Alpe Adria Slovenia: Villach to Trieste

Day 1: Arrival in Villach
You will arrive in Villach, the Carinthian city at the confluence of the Drava and Gail rivers. Parking is available near your hotel. Take time to explore the lively old town before the journey begins.

Day 2: Villach – Tarvisio (40 km)
You will follow the Gail river out of Villach, leaving Austria behind within a few kilometres. The well-maintained cycle path climbs gently through a landscape of forests and mountains where the trees absorb every sound and only the quiet of nature remains. Servus Österreich, Ciao Bella Italia!

Day 3: Tarvisio – Bled (55 km)
From the Italian border town of Tarvisio you will ride back across the frontier and into Slovenia. Past the ski resort of Kranjska Gora, the cycle path threads through pristine Slovenian countryside — largely untouched and stunningly green. A short train section can shave off about ten kilometres and a little elevation. The evening awaits you on the shores of romantic Lake Bled, cradled at the foot of the Julian Alps.

Day 4: Bled – Ljubljana (55 km)
You will ride from Bled to Ljubljana, the European Green Capital since 2016. On the way you will pass through Radovljica, a medieval town with views across the Karavanke range and the Julian Alps, and Kranj, capital of the Slovenian Alps with one of the country’s finest historic centres. The evening belongs to Ljubljana — do not miss the iconic Dragon Bridge.

Day 5: Ljubljana – Postojna (60 km)
Leaving the capital, you will pedal through idyllic villages and quiet roads flanked by green hills and farmland, passing through Logatec to Postojna. The highlight awaits underground: the Postojna Cave, the world’s second-largest stalactite cavern, where a miniature railway has carried visitors through its vast network of tunnels and chambers for 140 years.

Day 6: Postojna – Lipica (50 km)
Today’s ride takes you to Lipica, the birthplace of the noble white Lipizzaner horses, bred here since 1580 and made famous by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Along the way you will pass Pivka and its Military History Park, offering a unique window into Slovenian and world history.

Day 7: Lipica – Trieste (30 km)
The final day is a gentle descent towards the sea. You will admire the beautiful Val Rosandra near Pesek and ride along the route of the former Parenzana railway. Almost entirely downhill, the path glides towards the waters of the Adriatic and into the grand Habsburg port city of Trieste — a fitting finale to this three-country adventure.

Day 8: Departure from Trieste
Individual departure, or extend your stay to explore Trieste further.