Pearls of Slovenia: Alpine Lakes and Valleys

Day 1: Arrival in Bled
You will arrive in Bled, a world-famous town on the shore of a glacial lake of breathtaking beauty. Its island church, clifftop castle, and backdrop of the Karavanke Mountains make it one of Slovenia's most iconic sights. You will stroll along the western shore for the best views, taste the legendary cream cake (Kremšnita), and watch the sunset paint the peaks.

Day 2: Bled – Bohinjska Bistrica (27 km; +130/−830 m; + side trip to Savica Waterfall 16 km; +/−200 m)
You will be transferred by bus to the high plateau at Pokljuka, where stunning panoramic views open up before a long, exhilarating descent into the Bohinj Valley — the jewel of the Triglav National Park. You will cycle through small alpine villages to the settlement of Ribčev Laz on the shore of Lake Bohinj, the largest and deepest lake in the national park. A side trip takes you around the lake to the Savica Waterfall, source of the Sava Bohinjka river. You will also take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps.

Day 3: Bohinjska Bistrica – Škofja Loka (49 km; +900/−1,050 m)
You will leave Bohinj and climb to the Jelovica high plateau — a lift to the top of the mountain pass is available as a “help out” option. From the summit, the route plunges through deep forest into the Selška Dolina valley. You will stop in the alpine village of Sorica, birthplace of the painter Ivan Grohar, then continue through the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki before arriving in Škofja Loka, one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval towns in Slovenia.

Day 4: Škofja Loka – Preddvor – Predoslje (45 km; +250/−190 m)
You will ride across the great Sora plain with the majestic Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop. If the weather is warm, a swim in a crystal-clear alpine lake at the village of Preddvor is the perfect refreshment. The easy cycling day ends at the Brdo estate, the former royal and presidential residence set in a beautiful park.

Day 5: Predoslje – Radovljica (46 km; +600/−530 m)
You will ride through history, starting with a visit to Kranj, the capital of Carniola. Then you will continue to the village of Kropa, home to a fascinating iron-forging museum where you can learn how to make your own nail from a collection of over 100 types. The route follows the edge of the Jelovica plateau to Radovljica, a town with a beautifully preserved old centre and an interesting beekeeping museum.

Day 6: Radovljica – Kranjska Gora (50 km; +600/−280 m; + side trip to Planica 13 km; +/−140 m)
You will ride along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje, site of the Museum of Hostages. Then you will follow a cycling path between the Julian Alps and the Karavanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine resort. An optional side trip takes you to the Planica Valley, home of the world-famous ski-jumping championships where many world records have been set.

Day 7: Kranjska Gora – Bled (40 km; +290/−620 m)
You will ride alongside the Sava Dolinka river through the heart of the Triglav National Park, into the Krma Valley with its WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses. You will lunch at a mountain hut at the foot of Mount Triglav and enjoy the breathtaking alpine scenery. A detour takes you to the stunning Vintgar Gorge, a 1.6 km canyon carved 150 metres deep into the rock by the Radovna River. Then you will return to Bled, where the loop closes in style.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, departure or extension of your stay.