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Lauren Wolff  —  3/19/2025

Explore the Best Cycling Routes in Slovenia

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Slovenia is a hidden gem for cyclists, featuring a diverse mix of alpine climbs, rolling countryside, and picturesque lakeside routes. Whether you're an avid road cyclist ready to tackle legendary climbs or someone who prefers riding from home on your trainer, Slovenia offers some of the best cycling experiences. With dramatic landscapes, well-maintained roads, and a rich cultural history, Slovenia is a dream destination for cycling enthusiasts. Let’s dive into the incredible cycling routes available, both in real life and on ROUVY.

Explore the Best Cycling Routes in Slovenia

Discover a primarily forested and mountainous country with incredible climbing opportunities for intrepid cyclists to conquer. You'll find these towering high in the Triglav National Park in the far northwestern part of this tiny country half the size of Switzerland and covering 20,273 square kilometres. Along the borders that join Italy and Austria are the High Alps and the Julian Alps, including Slovenia's highest peak, Mount Triglav, at 2,864 metres. One can cycle numerous well-kept routes in a pristine, natural environment in Slovenia in the centre of Europe, connecting three countries, Italy, Croatia, Hungary and the Adriatic Sea.

You can choose to go on an incredible journey of discovery with ROUVY on routes that traverse the majestic and towering Julian Alps in the northwest with spectacular mountainous landscapes suited to the more enthusiastic cyclist but also enjoy a lot of flat, picturesque roads along meandering emerald-green crystal-clear rivers and glacial lakes, in the Bovec region and the Soča river valley before the climbing starts. These popular and famous roads are the ideal training ground for many top Slovenian pro road cyclists, such as Tadej Pogačar, Primož Rogljič, and Matej Mohorič, that would have undoubtedly honed their climbing skills.

Top Cycling Routes in Slovenia on ROUVY

Climb the classic Vršič Pass from the Bovec side

The highly popular Vršič Pass, located in the Triglav National Park in the far northwest near the border of Italy, is Slovenia's highest alpine pass and the highest pass in the Eastern Julian Alps, with over 26 numbered hairpin bends through beautiful scenery. You'll ascend through thick forests and green mountain pastures, with magnificent views on Slovenia's most popular and historic mountain pass from the Trenta side through the picturesque Soča Valley beginning in Bovec.

Vrsic Pass - Eastern Julian Alps.png Above: A view in the valley of Slovenia's highest alpine pass and the highest pass in the Eastern Julian Alps on ROUVY.

During WWI, the pass was hand-built with cobblestones, but now, cobbles only on the bends in the hairpins snaking up the north side (from Kranjska Gora) remain. Pace yourself conservatively for the first 21km because the final kilometres are tough!

cobbled blends.jpg Above: The cobbled bends on the north side (from Kranjska Gora).

Once you are finally at the summit of the Vršič Pass, in real life, you can descend over the other side and extend your virtual trip and do some exploring and climbing in Austria, which is only 7 km from the alpine resort of Kranjska Gora, and near the magnificent mountains and glacial lakes of Triglav National Park. Further into Austria, you can climb a pass in the Salzburger Lungau and Carinthian Biosphärenpark Nockberge UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and ride over the brutal Eisentalhöhe, a climb of two parts with its numerous steep hairpin bends averaging 8-9%. The goal of this biosphere reserve is for humans to live in a symbiotic and harmonious relationship with nature.

Mangart - the highest road in Slovenia

Explore Slovenia's highest pass in the Julian Alps on ROUVY, which was filmed by bike. The famous and historic Mangart Pass is situated on the border between Italy and Slovenia. The mountain road lies in the Triglav National Park, rated by many as the world's second-most scenic climb. The unique pass was built in 1938 by Italian soldiers in WW2 when the area was part of Italy.

Mangart climb.jpg Above: A photo I took at the summit of the brutal Mangart climb in Slovenia.

Mangart climb 2.png Above: Climb the Mangart on ROUVY.

The steep and winding road is the third-highest peak in Slovenia at an altitude of over 2,000 m. One can ascend 845m over almost 11km with an average grade of 8% and a maximum of 17% on a narrow road with rugged cliffs stitched to the edge of the road that winds now and again through historic, small and dark tunnels. The route crosses the border from Italy to the far northwestern part of Slovenia with breathtaking views of the Julian Alps, the Loška Koritnica Valley and Lake Fusine in Italy.

Bohinj - Bled - Pokljuka

This route combines rolling terrain, challenging climbs, and stunning scenery and takes you through some of Slovenia’s most famous landmarks. Starting near Lake Bohinj, it winds past the fairy-tale setting of Lake Bled and into the forested climbs of Pokljuka. It balances challenge and reward, making it a must-ride for cyclists who enjoy a blend of nature and endurance.

Lake Bled.jpg Above: Lake Bled, one of the most iconic locations in Slovenia (photo by Lauren Wolff).

Lake Bled is one of the most iconic locations in Slovenia, with its picturesque island church and medieval castle perched high on a cliff. Riding through this area, whether in real life or on ROUVY, feels like pedalling through a postcard. Pokljuka, known for its biathlon centre, adds an extra layer of intrigue as you’ll be riding through an area frequented by world-class winter sports athletes. This route is excellent for those looking to combine moderate climbs with beautiful views and smooth roads.

village near Blead.jpg Above: Riding through the quaint villages near Bled.

Explore popular Slovenian routes on ROUVY

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Cerklje - Krvavec

If you’re looking for a real climbing challenge, the route from Cerklje to Krvavec will push your limits. This brutally steep ascent leads up to the Krvavec ski resort, a climb often featured in professional races. It’s a true leg-burner with gradients that don’t let up, but the views at the top are absolutely worth the effort. On ROUVY, you can tackle this tough climb with some focused effort.

Krvavec is well-known among Slovenian cyclists and is often compared to some of the famous Tour de France climbs. The challenge comes not only from the steepness but also from the relentless nature of the climb—there are very few sections where you can recover. Reaching the top, however, provides an incredible sense of accomplishment. If you ride this on ROUVY, be prepared for an intense workout and the rewarding virtual views at the summit.

Passo del Predil, an ancient trade route

The picturesque Passo del Predil alpine climb northwest of Slovenia leads you through a serene, picturesque, remote valley that ends where the Mangart begins on the Italian border. The road takes you on a scenic journey through pine forests and gorgeous mountain views to the edge of Italy, with historical remains from WWI. We start along the valley near one of the most visited cultural monuments in the Soča valley - a massive fort built for defence against Turkish invasions, Napoleon's army and attacks during World War I. The fort lies 4 km from Bovec toward the Predil Mountain Pass.

Passo del Predil.png Above: The picturesque Passo del Predil alpine climb northwest of Slovenia.

The route is 15 km long, with a 5% average gradient. The first half is slightly rolling with an average slope of just 2,5%, so this climb is quite manageable if you ride conservatively in the first half at least and use the flatter parts to warm up your legs for the 6 km climb afterward, which is not that steep compared with other climbs in this area. While you are in this neck of the woods in the far northwest, you can plan a virtual trip across the border into Italy and ride just over 100km, and you'd find yourself at the foot of the famous Zoncolan climb!

Situated in the far northeast of Italy, you can approach the Zoncolan from the most demanding west side on ROUVY from Ovaro. Read all about one of the steepest climbs in Italy on ROUVY, which is so close to Slovenia.

More Must-Ride Slovenia Cycling Routes

While these are some of the top routes available on ROUVY, Slovenia’s real-world cycling scene has even more to offer. The country is crisscrossed with bike trails that range from easy lakeside paths to punishing alpine climbs. Here are a few more routes worth exploring:

Logarska Dolina features a stunning valley ride with lush greenery, waterfalls, and traditional Slovenian farmhouses. The Soča Valley allows you to ride alongside the emerald-green waters of the Soča River, providing scenic mountain views and gently rolling hills. The Kozjak Waterfall Route is a shorter but incredibly scenic ride through dense forests leading to one of Slovenia’s most beautiful waterfalls.

waterfalls.jpg Above: River Soča in the Triglav National Park.

If you want to combine cycling with wine tasting, the Maribor Wine Route takes you through Slovenia’s famous vineyard region. Lastly, the Piran Coastal Ride offers a relaxed route along the Adriatic coast, complete with sea views, historic towns, and a Mediterranean atmosphere.

Why Slovenia is a Cycling Paradise

Cycling in Slovenia is more than just bike tours through beautiful landscapes over magnificent roads—it’s an immersive experience that blends adventure, history, and culture. The roads are well-maintained, the traffic on roads is light in many regions, and the variety of terrain, whether bike paths or bike trails for mountain biking or gravel riding, makes it a perfect destination for different types of cyclists of all levels. Plus, with virtual options on ROUVY, you can explore these incredible routes no matter where you are in the world.

Slovenia.jpg Above: A picturesque scene of one of the Slovenian cycling routes.

Beyond the cycling itself, Slovenia is a welcoming country with a strong outdoor culture. Local cafés and mountain huts provide excellent spots to refuel with traditional Slovenian dishes like štruklji (rolled dumplings) or a hearty bowl of jota (a traditional stew). The friendly locals are always happy to share tips on the best hidden routes and scenic detours.

Whether you’re planning your next cycling holiday or looking for the ultimate indoor training experience on ROUVY, Slovenia’s best bike routes and legendary climbs are ready for you. Hop on your bike, hit the virtual roads, and start exploring Slovenia—one pedal stroke at a time.

Lauren Wolff
ROUVY Writer
With a background spanning 30 years in the creative and writing industries, Lauren brings her love of storytelling and cycling together in her work for ROUVY. A lifelong athlete with almost 40 years of racing experience, she spent a couple of years riding with a semi-professional road racing team and went on to achieve podiums at National Championships and UCI World Masters events. She also completed the gruelling 2005 Cape Epic and earned triathlon medals back in the early ’90s. Lauren has trained on ROUVY year-round since 2016 and writes passionately to inspire others to ride and explore.
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