Wide shot of Bled Castle, town, lake below, mountain behind.

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Croatia & Slovenia's Alps Bike Tour

Mountain Lakes, Rolling Vineyards & Enchanted Seaside

In Slovenia, ride epic Alpine passes where flinty blue rivers run. Then Croatia beckons with rolling byways between sea coves and olive groves. It’s a one-two punch of dynamic destinations perfect for cycling.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

From $5,899 - $6,499/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Bikes Reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Link the bucket-list-worthy Slovenian Alps with Croatia’s dreamy peninsula of Istria on a fantastic journey across history and timeless landscapes
Taste the diversity of this European crossroads, from decadent Austro-Hungarian pastries to Mediterranean seafood and wine
Glide by boat across the swan-studded waters of glacial Lake Bled and cycle Triglav National Park
Nope, it’s not Italy—but the colorful painted villages of the Istrian and Slovenian coasts are a dead ringer for the riviera of their western neighbor
Visits to local producers and stirring stories from recent history bring these Central European countries to life

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Ljubljana, Slovenia Airport & Travel Details

Begin your journey in Ljubljana, Slovenia, one of Europe’s hidden gems
Bike to Bled, a picturesque resort town nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps
Climb a beautifully forested route to Slovenia’s Triglav National Park and enjoy lunch at a local cheese farm
Gaze over the mountains and 360 degrees of water as you tour the dramatic Church of the Assumption of Mary on Bled Island
End the day with a dinner fit for royalty as alpenglow lights up the surrounding peaks.

Rikli Balance Hotel

(Deluxe Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Sky view of a large lake with buildings surrounding it

Dining table with large windows in the back

Outdoor pool with a view of the forest in the back

Indoor lounge with a fireplace and leather couches

Nights 1-2

Rikli Balance Hotel

Bled

Deluxe Hotel

Calming interiors, the largest indoor-outdoor pool complex in Bled and views of Lake Bled and Bled Castle all combine to help you chase this relaxation-centric spot's namesake: balance. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Discover Slovenia’s postcard-perfect Radovna Valley and the famed mountaineering towns of Mojstrana and Kranjska Gora
Ski jumps in winter are just another part of the dramatic landscape in summer
Follow a scenic bike path along a converted railway
Relax into beach time in the romantic Slovenian fishing town of Portorož (Port of the Roses)
Dine on fresh-caught seafood and sample fine regional wines.

Hotel Palace Portorož

(Luxury Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Large hotel building with columns and gardens out front

Dining room tables set with glassware in hotel restaurant

Night 3

Hotel Palace Portorož

Portorož

Luxury Hotel

Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this luxurious hotel offers stellar service and blends contemporary design with classic elegance. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Cross the border by bike as Croatia’s dense forests and terraced fields welcome you
Cycle peaceful roads to Livade, the country’s truffle capital, and learn to spot these fragrant culinary delights
Ride from the Venetian town of Bale through central Istria’s striking landscape
Dive into history as you pass small villages, castle ruins and the remains of medieval towns
Stop for a swim on a deserted islet as you return by boat to our coastal retreat on the Adriatic.

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior Restaurant Meneghetti Wine Hotel

Nights 4-5

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery

Bale

Luxury Hotel

This tranquil country retreat is surrounded by lush olive groves and Mediterranean flora and features spacious rooms with rustic yet luxurious styling. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Trieste, Italy Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Route & Terrain Notes

The biking routes on this trip follow quiet paved roads through mountainous terrain in Slovenia and through farmland, vineyards and coast in Croatia. Biking terrain varies from level to rolling, with some bigger climbs in the Slovenian part of the trip, especially on the long options. Most of the roads we ride are in excellent condition and lightly trafficked, but some routes include sections are on hard-packed dirt roads with patches of gravel, allowing us to bypass some more trafficked roads.

Day 1

Biking

Level 2

16 miles

1300 ft. gain

Level 3

29 miles

2100 ft. gain

Level 4

35 miles

2600 ft. gain

Day 2

Biking

Level 2

17 miles

1700 ft. gain

Level 3

30 miles

3600 ft. gain

Level 4

47 miles

4700 ft. gain

Day 3

Biking

Level 3

24 miles

2500 ft. gain

Level 4

32 miles

3200 ft. gain

Day 4

Biking

Level 2

22 miles

1900 ft. gain

Level 3

28 miles

2500 ft. gain

Level 3

32 miles

2700 ft. gain

Day 5

Biking

Level 2

27 miles

2100 ft. gain

Level 3

40 miles

2500 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $5,899/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Summer Heat & Crowds

Croatia and Slovenia are popular tourist destinations with busy peak seasons, especially during the summer months and on national holidays. We’ve planned our itinerary to take you off the beaten path, but crowds are common in this region, particularly on the coast. Keep in mind that summer heat can make biking and hiking more challenging.

Air-Conditioning

While Hotel Vila Bled offers outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning and guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy varied riding days, with moderate options as well as longer rides featuring steady climbs. It’s ideal for travelers who want to experience Slovenia’s alpine landscapes and Croatia’s Istrian coast by bike. E-bikes available.

This is a Level 2–4 Biking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 15–25 miles and the longest options reaching around 45 miles, with up to 4,700 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Slovenia has a distinctly alpine character, with forested valleys, mountain villages and the lakes of Bled and Bohinj. In Croatia, the trip takes on a more Mediterranean feel, with Istria's vineyards, olive groves and medieval hill towns leading toward the Adriatic coast.

Most riding takes place on quiet paved roads with generally light traffic. Some routes include hard-packed dirt roads with patches of gravel, which help bypass busier roads. Terrain ranges from level to rolling, with some bigger climbs in Slovenia, especially on longer options.

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