The Complete Guide to Cycling Slovenia

Slovenia is one of the smaller countries of the EU, sitting in Central Europe east of Italy and north of the Balkan peninsula.

When it comes to cycling, Slovenia is a country still largely underrated and undiscovered.

To get an idea of what Slovenia is like, think of a land of pine forests, alpine lakes fringed with snow-capped mountains, tiny hamlets and expansive vineyards. and some of the finest truffles in the world, all of this untouched by modern mass tourism.

Cycling Slovenia is a dive into the soul of Mother Nature itself and a feast of all five senses!

The locals are welcoming and open to cyclo-tourism and eco-tourism, while Slovenian cuisine finds its roots in simplicity, with curious gastronomic proposals that can bring visitors back to the Europe of the last century and beyond.

Lakes, rivers, and waterfalls are ever-present, and the pulsing veins of Slovenia, contribute to fostering its flourishing nature while making both the perfect backdrop and the most incredible relaxing soundtrack for any cycling trip.

Let’s dive right in and let’s discover all you need to know about Slovenia!

Topography

Slovenia is a tiny European country spread across an area 20.271 km² (7.827sq mi), divided into 8 regions and sitting at the crossroads of the Balkan Peninsula and Central Europe. It is located around the latitude 46° N and between the longitudes 14 to 16° E.

The country shares its western border with Italy, Southern border with Croatia, Northern border with Austria, and Eastern border with Hungary. On the east side, the country has about 46kms (28,6mi) of coast, also known as the Slovenian Riviera, which gives it access to the northern part of the Adriatic Sea.

Slovenia is a mostly Alpine region, which is crossed by three mountain chains:

1. The Julian Alps (in the West), home of the Triglav (the highest peak in the country towering at 2874m – 9461ft) and some of the most famous Slovenian lakes such as Lake Bohinj and the idyllic Lake Bled

2. The Kamnik-Savinja Alps (in the North), a mountain chain with more than 30 two-thousand, filled with scenographic pastures and green valleys such as the iconic Logar Valley

3. The Karavanke Alps (in the East), an area characterized by steep slopes, scenic peaks, gorges, waterfalls, and a great diversity of plants and animal species

That said, its important to underline that not all of Slovenia is covered with mountains: in the South-Eastern part the country is jagged with karst hills (such as the Škofja Loka and the Polhov Gradec hills), while the 30km (18,6mi) of Adriatic coast host some of the most photogenic cities of the whole Adriatic sea such as Pirano (famous for its Venetian architecture) or Capodistria.

The most impressive topographical characteristic of Slovenia though, is something that you would not normally witness while cycling: the underground!

As you can probably guess, by combining the widespread presence of limestone and the great abundance of waterways, it’s just normal for underground caves to form.

What most people would not probably expect though (and also one of the most surprising characteristics of the Slovenian topography!) it’s the humongous size of its caves: the Postojinska Caves, with their 21km length, are the most visited in Europe, and as of today they already attracted over 30million tourists.

In fact, the Skocjan Caves of Slovenia are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fun fact: because of the presence of a great variety of panoramas in such a small country (alps, hills, forests, seaside) and culture influenced throughout history by several neighboring European countries (Roman Empire, Slavic settlers, Austro-Hungarian empire, etc.), Slovenia is often nicknamed as “little Europe”, a cute way to describe its cultural and geographical richness which could be seen by extra-EU travelers as a “complete taste” of what the wider European continent has to offer!

Flora

Forests cover over 60% of the whole country, which places Slovenia among the most densely forested countries in Europe just behind Finland and Sweden.

From the lowland to the montane belt, the forests are mainly composed of wide-leafed deciduous and mixed forests, while in the upper montane belt, the flora is alpine, composed of coniferous forests including pines, larches, spruces, short grass, and shrub.

The most common indigenous plants are the olm, and the red carnation, which is also considered Slovenia's national flower.

Wildflowers are a special treat to witness when cycling through the Slovenian Alps from June to September: the spiky Alpine eryngos (they blossom every second year), the pink Western Marsh-orchid, the deep-blue Gentiana Clusii, and the Great Masterwort are just a few examples of the natural creations you might cross path with.

Slovenia, in fact, is home to over 4,000 species of wildflower, and each year the The Bohinj International Wild Flower Festival is held in the months of May and June to celebrate the wildflowers of the Julian Alps.

Fauna

The olm or the blind cave salamander is perhaps the most famous animal from Slovenia. It is considered a national symbol of Slovenia. The olm lives in the waters beneath Slovenia's extensive cave systems formed by its karst mountains.

However, most likely animals you might spot while cycling in Slovenia are herbivores such as boars, hares, deer, and roe deer.

In remote mountain areas though, there are still plenty of carnivores too, such as the European wild cats, foxes, the Eurasian Lynx, the European jackal, wolves, and over 1000 Brown Bears, mostly concentrated in the Dinaric forests.

Slovenia as a whole counts 75 mammal species, 404 bird species (ranging from quails to flamingos, crakes, alpine swifts, swans, ducks, lapwing, pelicans, and more!), 93 freshwater fish species (trouts, carps, and Danube salmons above all!) and 22 native reptile species including freshwater and seawater turtles as part of its animal kingdom.

As nature and quietness reign supreme in Slovenia (the population density is only 103 people per square kilometer or 273 people per sq mi), the natural world finds a great place to live in this corner of Europe, while cyclists and eco-travelers can find here the perfect destination to immerse themselves in the peaceful simplicity of it all.

Climate

Slovenia has a diverse climate despite its small size. This is because both the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea and the snow clad peaks of the Julian Alps exert differing influences on its landmass.

Near the coast, the prevailing type of climate is sub-Mediterranean, which is to say, warm summers, and mild winters.

On the Alps the climate is alpine, characterized by freezing and snowy winters, chilly mid-seasons, and fresh/enjoyable summers.

On the eastern hills, the climate is mostly continental, which is to say, hot summers, cold winters, and rainy mid-seasons. As a rule of thumb, the months from November to February are unfavorable for cycling in Slovenia all over the country.

The coastal region of Obalno-Kraska is the warmest region of the country and the first one that, depending on the year, can open for cyclists starting in March.

In Eastern Slovenia, the end of March to mid-April, is when the winter finally gives way to spring also in the hilly regions such as the Pohorje Hills near Maribor, the Skofja Hills, and the Polhov Gradec Hills.

For the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja, and the Karavanke Alps, the temperatures start rising above 10°C (50°F) only starting from June, to stay above that figure till September, before dipping back.

Economy

With a GDP of 60,06 billion USD as of 2023, Slovenia has the 85th largest economy in the world (23rd out of 27 in the EU), just behind the Democratic Republic of Congo and ahead of Belarus.

Its GDP per capita is relatively high at 29.750 USD, and positions the country in the 15th place within the European Union, ahead of countries such as Portugal, Czech Republic, and Poland.

The economy of Slovenia is well-developed and mixed, and the country enjoys a great level of economic stability and prosperity boosted by a highly educated workforce and well-developed road network and transport infrastructures.

As happened with many European countries, in the last two decades also the economy of Slovenia has greatly shifted toward the service sector.

Despite all the cultivated fields you might ride by when cycling in Slovenia, it will surprise you how the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sectors in Slovenia produce barely 2,5% of the country’s GDP.

Industrial production, on the other hand, holds strong at a whopping 32,2%, sustained by the national production of metals, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, machine tools, and electrical appliances.

All the remaining 65% of the Slovenian economic output is due to services.

The tourism sector contributes only to 5,4% of the total GDP (2023), employing just 7.7% of the total workforce, which shows how underrated and undiscovered Slovenia is when it comes to tourism.

Last but not least, a fun fact: according to Numbeo, Slovenia has the 2nd lowest crime rate of the whole European continent, behind just Switzerland.

There are several reasons why you should consider a cycling trip to Slovenia, but here are the 5 most compelling ones:

1. Slovenia Is Uncrowded

With only 2,1 million inhabitants, Slovenia is a country without urban sprawls and large cities. The two largest towns are Ljubljana with all of 2,70,000 people and Maribor with 1,10,000 people. All other towns have fewer than 50,000 people and most villages count just a few hundred souls.

The low population combined with a lower-than-average tourist influx makes Slovenia perfect for cycling away from the crowds and enjoying the peace and slow beauty of untouched nature. Cycling through the countryside of Slovenia, where houses are man-sized and even fences are rare, is an experience that will make you feel like the protagonist of your journey!

2. Slovenia's Untouched Nature Will Captivate Your Senses

In three words: Slovenia has it all! Snowy alpine peaks, wooded hills, pine forests, mountain rivers, waterfalls, a great variety of natural fauna, and a characteristic Adriatic shoreline. If you love the feel and smell of unspoiled nature when cycling, Slovenia is the place to be! It's diverse terrain ranging from beautiful beaches to snowclad mountains is a cyclist's delight.

3. Slovenia Was Named the European Region for Gastronomy 2021

Slovenia uniquely bridges the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst, and the Pannonian Plain, making it the only European country to do so. This remarkable geographical diversity, coupled with a history of foreign dominations ranging from the Roman Empire, the Slavic settlers, Austro-Hungarian empire, etc. gave birth to a vibrant culture which is also reflected in its local cuisine.

The ingredients in Slovenia are mostly locally sourced as over 60% of Slovenians grow food in their garden! Expect to feast on honey from native honey bees, mineral waters, salt from the Adriatic salt pans, olive from local olive groves, wines from local vineyards, and truffles from local forests.

Slovenian cuisine is simple, not overly elaborate, but natural and mostly organic. A few dishes you should try are the Struklji (17th-century festive rolled dumplings), Zganci (Slovenian corn mush and spoonbread), Potica (rolled dough Slovenian Cake), and the Jota potato/bean stew.

4. Slovenia Is Safe and Welcoming

In Slovenia, peace and quiet reign supreme, and life seems to move slowly. The country has among the lowest crime rate among all EU countries, so on the safety side there’s nothing to worry about. Locals are welcoming toward tourists and generally extremely excited to show you their culture and homeland!

5. Slovenia Is a Slice of Europe

You can get many tastes of Europe, all in one place! If you’ve got limited time to spend on the old continent, in Slovenia you can find very different realities (medieval towns, Alps, hills, Adriatic life, German, Italian, and Balkan food, etc.) all concentrated in a single, relatively tiny country. Slovenia is a mix of European cultures and panoramas, which throughout history also contributed to earning the country its nickname “little Europe”

When it comes to cycling in Slovenia, we can divide the country into 5 main regions worth visiting:

1. The Julian Alps (West)

The Julian Alps are home to the highest peak in the country – the Triglav, with an elevation of 2,863.65 metres (9,395.2 ft). The peak is a national symbol of Slovenia, appearing on its flag as well as its coat-of-arms. The Triglav National Park, Slovenia's only national park is spread out around the Triglav peak.

Iconic lakes such as Lake Bohinj and the world-famous Lake Bled are also located here. Here you can expect to see snow-capped peaks reflecting in the waters even until late spring, with their white color contrasting with the eye-catching greens of the valleys below. If you’re in for a challenge, you might consider cycling the iconic Vršič Pass (the highest mountain pass in the Julian Alps, with an elevation of 1611m (5285ft).

2. Kamnik-Savinja Alps (North)

Over 30 rocky two-thousander mountains, dotted with scenic pastures and green valleys such as the iconic Logar Valley. As you ride up in altitude, here the panorama becomes more rocky, and it’s possible to find plenty of mountain trails for mountain bike lovers.

3. The Karavanke Alps (East)

Forming a natural border with Austria, the Karavanke Alps offer a mix of moderate to demanding trails. The area's well-marked paths provide breathtaking views of both countries, with opportunities to explore hidden valleys and ridge-top rides. Highlights to include in your itinerary are the Drava River Cycling Route and the historic trail up to the Ljubelj Pass!

4. The Karst Hills (South and West)

The Karst Hills, with their unique limestone formations and subterranean wonders, provide a different kind of cycling adventure. Gentle rolling hills and quiet roads take riders through vineyards, ancient stone villages, and the famous Postojna and Škocjan caves (incredible must-do experiences!).

5. The Adriatic Coast (West)

Although small (only 30km – 18,6mi), the Slovenian coast offers a delightful contrast to the mountainous interior. The coastal towns of Piran, Portorož, and Koper are connected by a network of bike-friendly paths that hug the Adriatic Sea. Here, cyclists can leisurely enjoy easier rides through olive groves and along sun-drenched promenades, with plenty of opportunities to sample fresh seafood and local wines (such as the Brda or the Rebula) along the way.

1. The Juliana Bike Route

This is a 290km (180 mi) long road across the highest mountain chain in Slovenia, which passes through quaint alpine villages, pine-scented valleys, mountain passes, lakes such as Bled and Bohinj, and highland plateaus. The roads are mostly paved, but there are also plenty of alternative tracks for mountain bikes that cross the untouched terrain of the Julian Alps. Highlights of this trail are the Isonzo Valley at the feet of the Triglav mountain, and the flower-full Cerkno region which lies mid-way between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea.

2. The Trans Karawanks MT Trail

A delight for mountain bike lovers, the TK is a mountain route suggested for a 4-5 day itinerary. It extends for 132km (82mi), from Jezersko to Tromeja (or vice versa) in the Karawanks Alps. Pristine forests, azure alpine lakes, mushrooms, truffles, local fauna, and rocky peaks accompany cyclists through this route - a true soul-soothing experience! The trail is a mix of paved roads, grassy trails, and rocky tracks.

3. Slovenian Green Pannonian Route

The SGPR is a three-day loop that links the eco-friendly locations of Pomurje on both sides of the Mura River (such as Murska Sobota, Lendava, and Jerusalem) and offers a dive into Slovenian culture, architecture, art, and quietness. Pomurje is a region of Slovenia famous for its thermal springs with many spas along the way, its traditional gastronomy, the superior quality wines, the welcoming locals, and its mix of different cultures. The region shares borders with 3 countries: Croatia, Austria and Hungary

4. Slovenia Green Capitals Route

This is the perfect route for those interested in Slovenian culture and discovering the most influential Slovenian towns such as Ljubljana (the national capital), Kocevsko, and Bela Krajina (cultural capital of Slovenia). This 174km (108 mi) route crosses the UNESCO-protected Krokar beech forest and is dotted with sustainable agro-tourism hotels to stay and rest the nights.

5. Splendors of Slovenia and Croatia Cycling Route

This cycling route is an international cycling route spanning some 200 kms (125 mi) that stretches from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana all the way to the famous Adriatic resort town of Rovinj in Croatia. Along the way, cyclists get to ride past Lake Bled, the famous Vipava Valley known for its vineyards and orchards, and the region around Motovun known for producing some of the finest truffles in the world.

Best Season Slovenia is divided into two main climatic areas: the alpine northern regions, and the hilly-flat southern part. We look at the best time to cycle each part of Slovenia in turn below.

Northern Alps

The best season to cycle the Slovenian Alps is surely the summer and early fall, which in these parts ranges from the beginning of May to late October. At this time, the scenery explodes into a rainbow of colors and the diversity and beauty of this region reach their peak. Outside of this period, the high passes might still be covered by snow, and most trails are inaccessible for bikes.

South and the Coast

Mid-seasons (March and September) are great for visiting the Slovenian coast and the southern plains as temperatures are mild (10-22°C / 50-70°F) but not too hot like in summer.

Peak Season

The peak season in Slovenia is July-August, which also is the best time of the year to visit the Julian Alps, the Karawanks, and Triglav Park.

During this period, public transport, accommodation, and restaurants host their maximum amount of European vacationers and prices tend to soar.

While Slovenia in general is not an overly-touristic country, be sure to book well in advance to obtain the most convenient fares.

Off Season

The low season in Slovenia is the winter, which is from December to February.

At this time of the year, the country falls asleep, usually covered under a blanket of snow, many high-altitude roads become inaccessible and cycling stays on hold.

The only attractions in winter remain the local towns with their typical Christmas markets and the winter sports such as cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and alpine skiing.

Slovenian cuisine is a delightful blend of Central European flavors, characterized by its use of fresh, km0-local ingredients and traditional cooking methods that reflect the country's diverse cultural influences and centenary tradition.

As it happens with most European countries, the dishes vary by region, offering a rich tapestry of flavors. Five of the most iconic Slovenian dishes showcasing this heritage are :

1. Potica: Festive rolled pastries,
2. Jota: potato and beans stew,
3. Zganci: A curious buckwheat porridge,
4. Carniolan Sausage: Made with parboiled pork treated with Sečovlje Salt, a Slovenian specialty salts that is obtained from the Sečovlje Saltworks.
5. Veal and Bickwheat Dumplings: Perhaps the strongest contender to be called Slovenia's national dish.

All these delicacies are best washed down with a glassful of the finest Slovenian wine.

Slovenia is a member state of the EU and part of the Schengen Area.

If you’re not a citizen of a member state, you can apply for a Uniform Schengen Visa which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

You can find more information on the EU Page for the Schengen application.

Currency

Since 2007, the official currency in Slovenia is the Euro, which as of 2024 trades at around 1 Euro = 1,10 USD.

All major credit cards are accepted in Slovenia, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and American Express, and all merchants are obliged by law to offer the possibility of paying by card.

This makes carrying liquid cash quite optional in Slovenia, although having a small amount of you is always a clever idea as sometimes you might find street vendors and local farmers that won’t leave you a receipt for their services.

Transport

Slovenia is a relatively tiny country, so moving around is pretty fast.

Most trains in Slovenia are operated by the Slovenske Zeleznice national company, and allow bringing your bikes with you for a flat rate of 1.50Euro (normal bicycle) or 3Euro (E-Bike) and despite the country’s complex geography, trains are capillary and can bring a cyclist at the beginning of all the most popular trails in the country.

Buses are great for reaching Slovenia from nearby EU countries (especially the Green Flixbus buses) and for moving between cities. However, buses may not as convenient as the trains for moving around with a bicycle though.

Language

The official language in Slovenia is Slovenian, a South Slavic language that is considered one of the most archaic languages in Europe and it’s spoken today by almost 2.5 million residents.

The most distinctive feature of the Slovenian language is the “dual form”, where in addition to verbs for singular and plural, there is also a special form for “two” persons or objects.

While Slovenian might be incomprehensible to most foreigners, you’ll be happy to hear that English is almost universally spoken by locals as it’s taught to children since elementary school, and German and Italian are widely spoken too, respectively spoken by 18% and 15% of the population.

Culture and Religion

The Slovenes are an ethnically Slavic people and Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia for most of the 20th century. Slovenes were among the first Slavic people to be Christianized. As a result, Christianity is deeply rooted in the culture and ethos of Slovenia.

Over 70% of the Slovenian population identify themselves as Catholic Christians and 13% as Orthodox. Of the remaining, 4% as Muslim and 13% as atheists or agnostic, which is one of the lowest percentages non-believers in Europe!.

Slovenia is a quiet country overflowing with wilderness, nature, and peace. Little wonder, then, that Slovenians are deeply attached to nature and its rhythms.

Thanks to the low population density, more than 60% of Slovenians have the chance to own a garden and grow their own food. In the same way, over 40% of the population exercises more than 5 hours a week outdoors.

The city of Idrija is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its history of being associated with mercury mining. The works of the Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their importance as human-centred urban design.

Appliances and Devices

Electricity in Slovenia, as in most of the European continent, is supplied at 220-240 volts, and Slovenia uses a frequency of 50 Hz.

The electrical sockets in Slovenia are of two types: type C (2 simple round pins) or type F (shuko - two large round pins). These are also the most common types of sockets in Europe which work with most gadgets coming from the old continent.

If you’re coming from the UK, USA, or Asia, we suggest you bring or purchase a universal adapter.

Mobile Coverage

4G and 5G coverage is widely available in all major towns in Slovenia. However, as the country is largely mountainous and covered with forests, many “dark areas”, especially in remote locations, remain where both mobile service and data are not available.

The main Slovenian phone companies are Telekom Slovenije (over 90% of coverage!), A1 Slovenia, and Telemach. All three sell prepaid SIM cards with data.

You could also think about getting an e-sim by E-travels, Maya mobile, Airalo, or Holafly.

Time Zone

Slovenia lies in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is UTC+1. However, during daylight saving time, it switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.

Read: Slovenology by Noah Charney (2017), Dormice & Moonshine by Sam Baldwin (2024)

Listen: Slovenian Folk music styles, such as kolo, lender, štajeriš, mafrine and šaltin

Watch: Kecek (1951), Outsider (1997), Wild Slovenia – Divja Slovenija (2021)

Eat : Struklji ( rolled buckwheat dumplings filled with apple, walnuts and poppy seeds), Zganci (Slovenian corn mush and spoonbread), Potica (rolled dough Slovenian Cake), Carniolan sausage (a typical pork-meat sausage), cold cuts (local ham, cheese, and salami), Jota potato and beans stew.

Drink: Lasko Beer, Rebula wine from the Brda district

Learn: learn the tricks of freshwater fishing, how alpine agriculture works, learn to distinguish mushroom species, cook a stew,

Experience: Visit the incredible caves of Postojna, visit Lubjana and take a picture on the dragons’ bridge, take a typical Slovenian gastronomic tour, cycle around Lake Bled, take a hike to one of Slovenian’s gorgeous peaks (not for nothing, the locals define themselves as a “nation of hikers” as delving in nature is the locals’ number one hobby!), attend a national ethnological festival and witness a Polka group dancing.

Our Slovenia bike tours are designed for cyclists who want to not only explore Slovenia but also experience it. Each guided bike tour we offer comes with a passionate local trip leader who will provide you with all the support you need, a support van that stays with you throughout the tour, world-class bikes and equipment, fine handpicked hotels, and plenty of tips and information on what to visit, where to eat local, and what to try.

Electric bikes are also available for cycling in Slovenia on our bike tours.

Get ready to discover the jaw-dropping kaleidoscope of Slovenia culture, history, and nature, and come to enjoy its roads with us!

For more information on cycling the most exciting destinations, why not have a look at our complete guides to cycling in Italy and cycling in Portugal.