using a cable car from the valley.

Long and remote gravel roads take you past the Areh and Ruška koča mountain huts to Osankarica close to the natural reserve of Črno jezero (Black Lake). The first stage of this Slovenia bicycle tour comes to an end at Rogla ski center.

Paved: 15%
Unpaved: 85%

After a rather demanding first stage, the day after starts and continues in a more relaxed way. It opens with a descent below the Rogla ski resort and continues along remote gravel roads on the northern side of Pohorje massif. The trail eventually climbs past Ribniška koča hut and soon after reaches the highest peak of Pohorje, Mt. Črni vrh (1.543 m), which reveals majestic views over the surroundings. This is followed by a challenging ride across an open and scenic grass ridge gradually down to the Kope Ski center.

The descent continues along a beautiful gravel road almost to the bottom of the Mislinja River valley, ending at a picturesque farm stay close to the city of Slovenj Gradec, the unofficial center of the Slovenian Carinthia.

Paved: 5%
Unpaved: 95%

Day starts with a short and pleasant descent leaving the Pohorje massif behind. Soon after you pass by the city of Slovenj Gradec and leave the Mislinja River behind in order to climb over some remote and hilly gravel roads while the route continues towards the Drava Valley. After a short ride just above the Drava River, the route turns upwards again. The gravel bike adventure of the day ends in Jamnica, right next to the Jamnica Single Trail Park.

Paved: 50%
Unpaved: 50%

The third day of this gravel bike tour starts with a short descent from Jamnica. When you return to the valley, it is time to go underground. Biking from one valley to another through the abandoned tunnels of the Mežica mine is unforgettable (organized guided trip, optional).

The unique underground experience is nicely contrasted by the second half of the day. The route leads from Črna na Koroškem towards Mt. Raduha and eventually reaches a beautiful panoramic road high above the Logarska Valley. You might want to take a short break here and enjoy the views over the mighty peaks of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. The stage ends in the tranquil village of Podolševa.

Paved: 50%
Unpaved: 50%

Biking on day 5 carries on along the panoramic road for a while before you gently ascend to the Pavličevo sedlo mountain pass. A scenic asphalt road then crosses the Austrian border, but soon after riding across another mountain pass, Jezerski Vrh, the route comes back to the Slovenian side. The trail continues down to the high glacial valley of Jezersko. Among Slovenia cycle routes, this is one of the lesser-known ones. With its untouched nature, authentic culture, and limited numbers of tourists, the valley is a true hidden gem.

If you are eager for more biking, you should finish the day with a round trip past the crystal-clear Planšarsko Lake to the Ravenska Kočna Valley.

Paved: 65%
Unpaved: 35%

Day 6 of this Slovenia Backcountry Gravel Bike Tour is all about challenging and adventurous gravel biking in the Karavanke mountains. Taking the harder route, this stage includes biking across the pastures below Košuta, Slovenia’s longest mountain ridge. On clear days, the views from here reach all the way to the highest peak of Slovenia, Mt. Triglav, as well as the Ljubljana basin. A stop at the Kofce mountain hut is highly recommended if you want to try the best “štruklji” dumplings in the country.

In the second leg of the day, the route runs along the Tržiška Bistrica stream towards the spectacular Dovžan gorge. A visit to the gorge is almost like a journey through time since its walls hold fossilized remains from 300 million years ago. The final stop of the day is the town of Tržič.

Paved: 25%
Unpaved: 75%

On the last day, the route turns back to the hills. First, you ride past the village of Podljubelj and then climb the high slopes of Mt. Begunjščica, just to be rewarded with a delicious meal at the Preval mountain hut.

A thrilling descent with numerous incredible viewpoints awaits you in the next part of this gravel Slovenia stage. Reaching the final destination of the day, the famous Bled, it would be a shame not to visit the tiny island in the middle of the lake, explore the Bled Castle overlooking the town, and taste the famous Bled cream cake known to locals as “Kremšnita”.

Paved: 55%
Unpaved: 45%

*Note: From Bled as a tour ending point, there are numerous possibilities of extending your adventure even deeper into the Triglav National Park and Julian Alps region, visiting Pokljuka Plateau, Bohinj Lake or alpine town of Kranjska Gora with Planica and Tamar valley close by.

The tour ends with breakfast and transfer back to the tour starting point – Ljubljana.