14 Oct 2026
Twin share
£1,879pp
Single from £2,340
Escorted tour
Self-Guided Cycling in Slovenia: Bled to the Coast – 8 Days
Lake Bled, the Soča valley, Brda wine country, Lipica and the Parenzana trail by bike, at your own pace with luggage moved for you.
8 days
From £1,879
Tour overview
This 8-day self-guided cycling holiday crosses Slovenia from the Julian Alps to the Adriatic, riding at your own pace with GPS-guided routes and your luggage moved between hotels for you. There is no tour leader: a local representative meets you to set up your bikes and explain the routes, and you ride independently. You stay seven nights in characterful places, from a lakeside hotel in Bled to a renovated homestead in the hilltop village of Šmartno, the Maestoso Hotel beside the famous Lipica stud farm and two nights in the coastal town of Koper. Seven breakfasts and one dinner are included, along with a transfer to Štanjel.
The holiday begins at Lake Bled, with its island church and clifftop castle. Your first ride is a 30km loop through pretty Slovene villages, with an optional detour to Kamen Castle. Next morning you take one of the most picturesque railway lines in the region, through 28 tunnels and over 68 bridges, to Kanal in the emerald Soča valley, then ride 33km into the Goriška Brda wine region.
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A day based in Šmartno lets you follow the so-called peach route through the vineyards, orchards and stone villages of Brda, with plenty of chances to stop for a tasting. You are then transferred to Štanjel, a Karst village of countless stories and stone terraces, and cycle through the Karst plateau to Lipica, where dinner is included at the Maestoso Hotel.
Before setting off for the coast, you can take a guided tour of the Lipica Stud Farm, home to the white Lipizzaner horses since 1580. You then ride down to Koper, a Venetian-style port, and spend a final day on the Parenzana trail, a former railway line that runs along the coast, among vineyards and through tunnels to the pretty town of Piran and the resort of Portorož.
The physical rating is medium, with daily rides of about 19km to 40km on quiet roads and cycle paths, some with hills. This holiday suits independent travellers who enjoy cycling, wine and scenery, and want the freedom to ride at their own pace.
Trip highlights
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A loop around Lake Bled's villages (Day 2)
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The scenic Bohinj railway to the Soča valley (Day 3)
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Brda wine country from Šmartno (Day 4)
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The Karst village of Štanjel (Day 5)
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The Lipizzaner horses at Lipica (Day 6)
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The Parenzana trail to Piran (Day 7)
Your route
8 stops from Bled to Piran
- Bled Days 1–2
- Kanal Day 3
- Šmartno Days 3–4
- Štanjel Day 5
- Škocjan Caves Day 5
- Lipica Day 5
- Koper Days 6–8
- Piran Day 7
Why choose this tour
Slovenia from the Alps to the sea by bike, with luggage moved for you. Characterful stays and the freedom to ride at your own pace.
Best suited to
- Independent cyclists
- Couples and friends
- Wine lovers
- Families with children aged 12 and over
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Bled, Slovenia to Koper, Slovenia
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Day 1 · Bled Arrive in Bled
Arrive at your lakeside hotel.
- Hotel
- Lakeside hotel
-
Day 2 · Lake Bled, Kamen Castle Lake Bled loop
A 30km loop through villages, with an optional castle detour.
- Hotel
- Lakeside hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Kanal, Šmartno Train to Kanal, ride to Šmartno
A scenic train ride, then 33km into Brda.
- Hotel
- Renovated homestead
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Goriška Brda Brda wine region
Ride the peach route through vineyards and villages.
- Hotel
- Renovated homestead
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Štanjel, Lipica Štanjel to Lipica
Transfer to Štanjel and ride across the Karst.
- Hotel
- Maestoso Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Lipica Stud Farm, Koper Lipica to Koper
Visit the Lipizzaner horses, then ride to the coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Portorož, Piran Parenzana trail
Ride the coastal Parenzana trail to Piran.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Koper Leave Koper
The holiday ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Bled (2 nights) Lakeside hotel
- Šmartno (2 nights) Renovated homestead
- Lipica (1 night) Maestoso Hotel
- Koper (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in hotels and a homestead
- Meals 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Bike hire and GPS-guided routes
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Transfer to Štanjel
- Bike set-up with a local representative
Not included
- Flights to Slovenia
- Train fare on Day 3 and the Lipica Stud Farm tour
- Meals not included 6 lunches and 6 dinners
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a guided group — this is self-guided
- You have never cycled — some days include hills
- You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Day 5
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Slovenia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,879 per person, twin share, tour only. 25 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £2,340 (single supplement from £461).
05 May 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
12 May 2027
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£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
19 May 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
26 May 2027
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£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
02 Jun 2027
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£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
09 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
16 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
23 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
30 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,079pp
Single from £2,540
07 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
14 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
21 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
28 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
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04 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
11 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
18 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
25 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,999pp
Single from £2,460
01 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,109pp
Single from £2,570
08 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,109pp
Single from £2,570
15 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,109pp
Single from £2,570
22 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,109pp
Single from £2,570
29 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,109pp
Single from £2,570
06 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,969pp
Single from £2,430
13 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,969pp
Single from £2,430
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is there a tour leader?
No. This is a self-guided holiday. A local representative sets you up with bikes and GPS routes, and you ride independently.
How far do we cycle?
Between about 19km and 40km a day, on quiet roads and cycle paths with some hills.
Is luggage moved for me?
Yes, your luggage is transferred between hotels.
Can I ride with others?
Other travellers may start on the same day, but you ride independently at your own pace.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not need a visa for Slovenia for a short holiday stay.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary