Emerald Cycling Route

You will have a personal welcome meeting and bike fitting upon arrival.

If you arrive in time, you can visit the historic old town. Marvel at the ornate, old-world architecture in the shadow of Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hilltop and standing guard over the old town. From the castle tower, you get a commanding view of the city and surrounding mountains.

Enjoy a meal in the old town and then round it off with a beer beside the Ljubljanica River, or on a riverboat ride.

Overnight: Ljubljana. Accommodation in a central 4* hotel.

Distance: 39 km (+18 km optional side trip to Iski Vintgar Valley). A nice and easy first cycling day across the marshy plains surrounding the capital.

As the morning sun begins to rise high in the sky, you will be cycling across an immense 160-square kilometre marshy plain. The Ljubljansko Barje was once a great lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Along the way you can take a short walk into the picturesque Iški Vintgar gorge nature reserve, carved deep into a stunning limestone dolomite plateau, and visit the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. Just before arriving in Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find an interesting exhibition of Tito’s cars.

Overnight: Vrhnika. Accommodation in a 3* hotel.

Distance: 32 km (+12 km optional side trip to nature reserve Rakov Skocjan). A slightly more demanding day over gentle hills, forest roads and a typical limestone landscape.

Today’s cycle takes you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You will experience the real Slovenian countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the disappearing lake of Planina, and marvel at the wonders of this vast world of limestone. You can stop for a picnic lunch in the Rakov Škocjan nature reserve, where the Rak River has carved out a stunning gorge containing some incredible rock formations, including two natural bridges.

Overnight: Postojna. Accommodation in a 4* hotel.

Distance: 42 km (+6 km optional side trip to Predjama Castle). A hilly day, with one long descent.

Today will start with a visit to the beautiful Postojna caves, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. An optional 1½ hour tour will take you through a fairy tale world full of stalactites and stalagmites. Look out for the “human fish”, a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves.

Also recommended is a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-meter cliff-face. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight named Erasmus, who kept a whole army at bay by sneaking out through the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, including freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them!

Overnight: Štanjel area. Accommodation in a 3* guesthouse.

Distance: 48 km. Rolling terrain with flat sections.

Today’s first stop is perhaps at the botanical garden in Sežana. Then it’s on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school.

If you have the time, you can also visit the interesting “War Museum” set in the old Venetian tower of Lokev.

Overnight: Divača. Accommodation in a 3* hotel.

Distance: 38 km. Initially rolling terrain, then a long descent.

If you skipped the Postojna caves, then you will have a chance this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves. These are no less interesting but much less frequented Karst Caves and are listed as UNESCO natural monument.

You can take a diversion to the lively Italian port town of Trieste, to visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. Trieste was once part of Slovenia whilst under the rule of the Austrian monarchy. You can relax with a cappuccino in the many old-fashioned cafes.

Today’s route ends in Muggia, south of Trieste. After your days’ cycling it is time to enjoy a gelato and enjoy the view over the Adriatic.

Overnight: Muggia. Accommodation in a 4* hotel.

Distance: 37 km (+11 km optional side trip to the Seca salt pans). An easy coastal route.

For your last day you’ll cycle along the coast on a new cycling path which follows a former railway line. Enjoy great vistas of the Slovene coast and the Gulf of Trieste. A coffee stop in the fashionable resort of Portorož is a must.

The trip ends in the stunning little Venetian harbour village of Piran. The pearl of the Slovene Riviera, Piran is one of the most beautiful villages on the whole Adriatic coast.

Overnight: Piran. Accommodation in a 4* hotel.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning unless you have booked any additional services with us. If you would like an additional night in Piran then just let us know at the time of booking.

You can return to Ljubljana by train or bus, or take a ferry across the Adriatic to Venice.