Pearls of Slovenia

After making your own way to Bled, enjoy this famous fairy-tale town situated on the sides of a glacial lake. There is a beautiful island church sitting amongst the water and the backdrop is made up of gorgeous mountains. You will be greeted by one of the Helia representatives who will give you a welcome drink and information pack. Take your pick of what you do for the afternoon; opt for a hike, enjoy the scenery, or visit the church and ring the church bell!

Your journey will start off with a car transporting you to the high plateau at Pokljuka. This point gives you amazing views down into the Bohinj valley, sitting proudly in Triglav National Park. Pedal on down via numerous alpine villages dotted around the area until you get to Ribčev Laz (Fisherman’s Pass), which sits next to the gorgeous Lake Bohinj. From here head to Savica Waterfall, which is the source of the Sava Bohinjka River. You can also take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for an amazing view of the Bohinj Valley and Mount Triglav, this is the highest point in the Julian Alps. Enjoy the gorgeous surrounding scenery of forests following by an evening in one of the quaint village pubs accompanied with a glass of home-made honey brandy.

As you say goodbye to Bohinj you’ll be accompanied by the views of the Julian alps in the background. Up next will be a bit of a climb to the Jelovica high plateau (there is also a lift to help you up should you require it). Once you’re up there the route goes via deep forest which then goes down into the Selška Dolina Valley and into the Škofja Loka hills. Take your first break for the day in Sorcia, an area sitting in low green hills and the birthplace to Slovenian painter Ivan Grohar. To commemorate him you can visit a local gallery with a limited collection of his. After this you will be stopping in Železniki, an iron-smelting town and home to an old blast furnace from 1826. On route you can also stop in a local village inn and try yummy local trout. Your destination for the night is Škofja Loka; this is one of the oldest towns in Slovenia, ideally spent wandering through the streets of the old town.

The Kamnik-Savinja Alps will accompany you as you leave Škofja Loka. A stop to note is the village Preddvor, if the weather is warm take advantage and swim in the alpine lake here.

After an easy day of cycling end up at the Brdo estate. Chill out before dinner in this former royal and presidential residence is, finished off with a beautiful relaxing park.

Enjoy a day of cycling amongst history! Start the day off with a visit to Kranj AKA the capital of Carniola. Be led to the amazing village of Kropa, which is the home to the iron forging museum where you can learn about the town’s blacksmith trade; learn how to make your own nail here from over 100 types! You can leave it with the collection or take it home to make your own. After head to the edge of Jelovica high plateau and onto your stop for the night of Radovljica, a wonderfully preserved town with a beekeeping museum to be visited.

Today’s cycling will entail the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the village of Begunje. This settlement was the site of one of Slovenia’s darkest moments, you can learn about this in the village of hostages and learn about the thousands of people were executed during German occupation of the Second World War. It’s not all doom and gloom here, this city is also home of the famous Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. Just a stone’s throw away are the ruins of Kamen castle. Continue cycling on through mountains illuminated by the sun before reaching Kranjska Gora. This town is popular for its ski resorts and even is home to the world record for the longest ski jump.

Time for the last day of cycling, but definitely not the least. Head into the thick of the Triglav National Park, alongside the Sava Dolinka River on its way to join the Sava Bohinjka, becoming the Sava River (the longest in Slovenia). After stopping in Mojstrana go into the Krma Valley. The landscape here is luscious and green with a tranquil forest, there are also monuments from the Second World War and traditional farmhouses (one of which has been transformed into a museum). Stop for a spot of lunch in the mountain hut at the bottom of Triglav, the highest mountain in the Julian Alps accompanied by gorgeous views. After this you’re on the home stretch as you go through Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. Leave the valley and take a short trip to the beautiful 1.6km-long Vintgar Gorge.

Enjoy a last breakfast and then it’s time to head home.