Julian Alps loop

Cycling is more than just a passion at Hike&Bike; it’s a way of life. As locals living and riding in the Julian Alps, we’ve spent countless hours exploring these majestic mountains. The Julian Alps Loop – Long brings together the very best of the region into a carefully designed 8-day adventure for cyclists who want to experience the beauty of Slovenia on two wheels.

The Julian Alps are the largest mountain range in Slovenia, home to Mt. Triglav, the country’s highest peak (2,864 m) and a national symbol proudly displayed on the Slovenian flag. This tour takes you through famous alpine villages, past crystal-clear rivers, and across Slovenia’s two highest mountain passes – Vršič (1,611 m) and Bohinj Saddle (1,277 m). Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic roads, rich cultural heritage, and stunning views that make this an unforgettable adventure.

Average carbon footprint per person 126 kg CO₂

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DAY 1

welcome to the julian alps

After checking in to your accommodation in Bohinj valley you will have a welcome meeting where you will get all the final information for your trip.

DAY 2

BOHINJ VALLEY

Your first ride in the Julian Alps will be all about Bohinj valley and lake Bled. You will ride on a beautiful cycling path and quiet roads that connect two most famous lakes. This ride is a great way to start your cycling adventure in the Julian Alps.

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 80 km
vertical meters: 1160 m

Day 3

Q: When is the best time to CYCLE IN the Julian ALPS?

T he optimal time for cycling around the Julian Alps is between May and October, when the weather is cyclist-friendly and the landscapes are at their most stunning.

3 top spots

First day of cycling will start in Bohinj valley where you will climb over the famous Pokljuka plateau, ride along the rivers and scenic valleys to reach beautiful alpine village Kranjska Gora.

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 65 km
vertical meters: 1360 m

DAY 4

3 countries in 1 ride

The loop ride from Kranjska Gora will take you first to Austria, where you will see how life on the north side of the Karavanke mountains is and later you will ride to Italy where we suggest to take a break and enjoy a cup of famous Italian coffee or gelato. We usually have both. 😉

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 61 km
vertical meters: 1130 m

Day 5

highest pass in sloVENIA

This day will be an epic one. You will cross the highest pass in Slovenia, visit the spring of the famous Soca river and ride through some of the nicest alpine valleys in the world before you reach a charming town of Kobarid where you will spend the night.

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 70 km
vertical meters: 1330 m

DAY 6

EXPLORE ITALY AND THE LANGOBARDS

A loop ride day where we invite you to explore the most north-eastern part of Italy and visit Cividale del Friuli a town created by Julius Caesar and is nowadays on the UNESCO list of world heritage. A great town to explore ancient history and reward yourself with a glass of Aperol spritz or Prosecco in one of the typical Italian bars.

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 72 km
vertical meters: 1040 m

Day 7

SOCA & BOHINJ VALLEY

Final day will start with a perfect warm up ride along Soca river all the way to Baca valley. This is where we start to approach the Bohinj saddle pass that will bring us back to Bohinj valley. If you don’t feel like climbing too much on this day you can take the train on the famous Bohinj railroad all the way to Bohinj valley and save your legs for the beautiful ride to lake Bohinj.

TECHNICAL DATA:

distance: 81 km
vertical meters: 1770 m

DAY 8

DEPARTURE DAY

After breakfast it is time to depart. We hope that you had a great time cycling around the Julian Alps and that the memories will stay with you forever.

Why Cycle the Julian Alps?

Cycling in the Julian Alps is a must for every true cyclist. The roads and trails here are both beautiful and challenging, winding through valleys, over passes, and alongside lakes and rivers. The area is also part of Triglav National Park, where cyclists are treated to incredible natural scenery, including lush alpine meadows, dense forests, and majestic mountain peaks.

The long version of the Julian Alps Loop offers 429 km of cycling over 8 days, with enough time to truly immerse yourself in the landscape. Every day is carefully planned to ensure you ride the most scenic routes, visit iconic landmarks, and enjoy Slovenia’s famous hospitality.

What to Expect?

The long Julian Alps Loop takes you on a full circle around the Julian Alps, starting and ending in Bohinj Valley. Each day includes carefully selected routes with stunning views, quiet roads, and stops at natural and cultural attractions.

This tour is perfect for road cyclists, gravel enthusiasts, or anyone looking for an active vacation. Need help with logistics? We’ve got you covered with bike rentals, GPS navigation, luggage transfers, and more. If you prefer a guided experience, we can arrange a local cycling guide to join you.

Includes

Hike&Bike welcome meeting
7x breakfast and overnight in specialised cyclist friendly accommodation
luggage transport
map of the area and route instructions
GPS tracks
list of equipment needed
first aid kit (on request)
24/7 phone support

Does not include

travel cost to Slovenia
lunches and dinners (approx. price for a nice lunch is between 15 – 20 eur and dinner 25 – 30 eur)
cost of drinks and other personal spendings
bike (rent of gravel, MTB or e-MTB on request)
bike bags (on request)

What to bring

Once you book a self guided road biking with us we will provide you with a full equipment list that we suggest to have for your cycling vacation.

When to come

Ideal time for this cycling trip is between May and October.

When is the best time to CYCLE IN the Julian ALPS?

The optimal time for cycling around the Julian Alps is between May and October, when the weather is cyclist-friendly and the landscapes are at their most stunning.

How can I arrange bike rental for the JuliaN ALPS LOOP?

To arrange bike rental for the Julian Alps loop, simply contact us for more information, and we’ll assist you in selecting the right bike for your adventure. In our bike fleet we have a great selection of gravel and e-bikes and we are sure that we can provide you with the perfect bike for this tour.

What does the Julian ALPS LOOP package include?

The Julian Alps loop package includes a welcome meeting, three breakfasts with overnight stays in cyclist-friendly accommodations, detailed maps and route instructions, GPS tracks, a list of necessary equipment, first aid kit availability (on request), 24/7 phone support, and luggage transport.