Champion's Ride

Day 1: LJUBLJANA 4* hotel.
Arrival in Ljubljana - accommodation in 4* city center hotel. Once settled in, you can spend the rest of the day strolling around the lovely historic old town, and take a short walk or ride up to the Ljubljana Castle. Perched on a hill and standing guard over the old town, this is Ljubljana's most distinctive feature. From its tower you get a commanding view of the capital’s heart and soul. As the sun goes down you can relax with a drink in the many outdoor bars/cafes beside the Ljubljanica River, or take an evening stroll, enjoying the lights and vibrant sounds of the city.

Day 2: LJUBLJANA - LOGARSKA DOLINA
74 km, elevation gain 1300 m, drop 2200 m, max gradient 19%
Into the Alps: Today you leave the city and head north to the beautiful Kamnik Alps, stretching from Slovenia right the way to Austria. The soaring peaks of Grintovec (2558m) and Storzic (2132m) will dominate your view as you cycle first to the historic little town of Kamnik. Visit the two ruined castles here and have a coffee in the old town. From here you’ll continue on deep into the heart of the Kamnik Alps and into the exquisite Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina), a peaceful alpine glacial valley where you’ll spend the night.

Day 3: LOGARSKA DOLINA - BLED
92 km, elevation gain and drop 2050 m, max gradient 20%
Over the hills and far away: Leaving the tranquillity of the Logar Valley, you will cycle off to a fairy-tale lake via the Pavlic Pass. Along the way, you’ll visit the lovely alpine lake at Jezersko and the equally beautiful artificial lake at Preddvor, both blessed with beautiful backdrops. Either is a good choice for lunch. The day will end at the pearl of Slovenia’s northern region, Lake Bled.

Day 4: BLED - BOHINJ - BLED
87 km, elevation gain 1900 m, drop 840 m, max gradient 17%
Lake Bled, with its beautiful church sitting on an island in the middle of the lake and guarded by a medieval hilltop castle, is the stuff of fairy tales. Start or end your day here with a boat ride to the island and a ride up to the castle for a panoramic view of the lake and glacial valley. Your cycling day will take you to the old village of Kropa, where you can visit the iron forging museum dedicated to the town's blacksmith trade, and the iron-smelting town of Zelezniki. You’ll weave your way back to Bled through forests, along rivers and, time permitting, you can also stop by the beautiful Vintgar Gorge.

Day 5: BLED - AUSTRIA - KRANJSKA GORA
101 km, elevation gain 2405 m, drop 2010 m, max gradient 39%
Leaving Bled, you will cycle first to the little village of Begunje, famous for being the birthplace of Slovenia’s folk music legend: Slavko Avsenik. As well as the Avsenik restaurant and museum, you can also visit Kamen Castle and the well preserved Robacnek Mill. Here you will leave Slovenia temporarily and head into Austria via the centuries-old Ljubel Pass, running close to Mount Stol (the highest peak in the Karavanke Alps), and then loop around back into Slovenia via the Koren Pass. Podkoren is located close to the lovely alpine town of Kranjska Gora, a great place to spend the evening.

Day 6 : KRANJSKA GORA - TOLMIN
96 km, elevation gain 1950 m, drop 2610 m, max gradient 21%
Today you will ride from the Slovenian Alps to the Italian Alps. You’ll cross the border and head to Tarviso. Encircled by the Julian, Karavanke and Canal Alps, Tarviso is the perfect place to take a rest, sip a cappuccino and soak up the sunny views before tackling the amazing Predel Pass, running between Mt Mangart and Mt Kanin. On the other side, you’ll glide back down into Slovenia via the glistening emerald Soca Valley through the villages of Kobarid and Tolmin.

Day 7: TOLMIN - LJUBLJANA
103 km, elevation gain 1950 m, drop 1850 m, max gradient 22%
Your route today will eventually take you back to the Slovene capital. Get up early enough and you can visit the Tolmin Gorge, the lowest and southernmost entry point into Triglav National Park. Visit the thermal springs under Devil’s Bridge. Your route to Ljubljana will take you through the Cerkno Hills, where you'll ride from the alpine region to the Dinaric Karst region of the southwest.

Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season:
May 1 to May 15 and September 18 to October 12, 2021: 1.025 EUR
High season:
May 16 to September 17, 2021: 1.090 EUR

Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels 3*/4* and guesthouse in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer – one piece, max 20 kg / 45 lb
• information pack including overview map, one per booking
• personal welcome meeting and briefing upon arrival
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip

Optional extras:
• single room supplement 290 EUR
• upgrade to city historic center 4* hotel 60 EUR

• handlebar bag, panniers

• road bike rental 125 EUR. FUJI (2/9) or TREK (3/9) bikes are equipped with 21 gears, cyclometer, lock, one small under-saddle pocket bag, one spare tube, set of Allen keys and basic puncture repair kit. Price includes delivery and pick up. Every additional day 22 EUR per bike. Other bike types are also available. Bike rental period starts 9:00 day two of the tour and ends on the evening of day seven in Ljubljana – 18:00. Light fitness bikes are available.
• helmet rental 12 EUR