FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SAT 20 JUN | WELCOME
Welcome to Slovenia! The day starts at 11:00am with final bike fit or setup, depending whether you hired a bike or brought your own. This will be followed by a light lunch and Tour Briefing. In the afternoon we head out on a leisurely ride to shake out the legs after travelling, check the bikes and get a taste of beautiful Slovenia.
DISTANCE | 30KM | 20MI
ELEVATION | 250M | 800FT
DAY TWO SUN 21 JUN | LOOP TO VRHNIKA
We ride into the gentle hills west of Ljubljana. Downhill we go, followed by a relatively flat first half before we climb into the hills. Here, a vibrant network of springs and streams join to form the source of the river Ljubljanica. Quiet, winding roads through woodland and green pastures before the gradual descent back to Ljublana. Perfect warm-up for the tour ahead.
DISTANCE | 70KM | 43MI
ELEVATION | 650M | 2100FT
DAY THREE MON 22 JUN | LJUBLJANA TO BLED
Your first big day out! We leave Ljubljana, riding to Skofja Loka. From there we're in new terrain, climbing to Drazgose and enjoying panoramic views as the road winds across the ridge. Our destination is a Renaissance chateau dating back to the 13th century.
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 1650M | 5400FT
DAY FOUR TUE 23 JUN | LOOP OF LAKE BLED
The vibrant jewel of Slovenia, Lake Bled is stunning and simply not to be missed. Although we have two lakes on the menu today. You decide which is the most beautiful. We ride along the shore of Lake Bled, with views to the beautiful baroque church on the island. We then follow the Sava Bohinjka river right up to tranquil Lake Bohinj.
DISTANCE | 99KM | 60MI
ELEVATION | 1600M | 5250FT
DAY FIVE WED 24 JUN | BLED TO BOVEC
Sensational day in the saddle! The route gives us one last look at Lake Bled, and then winds along the valley to Kranjska Gora, following quiet bike paths amid the trees. When we leave Kranjska Gora, we begin the climb of the famous Vrsic Pass. Built by Russian prisoners of war, with cobbled hairpin bends, this is a magnificent, bucket list ascent. Around the 50KM mark, stop to catch your breath at the chapel in honour of the Russians.
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5600FT
DAY SIX THU 25 JUN | LOOP INTO ITALY
Incredible day in the saddle riding a loop into Italy. This route offers everything. Downhill start beside the Soca river before the mountainous climb to the Passo di Sella Carnizza in the Prealpi Giulie National Park. Swoop down to the Fiume Fella before heading skywards to the Sella Nevea, sail past gorgeous Lago del Predil before the final push to Passo di Predil. You'll love the long descent back down to Bovec which has a fast finish. Loads of fun today!
DISTANCE | 95KM | 59MI
ELEVATION | 2050M | 6700FT
DAY SEVEN FRI 26 JUN | THE MANGART!
A mere 50KM, to the summit, but seemingly to the top of the world, the Mangart Pass. One of the highest roads in Slovenia, we'll climb to just over 2000M. Sensational descent before the other side of Predil Pass. Then it's a gradual descent pretty much all the way to Pressegger See across the border into pristine Austria.
DISTANCE | 115KM | 71MI
ELEVATION | 3100M | 10170FT
DAY EIGHT SAT 27 JUN | PRESSEGGER SEE TO HEILINGENBLUT
Today's route is a reasonably steady ascent with a couple of efforts required along the way. Our destination is Heilinglenblut, amid the velvet green alpine pastures of Austria, with cow bells occasionally tinkling.
DISTANCE | 100KM | 62MI
ELEVATION | 2050M | 6700FT
DAY NINE SUN 28 JUN | LOOP TO GROSSGLOCKNER
The fabled Grossglockner out and back, with Edelweisspitze. You could rest - but really should - also include the out and back to Franz-Joselfshohe from where you have a truly awesome view to the biggest glacier in Austria.
DISTANCE | 55KM | 34MI
ELEVATION | 2500M | 8200FT
DAY TEN MON 29 JUN | HEILINGEN BLUT TO CORTINA
Your climbing legs will eat into today's route as it it is a rest day. A welcome descent for the first twenty kilometres, a warm-up climb and another downhill. From the Lienz at the border, there is a really great bike path if you prefer that to the road, almost all the way to Cortina.
DISTANCE | 120KM | 75MI
ELEVATION | 1550M | 5080FT
DAY ELEVEN TUE 30 JUN | CORTINA LOOP
We ride the classic side of Passo Giau, the tough finish to the Maratona dles Dolomiti, and included multiple times in the Giro. Once you summit the Giau, it's all downhill into Cortina for a well earned beer!
DISTANCE | 65KM | 40MI
ELEVATION | 2050M | 6700FT
DAY TWELVE WED 1 JUL | CORTINA TO CANAZEI
Brilliant day in the saddle for your finale! We ascend the Falzarego out of Cortina, but this time descend to La Villa. From there it is the first loop of the Maratona round the famous Sellaronda massif. Four of the best - Passo Campolongo, Pordoi, Selle and beautiful Gardena. Celebrations over aperitivi and dinner to wind up an epic tour!
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 3150M | 16800FT
DAY THIRTEEN THU 2 JUL | DEPARTURE
Morning group transfer to Venice of about three hours. Plan onward travel from mid-afternoon.
Time to say farewell, until next time.
Ride safe Puntos.