FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SAT 19 JUN | ARRIVAL & WELCOME
Arrive in Ljubljana and settle into your hotel. The night's accommodation is booked for you, before the tour commences tomorrow. The guides will be there in the afternoon to assist with bike set-up so you are ready to roll.
If there's time, a late afternoon shake-out ride.
Tour Briefing and Welcome Dinner.
DAY TWO SUN 20 JUN | LOOP TO POLHOGRAJSKI
Today's scenic route takes us in to the pre-Alpine hills of the Polhograjski Dolomiti. One climb up to around 900M. Low average gradient but a few steep bits to keep you honest, with a fast, fun descent to follow.
DISTANCE | 70KM | 43MI
ELEVATION | 900M | 2950FT
DAY THREE MON 21 JUN | LJUBLJANA TO BLED
Your first big day out! We leave Ljubljana, riding the reverse of yesterday's finish 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 beautiful Lake Bled.
DISTANCE | 70KM | 43MI
ELEVATION | 950M | 3100FT
DAY FOUR TUE 22 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 | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 1600M | 5250FT
DAY FIVE WED 23 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 24 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 25 JUN | THE MANGART! BOVEC TO PRESSEGGER SEE
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. Technical 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 26 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 27 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 28 JUN | HEILINGEN BLUT TO CORTINA
Your climbing legs will eat into today's route as it is a rest day. A welcome descent for the first twenty kilometres, a warm-up climb and another downhill. From 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 29 JUN | CORTINA LOOP
We ride the easier side of the infamous Passo Giau starting from Cortina. This summit has been included multiple times in the Giro. Once you summit the Giau, it's on to Colle Santa Lucia with panoramic, picture perfect valley views. Drop down to the valley before tackling the Falzarego ascent. Finish with a glorious descent back into Cortina, and a well earned beer!
DISTANCE | 65KM | 40MI
ELEVATION | 1900M | 6200FT
DAY TWELVE WED 30 JUN | CORTINA TO CORVARA
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 1 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.