Slovenia

[Mr.Gib]

What's it like? Road quality, food, hotels? If I go I will be sure to ride all the most recommended roads, do all the significant climbs, etc. It's the rest of the details about the country that I am curious about.
Tks.

[Spaetzle]

We have been there last year for a few weeks and loved it. Great landscape, people, food, etc. I cannot say much about hotels, because we were camping. If you want more tips, pls ask specific questions. Roads are good but as in every country it depends on the region I would say.

[Ypuh]

I've been there last year and cycled about 900km and 16k elevation. I stayed in Tolmin mainly, and visited Ljubljana and Trieste on overnight trips. In short Slovenia can be described as Italy-light; much of the landscape, but less populated and lesser historic cities/towns. A mix of Austria/Italy and a few influences from Eastern-Europe. I don't say this as a bad thing though, it's just a nice and quite place sitting in the shadows of more popular neighbouring holiday destinations. The landscapes are absolute beautiful and the people friendly.

The food is probably the least attractive aspect. It's not bad, but don't expect much culinairy excellence, just some pizza's, pasta, fish and chips and some Italian and Austrian dishes at fair prices (food + 1/2 drinks is maybe €15 p.p). As someone who cycled ~150k a day this was perfectly fine and I felt very welcome.

My Strava rides give you some sense of the landscape, with the last one (Triglav National Park) as the absolute highlight in both scenery and elevation.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9493967170
https://www.strava.com/activities/9499737003
https://www.strava.com/activities/9507172393
https://www.strava.com/activities/9512560068
https://www.strava.com/activities/9518538368
https://www.strava.com/activities/9526035783
https://www.strava.com/activities/9532267371

Sidenote: One of my friends also visited Slovenia this year and went to the (probably most popular) Bled-lake with his camper. He did not like it and called it a tourist trap. He was literally stuck in traffic for hours getting into the small town. Personally I did not experience this at all, so my recommendation would be to stay at 2-3 towns away from the most popular destinations. Tolmin was great, but only hosts maybe 4-5 spots for drinks or dinner. It suits the outdoor-style of many locals. Ljubljana was also a nice historic city and obviously more crowded. There's a few major climbs in the area, but the nice mountain views are probably more exclusive to the Julian alps.

Oh yeh, I almost forgot but now seeing the Strava rides again. I got both excellent and horrendus weather at the same time. At one point I saw multiple lightning strikes hitting trees below me. 15 minutes later I was cruising in 30c perfectly blue skies again. The weather up in the mountains can be very, very treacherous! I have to admit I was pretty scared at some point, even though I checked the weather like 20 times a day and still got surprised. I also skipped some climbs for this reason.

TLDR: Very much recommend Slovenia if you enjoy beautiful scenery in a nice and quiet country

[Mr.Gib]

This sounds good. Thanks for all the info. Nice to hear that most places are quiet. Nothing worse than busy roads in the mountains. In the towns, it doesn't really matter, but I'm done with climbing or descending in a line of traffic - looking at you Dolomites.

[GaBa]

This sounds good. Thanks for all the info. Nice to hear that most places are quiet. Nothing worse than busy roads in the mountains. In the towns, it doesn't really matter, but I'm done with climbing or descending in a line of traffic - looking at you Dolomites.

When are you planning on going? August might be busy as is everywhere. From the top of my head during summer I would avoid doing Vršič pass (or do it very early in the morning) an obviously as someone already commented, Bled. It truly is awful, people are moving out since it is nearly impossible to live normaly and run errands, go to meetings (in time) etc.

I do not want to promote Slovenia too much in order to keep it quiet haha but for fellow weightweenies I will do an exception Will think about it a bit on what to recommend, there are many places worth seeing and routes worth riding.

Would you prefer staying at one place or moving in order to see more of the country?

We can continue here or you can DM me.

[BernieMoves]

Slovenia? Beautiful and well suited for road, gravel, XC, DH. Friendly people, amazing landscapes and delicious food. Hidden gem in my opinion. If you need info on the north (around Maribor), let me know. I semi live there.

Be aware that you MUST use cycle lanes where available, no exceptions for road bikes (except groups of licensed racers with an accompanying vehicle). The speed limit on them is 25 kph. I paid a fine for riding on the road just this August. Carry cash bc immediate payment means a 50% discount on the fines.

[okx]

This sounds good. Thanks for all the info. Nice to hear that most places are quiet. Nothing worse than busy roads in the mountains. In the towns, it doesn't really matter, but I'm done with climbing or descending in a line of traffic - looking at you Dolomites.

100% true regarding Dolomites... I really like that reagon, been there 6 times and most amaizing time was in 2021 just after covid lockdown, it felt like you have all roads for your self, but last 2 years - completelly overcrowded and I'm starting to think, that it's time to change holiday destinaition for next year...

[Mr.Gib]

This sounds good. Thanks for all the info. Nice to hear that most places are quiet. Nothing worse than busy roads in the mountains. In the towns, it doesn't really matter, but I'm done with climbing or descending in a line of traffic - looking at you Dolomites.

When are you planning on going? August might be busy as is everywhere. From the top of my head during summer I would avoid doing Vršič pass (or do it very early in the morning) an obviously as someone already commented, Bled. It truly is awful, people are moving out since it is nearly impossible to live normaly and run errands, go to meetings (in time) etc.

I do not want to promote Slovenia too much in order to keep it quiet haha but for fellow weightweenies I will do an exception Will think about it a bit on what to recommend, there are many places worth seeing and routes worth riding.

Would you prefer staying at one place or moving in order to see more of the country?

We can continue here or you can DM me.

I am leaning toward early September. My plan is to cover as much of the country as possible in 7 or 8 days of riding. I figure that is enough time. We'll also hire a van and driver to transfer our bags every day so we'll be able to cover a lot of ground riding station to station. I'll be in Europe for the month, so I could hang out in Slovenia longer, but I have some riding planned for France afterward which will require at least two weeks.

What's wrong with the Vrsic pass? Crowds?

[slovenianbp]

What's wrong with the Vrsic pass? Crowds?

I suppose he meant tourists going up there with cars and overtaking you, interupting the joy of climbing serpentines on "cobble" stones. It is not as bad, even during the rush hours, since there is a limited parking capacity at the top and the sign at the bottom notices drivers its full. If you are ready for more advanced route I highly recommend you continue descending down to Trenta valley and proceed toward Mangart (and climb to the top, if the weather allows you. In September bring enough warm clothes for the descent). Descend to the Italy passing the Lago del Predil, Tarvisio and take bike path back to Kranjska gora. You have option to visit lakes of Fusine, Planica on your way back. Very scenic route, not the easiest, its one of the hardest given you do two climbs, it always justifies title of "Slovenian classic".

[GaBa]

This sounds good. Thanks for all the info. Nice to hear that most places are quiet. Nothing worse than busy roads in the mountains. In the towns, it doesn't really matter, but I'm done with climbing or descending in a line of traffic - looking at you Dolomites.

When are you planning on going? August might be busy as is everywhere. From the top of my head during summer I would avoid doing Vršič pass (or do it very early in the morning) an obviously as someone already commented, Bled. It truly is awful, people are moving out since it is nearly impossible to live normaly and run errands, go to meetings (in time) etc.

I do not want to promote Slovenia too much in order to keep it quiet haha but for fellow weightweenies I will do an exception Will think about it a bit on what to recommend, there are many places worth seeing and routes worth riding.

Would you prefer staying at one place or moving in order to see more of the country?

We can continue here or you can DM me.

I am leaning toward early September. My plan is to cover as much of the country as possible in 7 or 8 days of riding. I figure that is enough time. We'll also hire a van and driver to transfer our bags every day so we'll be able to cover a lot of ground riding station to station. I'll be in Europe for the month, so I could hang out in Slovenia longer, but I have some riding planned for France afterward which will require at least two weeks.

What's wrong with the Vrsic pass? Crowds?

Besides what @slovenianbp said I read some days ago there will be renovation works going on from this autumn until 2026 with partial to full road closures. But otherwise route Kranjska Gora - Vršič - Mangart - Predil - Kranjska Gora is indeed one of the most scenic ones.

Another scenic route is "Maraton Alpe", starting from Kamnik you go to Jezersko - Pavličevo sedlo (in between you shortly enter Austria) - Ljubno - Gornji Grad - Črnivec pass - Kamnik. Coming down from Pavličevo sedlo you can turn right instead of left towards Luče and enter Logarska valley, beautiful scenery as well, but it is dead end so you then have to go back. And you can shorten your route a bit by going up to Kranjski Rak from Luče. Road up to Pavličevo is quite bad in my opinion and very steep.

Karst / Vipava valley is a nice region and has some nice climbs, Predmeja being one of the biggest ones. Nearby there is also Nanos and then a lot of rolling terrain so you can do a loop.

North from Ljubljana you can do Krvavec climb, it's Pogi's home climb basically, his home village is just some kilometers from the foot of the climb.

South from Ljubljana there are also some nice routes, you can do Rakitna climb and onwards to Cerknica, via Bloško jezero back to Ljubljana through Grosuplje.

[Mr.Gib]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

If you are ready for more advanced route I highly recommend you continue descending down to Trenta valley and proceed toward Mangart (and climb to the top, if the weather allows you. In September bring enough warm clothes for the descent). Descend to the Italy passing the Lago del Predil, Tarvisio and take bike path back to Kranjska gora. You have option to visit lakes of Fusine, Planica on your way back. Very scenic route, not the easiest, its one of the hardest given you do two climbs, it always justifies title of "Slovenian classic".

The Vrsic/Mangart double was one of my planned routes. Should be a good day on the bike.

[RDY]

Slovenia? Beautiful and well suited for road, gravel, XC, DH. Friendly people, amazing landscapes and delicious food. Hidden gem in my opinion. If you need info on the north (around Maribor), let me know. I semi live there.

Be aware that you MUST use cycle lanes where available, no exceptions for road bikes (except groups of licensed racers with an accompanying vehicle). The speed limit on them is 25 kph. I paid a fine for riding on the road just this August. Carry cash bc immediate payment means a 50% discount on the fines.

That's pretty disappointing for a country that's supposed to be cycling friendly.

[slovenianbp]

Slovenia? Beautiful and well suited for road, gravel, XC, DH. Friendly people, amazing landscapes and delicious food. Hidden gem in my opinion. If you need info on the north (around Maribor), let me know. I semi live there.

Be aware that you MUST use cycle lanes where available, no exceptions for road bikes (except groups of licensed racers with an accompanying vehicle). The speed limit on them is 25 kph. I paid a fine for riding on the road just this August. Carry cash bc immediate payment means a 50% discount on the fines.

That's pretty disappointing for a country that's supposed to be cycling friendly.

I wouldnt worry about it. If you dont count in major towns, most road bike users dont use the path most of the time. I got pulled over once in a 10 year timeframe, and just so it happened to be on a special police event day when they focused on cyclists "safety".
I supposed you ride on bike paths where it makes sense, in towns or crowded roads, and the ones that are separated from the road through the nature. Most of village paths are just "pumptracks" with a lot of debris and crosses the road all the time.

[BernieMoves]

Slovenia? Beautiful and well suited for road, gravel, XC, DH. Friendly people, amazing landscapes and delicious food. Hidden gem in my opinion. If you need info on the north (around Maribor), let me know. I semi live there.

Be aware that you MUST use cycle lanes where available, no exceptions for road bikes (except groups of licensed racers with an accompanying vehicle). The speed limit on them is 25 kph. I paid a fine for riding on the road just this August. Carry cash bc immediate payment means a 50% discount on the fines.

That's pretty disappointing for a country that's supposed to be cycling friendly.

I wouldnt worry about it. If you dont count in major towns, most road bike users dont use the path most of the time. I got pulled over once in a 10 year timeframe, and just so it happened to be on a special police event day when they focused on cyclists "safety".
I supposed you ride on bike paths where it makes sense, in towns or crowded roads, and the ones that are separated from the road through the nature. Most of village paths are just "pumptracks" with a lot of debris and crosses the road all the time.

Can confirm that most road bikers don't use the bike paths. Also the fact that many are essentially sidewalks and rather bumpy.

I'm used to Austrian road laws where road bikers are exempt from many things. Playing that foreigner card made no difference though. I guess I just got unlucky that day...