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The Great Gravel Loop of Slovenia & Italy

Feel the thrill of gravel climbs, alpine descents, and vineyard valleys on a self-guided cross-border adventure through Slovenia and Italy’s hidden paths.
Starting point
Ljubljana
Finish point
Ljubljana
Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Season
May - September
Price
From: 1,795€/person
Difficulty
Challenging
For avid cyclists, used to long consecutive days with steep ascents and/or tougher terrain

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

road to stol

Navigate the winding roads to Stol

cyclist in vineyard

Pedal through Goriška Brda's vineyards

Sella di Somdogna Pass

Conquer the Sella di Somdogna Pass

predjama castle

Take time to visit iconic landmarks like Predjama Castle

cow on way to stol

Pedal on roads only accessible by bike

jota

Refuel with traditional regional food

historic town of škofja loka

Rest in charming historic towns

passo somdogna

Take in incredible views of the Alps

road to stol
cyclist in vineyard
Sella di Somdogna Pass
predjama castle
cow on way to stol
jota
historic town of škofja loka
passo somdogna

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Self guided

Included in price

Accommodation with breakfast as per itinerary
Digital guidebook with detailed itinerary and route instructions
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organisation
Service and support during your tour
Luggage transfers
Tourist tax

Optional Extras

Bike rental
Single supplement
Airport transfer
Extra days
From:
1,795€
/person

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 trailsloose 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!

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Things to know

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Jenny Wright
Verified Customer
Our one week tour of Slovenia with these 3 young local guides surpassed all expectations! We travelled from Bled through the Sovenian Alps all the way to to coastal seaside Piran, through villages , on backroads ….it felt like riding through a story book….a delightful surprise around every turn . Our guides took care of our every need: charming accommodations, snacks every day at fantastic off beat locations, mid-ride. We covered 250 km over 5 riding days. The one day we were rained out, they quickly pivoted, and we were able to visit a wonderful historical national museum, which informed us so much in terms of the history in the Soča valley…So the day became not a write off but an educational experience! It was quite special to know the history of the Soča valley as we journeyed through the region, seeing the incredible geographical diversity of this beautiful country on excellent quality e-bikes. Highly recommend! Trip of a lifetime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Chris Pyne
Verified Customer
First class company with a well planned route, great accommodation and simply outstanding support in time of trouble. We did a two week ride from Bled to Pula in September 2023. Fair to say we hit a lot of problems courtesy of BA with rescheduled and diverted flights, lost bags, problems with our own bikes, returning rental bikes and more. Daja was simply amazing in helping us sort all of them out and was so accessible at all hours. She even managed to source and buy a forgotten Thru-axle and deliver it personally to our hotel, which is far and above any service i would reasonably expect. Thank you !! Our accommodation was fantastic and far better than expected in all but one location. The route planning in Slovenia was great but due to our decision to bring road bikes from the UK and the nature of the roads in Croatia, our second week was a bit tricky route wise and it would have been good to have had a discussion about this section beforehand. A Gravel bike is far better suited to Croatia although this was our decision to bring road bikes. Transport arrangement and logistics were flawless. Overall, i would change very little and we will definitely be returning to Slovenia. Daja was fantastic and I absolutely recommend Slovenia Cycling Holidays and will be using their services again.
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Filip Vercruysse
Verified Customer
Top Company, Top Tour ! We did the 7 days tour (from Alps to Adriatic), from Bled to Piran in august 2024 ! It was the best tour made in years. Amazing landscapes and nature, great accommodations and food and perfectly organised. Daja did really a perfect job ! she was allways available for questions or suggestions ! I would recommend this tour to everyone.
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Karen
Verified Customer
Had a ball! We rode from Ljubljana to Bled via the mountains - 5 days/4 nights. Daja did a great job communicating with us and ironing out any hitches as soon as they were identified. E-Bikes were great (and v necessary!), accomm was great and the scenery was extraordinary! Being less fit, I wished I had opted for a days’ break at Lake Bohinj. My legs and butt would have appreciated it. Can’t wait to return and do another riding tour with this company!
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ACP2527
Verified Customer
G’day Klem, Back in Australia and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. You guys did a wonderful job. The whole experience was first class. The bikes were excellent. The route was fun and well mapped using the app. The hotels were excellent. The hotel staff, outstanding. The food and wine truly memorable. I cannot recommend you guy’s highly enough. Our impressions of Slovenia as an outstanding destination, of beautiful scenery and friendly people will be passed onto all our friends. Thank you so much for a great holiday!
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Diane Flynn
Verified Customer
We had a wonderful cycling trip, starting in Trieste, then onto Slovenia and Croatia. Before the trip, Klemen was extremely patient with our many questions and addressed our concerns very satisfactorily- even changing the original bike route to meet our needs. The bikes we used ( e-bikes) were in great condition, and easy to use. The hotels were very satisfactory- and included big breakfasts to start our days. The towns we visited were charming. All in all- a first class experience!!

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations; You enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.

Local experts

Our professional cycling guides know the local terrain and are trained to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity both safe and enjoyable.

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree holiday.

Completely Customizable

Flexibility is our middle name — whether you want more or less, or just beyond ordinary, we’ll make it happen.

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

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Experience the diverse landscapes of Slovenia on a bicycle with Slovenia Cycling Holidays, an up-and-coming incoming travel agency.
Portfolio company of World Discovery.