Trans Slovenia 04: Mountain bike Top Single Trails Tour

The Trans Slovenia 04 tour sets off in the Single Trail Park Jamnica. Time permitting, the first day is devoted to single trails – both Single Trail Park Jamnica and Bikepark Petzen invites with high-quality MTB trails running through forests and over meadows of the northeastern part of Karavanke. The most enthusiastic bikers can try out the 10-kilometre fun-packed Petzen Flow Trail, one of the longest of its kind in Europe.

In 2018, the Petzen and Jamnica hosted the Enduro World Series event, where bikers experienced some of the longest stages in EWS history.

The technical description of the stage only covers the route from Bleiburg to Jamnica without the Single Trail Park and Flow Trail.

Gravel: 15%
Asphalt: 85%
Optional: Flow Trail Petzen

The second day of this Trans Slovenia bike trip continues with some fun single trails in the Jamnica Single Trail Park. 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 a very special experience. 

The underground ride 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. 

Gravel: 50%
Asphalt: 45%
Single trail: 5%
Optional: Single Trail Park Jamnica, Flow Trail Petzen

On the next day, you are greeted by the mighty walls of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. When completing the panoramic road, you descend towards the Savinja Valley, where the next challenge is waiting. The uphill ride to the large pasture plateau of Velika Planina is, however, truly rewarding. Velika Planina is home to one of Europe’s few surviving high mountain herdsmen villages where traditional Alpine herdsmen’s culture is still cultivated. This scenic high-mountain plateau is a hiking paradise for families, photographers, and those who seek a relaxing day out in unspoiled nature.

From the green pastures, a long descent leads to Kamnik, which boasts the prettiest medieval old town in the country. 

Gravel: 25%
Asphalt: 60%
Single trail: 15%

The epic Trans Slovenia cycle route continues. If you expect the MTB character of the tour to be put on pause when you approach the capital city of Ljubljana, you are mistaken. In fact, endless interweaving trails lead across the hills surrounding Ljubljana directly into the city center. Welcome to the only European capital with direct access to some of the best MTB trails in the country. 

Ljubljana is one of the smallest capitals of Europe, but it’s huge in terms of the variety of what you can do, see and taste. 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. The city center has long ago banished cars to make room for more outdoor cafes and restaurants, cultural events, open-air markets, and of course, bike lanes. 

Gravel: 30%
Asphalt: 40%
Single trail: 30%

Day 5 of biking in Slovenia starts with a ride across the UNESCO-listed Ljubljana Marshes, a protected area of natural wetlands and peat bogs, which is important due to its rare animal and plant species and the remains of prehistoric pile dwellings. 

The stage continues with an ascent to Mt. Krim, one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Ljubljana basin. A gentle descent then leads to the village of Rakitna, which is embraced by lush spruce forests and is known for its healthful climate.

The second part of the day is characterized by a scenic ride along the intermittent Lake Cerknica. The lake appears every year for several months before completely disappearing during the dry season. When the lake bed is full, it becomes the largest lake in Slovenia. The final stop of the day is located just above the entrance to the world-famous Postojna Cave, a visit which is highly recommended.  

Gravel: 30%
Asphalt: 60%
Single trail: 10%

On the following day of the Slovenia cycling holidays, the route turns towards the seaside. A moderate climb to Vremščica is rewarded by ample views of the Julian Alps, Dolomites, and Mt. Nanos. 

A thrilling downhill trail runs across the southern slopes of Vremščica right into the heart of the Slovenian Karst, a region known for numerous caves, vineyards, small secluded villages, and friendly locals. MTB Slovenia carries on along the stony landscape, eventually reaching the stunning underground world of the Škocjan Caves. Due to their exceptional significance, these caves were put on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites as early as 1986. 

The mountain bike adventure of the day ends in Divača, where you can relax and enjoy the serene landscape, abundant flora, various karstic wonders, and mouth-watering culinary delights.

Gravel: 45%
Asphalt: 35%
Single trail: 20%

The last stage of the Trans Slovenia mountain bike trip says farewell to the dry lands of Karst and takes you all the way to the Adriatic Sea. The first stop of the day is the medieval Socerb castle, which proudly overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. Next, you ride down to Osp, one of the oldest villages in Slovenia, which was first mentioned back in 1067. 

The trail soon descends to the sea level and you arrive at the city of Koper, situated at Slovenia’s 47-kilometer coastline. From here on, you follow the Parenzana railway track, a now-defunct narrow gauge railway that connected Triste and Poreč at the beginning of the 20th century. After passing through a few tunnels, the route eventually reaches the city of Piran, which is, according to Lonely Planet, a small slice of Venice in Slovenia. Its old town, full of Venetian Gothic architecture, is known as one of the best-preserved historical towns on the Adriatic. For the best sunset views, climb the city walls.

Gravel: 40%
Asphalt: 50%
Single trail: 10%

The Trans Slovenia 04 mountain bike tour ends in Piran. After breakfast, a transfer is organized to the tour starting point.