The trail

The Slovenian Alps are divided into three ranges — the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke – and each has its own unique character. On the first day, you will experience two of these ranges, starting with the Karavanke before heading to Triglav National Park.

The Karavanke is a 120km mountain range that divides Slovenia and Austria. It is an area full of natural wonders where high peaks provide spectacular views across Slovenia and Austrian Carinthia. Whether you are seeking peace and quiet or an adrenaline-filled mountain bike adventure, you will find both here. We will ride the shaded forest trails and scenic mountain pastures beneath Košuta, Slovenia’s longest mountain, and Begunjščica, an elongated mountain range with several high peaks (Dom na Kofcha, Bistrika Planina, Planina Preval) that provide stunning views. For all those with the legs for long climbs, endless views and flowy forest singletrack awaits you.

Via the stunning Sava Valley, you will criss-cross down to Lake Bled where you will encounter a landscape that looks like it comes straight out of a fairytale: with its shimmering aquamarine lake, medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff, some of the highest peaks in the Julian Alps and the Karavanke as a backdrop, Bled is picture-perfect.

For the second day, our starting point for the crossing the Triglav National Park will be Kranjska Gora, an area best known for its alpine skiing and ski jumping, but which is also beloved for its excellent, year-round hiking and biking facilities. As well as being one of the oldest national parks in the world and one of the largest in Europe, Triglav is a world of arresting beauty – fully of rocky mountains (the centrepiece of which is Mount Triglav, the country’s highest peak at 2864m) and glacier-formed valleys. You will climb the off-road trail of the mighty Vršič Pass, the only connection between the northern and southern regions of the Julian Alps, where you will witness some of the most captivating views in Slovenia. The downhill part of the pass includes several technical options and leads to the horseshoe-shaped Trenta Valley, which – thanks to its cascading waterfalls and stunning emerald green River Soča – is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist destinations.

Riding surface

Expect everything from steep climbs and high passes to singletracks that carve their way down the mountainside.

Average mileage

Your standard routes in the Slovenian Alps are going to be around 50-60km, and 1500 meters of elevation gain. Karavanke has an extensive network of trails, we can make your ride as long or as short as you like. The second day, the option of extending your day trip is around Planica valley (the ski Jump area) of Kranjska Gora. Further south, the valley extends into the beautiful Tamar Valley, we can extend until 70K and +-2.000m of elevation gain.

Officially recognized travel agency

VVR registration nr. 9733


© BEYOND BIKING, 2015