What to know about Gravel Cycling in Slovenia

We ask all customers to pay the required deposit when they book, which confirms their reservation. The balance is due 90 days before departure. If you book less than 90 days before departure, we will ask you to pay the full price upfront.

Cancellations may occur. However, the boutique nature of our tour keeps our groups small, so this is unlikely. If we do have to cancel the tour due to insufficient participants, Covid-19 or for some other unforeseen circumstances, we will naturally provide you with prior notice and refund monies paid to date.

It is a requirement that insurance is taken out for your tour of Slovenia at the time of booking, as this should then cover you immediately, should anything occur between the time you book and departure/return.

APRÈS VÉLO ENCOURAGES AND WELCOMES NON-RIDING PARTNERS TO ATTEND OUR SLOVENIA TOUR.

Riders and non-riding partners partake in all meals, and post ride activities making it an inclusive and shared experience for all.

100%. We cherish the opportunity of designing bespoke tours for groups of friends, corporate clients, teams and families.

This is a true gravel adventure, and not a technical gravel race.

The majority of our riding will be on quiet gravel roads, forest tracks and rural backroads — many of which feel like hidden pathways through Slovenia’s incredible landscapes. Expect wide, flowing gravel surfaces, gentle climbs, sweeping descents and smooth “champagne gravel” rather than rocky or technical terrain.

Around 60–65% of the tour will be on gravel surfaces, with the remaining riding on quiet sealed roads that connect the most scenic sections of the journey.

We ride through alpine forests, mountain plateaus, vineyard regions and coastal landscapes, with constantly changing scenery throughout the week.

This tour is about exploration, not exhaustion — allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Slovenia and the moments that happen along the way.

Our Slovenia Gravel Adventure is suitable for riders who are comfortable riding longer distances and climbing, but you do not need to be an experienced technical gravel rider.

The routes are carefully selected to showcase the best of Slovenia without unnecessary difficulty. The gravel roads are generally wide, flowing and confidence-inspiring, making this the perfect introduction to gravel touring for experienced riders who love beautiful roads, incredible scenery and a little adventure.

While a gravel bike is strongly recommended to get the most from the experience, a modern endurance road bike with wider tyres (minimum 40mm) may be suitable depending on tyre clearance and setup. The ideal configuration is a gravel bike with tyres around 40–45mm, providing comfort, control and confidence across Slovenia’s beautiful gravel roads.

Slovenia is a beautiful but mountainous country, and this tour includes plenty of climbing — the reward is the incredible scenery that comes with it.

We recommend a gravel bike equipped with a compact or sub-compact gearing setup that allows you to comfortably spin on longer climbs. A wider gear range will make the riding more enjoyable, particularly on the Alpine stages and longer ascents.

A setup similar to a 40–46T rear cassette is ideal, with many riders choosing a 1x or 2x gravel configuration depending on personal preference.

The most important thing is having gearing that allows you to ride comfortably for several hours whilst enjoying the climbs.

This is not a tour for beginners.

This tour is designed for riders who enjoy a sense of adventure and are comfortable riding longer distances with elevation.

You don’t need to be a technical gravel rider — the majority of our gravel roads are wide, flowing and confidence-inspiring. However, Slovenia is not flat, and the beauty comes from the ever-changing landscapes, which means there are some rewarding climbs along the way.

Riders should be comfortable cycling approximately 60–80km per day with regular climbing, riding for several hours at a moderate pace.

Our tours are not about racing. They are about exploring, sharing the experience with like-minded riders and enjoying every kilometre of an incredible journey.

Day 5 is our longest ride - circa 104km with 1300m elevation.
See our itinerary for our daily agenda.

The pace of the riding will be moderate at all times.

We are never in a rush to get from Point A to Point B. This itinerary has been designed for everyone to be comfortable and enjoy the riding and beautiful surroundings.

We will have a support vehicle for guests to use if needed.

Most importantly, we are here to Live the Ride safely and take in the beauty that Slovenia has to offer.

Difficulty of this trip is rated at 3.5/5. We are not riding vast distances on a daily basis, and there are plenty of breaks and stops along the way.
Riders will need to have the required fitness to complete the longest ride of the tour – Day 5, which is our 80km ride from Brda to Lipica.

You will always have at least one ride captain on the road with the group. Depending upon the group size and riding strengths, there may be two riding groups, with a ride captain leading each group.

Après Vélo will arrange airport transfers for all guests including bike bags at pre-arranged times (both arrival and departure).

Weather can always be unpredictable and plays a big part with each ride.
Therefore, each rider must be prepared for rainy weather and colder temperatures.

Slovenia is home to a plethora of natural landmarks that are a must see for any visitors let alone cyclists. Among the most iconic are Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, Triglav National Park, Lake Behind, Škocjan Caves and Soča Valley.

Cycling in Slovenia offers not only ever-changing landscapes but also a variety of terrains. You’ll encounter everything from flat wine-country and river trails to steep Alpine climbs and gravel forest paths. Because of this diversity, choosing the right bike is extremely important. Hybrid bikes are a great all-around option, providing comfort on both paved roads and dirt trails. Additionally, a bike with at least 18 gears is ideal to handle the challenging mountain climbs.

The loop around the lake is approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles), making it ideal for a relaxed ride, typically taking between 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Hill climbs in Slovenia vary in difficulty but are generally considered challenging, especially in the Alpine and mountainous regions.

Many climbs, like the famous Vršič Pass, reach elevations over 1,600 meters (about 5,300 feet) and feature steep gradients that test even experienced cyclists.

When biking in Slovenia, it’s important to bring a reliable bike suited to your planned terrain, whether that’s a road bike, gravel bike, hybrid, or e-bike. Always wear a helmet—mandatory for children under 14 and highly recommended for all riders—and carry reflective clothing and bike lights for riding in low visibility conditions.

Slovenia offers its most rewarding cycling experiences from late spring through summer into early autumn. Each season creates its own picturesque landscape that is unique like no other. 

In Slovenia, there are plenty of routes which are easily accessible from the magnificent landmark of Lake Bled. These routes as well include incredible sites including Bohinj, Radovljica & Begunje, Kropa and Pokljuka Plateau. Tailored to the individuals personal preference and strength, all routes incorporate some of Slovenia's finest and true beauty.

The Julian Alps West Loop is a popular multi-day bike packing circuit through Slovenias stunning alpine landscape. This route is approximately 420km and generally stretched across 6-8 days for most riders allowing for roughly a weeks worth of amazing views in Slovenia. The total elevation gain across the trip is 9000-9230m of climbing.

Slovenia is a highly bike-friendly country swiftly movings its way into one of the most popular cycling destinations in Europe. With excellent infrastructure, beautiful routes for all levels, and a supportive cycling culture, making it a fantastic destination for cyclists.

You can hire biking equipment at many locations across Slovenia, especially in popular cycling regions and tourist towns. Some of the best places to rent bikes include; Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Kranjska Gore, Maribor, Piran and the Slovenian Coast. 

There's certainly something rewarding about planning your own cycling holiday. However, riding independently also means taking responsibility for every aspect of the journey, from navigation and logistics to accommodation, mechanical issues and unexpected situations that inevitably arise...