The Great Gravel Loop of Slovenia & Italy
Cross borders seamlessly between Slovenia and Italy on gravel paths
Feel the rush of thrilling descents into the heart of alpine scenery
Challenge yourself on the King Stage with over 2,200 meters of elevation
Explore the alpine trails of the Julian Alps on two wheels
Pedal through Italy’s tranquil gravel roads and untouched landscapes
Master a mix of loose gravel climbs and hard-packed trails
Navigate the winding roads to Stol
Pedal through Goriška Brda's vineyards
Conquer the Sella di Somdogna Pass
Take time to visit iconic landmarks like Predjama Castle
Pedal on roads only accessible by bike
Refuel with traditional regional food
Rest in charming historic towns
Take in incredible views of the Alps
Itinerary
You will arrive in the lively capital of Slovenia, a city known for its charming architecture, green spaces, and bike-friendly atmosphere. You can spend the day exploring the city, sampling local cuisine, and relaxing before your journey.
Hotel in Ljubljana
Your adventure will begin on the renowned “Dust Lust” trail, which features a combination of smooth gravel roads and steady, manageable ascents. You will ride through Barje and climb towards Mount Krim, where panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes will reward your efforts. The trail continues through the picturesque Rakov Škocjan, known for its karst formations and lush greenery. The day will finish in Postojna, where you will have the opportunity to visit the world-famous Postojna Cave, one of Slovenia’s natural wonders.
91 km and 1450 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Postojna
Today, you’re in for a long but rewarding ride that balances gravel trails with stretches of flat terrain. The day will begin with karst gravel roads leading to the medieval Predjama Castle, an iconic structure built into the side of a cliff. You will then ascend to the Nanos Plateau, where the forgotten roads and expansive views will immerse you in solitude and beauty. As you descend into the Vipava Valley, the terrain will flatten, giving you time to enjoy riding alongside the Vipava River. The final climb of the day will bring you into Goriška Brda, a picturesque wine region known for its rolling hills and vineyard-dotted landscapes.
96 km and 1370 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Brda
You will ride along the scenic border between Slovenia and Italy, moving through the vineyard-covered hills of Goriška Brda. The ascent to Lig will test your strength, but the sweeping views of the valleys below will make every pedal stroke worthwhile. The trail will then lead you to Kobarid, a town steeped in WW1 history, where you will ride through an open-air museum and pass battlefields that tell stories of the past.
67 km and 1830 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Kobarid
Today, you will tackle one of the most stunning gravel ascents of the entire journey: Kobariški Stol. This climb will challenge your legs and lungs, but the views of the surrounding peaks and valleys will leave you breathless for more than one reason. After crossing to the other side, you will face a steady asphalt ascent that eases you into the Italian Resia commune. Here, you will ride on quiet, scenic gravel paths surrounded by untouched nature as you approach Resiutta.
66 km and 1940 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Resiutta
This is the King Stage of the journey, where you will face over 2,200 meters of elevation gain and the most technical challenges of the tour. Beginning with a gentle bike path towards Dogna, the trail will then take you through a gradual alpine ascent that will showcase the raw beauty of this mountain region. A stop at Rifugio Fratelli Grego will offer you the chance to refuel before the real test begins. You will face a steep gravel ascent to the Prašnik saddle, followed by an even more technical descent into Riofreddo and then cross over to Kranjska Gora, nestled in the Slovenian Alps.
76 km and 2200 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Kranjska Gora
After the intensity of yesterday’s stage you will enjoy a shorter and less demanding ride to recharge your energy. The day will begin on a bike path and transition to gravel trails through the meadows and plateaus of the Karawanke mountains. Some sections may require you to dismount and push your bike, adding to the varied experience of the day. You will finish the day in Bled, a town famed for its picturesque lake, castle, and island, where you can relax on the lake shores.
51 km and 1120 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Bled
The final stage will take you from the serene beauty of Bled back to the lively capital of Ljubljana. You will ride through the scenic towns of Železniki and Škofja Loka, passing traditional Slovenian villages and winding country roads. Gravel trails and smoother paths will alternate, giving you a chance to savor the last kilometers of your adventure. The journey will conclude in Ljubljana, where the vibrant city atmosphere will contrast with the natural solitude of the previous days.
84 km and 1750 m of elevation gain
Hotel in Ljubljana
Your gravel cycling adventure will come to an end as you prepare for your departure from Ljubljana. After nine days of challenging terrain, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable moments, you will leave with a sense of accomplishment and memories to last a lifetime. If necessary, we can arrange for an airport transfer to make your last day easier.
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Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
Are you ready for the once-in-a-lifetime test of endurance?
This self-guided adventure covers rugged terrain, technical ascents, and thrilling descents across two countries, combining the beauty of Slovenia‘s karst landscapes, alpine trails, and vineyard valleys with the tranquility of Italy‘s lesser-known gravel paths.
Iconic sections in Slovenia like Kobariški Stol, the Prašnik saddle, and the alpine paths of the Julian Alps demand precision and focus, while smoother gravel segments through the vineyard-lined valleys of Goriška Brda provide moments to appreciate the serene surroundings.
On the other side of the border, the Italian stages are defined by their tranquility and raw beauty, punctuated by challenging climbs and thrilling descents that demand both focus and skill.
The King Stage, which connects Resiutta in Italy to Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, showcases the best of cross-border gravel cycling. With over 2,200 meters of elevation gain, it features steep gravel climbs like Prašnik saddle and technical descents into Riofreddo, delivering a satisfying mix of grit and adrenaline.
From the first pedal stroke to the final descent, this journey offers a mix of hard-packed trails, loose gravel climbs, and breathtaking panoramas that will push your skills and endurance to the limit.
To make sure you can give your all to this cycling adventure, we’ll take care of all the logistics. From booking comfortable accommodation after a long day of pedaling to providing detailed GPS routes, local recommendations and round-the-clock support, we’ve got you covered.
All you have to do is pack your bags and get ready to feel the thrill of every climb!
Map
Start planning today!
Things to know
We offer road cycling, trekking cycling and mountain biking holidays.
Our road cycling holidays are suitable for avid road cycling enthusiasts whose endurance is high enough to withstand multiple long cycling days in a row.
Our trekking cycling holidays are suitable for anyone, as the stages are short enough for most people, and the terrain is not technical — mostly tarmac and gravel. They will still be enjoyed most by people who cycle occasionally and feel comfortable with multiple days in a row on the saddle and some moderate climbing. For those looking for more leisurely cycling holidays, we offer an e-bike option.
Our e-MTB holidays are suitable for most people comfortable on a mountain bike who are fine with some rougher gravel roads and steeper hills, made easier with electric assistance. However, the single trails MTB holidays are suitable mostly for avid mountain bikers, as they tackle technical trails and fast descents, but are very adjustable to your skills and style of riding.
On our guided tours, you will have professional local guides. Our guides will make sure that you will have expert guidance combined with great fun and a memorable experience.
We are always looking for the perfect fit for you. We use a few different accommodation providers that fit our standards but they are subjected to availability, especially in the high season. We can also adjust the holiday, keeping in mind your preferences and budget and can always find a more suitable solution for your taste.
Our tours can be adapted to any bike type, whether road, gravel, or mountain bike. We are in constant communication with you to find the optimal conditions for your cycling holidays in Slovenia.
The most versatile option is a gravel bike, even if you are coming on a road cycling holiday. It does not really affect your road performance while allowing you to take some scenic backroads that can be in a slightly worse state than the main ones. A gravel bike is usually more comfortable as well.
In any way, Slovenia is a very diverse country and there is something for every cyclist. Whichever bike you choose, we will find the perfect route for you to take on your cycling holidays.
If you are not bringing your own bike and equipment, we can certainly arrange that for you. We have a wide selection of bikes at our disposal and we will choose the ones that best fit your tour. All we need from you is your usual bike size and any other relevant information or preferences so we can make sure you will be comfortable throughout your trip.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Most of our tours run through very touristy places where accommodation is limited. Most of the great places start getting booked for summer before spring.
It really depends on the level of your restriction. Vegetarian options are fairly easy to find in Slovenia, but vegan dishes, on the other hand, are extremely hard to come by in rural areas of the country and in smaller towns. Please note that the places where we stop for lunch are often traditional and may have difficulties accommodating you outside of their standard menu. We suggest you keep this in mind.
If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!
Depending on the tour, generally late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are the best times, summer is of course also always great and some of our holidays are also possible in winter! Read more about cycling seasons in Slovenia.
Most of the tours can be done even in light rain, as long as you dress accordingly. It is not unusual in the summer that there are afternoon thunderstorms, so early starts are advisable. If the weather looks really bad, we will try to adjust the tour or skip a stage with a shuttle.
Travel dates can affect the prices.
The itinerary can always be adjusted to suit your budget better.
Self-guided
Local experts
Hassle-Free
Completely Customizable
Book with confidence
Unbeatable support
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